Wendy Ahlman: 2010

Thursday, November 11, 2010

Thank you!

Thank you so much for all of your votes. I’m just thrilled to be able to serve the school and all of you, as a governing board member. I will always do my best to represent the parents of the school and create more transparency between the board members and parents of the school. This Wednesday, November 17, will be the first board meeting with the newly elected members. I hope all of you will come and let your voices be heard. Once the agenda is approved, I will post it on my blog. Thanks again! Wendy

Sunday, October 31, 2010

Board Questionnaire

Hello, My name is Wendy Ahlman. I’m running for a seat on the school’s Governing Board. As I attempt to tackle various issues affecting our children’s education, I’ll need your input. My voice will represent the common concern of parents while serving on the board. When you get a moment, please email me directly to answer a few questions and voice your opinions. I will be taking your message to Thursday’s “Meet the Candidates Night” as I share my vision before all in attendance. Please answer below in the form of a comment, or email me at the address below. Thank you!

Please visit

ahlmanwendy@gmail.com

1. How do you feel about the quality of education your children are receiving at Freedom Academy?

2 Do you feel it is a balanced curriculum, filled with academics, fitness, social interaction, and creativity?

3 Are your children happy, challenged, and fulfilled by school activities?

4. Are your children anxious about rules, expectations, cliques, or expressing their feelings, thoughts, opinions, interests, or questions?

5. How do you feel about the school’s uniform policies? Are they reasonable, or too strict?

6. How do you feel about the daily schedule?

Do your children have enough time to eat their lunch, play, study, etc.

7. Do your children have too much homework, or not enough?

8. Would you like to see more free dress days?

9. Would you like more extra curricular or after school activities?

10. Would you like to have an “early out” day each week

so that teachers may have more time to prepare lessons?

11. What would you like to change about any existing policies?
Please comment below.

November 17, Agenda

Freedom Academy Governing Board Meeting

November 17, 2010

6:00 p.m.

Library

Meeting called by: Governing Board

Facilitator: Ken Parkinson, CAO

Agenda

Pledge Invitation

Welcome Ken Parkinson

Approval of Minutes

Public Comments

Recognize outgoing board members

Welcome new members

Select new CAO

Sustainable Fundraising information Robert Merrill

Address division of responsibilities (committees)

Orientation and training

Set Next meeting:

Executive Session: response to teachers Re: last executive session.

Why Wendy For Board?

I am a Local Business owner of Chrysalis Preschool and Kindergarten. Naturally this job encompasses many roles. I am the curriculum designer, teacher, manager, accountant and publicist. As a board member I know that this experience will help immensely as we make decisions that will affect our school and community. I have the innate ability to juggle many tasks, which will also be a benefit to the school board. For example, last spring I earned my Bachelors of Science degree in Elementary Education graduating Cum Laude. I accomplished this monumental task after giving birth to my son, including managing and teaching my preschool, and caring for my five children. During this time, I also wrote and published several children’s books. I have been an educator for 20 years and I feel that this experience makes me an invaluable member of the board. My votes will be backed by my education and experience as an educator. Three of my children currently attend Freedom Academy, naturally I want the best school for them the same as every other parent. I promise to always do my best for all of Freedom Academy’s students, parents, and teachers. Your interests are my own. I am very familiar with the school policies and curriculum. Hence, I feel qualified and comfortable in taking on the role of a governing board member.

Obviously, a good education is key to every child’s confidence, success, and happiness. Moreover, the best education employs a holistic approach which nourishes mind, body, and spirit. Beyond academics, it must instill social integration, emotional nurturing, self-esteem and personal enterprise. The key is to develop an environment where these qualities can flourish. Herein we come to an educational concept called, the Least Restrictive Environment. This does not suggest a lack of rules or structure, just the opposite. It creates a consistent, comfortable zone free from aggression, apprehension and pecking orders. Nevertheless, too much rigidity swings the pendulum the another way. Students begin to fear the institution, regulations, and enforcers. When children are nervous they do not absorb new information well. My goal as a board member would be to bring balance to the school and provide an environment centered on education rather than institution. For example, there are many positive aspects that uniforms bring to a school. They eliminate many distractions, labels, and social schisms. Taking it too far, however, can create the opposite effect. Diversity is beautiful. Indeed, forced conformity never engenders social cohesion. Hence, relaxing dress codes to common sense levels will not erode academic excellence. Neither would having two free dress days a month unravel self-discipline or moral fiber. We must recognize that it is important for children to feel a sense of uniqueness to develop self-respect as well as tolerance for others. Moreover, turning teachers into fashion police distracts from their nobler efforts. Which brings us to another relevant issue. Teachers need sufficient preparation time to be effective educators. It may be necessary to consider an early out day each week so that the teachers can have time to prepare and better teach our children. Obviously, we must consider parents schedules as well, while considering what is best for our children as paramount. Education has been a running theme throughout my life. My great + grandmother started the first school in Salt Lake City in the 1800’s. My own mother earned her Masters Degree in Education Administration. I strive to teach the same ideals to my children and students. Freedom Academy has proven its academic prowess among charter schools, but this is not an excuse to rest on our laurels. Educating children is more than teaching them the right answers. We must teach them to question, search, solve and find the answers for themselves. Thus is the challenge of life.

Wendy Ahlman