Education 4 Auburn- Eleena for Schools

Recent Accomplishments

2009-05-20T22:37:00.003-04:00

As I mentioned in my 'Who am I' intro at the Senior Center's Candidate's Who's Who for Election, here are some of my recent accomplishments for you to see...

Recent Accomplishments:

Auburn Zip Trip – Fox 25 (Kristen Pappas / Recreation & Culture Committee):
Established Auburn as the #1 spot with the most books collected this year at a Zip Trip -- 223!
Got Special thanks to the Bryn Mawr Elementary School

Scholastic BOGO Book Fair: Bryn Mawr Elementary
Made available Summer Reading List books for purchase for first time
Increased revenues by 16.14% - netting a profit and $110 voucher for books for the library
Assisted 1st Grade Classes/ Teachers with ‘Bank On Books’ Purchase for Auburn Youth & Family Svcs. Library set up

Assisted Mrs. Misa Hamden (Math teacher at Bryn Mawr)
Photographed Events for her: Home Depot Math Grade 2 Event pictures to be used at Bryn Mawr & at West Street
Photographed Events for her: McMath Nite @ McDonald’s Event – pictures to be published in Auburn News

District 1 PTO- I assist at many of their sponsored events and fundraisers.
School Spirit Clothing Sale- Not a fundraiser
This was just an opportunity to purchase clothes that had school logo or names or town name on it. I was able to price it and then negotiate the pricing in a way that we at final payment secured $162 for the PTO.

Special Olympics (Auburn Recreation & Culture Committee Member) (AR&CC)-
150 + athletes/ 400+ local volunteers all registered and managed by AR&CC
As part of the AR&CC hosting group during the weekend of the two day event: coordinated Olympic Town section of the event, main coordinator for the pre-registered 400 volunteers from town, was main point of contact after Recreation Director, assisted with medals awarding and photos, and set up and break down of the site.

I handled preparation of the final Thank you notes and certificates to all vendors and participants to those people and groups that were involved in this great activity- created, printed, delegated, assisted with the scheduling for presentation on camera at live meetings, and made sure all members of AR&CC were signee’s of certificates. This event was/ is a truly team event.

NOTE: The corporate Special Olympics for MA were impressed with the way we (AR&CC)administered our site that our site model is to be as an example for other sites, for multiple reasons. Because of all of this, Auburn had Massachusetts Special Olympics Winter Basketball as a host site for next year 2010 before the weekend had finished.

Auburn's Fall Festival (Auburn Recreation & Culture Committee Member) (AR&CC)-
NO working budget for this event, and managed to establish it as an annual event with non-profit/ profit local vendors (29 for first year) pulling in profit of $800, with approx.1,500 attending on what quickly turned into poor weather day. Have secured dates for 2009, with existing vendors as well as other interested vendors having seen success of this event in community; solicitation of vendors for vending at event; solicitation of donations for the event communications for the event (advertising/ public relations/ marketing related).

And these are but a few of the projects that I am/ have been involved with either in town or in the schools. I am the type of person that will let my work spreak for myself versus putting together a flyer or a log entry for this type of accomplishments. I work hard and will let that speak for itself.

Election Day tomorrow! Go Vote Please!

2009-05-20T22:34:00.002-04:00

Please vote on Thursday

May 21st, 2009

Your vote counts!

Only YOU

can shape

Auburn's Future!

10 POINTS ON HOW I WILL GET THINGS DONE:

2009-05-20T22:32:00.001-04:00

10 Points On How I will get things done/ approach the work:

1.) I will be PROACTIVE vs. reactive. I plan to solve issues with an approach rooted in accountability for results that is transparent to the public. If there is a need to be reactive I will work to resolve it accordingly while putting a plan in place so that a proactive plan can prevent a recurrence.

2.) I will get things done by making the necessary contacts and networking relationships with the local, community, district, state, and federal groups necessary to do whatever it will take to move our educational system forward.

3.) I will begin by holding everything to dates and accountability of deliverables. My expertise of keeping the ‘Big Picture’ in mind, is where my project management skill set will be valuable in terms of the 7 key plans the School District has yet to develop and implement.

4.) I will reach out to any and all groups - locally, district, state, and federal to fulfill the needs of Auburn’s educational system. My starting point will be any of the following: funding, grants, and curriculum, volunteer or community outreach programs.

5.) I will work towards getting the 7 plans as outlined in the Strategic Plan (including the Strategic Plan) we as a community developed. These outstanding plans are: the Strategic Plan (to implement), Technology Plan, Technology Curriculum, Multi-Year Professional Development Plan for Teachers and Administration, Schools Master Plan, Facilities Master Plan, and the Community Outreach Plan.

6.) I will work to clear up the communications. This cannot be emphasized enough. Consistent messages, up to date information, clear and concise information, from one source to another, that is being shared fluidly must be employed between all groups.

7.) I will work at getting all of the groups communicating: school committee, teachers, parents, community, and the town administration. True progress cannot be made unless we are all reading, saying, and agreeing to the same things.

8.) I will work towards providing resources to promote the success of every student and teacher. In this new technology driven environment of the 21st century, it is critical that they are proficient in the skills they will need to be successful in their lives, and as citizens in our community.

9.) I will look at the many aspects of school safety, to ensure that students and teachers have a safe environment for learning.

10.) I will look at the districts libraries in regards to teaching resources/ facilities and as part of the overall curriculum needs. District wide there is a need for an evaluation and assessment as this resource can tie into the MCAS scores.

