Gov. Patrick, State Officials Visit Robin Hood Elementary School

On Wednesday Governor Deval Patrick signed legislation to help close achievement gaps in reading and get all students to proficiency by the third grade.

Governor Deval Patrick joined state education, legislative and advocacy organization leaders Wednesday at the Robin Hood Elementary School in Stoneham to sign H. 4243, "An Act Relative to Third Grade Reading Proficiency," which seeks to strengthen and streamline literacy initiatives in the Commonwealth, according to a press statement from his office. The Patrick-Murray Administration has set a goal of reading proficiency by the third grade for every child in Massachusetts and this bill will advance efforts to provide students with high quality literacy opportunities starting in their earliest years, read the statement. "We know that a child who can read by third grade has a better chance to succeed in his or her adult life," said Patrick …

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Gov. Patrick to Visit A Stoneham Elementary School

Governor Deval Patrick is expected to visit Robin Hood Elementary School Wednesday morning.

Governor Deval Patrick is expected to visit a Stoneham elementary school Wednesday morning, according to a press statement from his office. The Governor is scheduled to visit Robin Hood Elementary School, 70 Oak St., at 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday. "Governor Patrick joins students and educators to sign H.4243, an act relative to third grade reading proficiency," according to the statement. Patrick will meet with staff and students on the third floor in the library.

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Highlights from Our Chat With School Building Committee Chairperson Jeanne Craigie

Find out what questions were raised about the Stoneham Middle School project on Tuesday during the online session.

Yesterday on Stoneham Patch, School Building Committee chairperson Jeanne Craigie joined us for our first Cover It Live chat, fielding questions related to the estimated $40 million Stoneham Middle School project. You can read a full transcript of the chat; below are some of the highlights from the question-and-answer session: Ralph Lauretano: Who decided to exclude the cost of swing space from the final cost estimates? Craigie: Essentially the Mass Building Committee helped make that decision, since that cost is not covered by any reimbursement, the Town of Stoneham would have had to cover the entire cost on our own tax dollar. The Committee worked with a budget range that would be affordable and in the best interest of the entire …

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Three Stoneham Elementary Schools to Receive $1.2M in Expedited Payments from MSBA

Colonial Park, Robin Hood and South Elementary Schools will receive the accelerated funding as part of the Massachusetts School Building Authority's plan to expedite more than $200 million to 126 municipalities and regional school districts for school bui

The Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) has expedited more than $200 million in payments to 126 municipalities and regional school districts for school building projects, including three Stoneham schools, according to a press statement issued by the MSBA. The MSBA will be providing more than $1.2 million in accelerated payments for Stoneham school building projects that were approved under the former school building assistance program administered by the Department of Education. Colonial Park ($369,137), Robin Hood (468,867) and South Elementary Schools ($368,934) will be the beneficiaries of the expedited payments. The payments will be made six months ahead of schedule. The accelerated payments are intended to assist …

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Cradles to Crayons Looking for Donations

Make donations to the program by dropping off items at the Robin Hood Elementary School in Stoneham through Nov. 11.

Senator Katherine Clark is partnering with Cradles to Crayons, a benefit program targeting homeless and low-income families, in order to benefit children in need in our communities. [Editor's note: The information below derives from a press statement issued by Sen. Katherine Clark's Office.] Cradles to Crayons collects new and gently used clothing, art supplies, baby supplies like blankets and car seats, and other necessities in drop boxes around town.  A collection box has been placed in the Robin Hood Elementary School and will remain there until Nov. 11.  On Nov. 12, the collected items will be sorted at the Melrose Veterans Memorial Middle School, 350 Lynn Fells Parkway, Melrose, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.  Not only is this a great cause, …

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Stoneham High Students Recall the Events of 9/11

Stoneham High School students Brandon Polizzi, David Coscia, Michael Kelly and Alexa Federico remember where they were and what they were doing 10 years ago during the terrorist attacks when they were young children.

September 11, 2001. It was thought to be just another ordinary day for four elementary school students with the sun shining down and the bells ringing to start the school day, but what they did not know was their lives would be changed forever. Brandon Polizzi, a senior at Stoneham High School, was seven years old at the time and in second grade. “I was in elementary school attending Central (Elementary) School. I was in class and all I remember was the teachers gathering around and talking softly so we could not hear,” Polizzi said. “Then the teachers announced that school was being dismissed and for innocent second graders we thought this was great.” It was not until Polizzi arrived home to realize why he was dismissed from school that …

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Spread the Word: April is National Autism Awareness Month

Stoneham resident Lisa Alexander's autistic daughter is just one example of the many people living with the disorder throughout the country.

The month of April is an important time to raise awareness for autism. The disease is affecting more individuals around the world each day. According to Light It Up Blue website, prominent buildings across North America and the world will turned their lights blue to raise awareness for autism on April 1-2. Stoneham-based Round's Hardware participated in the cause by selling blue light bulbs this year. Stoneham resident Lisa Alexander, whose daughter is autistic, wants the community to get involved because autism’s prevalence is increasing. She said  “According to Autism Speaks, autism now affects one in 110 children and one out of 70 boys,” Alexander said. “Even if your child does not have autism, it's likely that your child has contact …

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Whiz Kids

Stoneham Girl Dances Her Way to Victory

Robin Hood Elementary School student Meghan Lapery and her dance team won a few special awards recently in Andover.

Stoneham Patch Whiz Kid of the Week Key to awesomeness: Lapery has been dancing for eight years and it is her favorite activity that she participates in. For the past four years, Lapery has been a member of the competition team. “My studio is Let's Dance Inc. in Stoneham," Lapery said. "Miss Tracy (Della Russo) and Miss Michaela (Della Russo) are my teachers along with many others. I dance ten hours a week. "I take jazz, tap, lyrical, hip-hop, modern and acro. I love to dance and love spending time at the studio.” Lapery said she's enjoyed participating in dancing events. “We have been to many dance competitions," Lapery said. "Last summer, we went to Wildwood, N.J. for a national competition. It was a lot of fun. “This past weekend we …

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PHOTOS, VIDEOS: "It's About Time" Team Beats the BEE Staters in Triple OT at 16th Annual Stoneham Trivia Bee

Check out the Trivia Bee at Robin Hood Elementary School through photographs and videos. Plus, you can play along at home!

Did you miss the 16th annual Stoneham Trivia Bee, hosted by the Stoneham Business and Community Educational Foundation, on March 25 at Robin Hood Elementary School? Fear not. We've got all the questions from that evening listed below so you can test your knowledge in several different areas, including news, sports and pop culture. Answers to each of the questions can be found in the accompanying videos. Good luck and feel free to let us know which questions you struggled with by posting a comment in the comments section below. Meanwhile, the 2011 Stoneham Trivia Bee champions, "It's About Time," defeated the BEE Staters in triple overtime to make up for their triple overtime defeat in the finals last year. From left, Jeff Perlstein, Delia …

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