Calm Before Me

  Series Eight: What Comes After the Dever? A Legacy Carried Forward The closing of Paul A. Dever Elementary School marks the end of an era—but it is far from the end of the story. When the doors close, what remains is not just memories or a building—it’s a legacy. A legacy built on community, resilience, and the unshakeable belief that every child deserves to be seen, supported, and celebrated. Carrying the Torch The families, educators, and students who made Dever their second home aren’t just walking away—they’re carrying its spirit forward. Whether it’s in new schools, community centers, or future classrooms, the lessons learned at Dever continue to inspire. Parents who organized rallies are now advocates for education equity citywide. Teachers who nurtured students continue their mission in other schools. Students who found their voices at the Dever are growing into leaders determined to create a more just world. Lessons for the Future The Dever taught us that a school is more...

  Turning Toward Thriving: How the Thrive Act Could Have Helped Dever Elementary — and Why DESE & BPS Missed the Mark! On Wednesday, November 12th , I have the privilege of telling the story of Paul A. Dever Elementary School in Dorchester — a story of struggle, rebuilding, and heartache, but also of resilience and community strength. In Massachusetts, the Dever Elementary story is a vivid example of both promise and pain. For years the school has been under state receivership for “chronic under‑performance.” BostonGlobe.com Now, Boston Public Schools (BPS) has recommended its closure at the end of the 2025–26 school year. BostonGlobe.com At the same time, the Thrive Act—pending in Massachusetts—offers a different model: equity‑centered, community‑driven, student‑focused, and less reliant on punitive measures. Putting Dever’s journey alongside the Thrive Act’s promise raises two key questions: What might have been different if the Thrive Act had been in place earlier? And ...

  🌟 Series Seven: Quotes Spoken Best from Dever Parents, Teachers, Students, and Community Members This bonus section is our way of honoring the words that carried us through the closure campaign. 🏫 Community & Belonging “The Dever community is truly united. It has a lot of humanity.” — Yanery Diaz, parent Testimony to the emotional bonds between families, staff, and students. “Our biggest concern is that our community could be splintered — and that’s not what we want.” — Cheryl Buckman, parent Expressing the fear of losing a place that brings people together. “Families, students, educators, and community leaders came together because we believed children deserve better than to be cast aside in the name of ‘rightsizing.’” — Community reflection on Dever’s proposed closure Dever was more than a school — it was a shared mission. “It was almost like destiny was guiding me to the right place.” — Edzna Vázquez, parent “It’s not fair. Where do we go now?” —...

  When Life Throws It All at Once — and Still Finds a Way to Be Beautiful This week started off like a rollercoaster — wild, unexpected, and full of those moments that make you take a deep breath and just keep going. Yesterday, I got a call that made my heart stop for a second — an emergency from the school nurse. My son had taken a fall on the stairs and they suspected he’d broken his finger. In that moment, my thoughts went a million miles a minute. When I got to the school and saw his hand — swollen, bruised, and that look of pain on his face — I could feel my heart breaking. We rushed to get x-rays, and thankfully, the results showed it’s not broken (huge sigh of relief!). It’s a bad sprain with a muscle tear near the knuckle , but at least no fractures. Seeing him finally smile through the pain was the moment I could breathe again — or so I thought. Because, of course, life wasn’t done with me just yet. Later that same day, I had my vascular post-op appointment , and the...