TOP 5 TALENTS THAT I BRING

2009-05-20T22:28:00.002-04:00

Top 5 Talents/Skills that I bring to any group/ project:

1.) Diverse Set of Communication Skills- from the “Big Picture” to the specifics of a running product/ service campaign. Areas of Marketing/ Public Relations/ Advertising/ Graphic Design.

2.) Networking Skills- the ability to reach out to diverse groups in the community, district, and businesses to further enrich our academics and students futures.

3.) Community Outreach Skills- I am currently doing this, and would bring this skill with me from my work the Recreation & Culture Committee. This can only be done by going out and being involved with the community in multiple areas and in multiple ways, by being accessible, available, and truly understanding the ‘Big Picture’ and each groups needs.

4.) Project Management skills in which I deal with multiple tasks, sites, deliverables and deadlines. I have training and experience that assist me in project management assignments for: vendors & cost management, deadline oversight, selection of consultant/ contractors and other project items through to full project deliverables.

5.) A Deeply Rooted Work Ethic- having a dedication to always learning. I maintain that by being focused, goal driven, open minded and a problem solver.

10 REASONS THAT QUALIFY ME FOR SCHOOL COMMITTEE

2009-05-20T22:23:00.001-04:00

Here are the 10 core reasons that qualify me for School Committee:

1.) I am a parent with a young child in the Auburn school system.

2.) I am a substitute teacher in the Auburn District school system for grades K-12. I have also substitute taught at the high school level in the Milford school district.

3.) I actively volunteer in the school system. I am the Library Volunteer at Bryn Mawr. I am an active member of District 1 PTO. I am the Scholastic Book Fair contact for Bryn Mawr.

4.) I see the problems existing within the school system and the district. I want to be part of, shape the solutions to, and take into account all demographics I am already involved with.

5.) I am active alumnae of Simmons College and the Alumnae/i Assoc.(Boston, MA) I specifically do: Simmons College Undergraduate Admissions Alumnae Representative for the Central MA College Fairs. This position has allowed me to network with other colleges in our area (Worcester County) and be knowledgeable of the requirements that colleges are requiring of students. I am my class Co-President.

6.) I believe any type of situation needs to be inclusive vs. exclusive in order for it to be successful.

7.) I investigate all of the solution options, and take into account the “Big Picture” to ensure that the option selected is the best one for the long term, not just the short term or select few outcome.

8.) I have negotiating experience that is both results and solution based.

9.) I friends and associates that are either teachers or are in the education field, as well as resources for support.

10.) I will be auditing classes to continue to expand my knowledge base.

Fox25 Zip Trip to Auburn

2009-05-08T17:18:00.003-04:00

Well... We as a town did it! We did ourselves proud! We placed ourselves as #1 for all of the records on the Zip Trip. Yeah! Everyone and everything looked great down at Goddard Park and on TV!

And that included the Book drive that Fox 25 did. I checked at the end and found out that we were approx. 11 books short and made a quick run back to the Bryn Mawr Book Fair and got back in the nick of time to make sure that we got the #1 title for that as well since we have such strong reading programs here in the school system. So we knocked out Needham from the #1 spot. Thank you to all of you who came by and supported the Bryn Mawr Book Fair and bought their books there! District 1 PTO appreciates it greatly!

Have a great weekend!

School Libraries...hmmmm..

2009-04-24T11:22:00.002-04:00

Well... Since we again have the town library on peripheral part of our minds, whenever the discussion for voting is brought up for budget, let me discussion here the school's libraries. I am certain that those of you whom have children in the system know that state of the libraries at the individual schools. Depending on your view point I will say that as a whole they are from a parent's perspective ‘functional’- books come in and they go out. And the kids seem happy about it and not too upset that they can't occasionally get the books that they may really want. They know that they can go with their parents to either the town library (mind you supposedly) or to the book store to get the book or books that they really do want to read. The point and bottom line is that they want to read and that they are doing just that, and to that point I whole heartedly agree.

Now, what I know from personal experience, and I at this point, I am going to give a HUGE shout of CREDIT to all of those coordinators, volunteers, parents and anyone that goes in and helps to keep these facilities running year after year for our students. It is a thankless job and we do it for our kids and everyone else's kids. Truthfully, many times if we as volunteers are not, then library just does not happen. And I can say from being one of the mom’s and coordinators that helping the kids to find something that they want or discover something interesting is just as much fun as seeing them at a toy store – more so.

Yet, year after year the line item in the individual school budgets have been whittled away at, if not flat out cut. It is to the point that there isn’t even a library supplies line item for the school. What goes into the library supplies? Books, book pockets, library check out cards, book coverings, repair supplies, stamps & ink pads, and even copier paper as this year has even shown. I know from the school I am at the PTO is depended upon to cover most if not ALL of the costs for the library at least for this next year. I question the feasibility of this assumption on the part of the District to be able to fund this even on a one off school or even two schools that the PTO supports.

The two points to this are the District should be funding the four Elementary libraries equally –period. The not at all is not an option either as the condition of the collections are not great in regards to the curriculum that they are being taught and referenced. If these libraries are not funded at all, the only libraries that some of these children will see are the ones where they can’t find what they want, can’t reference what they want, and can’t even use a book that is in functioning condition. Some of you may think I am being dramatic, but really I am not depending on the school we are taping books together.

