HOLDEN SCHOOL,
A COMPASS
PROGRAM
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Friends of Holden School: As you know, the Holden School merged with COMPASS, Inc. on July 1, 2007, becoming one school program, while operating at two sites, beginning September 2007. Given difficult economic times and decreased revenue, a difficult decision was made by the COMPASS Board of Directors to close the Holden School site, effective June 26th, 2009 and to move to one common agency site. The Holden School building will continue to be owned by COMPASS but will not be used for agency programming at this time. All Holden School students and their parents/guardians have been extended a welcome to attend COMPASS School at its new location in September. Many Holden School students began a transition by attending COMPASS School's summer program, a program that joined students from both our Holden School Charlestown site, and our Jamaica Plain School site. School staff from both sites have been in contact with students and parents/guardians to keep them updated on the progress of our move. The Board is grateful for the important work with students and families that the Holden School staff have provided over its 32-year history. Moving forward, COMPASS, Inc. has signed a ten-year lease on the former St. Peter's School in Dorchester. The building is large enough to house COMPASS School, our Comprehensive Support & Stabilization Program and COMPASS administration, allowing us to consolidate three current program sites into one, an economic move that will help to provide financial stability in a turbulent economic environment. COMPASS' move will take place during the week of August 24th. In our new building, combining the resources and long-standing traditions of our two schools, we will continue to offer quality education in a therapeutic milieu to the students and families whom we serve, while maintaining a highly visible sign of our presence in and commitment to conducting our work in an urban setting. We look forward to maintaining contact with you. John J. Lydon, COMPASS Executive Director |