Today is May! Wow! Hard to believe. And we are just 3 days away from Election Day. If you haven’t heard this from me yet, then you haven’t seen me this week – Don’t forget to Vote YES on Tuesday!
This last week in “levy land” is starting to remind me of finals week at college. Not much sleep. Surviving on coffee, diet coke and pizza. And the realization that it all comes down to one day, or “test” if you will. And then it’s over. Class dismissed. And our schools and community are moving in a different direction. I’m confident it will be in a positive direction, a progressive direction and a direction we can all be proud of on May 5th.
And, you know with finals, if you’ve gone to class and done the work to prepare for it, then you just have to show up and do it. You guys have done the work to get educated on this issue. Many of you have literally done the volunteer work with the campaign to get this passed on Tuesday (Thank you! Thank You!). Now you just have to do it – vote.
Make it the first thing you do Tuesday morning. You’ll feel great the rest of the day. I always feel empowered after I vote. It is like flexing my “good citizen” muscle. And it is a privilege. Let’s show our strength as a community, flex our “voting” muscles and get this done!
Saturday, May 1, 2010
Saturday, April 24, 2010
10 Days Until The Vote
“So how’s the levy looking? Is it going to pass?” Do you know how many people asked me that today? Maybe 15. Maybe more. It’s so great! People want this thing passed and want to see our district moving forward.
Pretty much everybody I run into right now asks me some form of this question. And I mean everybody. Everybody from parents and teachers to grandparents and Starbucks’ employees. Old neighbors and new neighbors. Close friends and people I don’t know. If you think I’m kidding, listen to this one. Today, I had a woman at the Skyline in Oakley, a woman I didn’t know, ask me if my “For on the 4th” button was for the Mariemont levy. I said, “Yes, how did you know that?” Turns out she has family who teaches in our district. And do you know what she asked me before I left? “How’s it looking? Is it going to pass?”
And the kids…wow! They’re the best. For them, it’s so simple. You support them or you don’t. You help their schools or you don’t. Sometimes I think they get it more than the rest of us. They are fired up about it and surprisingly knowledgeable on the issue. Seriously, I can’t tell you the number of kids who’ve asked me about the levy and really understand what is going to happen for them if it passes and the losses they will experience if it doesn’t.
So, how do I answer the “how’s the levy looking” question? It’s very simple. Every vote is going to count. Every single one. So, you must vote. Period. This isn’t complicated. This is it. Vote. And when it passes on May 4th, Mariemont is going to be “looking” great!
“For” on the 4th!
Pretty much everybody I run into right now asks me some form of this question. And I mean everybody. Everybody from parents and teachers to grandparents and Starbucks’ employees. Old neighbors and new neighbors. Close friends and people I don’t know. If you think I’m kidding, listen to this one. Today, I had a woman at the Skyline in Oakley, a woman I didn’t know, ask me if my “For on the 4th” button was for the Mariemont levy. I said, “Yes, how did you know that?” Turns out she has family who teaches in our district. And do you know what she asked me before I left? “How’s it looking? Is it going to pass?”
And the kids…wow! They’re the best. For them, it’s so simple. You support them or you don’t. You help their schools or you don’t. Sometimes I think they get it more than the rest of us. They are fired up about it and surprisingly knowledgeable on the issue. Seriously, I can’t tell you the number of kids who’ve asked me about the levy and really understand what is going to happen for them if it passes and the losses they will experience if it doesn’t.
So, how do I answer the “how’s the levy looking” question? It’s very simple. Every vote is going to count. Every single one. So, you must vote. Period. This isn’t complicated. This is it. Vote. And when it passes on May 4th, Mariemont is going to be “looking” great!
“For” on the 4th!
Monday, April 19, 2010
15 Days Until the Vote
Wow. I can’t believe this is all over in 15 days. We’re in the final stretch!
