Nearly three years after breaking ground for an expansion of the school, the ceremony marked the completion of the hard work of many who helped the new addition become a reality, said Chandler Principal Deborah Zetterberg.

“Everyone has been so supportive, flexible and cooperative with this project,” she said.  “We have a tremendous facility and kept telling ourselves to keep our ëeyes on the prize,’ and we needed a bigger and better Chandler and that’s what we got.”

While the new wing of the building was actually opened last January, Zetterberg said that staff moved instruction and their students to that area while work was completed on the existing school building.  As the school year began, the finishing touches were put on the existing building to complete the entire $11 million renovation of the 21-year-old structure.

“It was an adventure, but the kids and our staff rolled with it,” she said. 

All of Chandler’s students came to Friday’s ceremony equipped with yellow, plastic construction hats to celebrate the achievement.  Zetterberg pointed out that those in kindergarten for the ground breaking ceremony in 2001 also wore the hats and now have a great new building to use as second graders.

After students led those assembled for the ceremony in the Pledge of Allegiance and a rendition of “You’re A Grand Old Flag,” Zetterberg told students a story she called “Chandler School.”  The story revolved around the school, built in 1973, and how more and more children came to the school over the years, creating a need for a bigger building.

“Everyone [in town] worked together in the community and in all of Duxbury and said ëlet’s build an extra part of Chandler and make it bigger and better,’” she said. 

Zetterberg and Assistant Principal Linda Loiselle also displayed a time capsule put together by students when the project began that included a Chandler T-shirt, textbooks, pictures of the construction and other items to be opened in the future.  Zetterberg said the school’s architects created a special place so the capsule will stay safe over the years.

The capsule also included a pen that read “Together we can make a difference,” and Zetterberg presented versions of the pen to the town officials who attended the ceremony and assisted in the construction project.

Superintendent Eilleen Williams then spoke to the students about friends and their importance to all of us. She pointed out the contribution of two special friends whom the town honored by dedicating the new Early Childhood Wing in their name: Jack and Alice Canty.

“They helped those of us in town in many ways from town government to town churches and schools,” she said.

Williams recounted Mr. Canty’s pivotal role as chairman of the first Chandler School Building Committee to get the building constructed in 1973 as well as his years of work on the town’s zoning board of appeals, affordable housing task force and other committees.

She then unveiled a plaque that will hang in the entryway of the new wing to honor the Canty’s dedication to the town of Duxbury.

“They are gone now, but not forgotten,” said Williams.  “Whenever you look [at the plaque] and this beautiful new school, remember our special friends, Mr. and Mrs. Canty.”

The Canty’s son, Christopher, then spoke, expressing his appreciation on behalf of the entire family for the honor.  He talked about his parents’ decision to move to Duxbury and how he and his two sisters enjoyed an excellent education as students.

He also discussed his father’s passion in getting the first Chandler School built and his mother’s work with the housing authority and other groups as proof of how much they truly loved the town.

“It is fitting you should choose to dedicate this school project to remember them,” he said.  “This dedication today is great for us, and both of them would be truly thankful.”

Members of the Canty family then joined Paul Arsenian, chairman of the current Chandler Building Committee, to cut a ceremonial ribbon on an artist’s rendering of the new wing, to mark its opening. 

Other town officials in attendance for Friday’s event agreed that the Cantys deserved the honor.

“Jack made such a big difference in this town on so many projects,” said Fire Chief William Harriman.  “He offered his expertise as an engineer and his wisdom and common sense as a person.  This is a terrific tribute, especially because he was so intimately involved with the school project and it is very, very fitting.  I’m sure he is looking down on us today and he’s probably embarrassed, but he was a great man.”