“As part of my 100 Day Entry Plan focus on equity, deep learning, and engagement, I am forming three advisory groups with whom I wish to meet monthly to give feedback to me and the District around what is happening around the district and what is being planned. I want to engage families, students, and staff as true partners in the educational process, to make sure that the needs of a broad range of people are included as decisions are made in the district. All of you play an important and integral role in promoting the social, emotional, and academic success of all students, and I want to hear from you.” – Superintendent Tom Flanagan
The goal is to have representation from families, students, and teachers that represent all of our District. Therefore, each group will have at least 12 members, including at least one representative from each of our schools. If needed, we may add additional members to ensure that the needs of specific groups of students are represented, such as those who are receiving special education or EL services, as well as diversity in terms of race, class/socio-economic background, and sexual and gender identity.
Learn more about the three different advisory groups below.
Family Advisory Group
Purpose
The Family Advisory Group to the Superintendent is made up of parent and guardian representatives from each school. They meet with the Superintendent and other district staff on a monthly basis during the school year to discuss a variety of topics, share information, and broaden understanding of school-related issues.
The purpose of the council is to provide two-way communications between the Superintendent and schools. Members work together to:
- discuss family perspectives on topics impacting their child’s school and the District.
- identify common needs and goals among the parents of students enrolled in the Burlington School District.
- provide the Superintendent with feedback and insight from each family’s perspective on school processes, policies, and initiatives to ensure that the needs of families are included as decisions are made in the District.
- bring to the Superintendent’s attention existing and emerging issues expressed by families at the school they represent.
- serve as an advisory, not a decision-making body, that makes recommendations, encourages brainstorming, and provides opportunities for family involvement on committees and task forces.
- facilitate communication between and among the families and the family organizations from different District schools and serve as a forum for sharing innovations and best practices from around the District.
If you are interested in joining the Family Advisory Group, please click on this link and apply. Applications are due by August 30, 2021.
Members
Almina Kadric
Allegra Williams
Hawa Abdi
Jamaica White
Allie Schachter
Susan Munkres
Zaharo Adan
Zeinab Bulle
Sam Brown
Scarlett Duncan
Christina Erickson
Geeda Searfoorce
Renee Iannacone
Hawa Abdi
Student Advisory Group
Purpose
The Student Advisory Group is made up of 5th through 12th-grade students from each school. They meet with the Superintendent and other District staff on a monthly basis during the school year to discuss a variety of topics, share information, and broaden understanding of school-related issues. The purpose of the group is to provide the Superintendent and senior staff members with feedback on ways that the District could improve students’ overall experience in our schools and provide two-way communications between the Superintendent and students.
Members work together to:
- discuss student perspectives on topics impacting their school and the Burlington School District.
- identify common needs and goals among the students enrolled in the District.
- provide the superintendent with feedback and insight from the student’s perspective on school processes, policies, and initiatives to ensure that the needs of all students are included as decisions are made in the District.
- bring to the Superintendent’s attention existing and emerging issues expressed by students at the school they represent.
- serve as an advisory, not a decision-making body, that makes recommendations, encourages brainstorming, and provides opportunities for parent involvement on committees and task forces.
- facilitate communication between and among the students from different schools and serve as a forum for sharing innovations and best practices from around the District.
Join Today!
Interested in joining this group? Please complete this short questionnaire by August 30th.
Teacher Advisory Group
Purpose
The Teacher Advisory Group is made up of teachers from each, spanning a variety of roles. They meet with the superintendent and other district staff on a monthly basis during the school year to discuss a variety of topics, share information and broaden understanding of school-related issues. The purpose of the group is to provide the superintendent and senior staff members with feedback on ways that the district could improve staff and students’ overall experience in our District and to provide two-way communications between the Superintendent and staff who work in various roles.
Members work together to:
- discuss teacher perspectives on topics impacting their workplace and the Burlington School District.
- identify common needs and goals among the teachers working for the District.
- provide the superintendent with feedback and insight from a teacher’s perspective on school processes, policies and initiatives to ensure that the needs and insights of all teachers are included as decisions are made in the District.
- bring to the superintendent’s attention existing and emerging issues expressed by teachers at their workplace.
- serve as an advisory, not a decision-making body, that makes recommendations, encourages brainstorming and provides opportunities for teacher involvement on committees and task forces.
- facilitate communication between and among teachers from different workplaces and serve as a forum for sharing innovations and best practices from around the District.
Members
Jory Hearst, jhearst@bsdvt.org
Brian McDonnell, bmcdonne@bsdvt.org
Bob Church, rchurch@bsdvt.org
Jenell Tilley, jtilley@bsdvt.org
Andrea Techera, atechera@bsdvt.org
Melissa Rose, mrose@bsdvt.org
Allison Tinson, atinson@bsdvt.org
Heidi Brown, hbrown@bsdvt.org
Kristen Schwerin, kschweri@bsdvt.org
Mary Weith, mweith@bsdvt.org
Meredith Hoisington, mhoising@bsdvt.org
Marcelle Whitcomb, mwhitcom@bsdvt.org
Liz Casey, ecasey@bsdvt.org
Lee Orlando, lslocum@abangour
Laura Botte, LBotte@bsdvt.org
