Responsible Board members that train as much as possible continuously learning, asking questions and bringing back vital information home earn various certifications. Proudly powered by Newspack by Automattic, Maintain a positive approach to problem solving, Use Data when determining solutions to challenging issues, Sustainable Jersey for Schools 2021 for 11 of our district schools, Array of Extracurricular activities for students to participate in, The ability to define clear goals that address school improvement initiatives, A shared vision with school district that focuses on student achievement and quality of instruction, Joint leadership with district superintendent, Strong collaboration and mutual respect with all stakeholders in the growth of student success, Extensive knowledge in Elementary Education, Awareness of local and federal education issues that are driving, Passionate about education and what it takes to create positive change. Our new web-based application allows you to take control of your Bloomfield College experience through a single sign-on portal. Locally, I have participated in over 200 Board of Education meetings, served on each of the Curriculum, Personnel and Finance/Facilities twice. My interest in the Bloomfield Schools became concrete when my own children entered the District 12 years ago. Create a Website Account - Manage notification subscriptions, save form progress and more. Build teacher training programs on these technologies. New Jersey Department of Education Recognizes Bloomfield Schools As A "High Performing" School District. mhill@bloomfield.org Early in my participation, I advocated for the restoration of world language instruction in the elementary schools after all language teaching positions had been eliminated due to budgetary constraints. The most effective characteristics of an effective board are three things. As someone who has worked as part of a team in many aspects of my professional life both in the education field and others before that, I am well aware of the importance of working together to accomplish specific goals. Reinforcing and building programs to keep students up to date and engage is essential. Our kids do not all need to become coders, but they need to have an understanding as to how to interact with code as more than just a consumer. Board Resolutions - Bloomfield Hills Schools Of an effective school board member? Guided by four officers (president, vice president, secretary, and treasurer) elected each January, the board meets as a whole and also in smaller committees. However, technology along is not enough. Effective communication that includes active listening and collaborating are key for the success of the district board and ultimately our kids. I felt compelled to be part of the institution that oversees and drives changes that affect our kids lives. The role of technology is not going anywhere, we as a district have understood this and this is why we implemented our 1:1 initiative prior to Covid. . JVanGemert@bloomfield.org What responsibilities, if any, should districts assume for dealing with such societal problems as poverty, hunger, emotional illness or drug abuse? While each elementary school can have its own feel as it serves the neighborhood around it, the common middle and high school provide an opportunity for students tointeract with students that come from a wide range of ethnicities and socioeconomic backgrounds. The district mail server is Microsoft Exchange, with hosted webmail and support for mail natively on Smartphones and tablets. Term Expires:December 31, 2024, Treasurer I think that this is the easiest decision I have made. Afterwards, follow this transitional plan to introduce children to their new environment smoothly. This has been a major shortcoming over the past few years. The District has added mental health and counseling personnel, and added a Supervisor responsible for mental health and counseling initiatives and personnel. Board of Education. In May of 2020, I was recognized for reaching the highest level: Certified Board Leader. Overall, I have been very pleased with how the district handled the technology aspect during this pandemic. Another important need is to increase the diversity of teachers and staff in the district. For example, how much our back stop program has helped our students who are struggling coming out of the pandemic, the countless HSA events district wide, the numerous concerts and plays, athletic events, partnerships with different Unions for our non college bound students, college courses offered to our HS students just to name a few. Examples of these included bilingual staff who can support students and their families, particularly Spanish-speakers. As a member of the Bloomfield Board of Education, I will use my unique skillset to help build a consensus when possible and to ensure that my concerns are heard and ideally addressed when not. Its a priority for myself, and Im proud to say, the Board as a whole to make sure the diversity of the community remains an asset and doesnt create divisions. Also, the district lacks uniformity in regard to meaningful afterschool activities in our elementary students. Generally, board meetings are held on periodic Thursday evenings at the Booth Center, with the regular portion of the meeting starting at 6:30 p.m. Being a life long learner, I see the role of technology in education for students as only getting more advanced to facilitate learning and preparing students to succeed in life. Seek out more funding sources to increase the updating of school facilities with reference to improving air quality in this time of COVID. Why do you see these as strengths? While they may not be able to overcome the societal