A.C.E.S 4 School Success
Achievement
All students deserve adequate support to achieve their educational goals. As an adult with learning differences and physical mobility challenges, I know that MCPS must be accessible to students and families of all learning styles. All students do not achieve at the same rate or by the same method nor do they have the same goals.
Students need to be met where they are and shown a practical path forward. Families need consistent, clear access to information and resources to support their students at home and stay tuned in to what is happening in their schools. Teachers and staff need adequate classroom supplies and opportunities for professional development to ensure their students achieve.
Curriculum
MCPS must get back to the business of learning. Teachers and staff need a voice and a choice when it comes to the curriculum. Teachers need flexibility to meet students where they are and where they want to go. Senior-level administrators and elected Board Members should not be the only ones weighing in on curriculum choice.
Extra-Curriculars
Students at all schools need options beyond Math and English Language Arts to stay motivated and energized. MCPS’ piece-meal approach, wherein only some schools have options like Theatre or after school STEM club with bus transport while others do not, is not equitable. MCPS must try harder to engage businesses and organizations to partner with schools so that students at all schools can access extra-curriculars like safe, well-stocked workout rooms, internships and cultural arts opportunities like Theatre.
Safety
From the school halls to the administrative offices, safe environments for students and MCPS employees are paramount. Students cannot learn and teachers cannot teach when they are unsafe. A safer MCPS requires the implementation of a balanced approach–high expectations, firm boundaries and consistent consequences with the support of fully staffed school counseling, psychological and wellness departments for students. When a student falls off track or physically hurts others, we, as parents and caregivers, must show up and fully engage with our child and our school even if it means having unpleasant conversations and facing natural consequences.
We do our children a disservice when we let them behave any way they want. We also put our teachers, staff and school administrators at risk. MCPS employees must feel safe in all aspects of their work environments. Complaints, formal or informal, must receive a timely and thorough response. When mistakes are made, genuine repair must be done. Unnecessary redactions, evasive answers and last-minute information releases do not help rebuild employee or public trust. Accountability, leadership, oversight and transparency are the first steps towards a safer MCPS.
