::Every Child and the Whole Child

Parents expect schools to prepare children for success in life beyond high school, whatever they choose to do. They want schools to educate the whole child and achieve beyond success on high-stake tests in a few academic subjects. In many communities, budget shortfalls, combined with a narrowed focus on the MCAS, are causing other areas of children's learning to be neglected or eliminated.

Our schools can and should provide a well-rounded education that meets the needs of the whole child. This is accomplished with a rich, varied and engaging program for all children; schools that succeed by meeting students' individual needs. Attention to a child's social and emotional development is as important as academics, enhancing complementary learning skills, things not  currently measured, like creativity, problem-solving, critical thinking, and diligence. 

I am proud to have played a part in moving these ideas forward for students in our schools. I feel we do this better than most, but we can improve, too. 

We could embrace a broader vision and definition of accountability.  District report cards could include indicators of quality that expand upon standardized test scores.  These report cards would be tools for promoting greater involvement of parents and community agencies and would assess school leadership, learning environment, school climate, parent and community involvement, and staff development.

I welcome your input for keeping our schools on track.

::A Champion for Our Schools

Every child and the whole child. Now more than ever our schools need champions. I am one of those champions. Our community has faced one of the worst economic crises in recent times. As a School Committee member, I have used a child-centered lens to constantly ask: How does this decision affect the children in our classrooms? How can we protect what we do best? How can we continuously improve?

::School Matters

I will continue to engage residents on topics of concern and interest at Panera Bread in Lexington Center (1684 Mass Av) and at other dates and times as noted below:

Friday, February 10, 8-9 AM.  Special Education.

Monday, February 13, 8-9 AM. Technology K-12: Where are we going?

Wednesday, February 15, 8-9 AM. Our Community: What's the long view?

Thursday, February 16, 7:00 PM. League of Women Voters' Candidates Night

Friday, February 17, 8-9 AM. Our Schools: What's missing?

Saturday, February 18, 2:00 PM. Chinese American Association of Lexington Candidates' Forum.

For updates to this list, visit www.MaryAnnforSchoolCommittee.com and visit my campaign facebook page: Mary Ann Stewart for Lexington School Committee

::What is a School Committee?

The School Committee exists to serve children and their educational, health, and safety needs.  The School Committee can enhance coordination so that schools and the LPS district better serve them, their families, and our community.

Since education is a State function, the five elected members of the School Committee serve as officers of the State.  At the local level, the School Committee is a legislative body responsible for establishing local policy for seeing that the schools are properly run in accordance with state law and regulations.  The Policy Manual is in the process of being completely updated with the assistance of the Massachusetts Association of School Committees.  The current manual may be found at http://lps.lexington,a.org/domain/201.

::To Lead and Advocate

I have a deep understanding of and love for our schools and our community. My family made a commitment to Lexington when we moved here in 1994. My husband, Duncan and I have had two of our three children successfully complete their Lexington public school education, and continue to educate our eighth grader at Clarke Middle School.

As a seasoned advocate for children and the public school system, I hold numerous leadership roles:

• Chair of the School Committee
• President of the Massachusetts PTA (2010-2012);
• Chair of MassPartners for Public Schools, a coalition of the six statewide education associations and the PTA;
• I was tapped to serve on DESE's Educator Evaluation Task Force last year and served on Governor Patrick's Readiness Project, Whole Child Subcommittee before that.

As a member of the School Committee, I have kept the education of our children the centerpiece of all decisions, balanced by the realities of school and Town resources, and tempered by productive and civil discourse.  I will continue to take on the Schools Committee's highest tasks: to enact wise policy, shape educationally sound, community conscious budgets, and advocate for what our students and schools need most.  I ask for your vote on Tuesday, March 6, 2012.

::Why I'm Running

Time and again, Lexington Public Schools have served as an example of excellence for teaching and learning across the state and across the country.  Our schools are the pride of our Town, a key component of our quality of life, and why so many of us choose to live here.  As a leader and champion of our schools, I am proud of my contributions and of the gains we have made:

• We are closing learning gaps between all students;
• We lead the state in program efficiencies and fiscal responsibility - over the past three years, the School Department has saved over $4.6 million dollars as a result;
• We continue to be recognized nationally, most recently as a leader in fostering collaborative Professional learning Communities, and for our Professional Development programs.

But, our work is not done.  With your support, I will keep working on the challenges before us:

• Continue to address the issue of teacher morale across the district
• Stabilize a maintenance plan for all school facilities
• Increase classroom technology
• Collaborate with our Town and unions to reduce health care costs
• Begin to restore programs that have been lost in past years, like additional high school science labs and elementary foreign language.

I will continue to engage a broad constituency, advocating for what our schools and students need.  I will continue to listen and understand diverse perspectives and work collaboratively to find positive solutions.  I am eager to continue to both exercise the skills I've developed as a school committee member and continue to bring my broad knowledge of issues advocacy, policy, and budgeting from my work at the State-level to bear on the work ahead for Lexington.

::Campaign Coffees

I will continue to engage residents on topics of interest or concern during School Matters info sessions at Panera Bread in Lexington Center (1684 Mass. Ave.) and at candidate forums as noted below:

• Thursday February 16, 7pm. League of Women Voters’ Candidates Night, Jonas Clarke Middle School, 17 Stedman Road
• Monday February 27, 9:30am. Home of Amy Weinstock and Mike Coln
• Thursday March 1, 7pm. South Lexington Civic Association (SLCA) Candidates’ Forum, Brookhaven, 1010 Waltham Street
• Saturday March 3, 1:30pm (note date change) Chinese American Association of Lexington (CAAL) Candidates’ Forum, at the home of Sophia & Larry Ho
• Sunday March 4, 2:30pm. Merriam Hill Association, Pilgrim Congregational Church, 55 Coolidge Avenue

Election day is Tuesday, March 6, 2012.