problems that these kids see outside of its walls, they need to be a healthy place where they have some respite during the day and potentially serve as a place where they can find the tools and support to emerge from these issues whether through increased mental health services or future opportunities. Board of Education Meeting Time: 6:30 PM - 9:00 PM. This initiative emphasizes the creation of a culture change that prevents violence and other harmful acts that hurt children. In addition, with the school opening, Im now engaged with the HSA. Outreach and education is also a part of this to ensure that the people who need assistance know that there is help available to them. They care very much about the children and go above and beyond to make sure they are well. Compare pay for popular roles and read about the team's work-life balance. From the desk of the Superintendent: Envisioning success for our Bloomfield Graduates. This configuration provides all educational stakeholders: students, parents, and teachers the greatest opportunity to monitor education as close to home as possible.In order to combat unfinished learning due to COVD-19, my colleagues and I on the Board created two massive programs BEFORE the Governors mandate. English language learners (ELL) have a lot to contribute to the school community. Board of Education - District Office The MEA promotes public education and advocates for fair policies. Allocating District resources equitably to meet the individual and collective needs of all students; Stating and formally adopting core beliefs that are shared with the community and incorporated into the daily work of the District; Adopting, monitoring and evaluating reform policies that are aligned with the Districts Theory of Action and Accountability Plan; and. We should also continue to upgrade current infrastructure to ensure that the buildings continue to be safe for the future. Board of Education - Board of Education - Bloomfield Central School An effective school board member is to collaborate with others; to speak up when warranted and to listen most often. Using our Services does not give you ownership of any intellectual property rights in our Services or the content you may access. And the second would be to continue to meet our students where they are coming out of the pandemic. The District pursued and obtained grant funding for a food distribution program at multiple schools. It is about making the educated decisions and invest time and effort on how to improve the school system. An effective school board member is one who knows that our kids, all of our kids, are worth fighting for. Board of Education Meeting Time: 6:30 PM - 9:00 PM Location: 155 Broad Street Sep 5 Fairview Kindergarten Play Date Time: 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM Location: Fairview School Sep 11 In short, an effective school board member is one who has faith in their convictions and their chief conviction being that making sure the needs our kids is being met is top amongst those. Ensure creation of a vision and goals for the district and evaluate district success. We lose to many quality educators and miss out on others who can bring the much needed diversity to the classroom. As a Latina I see the need of more Spanish speaking teachers and leaders in the school district. The District has implemented Breakfast after the Bell at several elementary schools. Meet the Bloomfield residents running for the Board of Education in Term Expires: December 31, 2026, Trustee For families and students who speak other languages, the District should arrange for translation and interpreting services in those languages. Expose children to ideas and opportunities. At this point (pre-pandemic), the elementary schools varied in the types of extracurricular enrichment children received. The individual board members major responsibility is to study issues facing the district, evaluate needs and resources, and, after due consideration, vote in the best interest of all students at such a meeting. This is a difficult job; trustees face hard choices, self-sacrifice, and exposure to public criticism. Isee Technology continuing to have big role in students education. As someone who has taught Spanish to university and high school students, I have always had an interest in education. Why do you see these as needs? Bloomfield School District BoardDocs Pro Town of BloomfieldBloomfield Town Hall800 Bloomfield Avenue,Bloomfield CT 06002, Phone and Service HoursPhone: 860-769-3500Hours:Monday to Friday,9 am to 5 pm. All meetings (please link to the meeting schedules posted) are open to the public and provide a time for public comment. Some of those activities include: the opening of the ECC building, being recognized as a high achieving district from NJDOE, winning several accolades for our district website, curriculum, SEL initiatives, sportsmanship awards from our Atheltic department, award winning fine arts department. I was motivated to seek election to the Board of Education as these are challenges that I can help address much more effectively than they have historically been. A schools role needs to be one of teaching them how to understand, moderate and, as needed, separate from the technology that permeates all aspects of modern life. Each member comes with their own understanding, knowledge and preconceived notions of what is best for the students in our district. This of course will change as my oldest child begins kindergarten. School Board Agendas and Policies. Having effective communication and the ability to put our kids first. Sports achievements and programs. Safety: Returning to school with safety measures and consistency in these across all the schools.Technology: Investment in