So again I ask why is it that 2 of the 4 Elementary schools ask for library supply line items and get it? Then the other 2 do not? Then of course there is the ever present not functioning AMS’s library… another whole issue for discussion that has been open and not dealt with for two plus years. How are our students to be prepared to enter AHS to use the state of the art library if they have no information sciences training?

There needs to be at minimum some level of funding for the libraries at the schools, especially as the town’s library is in question. Good school libraries tie into good MCAS scores. The cohesiveness of the curriculum to the student’s ability to use the information sciences resources in the library / educational process is going to be critical to their future in the global market.

An observation regarding strategic plans...

2009-04-24T10:48:00.003-04:00

It's been approximately a year since I last ran for School Committee and I followed the whole process of "changes" and "improvements" that were to happen. I do understand that such undertaking take time and that they need a leader to give direction... And here is the point to this entry, about half way through this year we had both- the new Superintendent, which I feel has been a good choice for us, and welcome her back. Then we had the the Strategic Plan that was already 'supposedly' being worked on to be implemented'.

I do understand that time is needed for change, yet according to the community who came together to help create it, based on the Strategic Plan as it states from the Community direction there are needs that are not being met. I wonder why there is not further movement on that plan. Dates have seriously slid, and the accountability column is too generic- Lead, Implement, Support. There should be key people assigned and to whichever of these groups are in charge of the Actions to be accomplished. Then if an Action is too large or too complex then break it out to be manageable in a timely manner for that group. It's less about blame and more about problem solving to attain the goals.

Within that plan- the Strategic Plan that the Auburn Community, created with the School District, outlined 7 core plans that would give us direction, initiative, and set the level of achievement for everyone in our educational buildings to standards that we as a community want for our children. None of us should have to be settling for "this the way it is" or this is what we have" instead we should be going into this asking " how can we raise the bar and meet this level to fulfill the academic needs of each and every one of these students for the 21st global market place.

The 7 plans I keep mentioning are the Strategic Plan, that has recently been updated (make sure to ask for the correct version), Curriculum Plans (K-12) for the District (MA is looking to do changes to the Curriculum Framework requirements in the near future), Professional Development Plans for Staff and Administration, Technical Development Plan , Technical Curriculum, Facilities Master Plan, and the Community Outreach/ Relations Plan.

How would I change any of this? By making things timely, accountable, broken into steps that are set into objectives that are attainable in a consistent manner, by communicating through multiple ways to the community as their involvement will be critical, and being proactive towards getting ALL of these master plans completed so that we as a District have direction and agreed upon goals.

It's been too long..

2009-04-06T22:56:00.003-04:00

I can say that my mom's health has turned around 180% from this time last year from when she had her heart attach and I was running for School Committee then. It has improved so much so they have even cleared her to ride roller coasters! I can't even believe it! She can't wait to take my son on them this summer as a lesson on gravity!

What have I been doing? I have been active in PTO1 (was the School Spirit Clothing Coordinator), Bryn Mawr's Library Volunteer Coordinator, taking over as Bryn Mawr's Scholastic Book Fair's Coodinator, Substitute teaching in Auburn's District, and a room volunteer for my son's class just so that I know what is going on in the school's. As a note - I am also an Alumnae Admissions Contact for College Fairs for my alma matre Simmons College for Central Mass and assist in the recruiting process annually. I have been keeping my self busy with the Recreation and Culture Committee as well. I am one of a group of very active members. You may have seen me stopping in at the Town Hall offices or running about town. So say 'Hi' if you see me up there or around town or if you have an idea. I am in the midst of Independence Day (6/27)Planning!

So, as some of my friends and associates may know, I have decided to run for a seat on the School Committee again. I always follow what the School Committee is doing and is NOT doing . I have seen what they have not been able to accomplish this past year. Some is terribly obvious, other parts are not. I welcome Dr. Maryellen Brunelle, she is a great addition to this District. She also understands that it took years to get to the mess we are in, and will take time to get us out. It will take a consistent and concerted effort to get where we as a District need to be for the benefit of our kids.

When I stopped by the Town Clerk's Office, no one had pulled papers except the incumbents ... so after some discussions, I pulled them myself and got them signed and back in to the Town Clerk. I have also since found out that I have another running mate in the Hammond family, good luck to him, as well and to the incumbents. The race is on.

The election is May 21st this year please get out and vote! I will be updating this blog frequently over the next few weeks so please keep an eye out for it!

Where are the working flashing lights?

2008-05-23T16:14:00.003-04:00

Driving by the schools I noticed something, and I wonder do you?

My cousin did. He called me on the cell on the way to work to see if I was going to enter this very blog entry.... So here it is. Why aren't the kids safety number one? Why are the flashing safety speed lights of 20mphs hour working? Before they were intermittent, now they don't seem to work at all. So when I am there dropping my son off and picking him up or other children up for friends on days I am shocked and scared for these kids safety frankly.

Then driving home late one evening this week I am surprised to see it working off schedule... is it just off schedule? Who knows any more in this town. The administration doesn't seem to care. If we are lucky it is reset for the beginning of the year and then somewhere along the way it falls off the clock and and then never gets readjusted for daylight savings or if it's for sports or whatever...

But I am getting pretty tired of the it's not my responsibility, it's this group in town - WRONG. It affects the children of our schools it's their responsibility to make sure that whatever groups in town get it right 110% of the time. And that means at each and every school not just the elementaries.

