New group for old school

Announcement from the recently formed North School Preservation Society.

Letters to the Editor

Vermont Journal / The Shopper

To the Editor:

I am pleased to announce that the recently formed North School Preservation Society has been granted status as a State of Vermont nonprofit organization with the aim to preserve and protect the North School building and playground located at 49 Main St. in North Springfield, VT. This status will allow our group to seek and acquire funds and support in an effort to carry on a tradition of education and recreation on land that has served the community for these purposes for more than a century. It will also enable our group to seek grants to rehabilitate the centuryold school building for community and public use. Members of the North School Recreation Park Committee and newcomers formed our group, and I thank them for their unfailing dedication and perseverance. While I will be relying greatly on them in our future efforts, I would also like to mention posthumous appreciation to Suki Woods, a tireless and dedicated member of our group who passed away last month. She will be greatly missed. Many individuals and organizations have guided and encouraged our group throughout this process. In particular, I would like to thank the Springfield District School Board for their cooperation and help; Bob Flint of the Springfield Regional Development Corp. for his assistance in sorting out our application; and George McNaughton for some generously donated and helpful information. Our recently acquired status is the first step in long process that will establish a dynamic resource in the 21st century and beyond as we seek to preserve the recreation park and the North School Elementary School building which have been so important in our history, the village and the lives of those in it, and the whole of Springfield itself. We will be actively seeking new, dedicated members, and we will be exploring sophisticated means to accomplish our goals. Among our talented members we hope to see those with legal acumen, grant writing skills and, as always, a genuine desire to roll up their sleeves and join in the work at hand. The effort will be great, but the rewards will be felt both near and far and for generations to come. If you would like to become involved with the North School Preservation Society or to help in any way, please contact either myself at 802-886-1186 or Jean Willard at 802-886-2730. You may also check our website at http://nsvt.awardspace.us for some history, photos and background information, or email us. We look forward to seeing you among our many friends and supporters in the New Year.

Francine Provost, President North School Preservation Society, Inc. North Springfield, VT

http://www.vermontjournal.com/news/2010-01-06/Editorial/Letters_to_the_Editor_001.html