Patch, HuffPo Launching 'Dispatches: The Changing American Dream'

We're excited to inaugurate a new series for our Patch Readers: "Dispatches: The Changing American Dream."

Every day, the national media is full of stories about how American families, businesses, and neighbors are adjusting to these trying times.

There are so many changes happening so fast that it's dizzying: national debates about unemployment, foreclosures, debt, religion, government and private enterprise all touch on fundamental ways in which we see ourselves and our communities. At Patch, we want to explore that conversation so we can better understand how our neighbors are adjusting to the challenges and opportunities that surround us.

We don't think there's one American Dream, but a multitude of American Dreams, which a multitude of people are working toward. Looking out across nearly almost 900 Patch sites, we see businesses holding their breath deciding whether to expand; college graduates returning home because they can't find jobs; and senior citizens bringing boarders into their homes to help pay their bills.

We also see bold new volunteer efforts, inspiring stories of local businesses that succeed because they innovated, and locals who've taken these trying times as a signal to engage more, not less, in their government.

In Holliston, there have been (a proposal that was soundly defeated at Town Meeting in May) and is in the works.

Meanwhile, town departments are trying to remain within an even budget guideline for fiscal year 2012, while residents are dealing with .

The last four years have been especially difficult financially for the school district, which has had to cut spending on supplies/textbooks, reduce professional development and slash 28.5 full-time positions, all while sharply increasing fees from FY09-11.

Nevertheless, the district has maintained its solid performance in 10th grade MCAS scores, tying for third in Math, sixth in Science and seventh in English/Language Arts. Holliston students are also 39 points above the state average and 49 points higher than the national average (498) in SAT Reading scores. In Writing, Holliston was 16 points over the state average and 61 points higher than the national average (488). In Math, Holliston was 13 points over the state average and 65 points higher than the national average (511).

The district has also copped a number of honors recently, from the American Council on teaching of Foreign Language for the best elementary foreign language program in the country.

Boston Magazine's 2010 rankings had Holliston as the 21st best high school in the state, while Johns Hopkins University named as the state's third best middle school.

"Dispatches" will be built upon the compelling vignettes and snapshots we unearth across all of our Patch sites.

And, of course, we want your help: Tell us what issues and what stories in this community go to the heart of your American Dream. Email Editor Sean Jacquet at sean.jacquet@patch.com and let us know your thoughts.