GREENFIELD — With approval from the School Committee, the Discovery School at Four Corners has officially been renamed the Four Corners School.
The committee voted Wednesday night to change the name of the school after receiving a request from Principal David Potter. The change is effective immediately, but signs, handbooks and the school website will need to be changed.
“The reason for this proposal is that we have not been an official, state-approved ‘Discovery School’ for many years. Meanwhile, the district has moved deliberately and thoughtfully toward creating more unity among the elementary schools, making it very unlikely that there will be a future initiative to renew our Discovery School status,” Potter wrote in a letter to the School Committee. “Currently, the school is commonly referred to by many names, including Four Corners, 4C and Discovery School. Since joining the school district, the only times I hear the school called by its full name is when we answer the phone in the main office. Overall, it seems confusing and unnecessary to continue with the current name.”
The Four Corners School was first built in the 1950s and was closed in 2007. In 2009, the school reopened, and in 2011, it was renamed the Discovery School at Four Corners after being approved to become an Innovation School with an environmental theme.
The Innovation School initiative was launched in 2010 by Gov. Deval Patrick. According to the state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), Innovation Schools were given more flexibility and autonomy than other public schools, while remaining part of public school districts, with the goal of allowing for creative strategies to be implemented to increase student achievement.
Potter wrote that the school is still committed to connecting students with nature, but as the district continues its work to unify and standardize learning across schools, changing the name would better reflect the school’s identity.
“Our school remains dedicated to connecting our curriculum and our students with the natural world despite the fact that we are no longer a Discovery School. This summer we plan to clean up the nature trail on our campus, and some of our garden beds are growing vegetables, flowers and herbs again,” Potter wrote. “We hope that the School Committee understands and supports this proposal in time for us to make the necessary changes prior to the upcoming school year.”
School Committee member Melodie Goodwin expressed concern that community members would be upset with the change if they are proud of their school and attached to its current name. Other committee members shared that they’ve heard from parents that they would like the name changed.
“Discovery School had a specific meaning at the time that it was applied, and as the letter from the school leadership says, it’s no longer an official state-approved Discovery School and has not been in a number of years,” member Ann Childs said. “And also, I don’t think I’ve ever heard it called the Discovery School except in something very formal. The parents I know whose kids go there, they all say Four Corners. … I think this is not renaming as in changing and bringing something new; we are just reverting to the original school name, which is more accurate to what it is.”
“I did speak to a few parents who go there … and they said this is something they really want,” added member Melissa McKenzie Webb.
Potter’s letter added that staff and members of the Parent Teacher Organization who were asked were also “overwhelmingly in favor” of the name change.
The School Committee voted to approve the change, with all members voting in favor except for Goodwin, who abstained.
