Question of the Day: Should Mr. S Get A Plaque Or Have The New Wellington Gym Named For Him?
Give us your opinion.
Question of the Day is a new daily feature asking readers their opinion about topics around Belmont.
Richard Samaria came to the Belmont Public Schools with a degree from Northeastern University 44 years ago to teach physical education to elementary school students and never left.
For generation after generation, Mr. S was a constant for children who attended the old Wellington Elementary School, learning about cooperation, good exercise habits and the joy of a teacher who loved them. Children not only learned to participate in sports – more than one High School or College all-star remembers beginning their love affair with athletics under Samaria's tutelage – but also were entertained attending a Mr. S Party.
While it would appear that honoring such a force of nature as Mr. S by naming the new gym at the Wellington Elementary School would be a slam dunk, some are questioning whether this distinction could begin a slippery slope, that other, just as dedicated teachers, principals or administrators, should have something named after them. When will it end, some questioned.
Should the School Committee name a gym after or hang a plaque in honor of Mr. S?
Karl Ivester
5:19 pm on Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Of course, There is not even a close 2nd
John Bowe
7:18 pm on Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Name the gym: no.
Nice plaque just inside or outside the gym: yes.
Karl Ivester
8:17 pm on Tuesday, June 14, 2011
John, I would bet the ranch you never had Mr S, and If not, how are you qualified to comment? Mr S has given so much of himself to us, Putting up a plaque would be an insult ( so many teachers are plaque worthy) . Only someone that has never experienced Mr S a teacher could feel the way you do. Belmont will get it right when they honor Mr S they way he deserves to be honored.
Dalton Roader
9:25 pm on Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Either way, it was horrifying to see the School Committee in 'action' tonight. Bri Normile has been very clear in her proposal that she is asking to have the new Wellington gym named after Mr. S.. Instead of directly telling her at the outset they were not ready to vote on this proposal (and the reasons why) they 'reshaped' the discussion and called for a motion around a plaque-only. Direct-dealing and straight language would have been much more appropriate from the adults at the table - and a better example to set for the many 'kids' in the room who took the time to come be involved tonight. Kudos to Brie for having the courage to clarify her proposal to the group and for holding her ground on her proposal.
Joe
10:41 am on Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Yes, name the gym after him, plaque would be an insult.
Maybe they need to rename the Field House since it's named after someone and most of the schools are named for an individual, as well as town squares, deltas, benches, bridges, etc.
But as many in Belmont know, if Principal Wagner has her way, Mr. S. will get nothing
JMilton
11:36 am on Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Name the gym after him. Dick Samaria is a fantastic example of all that is right with education and this town was lucky to have him for so many years. Naming the gym after him seems much more appropriate to me than naming the BHS library after Peter Holland did. And I agree that the SC should not have tried to change the proposal and I applaud Brianna for standing her ground!
Denise McNulty Josephs
11:47 am on Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Absolutely name it after Mr. Samaria - he has done so much for the town of Belmont - and beyond!
PJ Looney
1:15 pm on Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Naming the gym after Mr. Samaria is a no brainer to lifelong residents. His commitment to this Town goes well beyond his work as a Gym Teacher. It's my understanding the SC didn't say NO they just weren't ready to commit. The more people learn about this Man and his impact on Belmontians over the last 5 decades through his work in the Schools, with Belmont Special Olympics, or his countless volunteer hours I suspect this honor will happen. Dick Samaria is the Wellington Gym. Keep plugging away Brie for this worthy cause.
Marsha Knoll
12:44 am on Thursday, June 16, 2011
Name the gym for Mr. S. He deserves full honors. He has earned them--46 years of Being Here for kids in Belmont. Even, recently, after breaking both wrists. As above, he IS the Wellington gym. Brava, Brianna, for being clear and holding firm! SC: Think well, and remember your decision sends a message to Belmont kids, too.
This town has been so lucky to have Mr. S., a fair-minded guy who cares so deeply about kids and their well-being. I have seen him countless times in the gym after school, calling out encouragement to kids, really listening to a kid who had a problem or even a grievance about points/scoring & was astonished at the time and attention he gave them. I believe he also had a second job to make ends meet, but never short-changed the kids. I also heard that most if not all of the money he took in for the famous 'Mr. S. Parties' for birthdays and other events went to the PTO, not into his pocket. These parties were open to Wellington and non-Wellington kids, and the $75 I paid back in the day for my son's one Mr.S. Birthday party was a bargain for a day when ALL the kids were made welcome and the host kid was able to choose his favorite games, which Mr. S. taught everyone and oversaw.
I have seen Mr. S. standing in the rain by the Waverley Fire Station, with a lone parent, selling rows of Mother's Day plants to raise $ for S.P.O.R.T. He has done our kids and our town proud, and we should be proud to see his name on the new gym.
Marsha Knoll
12:49 am on Thursday, June 16, 2011
OK, my typo...it has been 44 years. A heck of a long time and a lot of kids taught and encouraged.