BURKEonBOARD

“What’s in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet.” – From Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet

(Oct. 12, 2008) – What’s in a name? Perhaps more than the Bard lets on.

ISD 192 has formed a Naming Committee to recommend names for three district schools—the new high school that will open next year, the current high school which will become a middle school, and the current Farmington Middle School East which will become an elementary school.

The occasion of naming public buildings is a great opportunity, particularly for schools. We all know schools named to honor the fallen such as any number of Memorial High Schools. We know many Washington, Lincoln and Jefferson schools that honor great leaders. And, like Farmington High School, many are named to show pride of place.

Maybe this time, we might consider naming some of our schools after the great men and women of arts, letters and science. Perhaps even those who called Minnesota home.

Wonderful things happen in our schools. What better way to keep us constant in that knowledge than with a name on a building that reminds teachers who might be sitting before them each day, causes students to think of their future and the rest of us that our schools are filled with the lessons taught born from the man or woman whose name is on this building.

We have no lack of inspirations to choose from, great writers and scientists and artists who have passed our way. Perhaps one of their names upon one of our schools will cause a young mind to ask, “Why is her name there?” and start a conversation that changes a life.

The Naming Committee will start taking suggestions on October 20.