Former Dale Students Say Transitions Were Beneficial

(Revised and reposted with updated percentages.)

Based on a survey of nearly 70 Medfield Public School alumni and current students, 76 percent are against the proposal to relocate Dale Street School to Elm Street, with concerns expressed that include loss of open space and environmental damage, increased traffic, and the fate of the current school.

Of the remaining respondents, 23 percent were undecided about the school location; one respondent was in favor of Elm Street.

When asked about favorite aspects of Dale Street School, these were key findings:

• 85% noted downtown location for both in-school and after-school experiences.
• 83% cited gaining the first taste of freedom/independence (biking, walking, time with friends after school, etc.)
• 64% noted growth gained by transitioning to a different school location
• 50% cited the historic building/overall environment
• 24% noted interactions with Memorial School students

When asked about the experience of changing elementary schools every two years:

• 74% noted the change was a good experience
• 17% were neutral
• 9% didn't comment since it wasn't applicable
• 0% noted it was a negative experience

Comments submitted through the survey include:

"My favorite part about Dale was definitely the teachers... also it's close to downtown and the police station (which made it feel safer), and I liked how the schools are spread out because it feels like when you progress, you get to go somewhere new." Ida Xu, Class of 2014.

"I liked the close proximity to Pfaff Center, the large playground, layout of classrooms and being in the same school that my stepfather and aunts/cousins had gone to. It's an excellent location, and I specifically enjoyed the excitement of switching to a new school for 4th and 5th grade." Anita Davis, Class of 2008.

“Changing schools every few years was really beneficial for us, and a good way to practice acclimating to new locations and new situations - even those small changes of changing a route to school, discovering a new building, learning to navigate new lockers and new lunchrooms - help set us up for success later in our education, and really later in life.” Emily Powers, Class of 2009.

"Dale Street School was an integral part of my development and growing independence. The ability to walk to town was a right of passage for us. The Dale-Memorial mentorship opportunities were beneficial to both parties." Macey Musto, Class of 2018.

"Change is hard, but it teaches resilience and adaptation in a safe and comforting environment." Caroline Kojm, Class of 2005.

"It was a nice change of pace and place every two years. You never got burned out or tired of a location because it was always changing." Ella Pittman, Class of 2010.

"Moving locations taught me how to adapt and build navigation skills that served me really well when I got to Blake." Kylie Herbstzuber, Class of 2022.

"The more centralized location of Dale Street School is pivotal to the experience as students begin to get more responsibility and freedom. Additionally, the environmental impacts of moving to Elm Street cannot be ignored. Part of growing up is getting used to change and new experiences. I didn't realize it at the time, but moving school locations is good for becoming accustomed to change." Joe Aversa, Class of 2016.

Of all the respondents, 70 percent either graduated from Medfield High School within the last 10 years, or are currently middle school or high school students. Alumni from virtually every graduating class from 2005 to 2020 were represented in the survey responses.

Regarding current town connections, 53 percent of those who took the survey live in Medfield either full time or part time, and 36 percent still have family in Medfield but they live elsewhere. Only 11 percent no longer have family in Medfield. Of the total, 17 percent have children in Medfield Public Schools or at least one child planning to attend, and 11 percent have children, grandchildren or a close family member directly impacted by the school project.

The survey was conducted by Keep Dale@Dale Coalition.