It’s funny when I think back over the past few months about how people’s levy questions to me have changed. First, I was being asked why somebody should vote for this. Then, for explanations of the “nuts and bolts” details of school funding, levy logic and the difference between a bond issue and an operating levy. You guys know the residents in our community are smart. People were getting educated. About a month ago, the questions changed to, “Is this going to pass?” usually asked with a pretty concerned tone. This was after people had an understanding of the academic cuts and athletic program changes that were coming if this didn’t pass. People began to understand the effect this would have on our kids and community. Now they understand the opportunity and essential timing of this issue. So, here’s the best part, now I’m not getting questions when I’m picking my kids up at school or at their soccer games, I’m getting statements. “This has to pass.” “We need this to pass.” “People understand why this needs to pass.” “Let me know how I can help get this passed.” It’s awesome. People get it. However…
The only way this passes is if you vote. It is that simple. On May 4th, all the yard signs and work of the past months don’t count. Your vote counts. Period. Yard signs don’t vote. Campaign events don’t vote. Thinking Paul Imhoff is a great superintendent doesn’t count at the polls. But your vote does. If you aren’t voting by mail, stop reading this right now and go mark Tuesday, May 4th on your calendar and write “VOTE” in big red letters…I’ll wait…
Did you do it? Good! Thanks! Now, make that your top priority of the day on May 4th. Make it count – for the kids and the community.
It’s funny when I think back over the past few months about how people’s levy questions to me have changed. First, I was being asked why somebody should vote for this. Then, for explanations of the “nuts and bolts” details of school funding, levy logic and the difference between a bond issue and an operating levy. You guys know the residents in our community are smart. People were getting educated. About a month ago, the questions changed to, “Is this going to pass?” usually asked with a pretty concerned tone. This was after people had an understanding of the academic cuts and athletic program changes that were coming if this didn’t pass. People began to understand the effect this would have on our kids and community. Now they understand the opportunity and essential timing of this issue. So, here’s the best part, now I’m not getting questions when I’m picking my kids up at school or at their soccer games, I’m getting statements. “This has to pass.” “We need this to pass.” “People understand why this needs to pass.” “Let me know how I can help get this passed.” It’s awesome. People get it. However…
The only way this passes is if you vote. It is that simple. On May 4th, all the yard signs and work of the past months don’t count. Your vote counts. Period. Yard signs don’t vote. Campaign events don’t vote. Thinking Paul Imhoff is a great superintendent doesn’t count at the polls. But your vote does. If you aren’t voting by mail, stop reading this right now and go mark Tuesday, May 4th on your calendar and write “VOTE” in big red letters…I’ll wait…
Did you do it? Good! Thanks! Now, make that your top priority of the day on May 4th. Make it count – for the kids and the community.
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
21 Days Until the Vote
You know that saying “You don’t know what you’re missing?” That sums up my “See for Yourself” experience this past weekend. I knew our school buildings were in trouble, but I had no idea what we were missing. And by “we” I mean all of us. Not just my kids, not just your kids, but the entire community.
I’m not somebody who likes comparing myself with others (or comparing my kids, my car, certainly not the cleanliness of my car – or the cleanliness of my kids for that matter). But that was the opportunity we as a community were provided with this past weekend. For me it had nothing to do with comparing Mariemont to Madeira. For me, it was about seeing what a new school has that contributes to a better learning environment vs. what my kids are experiencing in their learning environment. This was not a “Madeira is better than Mariemont” or vice versa scenario.
I toured both Mariemont Elementary and Madeira Elementary. It was eye opening. Actually it was more than that, it was amazing. The idea that what Madeira has given their kids and community is right at our fingertips is so exciting. But, I’ve gotten ahead of my self.
Look, I know Mariemont Elementary. My three boys are in that school so I’ve spent my fair share in those halls, classrooms, and even bathrooms. There’s no question I have a soft spot in my heart for that place. However, after seeing Madeira Elementary, my soft spot sort of turned into a sad spot. We can and should be giving our kids such a better learning environment that it’s, well, amazing we’re not.
