|
Dear Friend, Daylight saving time already? I'm thrilled to provide campaign updates and showcase my amazing experiences while visiting schools throughout our district. As I continue my campaign for Beaverton School Board, I’ve had the privilege of engaging with students, teachers, and staff to understand better the incredible work happening in the classrooms. Over the past few weeks, I’ve spent time directly with students, from exploring Neurographic Art in middle school classrooms—a creative and mindful approach to self-expression—to visiting Mountainside High School’s Career Technical Education (CTE) program, where students are gaining hands-on experience in culinary, industrial, and engineering fields. These moments reaffirm the importance of ensuring our schools provide opportunities that engage and empower all learners. I also had the opportunity to attend a school-wide session focused on "caring." It was a powerful reminder of how vital emotional well-being is in education. Creating safe, supportive school environments where students can express themselves and feel heard is just as critical as academic success. Counseling programs like this help build the students with resilience, empathy, and a stronger sense of belonging. BELONG. BELIEVE. ACHIEVE. I’ve also connected with teachers and staff to express my appreciation and learn about their challenges. Whether I dropped off a small token of gratitude at McKay Elementary, attended a long-range facility planning meeting at Southridge, or engaged with parents at the Aloha High and Sunset PTA meeting, I have been continuously inspired by the dedication, creativity, and passion of our educators and school leaders. Each visit fuels my commitment to ensuring our schools are well-supported, our educators feel valued, and our students access enriching, high-quality learning experiences. Beyond these visits, I’ve also dedicated weekend time to stop by every school in Zones 1-3 to familiarize myself with their locations and assess their physical conditions. Understanding the state of our facilities, classroom spaces, and school environments is crucial to making informed decisions about infrastructure, maintenance, and resource allocation. This firsthand perspective helps me better advocate for safe, welcoming, and well-maintained learning spaces for all students and staff. Thank you for your continued support and donations—your generosity empowers me to keep pushing for strong, equitable schools where every student can thrive. I am grateful for this community and look forward to continuing these critical conversations in the weeks ahead!
|
