Candidate for
Board Member; Emery Unified School District

Each child has unique strengths and abilities that we must uncover, cultivate and celebrate. Our School District has the privilege, and responsibility, to do this important work.

Yet, there are many organizations that serve the same people. The current economic problems have made it more important than ever for organizations that serve the same children, families and seniors to coordinate our efforts and forge partnerships to power their academic, civic and social success. In doing so, we will also find better ways to serve our seniors and other segments of our community.

These partnerships are very real in Emeryville. Our wellness program served hundreds of individuals with over a dozen supervised interns from Samuel Merritt College, Cal State East Bay, San Jose State and other institutions. Since many of our students live with grandparents, we work closely with Emeryville's senior center and provide a peer support group for seniors with school age dependents.

Many Artists from the Emeryville artist's cooperative have worked with our students. Piedmont Unified School District to expand adult school options. Pixar Studios and Expressions Center for new media have teamed up to work with students to make movies and public service announcements. The Pixar partnership has also grown to include the High School Samba club, where community members and students practice each year for dancing in San Francisco's Carnival Parade.

This is a small sample of the partnerships that power student success in Emeryville.