Madeira Elementary is filled with natural light, visible in every area possible; it was both bright and energizing. If you don’t believe me, think about how you feel when the sun pops out after several gray and rainy days. As I walked around the school and looked in the classrooms, I noticed the excellent storage space in each room. Seems like no big deal, but this gave the rooms a much less cluttered and distracting look and feel than our classrooms. My guess is that everybody thinks better in that type of setting; I know I do. As I continued on my tour, it suddenly dawned on me, when I stepped into the cool and colorful library, that the entire school was the same comfy temperature. One room wasn’t stifling and the other freezing. How nice is that? I stopped by the bathroom. It doesn’t smell. The sinks all work. The toilets flush. There is a computer lab designed so all monitors face the teacher – the kids can be working on their computer projects together (vs. scattered throughout the school) and nobody can be looking at YouTube, their e-mail or anything else they shouldn’t be during school time. I could give you more details, but I imagine you get the idea.
On a broader note, the feeling or atmosphere provided by the new Madeira building is both refreshing and progressive. It is not “over the top” or wasteful in any way. It’s not like I walked into a place with slate floors, flat screen TVs in classrooms, professional caliber athletic facilities and a gourmet cafeteria. Instead, what I saw was what we should, without question, be providing. I saw a building that offers excellent space and learning environments for their students. It’s that simple.
As I was standing there I realized I was proud of what Madeira had done. How weird is that? But I was. And the idea that we can do our own Mariemont version that fits our community and our kids is so exciting. Talk about refreshing and energizing! This is big guys. Really big. Let’s stay focused and get this passed. We need you to vote YES either by mail or on May 4th. Then we can stand in our halls and be proud of what we’ve provided for all of us.
I’m not somebody who likes comparing myself with others (or comparing my kids, my car, certainly not the cleanliness of my car – or the cleanliness of my kids for that matter). But that was the opportunity we as a community were provided with this past weekend. For me it had nothing to do with comparing Mariemont to Madeira. For me, it was about seeing what a new school has that contributes to a better learning environment vs. what my kids are experiencing in their learning environment. This was not a “Madeira is better than Mariemont” or vice versa scenario.
I toured both Mariemont Elementary and Madeira Elementary. It was eye opening. Actually it was more than that, it was amazing. The idea that what Madeira has given their kids and community is right at our fingertips is so exciting. But, I’ve gotten ahead of my self.
Look, I know Mariemont Elementary. My three boys are in that school so I’ve spent my fair share in those halls, classrooms, and even bathrooms. There’s no question I have a soft spot in my heart for that place. However, after seeing Madeira Elementary, my soft spot sort of turned into a sad spot. We can and should be giving our kids such a better learning environment that it’s, well, amazing we’re not.
Madeira Elementary is filled with natural light, visible in every area possible; it was both bright and energizing. If you don’t believe me, think about how you feel when the sun pops out after several gray and rainy days. As I walked around the school and looked in the classrooms, I noticed the excellent storage space in each room. Seems like no big deal, but this gave the rooms a much less cluttered and distracting look and feel than our classrooms. My guess is that everybody thinks better in that type of setting; I know I do. As I continued on my tour, it suddenly dawned on me, when I stepped into the cool and colorful library, that the entire school was the same comfy temperature. One room wasn’t stifling and the other freezing. How nice is that? I stopped by the bathroom. It doesn’t smell. The sinks all work. The toilets flush. There is a computer lab designed so all monitors face the teacher – the kids can be working on their computer projects together (vs. scattered throughout the school) and nobody can be looking at YouTube, their e-mail or anything else they shouldn’t be during school time. I could give you more details, but I imagine you get the idea.
On a broader note, the feeling or atmosphere provided by the new Madeira building is both refreshing and progressive. It is not “over the top” or wasteful in any way. It’s not like I walked into a place with slate floors, flat screen TVs in classrooms, professional caliber athletic facilities and a gourmet cafeteria. Instead, what I saw was what we should, without question, be providing. I saw a building that offers excellent space and learning environments for their students. It’s that simple.
As I was standing there I realized I was proud of what Madeira had done. How weird is that? But I was. And the idea that we can do our own Mariemont version that fits our community and our kids is so exciting. Talk about refreshing and energizing! This is big guys. Really big. Let’s stay focused and get this passed. We need you to vote YES either by mail or on May 4th. Then we can stand in our halls and be proud of what we’ve provided for all of us.