Here are two companies that I found that do solar school zone warning lights which would relieve some of the ISSUES:

OK Solar -LED Traffic Signals - Solar School warning signs
We are manufactures OEM/ODM a complete line of high-flux LED products for the transportation market. We offer a complete line of LED products used in lighting for airports, bus stops, rail ways, traffic signals, outdoor lighting and other related applications.Our transportation products are more efficient, last longer and typically consume 90% less energy than incandescent lights, yielding substantial operational cost savings. Because their service life span is typically 10 times (approximately eleven years) that of incandescent, these products offer even greater maintenance savings due to longer replacement intervals. In addition, they are environmentally friendly.

Solar powered warning signals Using a combination of solar power and energy-efficient LED lights we allow the transportation engineer the flexibility to deliver critical warnings in virtually any location, regardless of power availability.We offer a full array of red, yellow, green and white LED products for use in traffic signal balls, arrows and pedestrian signals, as well as a complete range of signaling products. Installation of LED Signals can offer significant savings in operating and maintenance costs resulting in a quick return on initial investment.

Your next scheduled maintenance will be in 5 to 7 years! www.oksolar.com/traffic/

K & K MODEL 110 Solar School Zone Flasher
Whether in congested cities, small towns or on rural and remote roadways, traffic flashers are used to help warn vehicular traffic to possible hazardous areas or intersections ahead. Pedestrian crosswalks, school zones, fire stations, hospital zones and speed zones are just a few of the many applications where solar stationary flashing beacons are used to enhance the visibility of roadway signage. The Model 110 is designed for use at churches, schools, and other zones needing a system which incorporates a timer or remote control. The two 8" yellow LEDs, when flashing, are visual by motorist up to 1/4 mile.
http://www.k-ksystems.com/110.html

Off to do the NEACAC Fair..

2008-05-19T17:18:00.004-04:00

Monday May 19th
I will be representing Simmons College at the NEACAC College Fair at Assumption College tonight. I look forward to doing this each and every time they graciously ask me to do this event. I LOVE working with the students and their families. It is a two day event and I will be the alumnae representative there tonight, and there will be the undergraduate school admissions person will be there tomorrow morning.

This is such a fun and exciting time. I enjoy doing this type of event when ever they ask me to do it in the Worcester County area. Once I can get them past the 'Isn't it all girls?' to get them to understand it's dynamic location and the benefit of the single sex in the classroom and small class to teacher ratio, I am usually on my way to getting a very exciting conversation ; )

Gotto run..

Election 2008

2008-05-16T12:23:00.003-04:00

Congratulations to all of those who won the election. Now the real work begins. As the quote goes... with great power comes great responsibility.

Well... the election has been run and I can say that it has been a definite learning experience. I have a list of things to improve upon and to get assistance with handling on the next run for a public office. Like what? Public speaking : )

I certainly need more help than I had this time around- I was basically a one woman show. However given that, having received approx. 21.5% of the total voters yesterday (and being a relative new face to the town) I did respectively well.

I will say this- I am so very grateful to all of those people who helped me along the way, and took the time to offer me great advice. I certainly could not have done as well as I have with out such wonderfully kind people. There are too many to list here, however, I hope you know that I truly appreciate everything that you did in assisting my run for School Committee.

Will I run again when the next group of School Committee people come up for re-election? You bet! I will need some more help, any volunteers?

Chapter 70 comment

2008-05-06T16:57:00.002-04:00

MA Elem. & Secondary Ed. Leadership and Action Document had this to say:

Aid and Grants—In addition to the state aid administered through Chapter 70, the Department of Education awards more than $800 million in grant funding for over 100 grant programs from either state, federal or private sources to schools and districts each year to fund innovative programs. Schools and districts apply for these funds and use them to support targeted programming in areas such as: Title I services, special education programs, universal school breakfast, Safe and Drug-Free Schools initiatives, extended learning time, and academic support services (MCAS remediation). Since the administration of our grant programs exists within constraints of state or federal funding sources, there may not be logical alignment in support of achieving our vision of preparing all students for tomorrow’s opportunities. While our current system needs to continue to comply with the state and federal funding requirements, we can streamline it and increase coordination of various grant initiatives, to enable schools and districts to plan for and use their grant funds for maximum positive impact on student learning.

Now I understand that it is a town charter item that needs to change. However, when I am at a State education meeting and they are telling me that the money is for education - NOT other items in the budget, but they know that it is a town charter change process. I am still being told that it is for education and that the Dpt. of Ed. should be seeing it go to educational items in the budget.... Now, I know, if all was right with the world, and we know Auburn isn't- everything would be funded correctly, but it isn't, so how do we fix it?

I did get interrupted before I got clarification on the final point of -if we got audited as a town for the Chapter 70 funding and it all didn't go to educational items (for the money that is above and beyond the per pupil allotment) would the amount Auburn received be changed? I plan to inquire on this using a town with similar town charter structure, ours, and then to see why Shrewsbury is so well funded.

The Chapter 70 money is a complex question not just because of who should get it in our town, but of the formula for the amount of money the state gives each town as well. Clarity of this formula is critical for us on the state side if we are to get the correct amount of funding from the state for our schools, especially if we as an educational system are going to count on this money year to year as we should be doing.

Here is the state site for Chapter 70 information: http://finance1.doe.mass.edu/chapter70/

Current Public Service

2008-05-06T16:18:00.002-04:00

I am currently doing the following:

I am an active parent volunteer at Bryn Mawr Elementary.
I am one of the Library coordinators at Bryn Mawr Elementary.
I am a volunteer with the PTO1 here in Auburn, and try to attend the great events they plan and put on!

