[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6281901,"mediaKeyId","2601164-8c829f084a9179324757bd3df5801080","parentId",2601164,"title","Parents say Thoreau playground design would exclude wheelchair users; committee says final design depends on fundraising","audioSeconds",999,"startMs",2030000,"endMs",3029000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2601164-8c829f084a9179324757bd3df5801080&start=2030&end=3029","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2601164-8c829f084a9179324757bd3df5801080/thumbnail_2030000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6281901/Massachusetts/Parents-say-Thoreau-playground-design-would-exclude-wheelchair-users-committee-says-final-design-depends-on-fundraising","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6281901-518d59e9ee59690b144d5ae5f7170e97/orig.mp4?Expires=1771219977&Signature=Av546uv7WX8xhAJpD2BX5u3kYpjG8YK3hq-vNqTW8u7ZaxaWX3keAXYnjz~g31SKnaJpsS5MdWopF~Y9rrzXWA7AF2s1bV2yXnT71ZwSlbK0a7ICtb6cvZZ4gTNO4LkM285n53aBFhZMES6hsDteXt~dTtEyVVoh35CGsLgCeZh2qyrmW7HvfRQ9enHWnN9xbNgf~zZ-O6DxeSW9VCLhUnCuNTBHW5wqh~6wvIdUsMa2QwUnPgR2CPDMzWJwfKB9edxt7Z51QmxQ2v1RfUa3i2YMLlw5ThDr1B~R6cbXfCrKq5KRz1eRAhOWVYuppXmPbzwQymd5uCz6SAIQQEvuBA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Concord-Carlisle Regional District, MA","date","2025-03-12T20:03:12Z","article","Parents and disability advocates urged the Concord-Carlisle Regional School Committee on March 11 to revise the proposed Thoreau Elementary playground plan to ensure wheelchair accessibility, saying the current schematic would exclude mobility-impaired children.

The concern matters because the playground is being pitched as an inclusive community amenity, but parents who use wheelchairs and volunteers who would receive the finished playground said the predominance of wood chip surfacing in the current concept would make many areas inaccessible.

Dave Nicholson and Laura Will, residents of Old Marlboro Road, told the committee they had previously offered detailed recommendations and volunteered to serve on the project committee but said they were not included. They described the difference between an inclusive design and one that “perpetuates segregation and ableism,” and urged the district and fundraising group to incorporate firm accessibility features before construction.

School Committee members and staff responded that the Thoreau’s Backyard project is still raising funds and that a final, buildable plan depends on how much money is available. Committee member Laurie (committee liaison) reported that the campaign had raised $454,000 to date — about 74% of the stated goal — and that the group still needs additional commitments to reach completion. Laurie and other officials said the community has submitted both positive and critical feedback and that the committee has added the CPAC president to the playground committee to broaden input.

Committee members emphasized that there is no final construction design yet. Laurie said the schematic the public has seen was produced to explain the committee’s intent and to support fundraising; the playground cannot be built unless the campaign reaches its goal.

Parents who spoke urged the committee to treat accessibility as a design requirement rather than an afterthought and asked that playground surfacing, routes of travel, and placement of inclusive components be revised to meet Americans with Disabilities Act accessibility standards. Committee members acknowledged the comments and said they welcomed continued, specific feedback while fundraising continues.

The committee did not vote on the playground at the March 11 meeting. Officials said they will continue to collect public input while the fundraising campaign proceeds and that the design process will follow the amount of funds raised.

Looking ahead, committee members asked the playground group to continue outreach and to include parents of children with mobility impairments in further design conversations so the final buildable plan matches the project’s stated goal of inclusion.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Concord Carlisle Joint School Committee - March 11, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Parents and disability advocates urged the Concord-Carlisle Regional School Committee on March 11 to revise the proposed Thoreau Elementary playground plan to ensure wheelchair accessibility, saying the current schematic would exclude mobility-impaired children.","taxTitle","Concord Public Schools/Concord-Carlisle Regional District, School Boards, Massachusetts","taxId",69256,"location","Massachusetts","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6281881,"School committee approves consent agenda",30,2344000,2374000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2601164-8c829f084a9179324757bd3df5801080&start=2344&end=2374","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2601164-8c829f084a9179324757bd3df5801080/thumbnail_2344000.jpg","/articles/6281881/Massachusetts/School-committee-approves-consent-agenda","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6281881-5260e1f2c7dd62ba2f9ed600acb9f1c7/orig.mp4?Expires=1771219977&Signature=nkXgwQKdblQ2osKWv9tBvl9Tm8P89L1nfKqnYbSe9X3pizeETveUqep3QaY-xddOtQFV~Glfqy~cozsYVIbmqEnC-7G0kC9ncE9J8XexH4WL~LFzYNMhQzEf4rJquJSxxRTIZhXlDEmjltk7biPKEH~VAlw~RSbM01OWqpZOhYKNLrhzasSRdiqza9KVKSphvzSxpEhDOv2kg~Ybvn18nXLEaSZUUeLNpU~dKJ7febGlksnifzw8MM7mlpEUqwim704H3mQEdwA-x7MIwxPGdXPi~umJQTwRR1gPsbEfFVheoGoA8VEuSey65dlJhrozmWLDBgs65xAiP65JU2KmUA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Concord-Carlisle Regional School Committee approved its consent agenda at the March 11 meeting. The consent package included joint minutes from February 4 and the listed warrants for March 11.