Friday, April 9, 2010
26 Days Until the Vote
I grew up in Indiana so I guess basketball is in my blood. My college friends have a saying that you can take the girl out of Indiana, but you can’t take Indiana out of the girl. Very true. I never played basketball, but love to watch it, and it doesn’t get much better than March Madness. So, I along with most of the country sat glued to my TV Monday night to see if the Butler Bulldogs could beat Duke in a classic David and Goliath scenario. Even if you aren’t a basketball fan, but watched the game, you had to have been drawn in. It was excellent. Well played by both teams. It came down to a last second shot from Butler that bounced off the rim and out, leaving Duke the victor, 59-61.
This morning I was thinking again about how close Butler came to making history. And then my thoughts turned to the levy (as they do these days), the campaign and winning on May 4th. As crazy as it sounds, I ended up making several mental comparisons between the levy vote and that game. Here are a couple:
1. Seizing The Opportunity At Hand - It’s hard to get to the finals of the NCAA tournament. It’s been 9 years since Duke, one of college basketball’s best programs, got there. Butler had never gotten to the finals before Monday. Both teams had an opportunity on Monday night that they may not have again. Similarly, we have an opportunity we may never have again. On May 4th, we have the chance to build strongly and cost-effectively into our community’s and kid’s future. The low construction and financing costs paired with the government funding incentives provide an opportunity that may not come around again. Remember, just a little over a year ago, we were looking at implementing the facilities plan in 3 phases because the cost was so much higher than it is now. If we do it on May 4th, we can now do it in one phase. We need to seize the opportunity at hand.
2. It All Comes Down To This - Any team playing in the finals of the NCAA tournament has 40 minutes to win. It all comes down to that. And if they win, they make history. On May 4th, we have 13 hours to win. It all comes down to that. And when we win, we’ll make history. The support for the levy is really building; people are excited about the amazing potential this carries for our schools and our community. They can feel the opportunity available to build into our towns and our kids’ education. But what really matters on May 4th is if you vote. That decides the “game”. It all comes down this: We have one day – 13 hours - to determine if we grab our opportunity or miss it. Be a part of the “game” – Vote! Vote by mail now or at the polls on the 4th, but vote and help make history.
This morning I was thinking again about how close Butler came to making history. And then my thoughts turned to the levy (as they do these days), the campaign and winning on May 4th. As crazy as it sounds, I ended up making several mental comparisons between the levy vote and that game. Here are a couple:
1. Seizing The Opportunity At Hand - It’s hard to get to the finals of the NCAA tournament. It’s been 9 years since Duke, one of college basketball’s best programs, got there. Butler had never gotten to the finals before Monday. Both teams had an opportunity on Monday night that they may not have again. Similarly, we have an opportunity we may never have again. On May 4th, we have the chance to build strongly and cost-effectively into our community’s and kid’s future. The low construction and financing costs paired with the government funding incentives provide an opportunity that may not come around again. Remember, just a little over a year ago, we were looking at implementing the facilities plan in 3 phases because the cost was so much higher than it is now. If we do it on May 4th, we can now do it in one phase. We need to seize the opportunity at hand.
2. It All Comes Down To This - Any team playing in the finals of the NCAA tournament has 40 minutes to win. It all comes down to that. And if they win, they make history. On May 4th, we have 13 hours to win. It all comes down to that. And when we win, we’ll make history. The support for the levy is really building; people are excited about the amazing potential this carries for our schools and our community. They can feel the opportunity available to build into our towns and our kids’ education. But what really matters on May 4th is if you vote. That decides the “game”. It all comes down this: We have one day – 13 hours - to determine if we grab our opportunity or miss it. Be a part of the “game” – Vote! Vote by mail now or at the polls on the 4th, but vote and help make history.
