Today, October 22nd, at the commemoration of the 375th year of the Mather School, many Dignitaries were in attendance including Mayor of Boston Martin Walsh. Boston City Counselors, Boston Police commissioner Edward F. Davis,Massachessets Gorvernor Deval Patrick, U S Secretary Arne Duncan of Education .School Principle Cox,school staffs,parents including myself etc to commemorate the birthday and 375 years operation of Mather Elementary School,which is the oldest public Elementary School in North America-here is where my youngest daughter Mariama Sidibay is currently attending as a 3rd grader.My pictures with all the ignitaries including Police Commissioner of Boston,School Principle and Assistance Principle,city counselors etc.The Principal commends me and my wife for working very hard to build a strong family. It will recalled that all of our children went to Mather Elementary School and that the 3 eldest proceeded onto Boston Latin and the oldest proceeded further to Mount Holyoke College in her final year in economics. It was such an important event that even Obama was to attend, but instead he sent the secretary of education Arne Duncan, and this was the message from Obama to the school and the Principle and the people of Massachusetts: Congratulations, and I hope you feel truly proud today. Your state, Massachusetts, has helped our entire country understand what excellence is in education. And your school is all about the things that make America great. When the founders of Mather started the school way back in 1639- well before the founding of the United States, and even before George Washington was born- they probably couldnt have imagined the world we live in today. In that world, every single young person needs a great education- and your school understands that. Your school stands for opportunity for every single child. You dont just say the Mather School Pledge in English- you also say it in Vietnamese, Cape Verdean Creole, and Spanish. Thats because you know that all of us are part of this country, and every child deserves a great chance. You know that play and healthy lifestyles are part of a great education- which is why you have outdoor classrooms and three playgrounds and grow your own vegetables. You know that education doesnt just happen during the school day, which is why you have a Saturday Academy that offers Science, Technology and art. You know that school begins with pre-kindergarten, which many of you attended, and school isnt over until you go to college- which is why youve named your classrooms after the college your teachers attended. You, and your teachers, and staff, are truly part of Americas history, joining hundreds of thousands of alumni over generations. And I know that you will make good on their hard work, by going to college, graduating, and returning to inspire the next class of students. Thank you for continuing to do amazing things within your school walls, as well as throughout the school community. Happy Birthday- and many more. Best, Arne Duncan Secretary of Education Also from Marty Walsh: Whereas: Today the Mather School marks its 375th birthday and celebrates its honorable place in history as the first to offer free public elementary education AND Whereas: The civic leaders of Dorchester, MA, committed public funds to educate children regardless of their parents ability to pay, originally taxing the grazing rights of cattle on Thompsons Island to pay their schoolmaster AND; Whereas: Mather has grown from a one-room school house serving six boys of English descent, to a prud beacon on Meetinghouse Hill, servig more than six hundred boys and girls of diverse heritages in pre kindergarten to fifth grade AND Whereas: Teachers, staff, administrators, parents, and alumni are all deeply dedicated to the Mathers mission: educating and empowering all children to reach their potential through academic and socially enriching experiences; AND Whereas: Our nations history and future are deeply reliant on the promise of free, quality education for all; NOW Whereas: After 375 years, the Mather is still making history Therefore: I, Martin J. Walsh, Mayor of Boston hereby proclaim October 22nd, 2014 as: Mather Elementary Day in the City of Boston. I urge all of my fellow Bostonians to join me in recognizing the Mather Elementary School and the importance of public education.
Posted on: Thu, 23 Oct 2014 04:40:50 +0000
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