A committee member moved to approve the consent agenda; another committee member seconded the motion. The chair called for a roll call; committee members present responded \"Aye.\" The committee confirmed it maintained a quorum during the vote. The transcript does not record an itemized roll-call list or numeric tally of votes.

No additional discussion or amendments to the consent agenda were recorded.","The Concord-Carlisle Regional School Committee approved the consent agenda, including joint minutes and listed warrants for March 11, by roll call. The committee confirmed a quorum and voted all in favor; the transcript records an oral roll-call 'Aye' but does not specify individual tallies.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6281886,"Resident urges stronger district response to antisemitism and school climate concerns",207,1789000,1996000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2601164-8c829f084a9179324757bd3df5801080&start=1789&end=1996","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2601164-8c829f084a9179324757bd3df5801080/thumbnail_1789000.jpg","/articles/6281886/Massachusetts/Resident-urges-stronger-district-response-to-antisemitism-and-school-climate-concerns","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6281886-fc4d40b31d1d84ce25789bdb59453a7d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771219977&Signature=EH1JvbGpfzz~jNC1~fTdXh8UEY4zXbDi6RogCZXunBj7tvXgsl8A5hqz4UiH2QjbTB0UT0T6qlRnncuEt8bhY1t~19y32E6D1q3MHrLy8Xcc4QQlQriDdTD9V1JyevdnjahHAYTLwxyvcjcy-WPd3IsDxwOG2N4pLKsKnIn3NZlwEYy0sqmEc3TJmffVbxBp4WWyQkKhc2g9B7IKubFgfz0yIz2AYlIpEzOHQqua0wF5hJ~lgRZd0zLJPMKcCA7JB-Xev9aC9g7mk8XD8EqJw-ezR1lF6nb8wlytdSMGY2ibr-UsjsWxMWdqYpUKtH~wSlEFxqSJCkQh6EKIRPbYDw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Mark Jeramaletti of Concord told the school committee during public comment that his family experienced repeated incidents of antisemitism, racism, homophobia and misogyny tied to a high school class and criticized district responses as insufficient.

Jeralmetti said he first raised concerns with CCHS co-principals on May 3, 2024, and that a May 10 response from a co-principal felt like an attempt to placate rather than meaningfully address problems. He said another incident occurred in November and that a January 15 meeting with co-principals was cordial but did not produce tangible commitments. He said the Jewish community has formed a task force and cited examples of other districts that have taken stronger approaches.

Jeralmetti referenced the Emerson Youth Risk Behavior Survey and said its results show increases in bullying and depression and that, in his reading of the data, at least nine students self-reported bringing a gun to school; for comparison he said a neighboring district reported two. He called for the district to seek help from groups with experience addressing antisemitism and to work collaboratively with community partners and the state representative’s committee that addresses these issues.

The committee did not take action during the public comment period. Chair and staff acknowledged the comment and noted the district’s ongoing work on climate and inclusion; some committee members invited collaboration with the town DEIB commission and other community resources. No committee member disputed the commenter’s account. The committee did not announce specific next steps at the March 11 meeting, though members encouraged continued community dialogue.","A Concord resident described repeated antisemitic, racist and misogynistic incidents involving a high school class and criticized district responses as insufficient, calling for a comprehensive community-wide solution and reference to other districts' approaches.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6281891,"Rivers and Revolutions leaders and students highlight experiential curriculum and rising interest",985,86000,1071000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2601164-8c829f084a9179324757bd3df5801080&start=86&end=1071","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2601164-8c829f084a9179324757bd3df5801080/thumbnail_86000.jpg","/articles/6281891/Massachusetts/Rivers-and-Revolutions-leaders-and-students-highlight-experiential-curriculum-and-rising-interest","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6281891-dfeb040a59c0b97c42c1c49e9f783bf1/orig.mp4?Expires=1771219977&Signature=E3cCmYGW-shtFsI3e7vMlKl5pw~RLDrYjPFUSsQ9h0BNIwelb-E8WdcuIkIn3kYQRtmpcwg6EUHg28nf7lc09I1jm-ayJPeyNoZsOB7P3YRTqsXYHmdQp2LFf7IoEO8bx4ahHFbv9LqZQ5JrsKFOq6jgTRT7alEgasxr~L2k-5JP84Sd0bamkB4nEVYDTKzyuphdrDuTcESo-k68D9xCneQMIaYl~WRasaEyvNAscxFGkpZcN7qRWD-ATzYvesX1LAvzo~Rrw-5y9H1ucvctXl4t-uIGK7Po3xZ05bFnwnHYO0LIrEHUHdn1FSGxQJgnD5zA5A5MRj1IG2kll5mC2Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Concord-Carlisle High School students and teachers on March 11 presented updates on the Rivers and Revolutions semester program, describing a curriculum built around field-based learning, three core units and efforts to broaden access.

