Happy Birthday, Charter School!

Every year the Martha's Vineyard Public Charter School (MVPCS) celebrates its birthday, but this year it had something else to celebrate. This year, the Charter School turns 15, an impressive feat in and of itself, but it also celebrated receiving its renewal from the state that allows the school to continue to operate for the next five years.

Marie Larsen, administrative coordinator at MVPCS, described the renewal process as "massive." That process consists of education experts coming into the school for three days and going through every detail of how the school is run.

For sophomore Ruth Olivera, the fact that the Charter School will stay in operation, "means everything." Fifth grader Simone Vega said, "Some of my friends live in Edgartown and Oak Bluffs and Vineyard Haven, and if the Charter School wasn't here, I wouldn't get to see them as much because we'd all be at different schools." For Eli Dagostino, also a sophomore, the event was "a great opportunity for kids to see the origins of the school."

The festivities began with an introduction from Development Director Paul Karasik, who stated that by earning its renewal, the Charter School had passed the test as to whether it does what it says it does. "We give the families and the children of Martha's Vineyard a public-school option, mixed-age classes, project-based setting and a wonderful, family-like atmosphere in a small school where we can actually all fit in one room."

The entire student body was gathered in an extremely quiet and receptive group on the floor, along with family members, teachers and board members both past and present. Other attendees included Superintendent James Weiss, West Tisbury selectman Skipper Manter and State Representative Tim Madden. Madden addressed the group, congratulating them on all their hard work and the renewal, and for being positive representatives of the Island.

Principal Bob Moore traced the school's 15 year's history back to the early days when it was just a vision of the school's founders. He told the people gathered that it was because of all of them that those founders were watching "their dream come true." A selection of students read thoughts they had prepared on what the Charter School means to them. Then the whole group headed outside to follow the annual Founding Day tradition of planting a tree—one that will be a part of a new grounds and playground in the works for next year.

After going through and passing the renewal process three times, the power of such recognition on this small student body was apparent on all the smiling faces. It is,  said Larsen, "really something to celebrate."