Somerville has a long history of social justice. From neighborhood activism to immigration, from labor to gay and lesbian rights, this community has been sensitive to voices drowned out in many places. That is what makes the situation at the Healey School so distressing. Two worlds exist within one Meacham Street building: in the neighborhood program, 90 percent of kids come from low-income homes. In the Choice program it's less than 40 percent.

The neighborhood kids stay in the building when the Choice kids go on the Nature's Classroom field trip. At a community meeting this month Principal Mike Sabin said kids at the school are aware they're divided from one another in a way they don't understand.

And as Superintendent Anthony Pierantozzi readies his recommendation for the school, parents are still saying they haven't been given enough information. One parent questioned how the all white School Committee would incorporate the views of immigrant and minority families in the reform process.

The good news is city and school officials agree there's work to do at the Healey. Mayor Joe Curtatone has asked Pierantozzi and Sabin to base their recommendations on what is best for kids at the school, not finances. Parents of neighborhood kids must stay involved. Choice parents have to think about the greater good for Somerville kids. This is Somerville, we can do better.

Reading, writing and arithmetic. But stop teaching children division at the Healey School