jackiedoherty.org

I tuned in late, but was impressed by the school department panel who answered parent questions (see below for full panel) at last night’s Citywide Parent Council meeting.  The CPC had three broad questions for the whole panel: 1. How will budget changes affect their jobs and the students they serve (I missed this one, but the meeting will be rebroadcast on LET Channel 22, starting next Monday night.) 2. What can a parent expect from their school, and what is the best way to communicate a concern (one way to answer the last part of this question is to see the CPC’s excellent “How-to Guide for Parents in the Lowell Public Schools.”) 3. What change would they make if money were no object? The answers to the last question were great, especially from Jim DiProfio, who wished for money to “level the playing field,” and give kids what they need, whether it’s a bus pass, a meal, or a visit to a college campus.  Eilish Connaughton agreed, adding she’d restore Allied Arts to the middle schools. Cut in 2003, industrial arts, cooking and sewing programs may seem like fluff to budget hawks, but as Principal Connaughton pointed out, they offer hands-on opportunities that open doors for some struggling students, especially during those difficult middle years.  

A timely question, this one by email, was whether a young family should leave Lowell because of budget cuts to our schools (see comments under previous post). The answers were illuminating: Pam Buchek shared testimony about Lowell teachers who have been to workshops in other districts returned marvelling at how far ahead our schools are in curriculum and instruction; Jean Franco spoke of student diversity; Wendy Jack mentioned that four LHS graduates will attend MIT and one will go to Harvard this year. And Fred McOsker talked about the ability to go from pre-K to a doctoral degree without leaving Lowell. (Lots of our local leaders talk about the K-16 and beyond pathway available in Lowell which is an exciting way to think about it!) It was great to see the commitment and passion these educators bring to their jobs; thanks to the CPC and the Lowell Public Schools for producing such an informative meeting! 

Panel:

Wendy Jack- LHS Director of Curriculum and Instruction
James DeProfio- Director of the Freshman Academy
Magaly Ronan, Math support Specialist
Pam Buchek- Coordinator of K-12 Reading and ELA
Fred McOsker-Student Support Services-Safety and Discipline
Jean Franco- Deputy Superintendent Curriculum & Instruction