The Journey of a Thousand Meetings

September 12, 2014

Looking back, I will tell you that each step was borne of on-going curiosity, learning, and interest. I'm writing about it because it's important to reflect back. Parent voice is not only important, it is necessary on the issues that have an impact on our children, our schools, and our communities. I have been supported by family, friends, neighbors, community members, the PTA, and the Governor. I sincerely hope my experience and common sense - and curiosity to want to know and do more - will continue to serve our children's best interests and success.

When our eldest entered Kindergarten my husband and I joined the school's parent group - it happened to be a PTA, and we joined to get to know his teacher and school better, connect with students and families in his class, and generally, be engaged from the outset.

Our children, 2012

As the years went by, and two more children entered the school system, I found myself more and more interested in making a difference at this school. Over time, I took on various roles there because I was interested in using some of my business, organizational, and artistic skills. It was fun getting to know other parents and teachers in the process, whether acting as a Room Parent or Field Trip Chaperon, or sharing the organizing of the 5th Grade Moving-On Ceremony, or working on a Collaborative Art fundraising project involving all classrooms in the school.

As our children grew and developed, so did my interests. Not only did I learn and share in the schools and across our Town, I honed my listening and advocacy skills. In the beginning, I advocated for my own children. I took advantage of leadership training by the PTA, the League of Women Voters, the Public Policy Institute (now the MA Leadership Academy), and more. Soon thereafter, I was advocating for all children in the school, for Town residents, then for all children in the school district. I volunteered on communication and leadership teams for local debt-exclusion overrides, School Committee, and Selectman candidate elections; drafted letters and fliers in response to state Ballot Initiatives; and spoke up to participate on a state education task force.

Last Friday, September 12, 2014, I was honored to be sworn-in by Governor Patrick as the Parent Representative of the Massachusetts Board of Elementary and Secondary Education. Massachusetts General Laws required that I step down from my role on the Lexington School Committee. I look forward to advocating for the nearly one million children in our public schools across the Commonwealth.

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Handheld shots from the Governor's Office

Other stuff, perhaps of interest:

• From Michigan: The Colorful Principal: Tough to Admit @benjamingilpin
• From British Columbia Public Schools: Schools, Politics, and Other Stuff: Public Education is Hurting
• From Edutopia: Start the Year by Building Hope @edutopia

Community Matters

The link between breakfast and school performance is well documented. Even before the economic downturn of 2008, the face of poverty had changed, though most of America hadn't recognized it (The Rich and the Rest of Us | Tavis Smiley & Cornel West). The income inequality gap (already huge) is growing - homelessness and hunger are symptoms of poverty caused by many factors.

In Lexington, a working group of school and municipal staff (primarily) along with several community leaders, has been convening since late last fall to share information about the growing homelessness issue in our own community. 

• Working Group conversations led to a convening of the Lexington Interfaith Clergy Association (LICA) who hosted a meeting with the community to discuss the issue and consider concrete next steps. More than 50 people came out from at least 10 Lexington faith-based congregations. Breakout sessions focused on addressing steps necessary to aid individuals and families across Town in realistic, concrete ways. Teams focused on:
• food connection
• community meals
• social outings

• Addressing the lack of public transportation, especially for families housed longer than expected in emergency hotel/motel shelters: the use of church vans and deeply discounted rentals with a private bus company, as well as means available through the Town's Human Services Department, are narrowing that gap.

• The school department hired a social worker to assist school-age children of families in transition; initially hired half-time, it is now a full-time position. More thinking has gone into the possibility of piloting a summer program so students in transition won't experience academic regression over the summer. 

Working together, staff and faith- and community-based leaders have increased understanding and knowledge of hunger and homelessness on the ground right where we live. With the child at the center, schools, in partnership with families and the community-at-large, are making a substantial difference.