From Cooperation to Symbiosis: Rethinking Parent–District Relations
The Orange County moms’ facebook page is full of chatter, mentioning concerns, questions, and praises about policy choices surrounding the district. Simultaneously, the district uses Facebook to share policy updates and highlight student/teacher accomplishments. Both sides are talking, but often parallel to each other - never truly intersecting. Interactions in board meetings and PTO gatherings are the traditional points of communication, but they still fall short of genuine
Oct 1, 20252 min read
The Power of a Meal: Universal Free Lunch
As a student, I won’t lie - I’m always hungry. Most mornings, I skip breakfast either because I’m running out the door or just not hungry...
Jul 16, 20253 min read
Making the Switch: Zero-Emission Busing
Last month, I sat in on a local school board meeting where the future of our buses was brought up. Two shiny new electric buses sat outside my school, a glimpse of cleaner air and healthier rides, but the path to a fully electric fleet is proving to be more complicated than it seems. I’ve heard a lot about zero-emission busing, but one concern that keeps coming up is the ambitious timeline. By 2027, all new school bus purchases in New York must be zero-emission, and by 2035,
Jul 13, 20253 min read
First Look: Statewide Cellphone Ban
Following the recognition of tenured teachers, the board transitioned to a discussion on the proposed statewide “Bell to Bell” cell phone ban. For context, New York Governor Kathy Hochul recently introduced this policy with the stated goal of fostering a more focused and less distracted learning environment. According to the governor’s official site, the policy grants schools flexibility in how they enforce the ban, and it includes state-funded grants to support implementatio
Jun 14, 20252 min read
BOE in Action: Honoring Teachers
Okay, so I walked into my first Board of Education meeting unsure of what to expect. Were there going to be a lot of people? Was it going to be busy? Quick Answer : Yes. Although I would consider myself an extrovert, I was still overwhelmed by the new environment, feeling unsure about how to move forward. I took a seat near the main table (the table where all the important people sit) and soaked in the feeling - excitement. I was buzzing, ready to see in real time how the lo
May 27, 20252 min read