various technology initiatives. The district can ensure that all curriculum is inclusive and make changes where it is not. Faculty and staff can promote their division's . Friends and neighbors, being effective Board Members is not intuitive, it is a craft that takes time to learn. We have put into place several initiatives to work on these social and emotional issues. Term Expires: December 31, 2024, Secretary Click on the appropriate link to open the PDF copy. Throughout the pandemic teachers have had to shift to a remote only and hybrid learning model that took a variety of forms based on the need and resources of the district. Again, if elected, I would help in the development of safety and security policies to keep the staff and students as safe as possible. BLOOMFIELD BOARD OF EDUCATION Careers and Employment - Indeed One particular experience I feel is important is my nursing career of 33 years. As a Board Member, Ive received the New Jersey School Board Association (NJSBA) Certified Board Leader (CBL) which is the highest individual certification awarded. Another priority for the district is to establish new pathways to becoming career ready. We are undertaking a multi-year plan to develop Career & Technical Education opportunities for students who want other options apart from college or the military after graduation. As I said in the previous response, I have a few needs in mind and if elected, would be more than happy to share them. Get the inside scoop on jobs, salaries, top office locations, and CEO insights. Board of Education Members. There are two items I would like to highlight I am proud of. We have award-winning Arts, Athletics and Robotics programs and the Board is committed to expanding them. The strength of our district is in our teachers, principals, and staff who have been extraordinary in these challenging times. While there are always things that we as a district can improve on, I believe that we are in a good place right now as we continue to move forward. BOE Policies - District Office A strong belief in the Bloomfield Public School system predicated my campaign for re-election to serve a fourth term on our local school board. I am a 10-year resident of Bloomfield with two sons at Watsessing Elementary, 6th and 3rd grades. Proper use of technology has also facilitated our development of a portfolio assessment so that we arent simply relying on test scores to evaluate students. The same should be applied to students. In 2015, I worked with my colleagues and administration to launch our One-to-One computer initiative. There are papers that need to be filed by the appropriate 'Last Date of Filing,' approximately 90 days before an election. To make sure that all kids start their days ready to learn, the district has implemented Breakfast after the Bell programs. Find out more about GreatSchools ratings. I believe as a district we have many strengths to be proud of. Despite being digital natives, technology is going to play an even more increasing role in these students lives and as such, it is incumbent on the school district to incorporate an understanding and a comfortability with this, not when gimmicky, but rather when more likely than not to be the future tense of our kids. Term Expires: December 31, 2026, Trustee English language learners are a topic for discussion not only at the kitchen table but in our Board Committees as well. Then there are the daily achievements much less publicized but just as important if not more so. I have loyally served Bloomfield on a myriad of Boards and Commissions on every level. I have a unique perspective on student achievement and what makes a successful college student. The Board of Education is the elected body that oversees Bloomfields public schools. The use of technology in todays society is ever present. The district would be well served to look to implement its Say Something Anonymous Reporting System as a useful upgrade on our existing platform. First, I have been in the education profession for the last 12 years, so I know what it takes to make a school work and feel that my experience can be a valuable asset to the rest of the board. Every year since 2017 (except for 2020 and 2021), I put together an event for our Watsessing community the International Night. Why do you see these as strengths? However, at the end of the day, being effective (and being able to keep my job)< means that I need to reach a settlement more often than not. Another strength of our school district is the diversity among the students and their families. The Board of Education is accountable to the school district community. Phone Calls, Emails and Texts - How to Set Preferences, Board Policies & District Administrative Regulations. I have helped organizations build governance frameworks with polices, plans, procedures, and controls to measure and assess efforts. We have an obligation to address the learning needs of all students, regardless of where they are from. An effective school board member must have a strong commitment to public education in her community. If I needed to pick 2 things that would be a priority in the next few years, they would be: to continue to strive to add more diversified staff during our hiring processes. Board of Education | Bloomfield, CT Of an effective school board member? Oftentimes, the board will meet as a whole in a study session prior to the regular meeting. The Board's resolution states that the Board of Education believes that schools play a vital role in combatting racism and also declares that Black Lives Matter. Location: 155 Broad Street Sep 12. The district also seems to have a wide variety of extracurricular activities and I look forward to getting involved in them this year. While mass