I am an active volunteer at Bethel Lutheran Church and Bethel Nursery School.

I am an active volunteer in the Alumnae/ie Association at Simmons College, not just for my class activities.

I am an active volunteer for the Simmons College Undergraduate Admissions Dept. for their college fairs. This position has also networked me into the other colleges in our area (Worcester County) and the requirements that colleges are requiring of students.

I recently started to attend the MA Dept of Elementary and Secondary Education Meeting that are held monthly and are open to the public so that I can keep abreast of the state's educational requirements.

I am currently waiting to hear on a position on the Library Planning Committee. As well as, a second term as Director of Communications on the Executive Board of the Alumnae/ie Association of Simmons College.

Prior Public Service

2008-05-06T15:56:00.004-04:00

Here is a listing of my prior Public Service for you all to look at:

I was a Substitute Teacher in the Milford School District (High School Level)
I am an active member in the Alumnae/ie Association at Simmons College
Executive Board of the Alumnae/ie Association at Simmons College: Director of Reunion (600+ attendees the Year of 9/11); Director of Communications
Assisted with the March of Dimes Walk in Boston, Coordinator for company (the company was the major corporate sponsor for the event)
The College Club, Boston, MA- I assisted with- The Scholarship Fund, Membership Committee, Events Committee, Community Outreach, and Communications
I have been and am a volunteer at many of the Bethel Lutheran Church events.
Volunteer at the CKC Masters Conference Boston, MA - support staff and instructor

Forget something?

2008-05-06T15:44:00.005-04:00

First, let me just address the fact, that- yes I just blanked while giving my speech at the Senior Center. Everyone has it happen at least once in their public speaking life, I have now gotten mine done.

For those whom suffer from migraines, you can understand what I was dealing with, and what caused me to just go blank. I have had migraines all my life, and deal with them. I will now just learn how to deal with them in a more public manner.

In regards to my speech I will be putting my comments up here in another blog entry for those to read. Also, I will be gaining some experience in a group called Toastmasters for public speaking, so that I won't appear so nervous.

I really am used to smaller groups, as everyone says... it must be the cameras ; )

Town Websites that get it....

2008-05-01T14:21:00.010-04:00

Now I am not THE expert, but I do have some expertise in the area of web site development.

I can say that the first step is to have one- be it a full blown interactive one like say this blog corporate site, or for that matter my simple blog. You simply have to be out here and interactive with the community.

The second step and this is crucial is keeping the information current. If you don't keep that site up to date and current then you might as well simply pull that information down off the web. It gets to the point where it actually hurts your image. An example of this is the School Committee's Meeting Minutes- they should just be pulled down or get them to be all current. I will also say that if you go out to look up the districts information it is amazingly inconsistent. It just looks bad. I give credit to the principals for keeping their end of the information up, but the consistency that is supposed to mandated isn't there... something that was again also pointed out by the MA DOE.

I will also say, that if we as a town don't get a web site that is up and working, we as a community look like we are still the stone ages. As I said above even if it is something that is simply a higher end blog that is developed on Typepad (which doesn't cost all that much monthly) or work on getting set up a fully functional virtual town hall where town's people can actually pay online their town bills... The following are towns that are in the Worcester County that have sites that are actually getting it right:

http://www.shrewsbury-ma.gov/ The Town of Shrewsbury
http://www.ci.southbridge.ma.us The Town of Southbridge , and check out the library section
http://www.town.oxford.ma.us/Pages/index The Town of Oxford
http://www.clintonmass.com/index.shtml The Town of Clinton

Two of the towns above use the following company. It is something that may be worth looking into and or investing into if we are not going to bringing the technology or expertise or the time in house.

The Virtual Town Hall is a company that does this for Municipalities so the Municipalities do not have to buy Web development software, a Web server, and connect the server to the Internet, back it up at night, and protect it from hackers. VTH takes care of all that. They are the application server provider.

Where are the priorities...

2008-04-30T23:12:00.004-04:00

We may have started to make changes, but they are not enough. I am really concerned about the lack of direction. Can we afford to wait? Sure we have a start in the development path for that direction, but it really still feels and looks like we are stumbling around in the dark. Any step forward is soon followed by a five step backward maneuver for any combination of reasons.

Until we are all standing together as a united community and say that enough is enough, on behalf of the children of our community, our educational system is just going to continue to decline over all. As a community our educational system has to be a priority-Period.

How can we fix it? Be stepping forward as adults in times when items come down the pipeline (federal/ state mandates) and to best serve the needs of our children versus the what about "me" mentality that has been ruining the civility of the community. By laying aside the "blame game" from elementary school and "cover your butt" mentality that is prevalent, so that problems can be raised, discussed, addressed AND solved. We can look outside ourselves and the town for best practices and utilize the resources that we have in house- why reinvent the wheel or waste money? All of this can be done, it will take time, but it doesn't have to be at the expense of the children or at generations of them.

Good enough is no longer acceptable

2008-04-30T22:42:00.003-04:00

When are we going to stop letting people give the excuse "well, this is good enough", or to settle for something. By doing this we are short changing ourselves and stopping before the job is complete. Or worse yet as a role model showing our children that this is what is acceptable in life, work, school, relationships.

