MISSION & VISION
If you have learned anything about me in my last year on the School Board, it is that I LISTEN to our community and ADVOCATE for our students. I do not hesitate to ask questions and express concerns, even if I am in the minority. At the same time, I understand the value of working cooperatively to achieve a common goal. I am uniquely qualified and invested to continue to represent the students and families in this District.
RETURN TO SCHOOL
I am advocating for a full return to in-person instruction in the fall at all grade levels. As part of the return, the District must make improvements to the Wenatchee Internet Academy (WIA) to ensure it is a viable option for all families that are not prepared for a full time return.
At this time, I understand we are required to follow state-wide mandates requiring masking. I will adhere to and enforce mandates in our buildings. However, I am an adovate for local governmental control, so that we can decide whether and to what extent masking or vaccines may be required. Due to potential impacts on learning (especially language learners), trauma related issues, and potential health risks, I prefer that masking be a parental or indiviual "class" preference.
At this time, I understand we are required to follow state-wide mandates requiring masking. I will adhere to and enforce mandates in our buildings. However, I am an adovate for local governmental control, so that we can decide whether and to what extent masking or vaccines may be required. Due to potential impacts on learning (especially language learners), trauma related issues, and potential health risks, I prefer that masking be a parental or indiviual "class" preference.
PARTNERSHIPS & TEAMWORK
Students are more likely to succeed, long term, if they feel included, supported, and encouraged both inside and outside the classroom. Likewise, educators are likely to be more successful responding to individual needs and preparing students if they if are receiving support from families/advocates on behalf of students.
I am advocating that the District develop and implement a partnership program between students, parents/advocates, and teachers (as early as possible) to ensure students have adequate support both inside and outside the classroom to enable them to succeed at their highest individual levels. This model would include introductions BEFORE school starts so at-risk situations may be identified early. Staffing is proposed to be based upon classroom or building need, rather than strict classroom sizes and student ratios. This partnership model is an equitable means of providing students opportunities to learn based on individual need.
It is my hope and expectation that, if partnerships are started in the earliest grades, individual needs can be better identified and met, such that students will experience greater academic success, and feel adequately prepared for post-secondary opportunities.
I am advocating that the District develop and implement a partnership program between students, parents/advocates, and teachers (as early as possible) to ensure students have adequate support both inside and outside the classroom to enable them to succeed at their highest individual levels. This model would include introductions BEFORE school starts so at-risk situations may be identified early. Staffing is proposed to be based upon classroom or building need, rather than strict classroom sizes and student ratios. This partnership model is an equitable means of providing students opportunities to learn based on individual need.
It is my hope and expectation that, if partnerships are started in the earliest grades, individual needs can be better identified and met, such that students will experience greater academic success, and feel adequately prepared for post-secondary opportunities.
PLANNING & ACCOUNTABILITY
As a Board, we are representatives of our community, and responsible for adopting sound policies that further and enhance student educational opportunities and District operations. The District must be transparent in its planning and engagement efforts. If feedback is solicited, it should be used as the basis to make decisions, and not disregarded.
The District must communicate plans and/or strategies with the Board, administration, staff, and students/families. There have been observed failures to communicate clearly and follow established policies, which adversely impacts the feeling of trust among families, community stakeholders, and staff.
I will continue to insist upon clear and open communication and transparency between Board, administration, staff, and parents/community. I will also promote stronger adherence to adopted policies to ensure we remain accountable to our stakeholders.
I will also promote fiscally responsibility. With projected enrollment and budget declines, its critical that funding be allocated to core teaching and academic programs, rather than top heavy administration.
The District must communicate plans and/or strategies with the Board, administration, staff, and students/families. There have been observed failures to communicate clearly and follow established policies, which adversely impacts the feeling of trust among families, community stakeholders, and staff.
I will continue to insist upon clear and open communication and transparency between Board, administration, staff, and parents/community. I will also promote stronger adherence to adopted policies to ensure we remain accountable to our stakeholders.
I will also promote fiscally responsibility. With projected enrollment and budget declines, its critical that funding be allocated to core teaching and academic programs, rather than top heavy administration.
ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE
The District must develop and implement a clear plan to address learning loss and/or promote learning recovery during the next year (and beyond). Similarly, the District must develop and communicate clear plans related to implementation of curriculum(s) so that families know exactly what to expect as early as possible.
I will continue to advocate that the District focus on core skills and competencies and individual needs to ensure each student is able to succeed at their highest individual level (i.e. no “one size fits all” approach). The areas of importance to me include: |
- Work with local programs to improve kindergarten readiness
- Develop internal partnerships so needs are better identified and students feel supported in the classroom
- Emphasis on core skills (STEM) and curriculum so students are equipped for life after high school
- Teaching content that may be adapted to meet individual needs, versus one size fits all or teaching to tests; understanding why access to some curriculum has been perceived as limited and exploring means to encourage or facilitate greater access.
- Avoiding political or controversial teachings that are more appropriate for discussion at home (i.e. No new sex ed or cultural studies, aka. CTE)
According to testing date, students in our District have been declining in academic performance since prior to the pandemic. Its absurd that the State has potentially added to student education requirements through implementation of CSE and CRT-like curriculum, when basic education requirements are not being met. Not only are these new or additional areas of learning controversial, but they are unncessary distractions in times when students need assistance with more basic subject matters to prepare them for graduation and life after high schoool.
As a representative, I will continue to advocate for improvements in our basic education programs, and listen to our parents/advocates and teachers to support adjustments as needed to improve student learning and experiences in school.
Paid for by Julie Norton for School Board - Position 5 · 831 Autumn Crest Drive · Wenatchee, WA 98801