Blog
Community & Making Connections
Mental health is essential to success in the classroom. "Mentally healthy students are more likely to go to school ready to learn, actively engage in school activities, have supportive and caring connections with adults and young people, use appropriate problem-solving skills, have nonaggressive behaviors, and add to positive school culture.*" (*youth.gov)
*Past Experience in Making these Connections:- Worked with Stoneham High School Youth Coalition to host mental health trainings from the NAN project and Samaritans Inc, that could be offered more widely to students. - Integral role in obtaining INTERFACE mental health referral service, a free helpline in for Stoneham students, families and residents in partnership with Stoneham Coalition, Town of Stoneham & Boys & Girls Clubs.
As I officially kick off my campaign for Stoneham School Committee, I wanted to share what makes me unique as a candidate and what inspired me to run for a seat on the Committee. One of the ways I can contribute to our district is by using my experience to help "Bridge the Gap" in further connecting our greatest resource- our community– with our school administration, staff, and students.
In my experience working with various Stoneham community groups, nonprofits, and coalitions over the last decade, I've noticed opportunities where we could better connect the assets in our community to our schools. Let's start with mental health. Our schools, along with many others in Middlesex County, have increased resources for students in schools to support students and mental health over the years. However, there are many additional opportunities to partner with local groups, professionals, and advocates that we haven't fully explored, including ways to offer more mental health programs and training, evidence- based substance use prevention, and programs promoting healthy relationships for youth.
*What are a few examples of local groups that can connect positive youth development and mental health programs from our community to our schools?- The Nan Project: Peer-to-peer model to open up the conversation concerning young adult mental health- Stoneham Alliance Against Violence- Training surrounding safe & healthy relationships - Mental Health First Aid (MHFA)- a nationally recognized program offered locally that teaches community adults how to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental health and substance use challenges. - Stoneham Coalition & Drug Free Communities Grant- Youth substance use prevention and mental health programming
*What are a few examples of local groups that can connect positive youth development and mental health programs from our community to our schools?- The Nan Project: Peer-to-peer model to open up the conversation concerning young adult mental health- Stoneham Alliance Against Violence- Training surrounding safe & healthy relationships - Mental Health First Aid (MHFA)- a nationally recognized program offered locally that teaches community adults how to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental health and substance use challenges. - Stoneham Coalition & Drug Free Communities Grant- Youth substance use prevention and mental health programming
Attending the new Stoneham High School ground breaking ceremony in June 2021. It was a truly special moment to watch my daughters (Class of 2031 and 2033, above) help break ground at their future school.
Community & Stoneham High School - Community & Stoneham High School - This is an exciting time for our community as we are in the midst of our very important new Stoneham High School Building Project. I was enthusiastic to vote in favor of this much needed project and help with community outreach for the Yes for SHS campaign. I was also happy to work with the Boys & Girls Clubs to help facilitate child care for town meetings, allowing more caregivers the opportunity to attend and vote.
Many of us attended the Special Town Meeting in January for the purposes of requesting additional funding for the project due to the unprecedented price escalations of the last several years, which increased the originally estimated construction costs. Stoneham voted in favor of the increase and I look forward to continuing my support of this necessary project for future students. However, since I view the new high school as a community investment for Stoneham’s collective future and success, I am also interested in exploring more ways that the building can serve as a central hub for wider community use. Successful schools lead to successful communities, and working together to ensure that the project responsibly serves our community at large and allows for creative revenue generating opportunities should be an important consideration throughout the process.
Many of us attended the Special Town Meeting in January for the purposes of requesting additional funding for the project due to the unprecedented price escalations of the last several years, which increased the originally estimated construction costs. Stoneham voted in favor of the increase and I look forward to continuing my support of this necessary project for future students. However, since I view the new high school as a community investment for Stoneham’s collective future and success, I am also interested in exploring more ways that the building can serve as a central hub for wider community use. Successful schools lead to successful communities, and working together to ensure that the project responsibly serves our community at large and allows for creative revenue generating opportunities should be an important consideration throughout the process.
Community Programs & Our Schools - Food Security
For many families, the school day is their source of consistent meals and food security. Last summer I worked on behalf of our Boys & Girls Clubs and our neighbors in Melrose to coordinate the opening of a free meal site on Franklin Street. Both the food site and the kids' healthy activities offered at a nearby park were free and open to Stoneham children and surrounding communities to ensure food security for families during the summer months when school is out.
While these types of summer food programs are dependent on other sources of government funding outside of the school budget, it's a topic that is important for leadership in Stoneham in the coming years as these programs expand locally. I hope that if I am elected to the School Committee, I can connect these programs further to our schools to make sure that they are promoted within the district, so caregivers in Stoneham can better access them.
Community Partnerships
On Tuesday, February 28th, 2023 I attended the Stoneham Select Board/School Committee/Finance & Advisory Tri-Board Meeting, and on Tuesday, March 2nd I attended the Stoneham School Committee Meeting. As a candidate for School Committee, I understand the importance of learning more about the current agenda items and budget conversations on our local boards.
I would like to applaud the Stoneham parents who presented the Be SMART Resolution for consideration on the Safe Storage of Firearms to the School Committee. Be SMART is a campaign to promote responsible gun ownership, as evidence strongly suggests that secure firearm storage by parents and caregivers is an essential component to keep schools and students safe. I hope to use my participation in the Stoneham Alliance Against Violence to help support safe and non-violent relationship resources in our school community. Watch the Meeting here: https://tinyurl.com/4e9dbueu