Part of this comment to is about follow through on job descriptions and what being an advocate really means. If the School Committee is to be the advocates for the children in regards for getting there needs met then I will say they have not met the criteria as by the dictionary:

Advocacy:to express support for a particular idea or way of doing things

They may have advocated to a particular idea or project. However I will say that they have not put in measurable accountable criteria to show that their advocacy has been successful.

And if by judging by what Dr Allen said at the last meeting regarding the past 5 years worth of school budgets where the reality of the school budget has only in actuality increased marginally. While in actuality ratio of the school budget to the town section of the budget has gone from 45:55 where it's school: town to where it could be more like 38:62 potentially school:town. And this town wonders why the schools are falling apart, and there is no money in the system? In towns comparable in the Worcester County for our size the ratio is more in line with 60:40 school: town. If you are wondering what I am talking about please watch the last hour of the Monday night meeting where they are talking about the presentation to the town meeting members.

I am going to get all of this information so that I can accurately get this information out to you. This strangle hold on the school system has to change. The state's Board of Education even told the town this, yet unless there is a Charter change in regards to this, and the town makes the education of our children a priority they will soon begin to suffer.

Making more contacts...

2008-04-30T22:19:00.005-04:00

I wasn't able to attend the School Committee's meeting on Monday as I had wanted. Instead I attended the MA Board of Elementary and Secondary Education Meeting that was held at the Beechwood Hotel in Worcester. I made many great contacts and was able to get a few questions answered as well. I will more than likely be attending next months meeting as well.

I was able to observe the frank and open discussion of the issues that larger school districts are having to deal with in open discussions in a frank and civil manner to at least begin getting the issues out to be discussed and the "silos of control" and the individual kingdoms to begin to be merged for the better of the whole once again. The Commissioners were- Jim Caradonio of Worcester, Karla Brooks Baehr of Lowell, and Eduardo Carballo of Holyoke. Each of them had a set of issues they were dealing with, and at the same time heart warming stories of how the administration and or the communities are involved in the solutions. Yet in each of the cases there is still so much work to be done.

However, Karla Brooks Baehr made a point to remind everyone that even in the midst of a shifting targets - you need to celebrate those small milestones that are attained, even if it is just a little, because acknowledgement is the key to attainment of the long term goals.

Accountability

2008-04-30T22:12:00.000-04:00

Having attended the MA Board of Education's Elementary and Secondary's Meeting this month, one topic being one dear and often vocal to this town...accountability.

I feel that not only must the School Committee be accountable and I know that the grippers must grip. But, here is the call to ACTION we as a community must answer as well:

Each and every adult and student in each and every building are accountable (as is the School Committee) for the outcomes of projects in those building.

If we are to succeed in turning our surviving school system into truly educational system that will prepare our children in addition to the foundational "three Rs" skills with the 21st century skills that they will need to thrive and excel in the highly competitive and technical world that is waiting for them.

I will at the following....

2008-04-23T22:38:00.005-04:00

April 24th- Skylite Roller skate Rink- This is the PTO's (1&2) sponsored event from 10am-12pm for the Auburn Elementary schools at the Skylite Roller skating Center that is a great time. Admission is $4 at the door, $1 extra if you bring your own skates. Parents skate free.I will be attending with my son. This will be our second time at this great event. Looking forward to seeing everyone there.

April 28- Back to school, spring break over. This is National Volunteer Week!
7PM @ Randall School: School Committee Meeting

April 30- Bryn Mawr School @ 9AM - Poetry Alive! Presentation

May 1st- I will be at the Lorraine Gleick Nordgren Senior Center at 9:00am for the 9:30am for the candidates forum.

May 5th through May 9th- Bryn Mawr's Book Fair - Buy One Get One Book Event. There will be this summer's required reading books available at this event. I look forward to seeing the students and parents there!

May 12- Auburn Library, Board of Trustees will be presenting at the Auburn Public Library to provide information and answer questions on the proposed library from 7:00-8:30pm. I will be attending as I have questions regarding the library that also relate to the schools' libraries in relation the existing and the proposed library.

May 15th- Election Day- I will drop my son off to school. After that I will be voting , then standing outside waving to people as they come in to vote until I need to go an pick my son up from school.

May 19th- Simmons College- College Fair Event at Assumption College at which I will be handling undergraduate admissions section. I will manage the booth for the night 6:00-8:30/9:00pm or until the inquiries are done.

If you have questions please contact me through the site, I will respond back in a timely fashion. Thank you for your support and interest. Sincerely, Eleena Rioux-Olson.

26 Days and Counting...

2008-04-16T14:44:00.004-04:00

There are just 26 days and counting until the election. The time is passing quickly. ....

There are only three days left of the 10 day wait on the School Committee's missing Meeting Minutes. I should be hearing from them any time on the 24th, I would hope. Otherwise, soon after the 24th, that being the tenth business day. After that I will give Janie a call to see what I can do to acquire the simple copies that I am looking for.

I will be in attendance at the Senior Center Breakfast Event at 9:30AM. I look forward to meeting everyone there. I really do enjoy meeting people one on one and in groups. I will admit I am working on being on camera. I am used to being on the other side of the camera filming versus being the filmed.

Everything is coming up fast. I will be helping out at the Bryn Mawr Book Fair - it is Buy One Get One. This is a great event and get so many great books into the kids hands. This past week there was a successful Book Fair/ Art show at Julia Bancroft. The Bryn Mawr Book Fair is the week of May 5th, 2008. If you have kids or grand kids hope to see you there!

