Hero in Our Midst – Natasha Young – Valley Patriot of the Month

By: Tech. Sgt. James Moore, USAF  – May, 2008 LAWRENCE – A patriot, as defined by the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, is “One who loves his or her country and supports its authority and interests.” The word is sometimes overused or even misused, but not when we use it to describe Natasha Young, make that Staff Sergeant […]

Hero In Our Midst – Christoper Fantasia, Salem NH – Valley Patriot of the Month

By: Tech Sgt. James Moore, USAF – February, 2008 SALEM, NH – Airman First Class Christopher Fantasia, home on Recruiting Assistance Duty at the Air Force Recruiting Office in Lawrence, Ma., is making a difference in the world. He is a patriot and has a genuine enthusiasm for his work. Airman First Class Fantasia joined […]

Valley Patriot Editorial: Come Join the Circus in North Andover

  May 5, 2007  We are looking forward to the circus that will take place at this year’s May 14th North Andover Town Meeting.  On the town warrant to be decided by North Andover voters is a Proposition 2 ½ Override. A memo of agreement signed on by the Board of Selectman, the School Committee […]

Valley Patriot Kid Reporter, Hanna Interviews Haverhill School Committeeman Scott Wood

  By: Hanna -December, 2004 Valley Patriot kid reporter Hanna  interviews local celebrities and politicians each month. This month Hanna interviewed Haverhill School Committeeman Scott Wood.  What do you think about calculators in the elementary schools? Does Haverhill use them?  Haverhill does have them for their classrooms, However they are not used very often.  Do […]

It’s Just a News Story!! – PAYING ATTENTION WITH TOM DUGGAN, October, 2004

It’s Just a News Story!! – PAYING ATTENTION WITH TOM DUGGAN, October, 2004

Hey People! It’s Just A News Story! October, 2004 Last month The Valley Patriot ran a front page news story about Brooks School Summer Camp in North Andover conducting mock marriage ceremonies between same-sex kids (some as young as five years old). Some people were clearly offended and outraged by the headline, “Brooks Marries Same […]

Uncertainty Looms For Veterans Stadium

By: Tom Duggan – September, 2004  LAWRENCE – After more than thirty years of neglect and empty promises by elected officials, the Veterans Memorial Stadium has finally become a priority for government leaders in the city. In an unusual display of cooperation, Mayor Michael Sullivan and the Lawrence City Council worked out a $30 million capital […]

Signs of Growth are Everywhere in Lawrence – By Lawrence High Principal Tom Sharkey

By: Tom Sharkey – September, 2004 The development of the mill buildings, the construction of a new rail center, and the repairs to City Hall and to Veterans Stadium speak to a community coming together to shape its future. Though still in its early stages, emerging as another success story for the City is Lawrence […]

An Interview with Principal Kostan – Hanna’s Education Corner

By: Hanna, age 10 – September, 2004 Our new ace reporter, Hanna interviewed (Kathleen Kostan) the new principal of the Thomson School in North Andover. How do you feel about MCAS? “I wouldn’t just say it is just MCAS, because I think the Education Reform Bill which started MCAS is the best that has ever […]

Brooks School Summer Camp Conducts Mock Marriage Ceremonies with Same Sex Children

  By: Tom Duggan – September 2004 NORTH ANDOVER – Children attending the Brooks School summer camp this year were encouraged to get “married” during carnival day where a mock marriage booth was set up for children to “marry” each other. According to several children who attended the day camp and two sets of parents […]

Hanna’s Education Corner – An Interview with Lawrence School Superintendent Wilfredo Laboy

By: Hanna, Age 10 – October, 2004 What is the difference between a teacher, a principal and a superintendent? Teachers work most directly with the students in the classroom. Principals run the schools and are in charge of everyone in the school building. Superintendents are in charge of all the schools. We make sure that […]

Specious Education (a.k.a. Special Education) – Thinking Outside the Box

THINKING OUTSIDE THE BOX   By: Dr. Charles Ormsby – January, 2004 Specious: Adj. 1. Seemingly fair, attractive, sound or true, but actually not so. While “Specious” may not describe Special Education perfectly, it comes pretty close. Special Education is not fair, attractive, or sound, and any claim that it is an effective way to […]