Horace W. Porter School

Horace W. Porter School

3 Schoolhouse Rd.

Columbia, CT

860-228-9493 

 "What Porter Means to Me" by Becca S.

(Horace W. Porter School Graduate, 2009)

I would not be the person I am today if I had not attended Horace W. Porter School.  Porter has given all of us an equal opportunity to succeed and to strive for even greater achievement.  Our tiny school has offered us a safe environment, many friendships, and the opportunity to grow as students and human beings.

I see the end of our time here as bitter sweet.  I am not ready to leave Porter, but I know that a change will be helpful to everyone. Porter is so sheltered that it gives us a sense of security.  However I know that the rest of the world is quite different.  It is time that we take off our training wheels.  Next year we must ride two wheelers, but I for one, will miss my training wheels.            

Porter is a very accepting place.  Although school is primarily for academics, it is also meant for developing friendships.  I think you would be hard pressed to find a friendlier place than Porter.  If my time here has taught me anything, it is to try to be more accepting and to let everyone in.  At Porter I truly believe a smile is an upside down umbrella collecting as many rain drops as possible.  The drops are friends.  They are twice as refreshing and worth the entire storm. There have been good times for everyone at our school.  Most importantly though I think everyone will have fond thoughts of our friends after leaving.

Sometimes it seems being here every single day for almost nine years is like eating the same peanut butter and jelly sandwich each day at lunch.  Leaving Porter will be an opportunity to try a new lunch - perhaps like having a grilled cheese for the first time.  This new dish might be crunchy and hard on the outside as we meet new challenges, and sticky on the inside as we try to hold on to familiar people, places, and things.  I think we will all miss the p, b, and j, but we will find happiness and satisfaction with our new diet.

I’m not sure what the future holds for our class, but I am positive that our experiences at Porter have prepared us well.  I do not know one person in our class who acts or thinks the same as he or she did in elementary school. Our teachers are responsible for that.  I know at times we all just wanted to say, “No way am I doing one more math problem, social studies note, imagery worksheet, or bridge presentation.”  Now it is a time to be grateful that we did the work and are better students for the effort.

Many teachers at our school have inspired us to do our best.

Porter school is the type of place where a student can learn to read or write at his own speed and special help is offered for those who need it.

Porter school is the type of place where a struggling third grader can become a more efficient and diligent student through the interest and guidance of their teacher.  

Porter school is the type of place where a teacher will meet with a student once a week after school just to teach her to knit.

Porter school is a place where teachers help students with projects during lunch periods or after school.  

Porter school is a place where talented artists and musicians have inspired the love for the arts and music.

Porter school is a place where a teacher declares at the beginning of every quarter, “You start with a one hundred in this class.  Now it is up to you.  I don’t give you a grade you earn it.”

Porter school is a place where a friendly smile from the cafeteria staff can make your day.

Porter school is a place where a teacher’s love for his or her subject transfers to their students.  All of the teachers at Porter do their best to make learning an adventure, if students are willing to put forth some effort.

Porter School is a magical place. Not because of dragons, fairies, or mythical creatures, but because of the way it can change people.  So many caring people whether they be staff, teachers, or fellow students contribute to this change.  I am proud to say that I am a graduate of Horace W. Porter School.