Letter: Acton Middle School’ is uninspiring. Name it for Ellen Garrison

I was dismayed by the recent Acton School Committee’s meeting.  

In my view, we must, as a community, agree on the naming of the Acton Middle School. 

 Why: 

• Acton taxpayers voted twice to fund the $110 million Acton Middle School.  
• This is a huge cost for Acton taxpayers. 
• We must coalesce on the naming of our town’s middle school. 

In my view, a key characteristic of our schools is to inspire our children. This begins with the teachers — and Acton is blessed with great teachers.  

Likewise, the school’s name matters too. My kids never said “’I go to the Acton Middle School.” Rather, they said, “I go to Sanborn.” I will leave out all the silly comparisons between Sanborn and Peabody. But my point is that the NAME of the school mattered to my children. 

PLEASE don’t name our $110 million middle school something boring like “Acton Middle School.” That would inspire NO child.  

Instead, name it the “Ellen Garrison Middle School.” 

Why?  

Because that will begin the essential learning conversation: 

• Who was Ellen Garrison?  
• What positions did she take that were controversial at the time? 
• Was it unusual for a woman, especially a woman of color, to be so outspoken?  
• What did her outspoken ideas cost her? 
• Why is she important to Acton? 

That is the essence of learning — connecting to the REAL PEOPLE who lived in our town. 

And perhaps seeing a new vision for their own future.  

Please do the right thing.  

Ellen Quackenbush 

Prairie Street