To the Editor:

Some things are irreplaceable.

One horrific December day in 2012, 20 precious first graders and six educators were taken from us. Our lives were changed forever. We can do nothing to bring them back. We can only grieve. They are irreplaceable. Sandy Hook School was demolished after the tragedy. The building that housed and educated countless young Newtown children for 56 years would be no more. The school with all its history and mostly happy memories for many generations would be gone. Newtown would build a new Sandy Hook School. It was the best we could do. The new Sandy Hook school will start a new chapter and its own history but Sandy Hook School as we knew it is gone and is irreplaceable. Newtown is trying to heal. But we know that some things are irreplaceable.

So, can someone explain to me how it is even possible to consider the closing of the beautiful and historic Hawley School … a school that has been standing since 1921 and is a town treasure? Long before ever stepping into that building, I admired it each time I passed by. I thought Newtown must be the most wonderful town to have such a beautiful and lovingly cared for school. I wondered what it was like inside. To my delight and surprise, I eventually found out and could not believe my good fortune. I happily taught art there until June of 2014 when I retired. I never for one day took for granted the privilege it was to work in that building. I could go on ad infinitum describing the dedicated staff, the wonderful families and the quality of education that goes on inside that building; but I am sure that every Newtown school is also of a high quality and has a wonderful, dedicated community. Hawley School has something more. Something that is irreplaceable. It has history in its very fiber.

The 1921 building has unique and beautiful architecture, a multi-purpose room, a reading lounge, the “Mary Hawley Café” and some even say that it has the good-natured ghost of Mary Hawley watching over it. The 1948 section of the school has large classrooms with beautiful woodwork no longer found in newer buildings. And the 1996 wing has a more modern feel with offices, classrooms for specialists, a computer lab, library media center and more. The grounds are lovely with gardens, nature trails and play areas. Hawley School is simply a very special place right in the heart of Newtown. If this school is to be closed, it can never again be re-opened as a school. This precious Newtown landmark school will not enjoy its 100th birthday and will be lost forever to Newtown and future generations.

Whether or not it is a good time to close any Newtown school at all is highly questionable. Closing an irreplaceable school such as Hawley School, in my opinion, is unconscionable at any time.

Respectfully submitted,

Vicki Sheskin

Linda Lane, Bethel             June 15, 2015