Like any major urban public school system, BPS faces numerous challenges in achieving its ultimate mission of providing every student with a world class education. The challenges run the gamut- on one hand there is an alarming achievement gap with Latino and African American students performing far below students of other races and ethnicities. On the other hand, there is a real need to ensure the curriculum is demanding enough to both retain students being lost to private and parochial schools and make BPS graduates attractive candidates for colleges.

As Your Councilor, I pledge to:

Support a return to neighborhood schools that enrich both the student and community, foster improved school pride and allow for greater parental involvement

Advocate for educators to receive the support and resources they need to do their jobs, including professional development and modern equipment, as well as improved access to information and assistance for federal grants and funding

Increase parental involvement – school’s must be a welcoming place for parents and I would work for evening hours for meetings and conferences, translation services and teacher training in working with troubled families and family learning.

Fight for improved access to after school programs, including PSAT and SAT tutoring, college admissions assistance, local academic support for all grade levels and programs in the arts, music, vocational training, creative writing, including graphic novels, computers, robotics, athletics and wellness, video game production and life skills.