The renovated Home for Little Wanderers in Walpole has living space for 80 children, double its former number.Walpole
Home for Little Wanderers celebrates new space in Walpole, amid some local concern
The renovated Home for Little Wanderers in Walpole has living space for 80 children, double its former number.By Johanna Seltz
Globe Correspondent /
November 17, 2012
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In August 2012, the 5- to 12-year-old children moved from the Jamaica Plain facility to Walpole.
As of last week, 21 of the youngsters and 35 older boys lived or went to school at Longview Farm, with about 125 staff, according to director Edie Janas.
“These are the best kids in the world,” she said.
She said the school measures success is many small ways, such as a child sleeping through the night without nightmares, or completing a full school year, but the goal is for children “to spend as little time as possible living here.”
Most residential students stay for six months to a year before going home or to a foster home, she said.
Janas said the staff is very appreciative of the new space, which is airy and bright.
The classrooms all have computerized “smart boards,” and the art room has a kiln and three pottery wheels.
“While it’s nice and beautiful, the kids don’t want to be here,” she said. “They don’t want to have to go to a special school or live away from home. New space or old space — they’re not where they want to be.”
Johanna Seltz can be reached at seltzjohanna@gmail.com.
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