Saturday, March 27, 2010
39 Days Until the Vote
You know, before I took on this Levy Chair position, I was a pretty normal person in my opinion. I was a typical stay-at-home mom. Went to the gym, hit the grocery store, had coffee or lunch with a dear friend once a week if I was lucky, picked up my kindergartener after school, he and I played, then picked up his brothers. I worked on homework, ran everybody around to their activities, made healthy, sit-down meals for the family, found out how everybody’s day had gone, got the kids to bed, hung out with my husband Jon, surfed the net, read or watched a little TV, went to bed and had a good night’s sleep (although a little less good since I turned 40 – whatever that’s about).
Since I took on this position, my life looks completely different. I do still go to the gym because it keeps me sane, I rarely go to the grocery (the Mariemont Kroger shutting down was a great excuse!); coffee is now with fellow Levy volunteers to discuss Levy stuff. My phone has rung more in the last few months than it has in the last few years. I am late more often to get my kindergartener at pick up and he plays on the computer a lot more than we play together. I do get my older kids at school (again later than normal, and my normal is already late). They’re on their own for homework until it’s ready to be “checked”, and I am constantly answering the question, “Mom, do you have a meeting tonight?” with “Yes.” We’ve had pizza and pasta more than I ever thought possible (mostly cooked or brought in by Jon), and Jon and I catch up on the fly. Surfing the net, reading or TV is not on the agenda.
So, yes, my life is different these last few months. But I must say, in some ways it’s better. And here’s why – I’m doing something I passionately believe in! Something that, when it’s successful on May 4th, will change my kids’ education, other kids’ educations, future kids’ educations and ultimately our entire community. As we get closer to May 4th and are gathering widespread support, I’ve allowed myself to imagine just how amazing it will be to have new and fabulously renovated school buildings as the cornerstones of our community. Buildings that we can be proud of and that keep the architectural integrity of our villages. It’s a pretty cool thought to imagine our kids inside those new/updated buildings experiencing every day the very best we can give them, in the very best environment we can provide. Wow. And all you have to do to experience this is Vote Yes!
Since I took on this position, my life looks completely different. I do still go to the gym because it keeps me sane, I rarely go to the grocery (the Mariemont Kroger shutting down was a great excuse!); coffee is now with fellow Levy volunteers to discuss Levy stuff. My phone has rung more in the last few months than it has in the last few years. I am late more often to get my kindergartener at pick up and he plays on the computer a lot more than we play together. I do get my older kids at school (again later than normal, and my normal is already late). They’re on their own for homework until it’s ready to be “checked”, and I am constantly answering the question, “Mom, do you have a meeting tonight?” with “Yes.” We’ve had pizza and pasta more than I ever thought possible (mostly cooked or brought in by Jon), and Jon and I catch up on the fly. Surfing the net, reading or TV is not on the agenda.
So, yes, my life is different these last few months. But I must say, in some ways it’s better. And here’s why – I’m doing something I passionately believe in! Something that, when it’s successful on May 4th, will change my kids’ education, other kids’ educations, future kids’ educations and ultimately our entire community. As we get closer to May 4th and are gathering widespread support, I’ve allowed myself to imagine just how amazing it will be to have new and fabulously renovated school buildings as the cornerstones of our community. Buildings that we can be proud of and that keep the architectural integrity of our villages. It’s a pretty cool thought to imagine our kids inside those new/updated buildings experiencing every day the very best we can give them, in the very best environment we can provide. Wow. And all you have to do to experience this is Vote Yes!
Monday, March 22, 2010
43 Days Left Until the Vote
This weekend was amazing! Really this whole past week was amazing. And I’m not talking about the weather, although that certainly was fabulous. I’m talking about the level of excitement about the campaign.
We had so much to accomplish this week that I was a bit nervous about getting it all done. But, I had underestimated the commitment level of our unbelievable volunteers – and they’re in the hundreds! I was blown away by the energy, excitement and dedication the entire campaign volunteer team showed this week. If you’re reading this and you helped us this week – THANK YOU! If you haven’t gotten involved yet, don’t miss out - join the excitement!
