A Mom who can Make A Difference

Yep, that would be me, a mom...who can make a difference. What kind of difference do you ask? Well, let me give you just an idea!

Of all of those who are running in this particular race to the title of Marion School Board Member, I am the only one who is a mom. I volunteer in my son's first grade classroom. I have the perspective of being in the room and witnessing the teaching and learning (Yes! Lots of learning!) going on in this classroom on a weekly basis. I am able to talk with the teachers and hear their thoughts and concerns. I am visible to those who work in the school and to parents who happen to visit the school.

I have walked the halls of Kendall Elementary, Justice Junior High and Marion High School as a student. Even though things have changed since then, the familiarity I have with these schools as well as having children who attend them places me in an "in the trenches" position. I have the perspective of a mom that is affected by the changes presented to the Board. I have an interest in making decisions that keep into account the positive learning environment for our children.

Marion is moving forward! Our schools need to be a part of these changes. Marion has many good things to look forward to. Let's make sure we move forward with our education for our children as well.

Clarification

This post is an add-on to the post: What's Going Right!

The question was asked: Who is Kyle Kirby?
Kyle Kirby is a graduate of Marion High School. He is currently the principal there.

Another item I would like to mention that did not fit into my outline is that Noelle (Velasquez) Lehman has joined the staff at MHS. Noelle is a 1987 graduate of Marion High and was able to experience Ritchie Walton at his all time best! She is back in the capacity of choir director and I have no doubt that she will be able to renew excitement in that department! I look forward to hearing good things...

What's Going Right!

It's Hot Topic Tuesday so I am going to dive right in and open it up. This first post is titled What's Going Right! I think it is important for us to look at what we have and make note of the positives that we are surrounded with. Marion Community Schools has some amazing things going for it, why don't we list them?

1. Teachers-we have teachers that are dedicated, smart, selfless and truly have the joy of teaching in their hearts. They have a strong desire in their hearts for children to succeed and thrive. They are willing to open up their classrooms and are truly thankful for the input they receive from parents.

2. Kyle Kirby-how cool that we have this young man (yeah, I'm older than him, makes him a young man!) who is willing to stick around and put forth effort to help create an environment in his alma mater that is conducive to learning and achieving. I think he has some terrific ideas and a fresh perspective and he is able to really connect with these kids! Kyle could have left town to pursue other avenues but he chose to remain here and to become a vital part of the school system.

3. Powerschool System-this genius idea of putting grades, tardies, absences, itemized assignments and teacher e-mails for simple communication is brilliant! For those parents who need verification of work and homework tracking, this tool is invaluable. It is easy to use, available 24 hours a day and convenient. If you aren't using this yet, start today!

4. Mayor Seybold-Marion has the right mayor for progress. Mayor Wayne Seybold is continually working on making Marion a better place for business and family life. He is pivotal in making Marion a place where businesses would like to be and he is dedicated and ardent in pursuing new possibilities.

5. New Businesses on the Horizon-Marion is awaiting the arrival of Veriana and Meijer, both of which will be bringing in jobs. With these two building and the recent purchase and upgrades being done at Five Points Mall, things are certainly looking up! We have people investing in the promise of better tomorrows here in Marion.

With all the positives that we are able to look at, why don't we also look forward to what a postive impact a thriving school corporation can do for us as a community. We can enable each child to achieve his or her best, we can provide opportunities that perhaps wouldn't be realized in other districts, we can grow as a community with trust and unity working in our favor. Working together, as a team, we can help Marion Community Schools realize it's potential and watch it become a school system that is highly esteemed.

Hi and welcome to my blog!  I am hoping this blog will be a way for me to communicate effectively with others who are interested in making Marion Community Schools a place one desires to send their children.  

To tell you just a little bit about who I am, I will begin with the fact that I moved into the home I currently occupy in the winter of '77 as a young girl in the third grade.  Apart from the ten or so years I spent after high school away from my family home until the time I returned in the fall of "99, I have lived most of my life in this home.  I attended Kendall and Justice and have fond memories of both!  My husband is from Marion as well.  In fact, he grew up about ten houses down the street from where we live now and he attended Marion schools also.  We both graduated from Marion High School.

We are blessed to be able to live in this home and to send our children through the schools in which we attended.  We know that Marion is currently struggling and that morale is low but these are issues that can and should be addressed.  We are proud of the education we have received and we know that the future can be better for our children and all the children in our community!

I look forward to hearing your comments, ideas, and thoughts about Marion Community Schools and the issues that are facing them today.  Let's work together and make it better for future generations to come!  Go Team Vinluan!