violence in schools has captivated our national attention, thankfully, school shootings are extremely rare. The American . In the past six years, I have gotten to know our Watsessing teachers and Dr. Rosamilia, the principal, really well. A stronger teacher retention and more diversity when hiring new teachers. An effective school board member, in her turn, should have a long-range vision for the school district and think of the changes that need to take place to achieve this vision. The elected members of the Board of Education are responsible for determining and monitoring local educational policy, and maintaining compliance with State and Federal requirements. Bloomfield Middle School Brookdale School Carteret School Demarest School Early Childhood Center Fairview School Franklin School Oak View School Watsessing School Bloomfield School District Bloomfield School District New Jersey Department of Education Recognizes Bloomfield Schools As A "High Performing" School District Search Login Youtube Twitter My motivation to be a Board Member comes from my strong belief in public education, local control, and that involved communities and leaders have positive impacts on student achievement. Board of Education Goals - Bloomfield Hills Schools They set the policies and goals for the district and oversee its administration by the superintendent, the districts chief executive officer. I am also an in-town soccer coach who is fortunate to have the chance to work with a number of kids from across the district. What do you see as the role of technology in education for all students? Technology has become of the utmost importance in our kids education in the past year and a half. Moreover, we need to be more creative, more transparent and more aggressive to attract new, diverse teacher talent to our district as well as retaining much of the talent we already have in our schools. In addition, since 2016 I have regularly attended Board of Education meetings. As I said above, I have research and data analysis skills that can contribute to better understanding the needs of the district to guide policies. I also have a lot of experience within my own school district using data to drive instruction and to make meaningful changes to improve student achievement. The districts approach to education is to educate the whole child. As such, we are committed to the social and emotional well-being of our students. Bloomfield Pulse asked this years Bloomfield Board of Education candidates to respond to a set of questions to help voters decide which three of the six to vote for in the 2022 election. The Bloomfield community recognizes that one of its greatest strengths lies in its diversity. Click the candidates name to skip to their Q&A: What motivated you to want to become a board member? President MSouthward@bloomfield.org - Manage notification subscriptions, save form progress and more. The breadth of offerings in Bloomfield High School is a strength and a testament to the diversity of our students and skills of our staff in being able to offer courses as wide-ranging as Ceramics and native-speaker Spanish Language AP. Previously, I have worked for former US Congressman Rush Holt supporting immigration case work and legislation. The three main responsibilities of the board are: Hiring the superintendent Adopting policies Adopting the budget Phone service has been effected for Bloomfield High School and the Administration Building. Firstly, all of Certificated and non-Certificated staff! Considering the racial and socioeconomic diversity of Bloomfield and the district, we must address issues pertaining to school equity. School board trustees are elected in even year November elections by the residents of our school district. We need to focus further on the socio-economic inequity that exists among our elementary schools and which effects are felt beyond elementary schools. The district has been very responsive in addressing the technological needs of our students. Notice of Special Board of Education Meeting Notice is hereby given that the Bloomfield Board of Education in the County of Essex will hold a Special Board Meeting on Monday, April 3 at 7:30 PM regarding the Board Candidate Interviews for the one-year term vacancy to be held in the conference room They coordinate all curriculum areas including instructional strategies and assessment. The learning of technology skills should be implemented keeping in mind age appropriateness and limitations of screen time. Otherwise it is like potentially showing our playbook to someone trying to cause harm. The most important characteristic of a school board member is to be able to work as a team with the rest of the board to further the vision of the district. Board of Education Meeting - Main Calendar - Oak View School The department is governed by the State Board of Education. The seven elected trustees of the Bloomfield Hills School Board of Education are dedicated to the success of our students and are guided by the district's Vision and Mission Statement and ourPortrait of a Learner. Teaching and learning cannot happen effetely if our staff and students do not feel that they are in a safe environment. Hire a superintendent to serve as the chief executive officer of the district and evaluate the superintendents success. The Start with Hello program provides resources and techniques to help combat social isolation and I am proud to have played a role in helping to maintain this important program in our community. We have a number of standout educators across the district who not only go the extra mile for our kids, but just as importantly have the talent, creativity and skills to meet their changing needs. I have helped to organize a number of school events