Student speaker Felicity summarized recent and upcoming activities including a Multicultural Food Festival, a scholarship phone-a-thon that raised an estimated $24,000 in one shift for the CC Scholarship Fund, and music and moot-court events. Program leader Ashley Cohen (math teacher) and fellow faculty members — Will Camaza (English), Agatha Wozniak (social studies), and James O’Shea (science) — described the program’s structure: three units (Rivers, Revolutions, and Journeys), a commitment to spend significant time learning outside the building, and an emphasis on inquiry, collaboration and applied projects.

Cohen said Rivers aims to be outside the classroom roughly half the time and highlighted work that grounds students in place-based learning — for example, visiting Walden Pond to read Thoreau — and that builds social-emotional skills. Cohen said the program has embedded honors across its subjects and maintains scheduling flexibility so students can also take Advanced Placement courses; she said this approach has helped increase enrollment.

When asked about participation rates, Cohen said the program has been in the district for 12 years and typically enrolls 20–25% of a graduating class; she said 23% of the current class is participating. Committee members thanked the presenters and asked how the program manages phones and student focus during off-campus activities; Cohen described teacher-created cloth phone caddies and teacher practices for securing devices during outings.

Committee members praised the program’s experiential approach and its reported resurgence under recent leadership. No committee action was taken.","Teachers and students described the Rivers and Revolutions semester program at Concord-Carlisle High School, emphasizing field-based learning, embedded honors, and steps the program has taken to increase access. Program leaders said roughly 20–25% of each graduating class enrolls; this year's participation was cited at 23%.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":81,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6281896,"Concord-Carlisle committee to open policy subcommittee after surge of parent emails on student phone use",55,2429000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2601164-8c829f084a9179324757bd3df5801080&start=2374&end=2429","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2601164-8c829f084a9179324757bd3df5801080/thumbnail_2374000.jpg","/articles/6281896/Massachusetts/Concord-Carlisle-committee-to-open-policy-subcommittee-after-surge-of-parent-emails-on-student-phone-use","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6281896-750f9e34ec1a432fa4f9b3eaefca841a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771219977&Signature=QueoOw1POGh8HFcXS-ArMrSoiM3aEpIM4jA3vg4Me9fsnreESPm9LsOK19CFLEBCs0zaV9Ol9s~ZmA5q0dYAEVKGsHxTTfd~-awa3UhKTwukL4BiKIBrETDZjsHI8i0ipVJfxIQvvn4810VHauQDexx28WHzck-E1n~pFxpveLvK23Yzmd7Up6afurmuvLpnnaz-fvHqs0Q7Zlez52xoJlJY~RnjRa22KbbReulbSPo-1c39wzNtCbIquPWHW8C-GEByAY-WupWQU2CNF~tIm5aTnPqGrA4OBvTrGrXRlrS~bDRkxFxPmpEZpdb76GVHSxZd4OdZvg5iXzExcUjc8A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Concord-Carlisle Regional School Committee on March 11 said it will begin a formal, data-driven discussion of student cell phone use after the district received an unusually large volume of parent correspondence.

Committee member Carrie reported receiving roughly 25–30 emails from families about phones in school and said the committee will open the issue in its policy subcommittee to consider options, gather evidence from teachers and parents, and decide whether to propose a district-level policy.

Committee members agreed the topic requires careful study. The subcommittee meeting will be the first forum for outlining questions, collecting teacher and parent feedback, and determining what policy language — if any — to bring back to the full committee. Members asked the subcommittee to include time for public comment and to publicize the meeting widely.

District officials noted there are no district-wide school committee policies on cell phone use at present. Practices vary by school: the K–8 handbook disallows phones during school, and individual schools have different in-building practices, while the high school uses school-level practices rather than a committee policy. Committee members said they have received advisory material from the Attorney General’s office and that the Massachusetts Association of School Committees has not issued a definitive model policy; state legislation on the subject is still active but not settled.

Members emphasized they do not want the responsibility to fall entirely on classroom teachers and flagged a need to hear from staff about operational impacts. The committee instructed the policy subcommittee to compile available practices, legal guidance, and teacher and parent feedback and to return recommendations to the full committee for possible public hearings.

No motion or vote on a formal policy was taken at the March 11 meeting; committee members set process steps for the subcommittee as the next action.","The school committee reported receiving about 25–30 emails about cell phone use and scheduled a policy subcommittee meeting to frame questions and gather evidence before considering a district‑level policy. Committee members said schools currently use building‑level practices, not a committee policy.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Parents say Thoreau playground design would exclude wheelchair users; committee says final design depends on fundraising

School committee approves consent agenda

Resident urges stronger district response to antisemitism and school climate concerns

Rivers and Revolutions leaders and students highlight experiential curriculum and rising interest

Concord-Carlisle committee to open policy subcommittee after surge of parent emails on student phone use