As I have other events that I will be attending I will post them here... have a great weekend and enjoy the weather.

A comment on the budget..

2008-04-11T12:03:00.011-04:00

I am still weeding through the budget, and attempting to sort through where the spending is going and actually needs to go. Please keep in mind, that without a real thorough "BIG PICTURE" as a guide, it very easy to not understand what might be necessary for a functional budget- here is my comment for now... until I have a better picture of everything.

"Further review needs to be done of it. There are some pieces of the budget that go with the Strategic Plan, and parts of the Budget that I have seen first hand the needs for being a volunteer in the school system. These items I would hate to see pulled from the budget, as it would seriously halt the progress that is being made in the school systems to date. I will will comment on them in a later post in more detail.

I understand that when there is a greater than a 20% increase in the budget we really need to look at why there there was such an increase and exactly how that money is being spent. It is also the job of the School Committee to clearly communicate what that proposed school budget is made up of and why there is such an increase to the different demographics of this town.

I believe the most important is the 'why' behind the need to approve the budget, any budget- what ever the #'s may be after reviewing them. The why that is important to me may not be important to my neighbor across the street on the fixed income. However, educating the children of this community should be all of our responsibility as they are the next generation, if they are in schools they are not getting into trouble, they are becoming citizens themselves in the community, and are the investment for our future."

It is my view that communicating all of the details, and all of those details in the new budget, falls on the School Committee at this present time. In the future, I would like to see a more interactive role between School Committee and the Superintendent to communicate with the community and the town groups so when the final number is said at the approval meeting everyone will be on the same page as to where, how, and why the money is being spent.

Some interesting information that unless you really dig a little and look, even on the school's web site web site you probably don't see or bother to really look at or follow too closely at least, unless you are involved in the education system some how, but in this instance will affect you. The MA State EQA Report reported negatively on Auburn school district for not having curriculum leaders in the schools. The report also stated that we need to continue to work to fully establish and align curriculum at all grade levels.

The EQA Report is available from the state on any town's school district. As any papers are because of the Freedom of Information Act, as an aside.

In the Conclusion section of the EQA Report from the state ( this report is just one guideline to judge the health and state of our school systems) it was stated the following and I am quoting directly from the report here:

"Due to the fiscal constraints within Auburn, the town's revenue, rather than the student achievement data, became the driving force in the budget process. Auburn's budget and supplemental funds were not adequate to provide for effective instructional practices or sufficient operational resources."

In regards to budgeting process again, I know that we need to be fiscally responsible, I am not saying that we shouldn't. We need to get the long term plans in so that we can set our goals and work towards them, and none of this is going to happen over night. I do want accountability and deadlines met.

But in regards to budgets, at what time in the future Mr. Selectmen (current and future) and community are we going to change the way we do things in this town and show that the students come first (really and truly) so that people and businesses want to come and live and work and hire the children that are in our school systems. When those children go off to college they will want to come back here and stay or open businesses here for the right reasons and raise their kids here?

Where oh where is all the information?

2008-04-11T10:54:00.004-04:00

Being an information person I am driven to seek out the correct information so that I can make informed decisions. I then share that with everyone I come in contact with. If I find out some of the information is actually I wrong, I make sure to share that too. Otherwise, how is anyone supposed to make informed decisions? They aren't, and they can't. Even I have been wrong, and will change my opinion if the facts bear them out. After all I am only human.

I am more a skeptic by nature, so I question everything and everyone. And I am writing this because I started this all because I went searching for information for the School Committee Meeting Minutes- where else? On there site where you would think that it should all be accessible given this day and age of technology.

I found what looked like the meeting minutes for most of 2007, which thankfully gave me some of the information on the Pappas gymnasium issue, but certainly not all. When I asked for more information I was told to go to the Town Clerk at the Town Hall and that all of the School Committee's Meeting Minutes have to be on file there. OK. So, I went up there to inquire about getting - yes paper copies - of the meeting minutes for my reading material and was saddened to find further missing information...

It was brought to mine and Town Clerk Office's attention that the School Committee's Meeting Minutes from September 07 to now April 08 are not currently on file there in the Town Clerk's Office as they should be. Now, the correct individual that I need to be speaking with was out at that precise moment I went up there 8:45am -ish, but that being what it is, the bigger issue to me was the missing minutes.

Bottom line- is the appropriate Town Clerk's Office contact will notify the School Committee that they now have 10 days to produce the missing Meeting Minutes from Sept 07 through Present meetings. The Town Clerk's Office will then contact me when they have them. That was what went on yesterday. So, 9 business days and counting....

Why did I go and inquire? To get more details and be able to hold accountable certain things that don't seem like they are getting done. I read through the minutes on the web from 2007 and I have a sheet full of questions that I will need to have answered to to see if they were acted upon, followed through on, or need to be put into an action plan. This is whether or not I am elected.

Information NEEDS to be made available in a format that is accessible to the residents, community groups, students, and teachers so that we are all on the same page in order to move the education of the students into the 21st century. The only way to do that is to do it TOGETHER.

Good New, Great News and Bad news...

2008-04-10T10:11:00.005-04:00

I write this thinking about my cousin who is in the service serving our country, other members of my family have through the years. It seems that everyone knows someone who is affected by the war(s) and yes I say plural. It's just one contry is talked about more than the other.