Here are just three things to give you an idea of what I’m talking about:
1. We had 3,300 case statements (the campaign document at your front door this weekend) to get printed, folded, stuffed in door hanger bags, counted out and distributed to each and every doorstep in the district. We got them from the printer at 3:00pm on Wednesday and had planned to be done late Friday evening. We didn’t just get this done; we got it done early. Way Early! So early in fact, that when I went to Mariemont Elementary on Thursday to pick my kids up from school, I heard a PA announcement telling the teachers who’d volunteered that they did not need to go to Kris Faulk’s house to fold and stuff the case statements. Unbelievable!
2. Thursday we had to assemble 1,000 yard signs in my garage. We started at 7:00pm and were completely done by 9:00. And by done, I mean cleaned-up, garage-back-to-normal done. Actually, we would have been done before then, but we had to force the volunteers inside to eat free pizza (donated by Hyde Park Pizzeria) and grab a drink. I’m serious. They were cranking the signs out so fast, Kristen Arends, known as our sign czarina, needed a pause in the action so she could catch up on organizing them for distribution. I didn’t count, but I know we had many teachers & parents from across the district working like crazy that night. My garage was packed! And by the way, we also delivered 285 signs to people’s doorsteps by the next morning! Wow!
3. Finally, let me tell you about Super Saturday…we gave out hundreds of signs at several different locations – The Coffee Shop in Fairfax, the Easter Egg hunts in Mariemont and TP, the Porst’s house in TP, the Chili Cook Off in Fairfax and by teachers who literally went door-to-door to see if people wanted to support this school vote with a yard sign (we have a few left if you need one). Literally Super!
As I watched them working this week, I noticed a couple things about our volunteer team. First, the people involved represent a medley from the district – preschool parents, school parents, parents of Mariemont graduates, many teachers and beyond. Second, They’re all focused on and driven by one thing – what’s best for the kids. And that is what all this really comes down to isn’t it? It was quite a week.
We had so much to accomplish this week that I was a bit nervous about getting it all done. But, I had underestimated the commitment level of our unbelievable volunteers – and they’re in the hundreds! I was blown away by the energy, excitement and dedication the entire campaign volunteer team showed this week. If you’re reading this and you helped us this week – THANK YOU! If you haven’t gotten involved yet, don’t miss out - join the excitement!
Here are just three things to give you an idea of what I’m talking about:
1. We had 3,300 case statements (the campaign document at your front door this weekend) to get printed, folded, stuffed in door hanger bags, counted out and distributed to each and every doorstep in the district. We got them from the printer at 3:00pm on Wednesday and had planned to be done late Friday evening. We didn’t just get this done; we got it done early. Way Early! So early in fact, that when I went to Mariemont Elementary on Thursday to pick my kids up from school, I heard a PA announcement telling the teachers who’d volunteered that they did not need to go to Kris Faulk’s house to fold and stuff the case statements. Unbelievable!
2. Thursday we had to assemble 1,000 yard signs in my garage. We started at 7:00pm and were completely done by 9:00. And by done, I mean cleaned-up, garage-back-to-normal done. Actually, we would have been done before then, but we had to force the volunteers inside to eat free pizza (donated by Hyde Park Pizzeria) and grab a drink. I’m serious. They were cranking the signs out so fast, Kristen Arends, known as our sign czarina, needed a pause in the action so she could catch up on organizing them for distribution. I didn’t count, but I know we had many teachers & parents from across the district working like crazy that night. My garage was packed! And by the way, we also delivered 285 signs to people’s doorsteps by the next morning! Wow!
3. Finally, let me tell you about Super Saturday…we gave out hundreds of signs at several different locations – The Coffee Shop in Fairfax, the Easter Egg hunts in Mariemont and TP, the Porst’s house in TP, the Chili Cook Off in Fairfax and by teachers who literally went door-to-door to see if people wanted to support this school vote with a yard sign (we have a few left if you need one). Literally Super!
As I watched them working this week, I noticed a couple things about our volunteer team. First, the people involved represent a medley from the district – preschool parents, school parents, parents of Mariemont graduates, many teachers and beyond. Second, They’re all focused on and driven by one thing – what’s best for the kids. And that is what all this really comes down to isn’t it? It was quite a week.
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