I was heartened to read in the article, Willkommen an der Garden City School, that Roxanne Gustafson, Executive Director of Curriculum, Assessments, and Grants for Cranston Schools, understands the importance of creating an environment conducive to learning. She is quoted in the article saying, “We are trying to optimize student learning with spaces that promote creativity, collaboration, problem-solving, and engaging learning experiences.”

Contrast that to the administrators at Western Hills and Cranston West. Principals Timothy Vesey and John Fontaine have been repeatedly quoted in this publication—and often by Mayor Hopkins and his staff—as saying that they believe the gunfire outside their classroom doors does not in any way inhibit a student’s ability to learn.

To Ms. Gustafson and Garden City Principal Bryan Byerlee: prepare your students to buckle up! When they reach middle school, the 21st-century learning environment they experienced in grade school will drastically change. Added to the curriculum will be gunfire baked into their school day. The children are simply told, "Get used to it; it’s for your own good.” 

Martha DiMeo
Meshanticut