My dear cousin Matt is home visiting and I just received news that he is getting married some time in August. So, my -not so baby cousin- is finally happy in the midst of all the growning up he has done and horror he has seen. I couldn't be happier for him. And she is a great girl, and they are a great couple. I haven't seen him smile this much in .. I don't know.. forever! What is good about them is that she compliments his personality and vice versa. She also knows what she is signing up for with him being in the military, it won't be easy while he is in it. She knows has the full support of the families which will be crucial while he is away serving. I can't say enough of how proud I am of my cousin. He has already served three tours overseas and knock on wood, come home safe everytime, and because we have such a big and caring family, we all make sure he's OK when he is home.Yet, we already know he will have to go back over again, we are just not sure where yet. My son and I area already preparing those fun care packages to mail over- have to have candy and cookies, and maybe a fun toy.

Having seen first hand and heard about so many of us being affected by this, and having to send our loved ones to serve in Afghanistan and Iraq for 12+ months at a time is tough on those serving, those left behind, and then returning. We need to simply remind ourselves to keep faith in our family, friends and those service men and women. Every one of us who are directly and indirectly involved are providing an important benefit or service, and it really does count. God Bless our Service Men and Women.

Community Reading Day

2008-04-09T12:26:00.002-04:00

Bryn Mawr Elementary had a successful event where they invited the community (parents, grandparents, or family members) to come in and read to their child's class. It was a great event where everyone involved loved interacting with the children and the school.

Being a volunteer in the library at Bryn Mawr, I know how it is so important to read to your child every day and to expose them to all types of reading materials. I read to my son's class two books from the Pigeon series by Moe Williams and a story called Under The Bed. I managed to get a few giggles and smiles, so it was a good day.

HOW I WILL GET THINGS DONE:

2008-04-09T12:24:00.000-04:00

1.) Comprehensive research and investigation of the issues so that confusion and incomplete information does not drive the decision making processes.
2.) I will be PROACTIVE vs. reactive. I plan to solve issues with an accountability for results that is transparent to the public.
3.) If there is a need to be reactive to something/incident then I will try to solve it accordingly while putting a plan into place so that a PROACTIVE plan can prevent a recurrence.
4.) The Strategic Plan is a good starting point, but it is just that and will need to be followed through on, or further developed if the goals set forth are to be achieved.
5.) I will begin by holding everything to dates and accountability of deliverables.
6.) Also the biggest step would be to clear up the communications. This cannot be emphasized enough. Consistent messages, up to date information, clear and concise information from one source to another being shared fluidly must be employed.
7.) I will work at getting all of the groups communicating: school committee, teachers, parents, community and the groups that make them up, and the town administration.
8.) I will actively work to develop a thorough School Master Plan with the School Committee. I will do this by looking at the immediate needs/ demands of the current school system, and then make sure the long term plan for improvements and facilities are then planned for accordingly with the towns projected growth.
9.) As a member of the School Committee I will work towards providing resources necessary to promote the success of every student and teacher in this new technology driven environment.
10.) I will look at school safety, to insure that students and teachers have a safe environment for learning.

TOP 5 TALENTS THAT I BRING?

2008-04-09T12:23:00.000-04:00

1.) Background in communications, particularly in Information Flow Management, Communication Process Flow Management and getting it to work from the “Big Picture” to the running product/ service.
2.) Skills in research, focus groups and outreach to the targeted groups that have needs that are not being met.
3.) Contacts and networks in various industries that are supportive, and my passion for education. I am also very willing to go out there and get whatever information or contacts there are that we need to be a success.
4.) I have a wide network of contacts at the college that I graduated from, Simmons College, Boston, MA. I am able to tap into all sorts of those resources for information, some of them being- their programs for library sciences and information, children’s literature, education, and communications. And this resource has also given me contacts into the area colleges as well- Worcester State, Assumption College, and Clark University.
5.) Project management skills in which I deal with multiple tasks, sites, deliverables and deadlines. I have training and experience that assists me in project management assignments for vendors, costs, deadline oversight, selection of consultant/ contractors and other project items to full project deliverables.

WHAT QUALIFIES ME FOR SCHOOL COMMITTEE?

2008-04-09T12:22:00.000-04:00

1.) I am a parent with a child in the Auburn school system.
2.) I have quite a few friends and associates that are teachers or are in the education field.
3.) I volunteer in the school system and have seen the problems that are there and want to be a part of, as well as shape the solutions to the problems that must take into account more than just one demographic.
4.) I have in the past been a substitute teacher at the high school level in another district and have seen issues not just at one level of education.
5.) I know that any type of situation needs to have an inclusive vs. exclusive solution in order for it to be successful.
6.) I am an active alumna in my college and alumnae/ie association. So I am very familiar in dealing with various diverse groups such as academics, teachers, community, personal contacts, and alumnae/ie and having to work with them to accomplish goals.
7.) I look at all of the solutions and take into account the “Big Picture” to make sure that the option selected is the best one for the long term, not just the short term outcome.
8.) I have negotiating experience that is results and solution based.
9.) I have the training, understanding, and experience to work with the multiple groups necessary to clear up the multiple communications issues that exist.
10.) I will be auditing education classes starting in the fall to expand my knowledge base.

More to come...

2008-04-03T09:39:00.000-04:00

I will be attending the meet and greet tonight at the Tuttle Post and look forward to meeting many of the people here in town. So far everyone that I have met has been great and very encouraging.

I will be logging in more of my thoughts and comments over the next few days regarding the various documents as I have been catching up on reading the proposed budget and the strategic plan very closely....