Tugging at my heartstrings

I have been a very busy board member (wife, mother, daughter, addicted volunteer) the past few weeks.

We held out 2nd annual Board Open House.  And I am so thrilled with the community that came out to be a part of this event.  A million thanks to Tech HS and #70 for sharing their talents with us!  It was a lot of fun and we learned about several programs.

   Here is the food provided by the Tech Culinary students and the orchestra from school #70.  They also had a choir sing, but I did not get a picture.


I had a great opportunity to meet Superintendent Ritz.  I am glad she was able to meet with me and I really enjoyed introducing myself to her and listening to her thoughts on education.

Last week I also attended a Giving of the Keys Ceremony last week at Tech.  Lincoln Tech, for the first time ever, donated a car to the mechanics department at Tech.  That was a great event as well and I got to tour a lot of the programs that day as well.

I had a few other meetings the last few weeks as well.  As a board we had an Executive Session.  I read to students at school #27 for Read In Day.  Had a great time doing that.  I always bring in my kids favorite books and try to find something the group hasn't heard 100 times.  Unfortunately I do not have pictures of this.

I met with an IPS teacher who shared some concerns and an IPS volunteer who wanted to talk some things over with me.

Today I went to a community council meeting at school #44.  Board members were invited to this meeting to hear from staff and community partners regarding the proposed changes for school 44.  THe plan is to make this school the Montessori School and bus most of the current students into a different neighborhood.  They shared with us how this will change the relationship between the school and the partners who have given so much.  They donate time, clothes, food, computers, and much more.  In fact they took us on a tour and I was so impressed.  Given they community they serve the school knows it needs to do far more than just teach.  They have to make sure these students have their basic needs met.

Here is a picture of their food pantry.  About 30 families a month rely on help just to get by.

They have what they call Karissa's Closet.  This closet serves ALL students.  Every year they get brand new uniforms, socks, and shoes.  They have winter coats, scarves, hats and gloves stocked so no on goes without.  All of this is by donations.

The closet in named after a beautiful little girl who was once a student at 44.  She was shot and killed on her front porch.  They names this closet after her to remember her by, so her legacy and smile can continue  and to remind them why they are here.

Like I said, it is a very busy time.  We have a Legislative Meeting tonight at 5:30.  Our committee meetings are now every Wednesday at 5;30.  Next Tuesday we have added a strategic planning committee meeting with our interim Superintendent  Peggy Hinckley.  She started on Monday and Dr. White leaves Friday.  I most sincerely wish him well.