Open Letter To EPSD

My open letter to EPSD about The Zone. 

Please share.

I am writing to urge you to take decisive action, to lead--and find a way to support The Zone for the 2020-2021 school year. Now is not a time to reduce the mental health and community supports for students and faculty.

I understand that Trenton is in crisis and has no good choices to make. However, Trenton does not know what we know, which is that Englewood Public Schools were in crisis before the pandemic. I know this because through the leadership of Mariam Gerges and Liz Corsini, along with Sanetta Ponton, I helped lead hours of workshops for DMHS faculty and administrators last year.
We heard first hand how difficult the conditions in the school were, their struggles in reaching students, and their desire to lead their colleagues in creating a better climate in which students, regardless of their traumas, could learn and thrive. We were having these conversations and workshops in August, September, January and February. What will those discussions sound like over Zoom this year?

I can assure you that the kind of professional development and coaching that your faculty and administrators received last year through these workshops would have cost EPSD thousands of dollars--but you got it "free" from Bergen Family Center, The Zone and the community members like Sanetta, Flat Rock Brook and me--who will do almost anything for Englewood's children. Most importantly, EPSD got all this expertise for "free" because the community knows the value that Bergen Family Center brings--and when called upon by them, we show up.

Now it is time for EPSD to show up for The Zone. I assure you that your students and faculty cannot survive, let alone thrive, without the support that The Zone and its committed staff provide. They pivoted seamlessly to the virtual world, and connected with students in a matter of days. In fact, there were moments on the weekly community calls that Sanetta organized, when it became obvious that Bergen Family Center knew more about some of EPSD students than the district did itself. You need The Zone, we all know you do.

Find the money--in the paper clip and toner budget, in the snacks for professional development budget--find the money. 

Step up and lead. The times demand it.

Sincerely,

Lynne Algrant

Former Council at Large and Former President of the Englewood City Council

The Great Equalizer

The Key to a great Board of Education, that functions the same for

all children and upholds the Constitution and the laws of the state of New Jersey is an informed Community. 

Our task is not an easy one. 

Many people are intimidated by the process and the title these people share. 

Remember that board members are just like the rest of us when they are not seated at that long table. 

The Law is the great equalizer. It protects the rich, the moderately rich, the middle class and the folks who are struggling to make the ends meet. It protects the homeless and it protects the undocumented children. It is supposed to treat all the same regardless of the size of the bank account or the address.

Board Members Must follow the Law. 

They Shall follow the Law. 
Laws have been ignored. 
Laws have been broken.
Too many have looked the other way.

An Englewood School board member entered directly into a contract with the Englewood Board of Education.

18A:12-2. Inconsistent interests or office prohibited

No member of any board of education shall be interested directly or indirectly in any contract with or claim against the board, nor, in the case of local and regional school districts, shall he hold office as mayor or as a member of the governing body of a municipality, nor, in the case of county special services school districts and county vocational school districts, shall he hold office as a member of the governing body of a county.

We the people have the power,
 to call them out legally
 when they refuse to comply
 with the Laws of the state of New Jersey.

The next Englewood Board Meeting has been re-scheduled to 

November 14, 2019 @ Grieco School

                            Click this link for the Agenda.

It is Almost Time to Get Out There and Vote

Right to Left, William Feinstein, Suzanne Mullings & Samuel Trusty

"...As an alumnus of the Englewood School System, I have a vested interest in the welfare of Englewood’s educational condition.

I want the children of Englewood to find the same delight in their educational experience that I had the opportunity to experience. I will dedicate time to advocate for our children and their future by improving the educational foundation the district provides to ensure our children are viable participants in the national workforce..."

Suzanne Mullings - Candidate for Englewood Board Education

"...We need school board members who will work for all our children. I will fight to ensure that every child receives the highest quality education. I will work to create an environment and culture that is conducive to teaching and learning, creating a positive experience for all students, teachers, administrators and parents. We need change to restore competence and confidence to the Englewood Public School District..."

William Feinstein - Candidate for Englewood Board of Education

Bill Feinstein is not new to the City, the School District or the race for equity in our Schools.

https://plumwalk2-justsaywhen.blogspot.com/2016/11/just-in-case-missed-candidates-forum.

"... As a board member and policy maker my number one priority will be to ensure we are Providing EVERY child with the BEST education to prepare them for success.    

While doing that, we must also balance the interests of all stakeholders including, Our Students & Parents, our Teachers & Administrators and The Englewood Taxpayer.  I look forward to your questions and to discuss the future of the Englewood Public Schools..."

Claiming a future for our Children

https://plumwalk2-justsaywhen.blogspot.com/2017/10/claiming-future-for-our-children.html

I am very passionate and committed to the success of the Englewood Public Schools. I was fortunate to receive a great education that prepared me for the world outside of Englewood and I want every child today to receive that same great education and experience. As a community we have a responsibility, to ensure that each child is given that same opportunity from day one. We must put a very strong emphasis on early education. When a child falls behind in the early grades, it becomes extremely difficult, if not sometimes impossible, for that child to catch up.

Check Your Child's Summer Packet Now!

Current 4th Grade Parents:

Make sure you check the books given to your children to read over the summer. I am truly at a loss as to why with all of the magnificent material out there, that these books were chosen.

My grandson shares my concern and actually tried to hide the books from me. Why? And who chose the reading material? It is difficult enough as it is to inspire children to do the summer reading. He informed me this morning that he will not even begin to read anything until the end of July. As I read these pages, I totally agree.

It appears to have come from the Superintendent's Office. Now, I ask you, who would be the most likely person to choose the Summer Reading Materials than the class room teachers, who know the children?

Please pray for the children, they are not well. We have trusted people with their Education, Health and Safety who do not have a clue.

Our Schools are In Crisis, and our Children are NOT WELL!

Englewood Board of Education:

How many more families are we going to lose to Bergenfield and other School Districts, because our Superintendent does not have a clue in hell as to how a School District is ran?

Did he forget that his salary is based on student enrollment?

All 9 of you are required to  remind him.