Help our District CLIMB

Carmen is deeply dedicated to New Rochelle public schools as a parent and volunteer. She wants to contribute to her community and support how our schools help all students succeed. The Board's governance responsibilities around are a natural fit with her professional background. She has a lifelong commitment to service. She was inspired to serve at this moment of budget turmoil for New Rochelle Schools because of her financial management background.

Carmen está profundamente comprometida con las escuelas públicas de New Rochelle, tanto en su calidad de madre como de voluntaria. Brindar a todos los estudiantes lo que necesitan para tener éxito es de suma importancia para ella. Las responsabilidades de gobernanza de la Junta Directiva encajan de manera natural con su trayectoria profesional. Posee un compromiso de toda la vida con el servicio público. Su decisión de servir en este momento de turbulencia presupuestaria para las escuelas de New Rochelle surgió, precisamente, gracias a su experiencia en gestión financiera.

Carmen opposes any current or future charter schools in New Rochelle. It's important for all parents and guardians to never sign-up for any charter school related lists nor register for any proposed charter schools. If students don't register, the school will not open and the negative effect to our budget and our public schools will be avoided.

Carmen se opone a cualquier escuela chárter, actual o futura, en New Rochelle. Es importante que todos los padres y tutores nunca se inscriban en listas relacionadas con escuelas chárter ni registren a sus hijos en ninguna escuela chárter propuesta. Si los estudiantes no se registran, la escuela no abrirá y se evitará el impacto negativo en nuestro presupuesto y en nuestras escuelas públicas.

Carmen's family moved to New Rochelle in 2018 from Woodside, Queens. She grew up in Wisconsin and completed her undergraduate degree there. After living one year in Chicago, she moved to New York City for graduate school. She's been in New York for over twenty years. Carmen and her family absolutely love living in New Rochelle and are here to stay.

Su familia se mudó a New Rochelle en 2018, proveniente de Woodside, Queens. Ella creció en Wisconsin y completó allí su estudios de pregrado. Tras vivir un año en Chicago, se mudó a la ciudad de Nueva York para realizar sus estudios de posgrado. Lleva más de veinte años en Nueva York. Carmen y su familia están encantados de vivir en New Rochelle y han llegado para quedarse.

I’m saddened and sorry to hear this. Without knowing all the details, I feel assured that the ALMS staff and administration addressed the hateful symbols quickly and provided support to any students who experienced distress. We know acts of anti-semitisim are on the rise in the US and the negative effects of hate run deep and go beyond our schools. An idea that occurred to me is taking an additional, proactive step. Perhaps a school counselor could meet with several Jewish students 1:1 to allow them space to share if other situations or students had made them uncomfortable because of antisemitic references without becoming an “official” hateful action. For example, something framed as a joke. Gathering multiple examples from students may inform staff and administration of something they could address preemptively.

What I hear in this question is those asking may have a proposal for curriculum vetting. I know there are multiple professionals in the district responsible for curriculum. I don't think the Board has a significant role in curriculum decisions. My approach to learn more would be hearing more about the concerns that led to this question, understanding the current process of curriculum vetting, and supporting continuous improvement.

Listening deeply to the concerns of Jewish students who feel unseen or disrespected is the most important first step. Any change must be first and foremost informed by those experiencing discomfort, a barrier, or any other challenge in our schools. There may be a need for some restorative practices to build trust over time. These are unlikely to be led by the Board, although Board members could potentially participate in them.

The way I would consider this issue includes analyzing all non-mandated bussing services provided by the district, the proportional effect on the budget, familial hardship, equitable access to needed student services, and listening to affected families. Personally, I feel good that my and our family’s taxes cover the costs of many things that don’t directly benefit me or my family. The three sectors have to work in balance with each other: private (business), public (government), and social (nonprofit). I don’t personally hold expectations similar to a private sector transaction for my taxes that fund public services.

All groups in the district have a role in making New Rochelle a place that can attract and retain the best educators including teachers, teaching assistants, and support staff for our special education classrooms. The Board can take a closer look at our role in making sure the resouces are available to recruit and hire quickly. The Board can also continually ask questions of district staff regarding the current gaps in special education staffing and how principals and other administrators are supporting educators to manage through those gaps.

I welcome your ideas and hope to learn about new groups that can serve as a stronger voice for the Latino community! Since becoming a candidate, I have had the chance to hear feedback from several Latino/a parents during my visits to schools during pick-up. My children attend Latino-majority schools (Trinity and IEY). My deepest connection is one of love as I'm one half of a Latino-white couple raising biracial kids. On the Board, I plan to make intentional efforts to meet people where they are outside of formal meetings to hear their feedback in a proactive way, not just when groups reach out to advocate with a concern or proposal. (My apologies in advance for the limits of my conversational Spanish for anyone who has to hear it!)

¡Agradezco sus ideas y espero conocer nuevos grupos que puedan servir como una voz más fuerte para la comunidad latina! Desde que me convertí en candidato, he tenido la oportunidad de escuchar las opiniones de varios padres y madres latinos durante mis visitas a las escuelas a la hora de la salida. Mis hijos asisten a escuelas de mayoría latina (Trinity e IEY). Mi conexión más profunda es una de amor, ya que formo parte de una pareja compuesta por un latino y una persona blanca que cría hijos birraciales. Una vez en la Junta Directiva, tengo previsto realizar esfuerzos deliberados para acercarme a las personas en sus propios entornos —fuera de las reuniones formales— con el fin de escuchar sus comentarios de manera proactiva, y no solo cuando los grupos se comunican para abogar por alguna inquietud o propuesta. (¡Pido disculpas de antemano por las limitaciones de mi español conversacional para cualquiera que tenga que escucharlo!)