Letter from the Editor
Dear readers of The Lowell,
At Lowell, we often hear and see Special Education students in the hallways. But how much do general education students actually know about the program?
When reporter Katherine Nguyen, who has an autistic brother, first started this story, Nguyen didn’t even know where the Special Ed classrooms were on campus. Over the course of investigating the story, Nguyen — along with the story’s editors — began realizing that Special Ed students deserve to have their voice heard more often.
To tackle this issue, we explore the stories of Gerard Tavares, the first Special Ed student to join the Lowell swim team without accomodations, and Lilee Consoer, who has grown to become an active member of the choir program.
Both these students are activitists with The Directions: Ability Advocates — a Lowell-based organization that raises awareness and promotes inclusion.
Through these stories we hope to connect with students who fall across the educational needs spectrum. We also hope to unmask the ways general ed students can help create a brighter atmosphere for Special Ed students, and in turn, they can help us understand who we are as a community.
Editors-in-Chief,
Ophir Cohen-Simayof, Cynthia Leung
George Bosh • Oct 10, 2019 at 9:57 am
TO BRENDA AND ROSS, OVER A FISH DINNER
A rainbow kissed the earth and opal came.
So, Ross and Brenda now in marriage bound.
Black opal then, a harlequin in dance.
The rarest of the rare in marriage found.
It is the gift of age and lives well lived.
A tempering, not the quelling of the blood.
A fair exchange for desiccated time
Spent rocking on a porch in vacant brood,
While Earth and all the promises of youth
Seem past and moldering in dust,
A gravestone, waiting to be carved, in truth;
And fading flowers waiting to be laid, in ruth.
Relish the time in this unfolding of your hour,
As in the rebirth of the purple lotus flower.
George Bosh • Oct 26, 2018 at 8:35 pm
I’m an old graduate of Lowell, 1959. I recently sent in a write-up of some experience with my teachers at that time, some 60 years ago. One of the teachers mentioned, now deceased, was Maurice Englander. Before he died I sent him a copy of my book of poems, The Murdered Heart. He was kind enough to reply in a very thougthful letter that might be of general interest to those who were his students, and others, since he comments on his teaching approach. I thought you might like a copy of this letter to publish in your keeping in touch section of your newspaper, but I need to know where to send it, an email contact address. Thank you.
George Bosh