Kathleen Kelly always puts our children first. She has consistently pushed our district to better meet the social and emotional needs of our children. She knows that improving our schools for our most vulnerable children improves them for all our children. She is focused on closing the opportunity gap, and she builds consensus to bring about much needed change. She understands the importance of the voices of the educators within our classrooms, and she was instrumental in forming a new advisory committee of educators focused on building curriculum, instruction and assessment that best fit the needs of our community. As a Cambridge Public School parent and teacher, I am grateful for Kathleen’s leadership on the School Committee and enthusiastically support her re-election.

 

As a former CRLS teacher and long-time community activist, I am grateful to Kathleen for championing safe schools for LGBT students, students of color, and others who have been at disproportionate risk in our public schools.  With her continuing advocacy, social justice has a better chance.

 

As a public servant who has spent time in the trenches of state and federal government, I know that it takes a committed leader to propose policy, guide stakeholders and, most importantly, reach resolution and implementation. As a mother of children in the Cambridge Public Schools, I know firsthand how important it is that Kathleen Kelly continue to be given the opportunity to support our kids, from all backgrounds, in school.  We are fortunate to have her represent us.

 

Kathleen has my #1 vote for School Committee because she is dedicated to supporting policies that aim to meet the needs of students across very broad diverse backgrounds.  She has been instrumental in bringing innovative and effective programs into our classrooms. I was particularly impressed with her advocacy for Social Emotional Learning (SEL) and increased social work supports both at the district level and now at six K-5 schools where these supports are needed most.  Kathleen supports restorative practices, which are effective in building supportive classroom cultures that keep our children and youth in the classroom and engaged in learning.

 

Kathleen Kelly is a solid member of our Cambridge community and I’m proud to call Kathleen my friend.  The value she adds to the Cambridge School Committee can be measured in the many changes our district has taken in the last four years to move our district forward.  In addition to her deep and clear understanding of the budget, she is a compassionate listener and is fighting every day to keep our district focused on the individual child.  Kathleen is passionate about our children.  She is focused on the work that needs to be done every day to keep Cambridge the best urban school district in Massachusetts.  That is why I’m voting #1 for Kathleen Kelly.

 

I was so glad when I learned that Kathleen Kelly was running for the Cambridge School Committee. When we served together on the King Open school council Kathleen was an active and constructive member. She was able to maintain a balanced perspective amid very difficult discussions. She possesses a keen ability to understand issues deeply and invite people from diverse backgrounds and perspectives to engage in dialogue.

 

As a CPS parent and former educator, I’m acutely aware of the need for leadership that understands the entrenched social roles that show up in Cambridge’s diverse population. Kathleen Kelly has the necessary training and personal experience for this critical perspective. Facing these differences head on has the potential not only to prepare our children for the increasingly complex world they will inherit, but to make the Cambridge Public Schools a national model for what’s possible in urban education.