Laura J. Pitone

Education

Collaboration – parents, staff and community members working together to define priorities and make things happen. Learn more

Early identification and support – more effective intervention for students with learning challenges to reduce the achievement gap and free up resources for all students. Learn more

Smart investment means using the resources we have wisely, as well as making thoughtful, evidence-based decisions about new investment. For example, expanding access to early childhood education may not be as simple as opening more preschool classrooms.  Program improvements may include some combination of increasing availability, providing more after-school slots or full-day programming (subsidized or for-fee), and partnering with private providers to better meet the needs of our families and prepare students for elementary school. Learn more

Collaboration is key.  I would like to invest in more common planning time for teachers within and across schools and in targeted objectives, such as creating hands-on cross-subject projects or addressing the needs of at risk students.  In the middle grades, I would like to see collaboration taken one step further, possibly creating a department model to establish leadership across the six schools, as we do in the high school.  Staff working together promotes creativity and excellence. Learn more

Early identification and support will help meet the school district's primary goal of providing all children what they need to reach their academic, social and emotional potential.  The earlier we identify and provide support to students, the more successful they will be and the more resources we will have available for all students.  I will advocate for the teacher training and support needed to make early identification and student assistance a reality and to foster a culture of inclusion. Learn more