at Watsessing, and the International Night has always been one of my most favorite events to organize. I started to attend Meetings regularly as a private citizen, and offered input on agenda matters and other items of concern. We have also made sure we have proper personnel in place to help with our students who are struggling in the form of our canceling services in house. Career fairs at all ages with broad speaker backgrounds. In this role I helped take steps to support our research universities including designing a program to support doctoral and postdoctoral students at small, NJ tech companies. As a nurse, patients are treated as a whole person, not just the illness(es) they have. If I had to chose two they would be our commitment to all of our students improving their achievements and the second would be our fiscal responsibility to enable our funding to directly impact our staff and students in a positive manner. Bloomfield is also strong in its willingness to get out in front of supporting new initiatives. Bloomfield has been nationally recognized for its district-wide adaptation of the Start with Hello Sandy Hook Promise initiative. The ability of Bloomfield to embrace new initiatives introduced to the school district. The Board of Education holds the superintendent accountable for creating the outcomes identified in the school district plan. ), and in the home school (spouse is a former Berkeley HSA president). An individual school board member has no authority; only the board as a whole can make decisions for the district. West Bloomfield, MI 48324. I believe the most important characteristics of an effective school board is to have a collaborative relationship with the staff and community. Finally, developing a relationship with the parents of students from other cultures/languages, builds a sense of trust and acceptance. Responsible Board members that train as much as possible continuously learning, asking questions and bringing back vital information home earn various certifications. Safety and security of our staff and student is always on the the forefront of our planning as a district. PDF Agreement Between the Bloomfield Board of Education and Bloomfield Finally, the District has installed and now continually refreshes security cameras at all district schools. The District has made improvements across all schools, improving the building access physically and school-access procedures. Now that everyone is back in person, we must continue to engage students with technology in meaningful ways that enhance the curriculum. Over the past 9 years on the board of education I have had the privilege and opportunity to be involved in many different school and district activities. After moving to the Watsessing neighborhood the next year, I was a Watsessing Home & School Association member and on its board for the following 6 years. What do you believe are the most important characteristics of an effective school board? First of all, students and staff must be in a safe environment that is conducive to learning and achievement. The Board of Education is the elected body that oversees Bloomfield's public schools. District Staff - District & School Staff - Bloomfield School District Board of Education - Bloomfield Hills Schools I was active in opposition to the 2017/18 proposal to hire armed SLEO III officers in Bloomfields elementary schools. What responsibilities, if any, should districts assume for dealing with such societal problems as poverty, hunger, emotional illness or drug abuse? I run a governance team that oversees process and efficiencies for an entire IT organization. The schools need to address this with more than just broad platitudes. How can schools address the learning needs of students from other cultures and other languages? Siva Kumar This content is the sole responsibility of the entity that makes it available. An effective school board member is one who goes against consensus when the consensus is wrong or when their decision is unpopular in the room. Evaluate available programs and invest in new ones to provide much needed assistance by making it accessible and confidential. We have been involved in town clubs and activities and look forward to participating in offerings from the school district. We are a diverse community with a rigorous and varied academic program that meets the needs of all learners. This year, six Bloomfield residents are running for three open seats on the townships Board of Education. This crucial responsibility and the closeness of trustees to the voters make the local school board the purest example of democracy our society presents. The Michigan Department of Education (MDE) comprised of the State Board of Education and Superintendent, and the Michigan Education Association (MEA) guide and monitor public education in Michigan. A graduate of Bloomfield High School, he became a teacher, coach, athletic director, vice principal and principal in the Bloomfield Public Schools. 5810 Commerce Road. Board of Education The seven elected trustees of the Bloomfield Hills School Board of Education are dedicated to the success of our students and are guided by the district's Vision and Mission Statement and our Portrait of a Learner. I have worked to support a number of the school food drives and helped to establish personal care product closets at different schools throughout the district. Find out what works well at BLOOMFIELD BOARD OF EDUCATION from the people who know best. Board Members pose direct and difficult questions of the Administration; provide ample time for responses and listen to responses carefully prior to making decisions; and consider community input on specific items and the overall aspirations for the District.