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Parent Advocacy Meeting (November 14th, 2023)

Added Nov 20, 2023 •

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Watch the recording of the Nov. 14th RCCS Parent Advocacy Meeting to hear heartfelt parent testimonials about our amazing school!

Show Transcript

at the start of meeting this meeting is called so that we have a basically a call to order right so on October 14th we had what was called a parent advocacy summer and we hosted it here at the school and it was due the new shirt New Jersey Public Charter School Association and that Association is an association that works on behalf of all the charter schools in the state of New Jersey they are very supportive of what we're doing here at Roseville Community Charter School they know that we have a great thing happening here and they are really pushing for us to be approved by the state to not only go to grade 5 but they're even pushing for us to go through grade 8 so how many of you would be excited about that so Matthew we have all hands with up so they all are excited about the possibility of not just explaining to grade 5 but also the possibility of through grade 8 so could we have maybe those about paying online can you unmute an even if you can come take you no be on camera it's okay if you can't but maybe just give a little bit of a hand raised or shout out if you would be excited about our school going to grade 5 and even grade 8 all right I see your hands waving now I see him please we need it so that sounds like that's this engine animus unanimous I think that's a yes absolutely so I have Matthew is here with us he is doing a lot of work with the New Jersey Children's Foundation and he is going to be helping us learn how to advocate for ourselves as parents LOL advocate for our school and to help us to really be adamant about the fact that we believe that our school should go not just a grade five but two grade 8 in the next few years okay great 5 for next year and then we would want to continue to build on that so the same group that's in fourth grade now would be 5th grade then it would be sixth grade and so on okay Matthew would you like to to take it from here let me just start off by first of all think and got your Sight Ford for her amazing leadership is within the school the winning in the full Charter space a wide and with us was specifically within city of Newark because as we know for public charter schools some of this stuff can be real challenging and the fact that we have a school leader Roseville who is so so on top of it and it stood to the various challenges that we face and wants to Ulta we persevere in and find ways to expand is I think really exciting both for the city and also for our kids let me take a step back first because I do think it is talk to doctor Ledford about this before we called this meeting you know I I think it's very easy to say okay let's let's work together let's get stuff done let really engage the community but I think before we even start there we really need to build trust and and when I say we I really mean me right because at the end of the day you guys know the value of your school know the value of the work of dr. ledford's do and fully understands the in and you fully understand the opportunity that a school like Roseville can provide your kids and ultimately what we're doing is trying to find ways in which we can make sure that more students more kids in Newark are provided with opportunity and thankfully we have a bleeder like doctor Ledford who is Bill to Vision not just in in developing the school but also I seen the possibility of what the future could hold for more children in Newark and that not something that I'm very passionate about and his parents I would assume you're here today because you're really pass and about. So I'm I'm grateful to connect with you guys and if there's any real goal that I have at least today it's to create a framework of trust and my experiences that trust comes notches words by Fern action and hopefully there are some questions and thoughts that I can hear from you and I can listen and I can learn and we can be in a position where we can actually move forward off for the women of our kids and betterment of our community let me take a quick step back and kind of introduce myself so I I have a lot of passion within the space we'll just share with you guys I've been involved in advocating on behalf of chartres and working with parents throughout the city of Newark and throughout the state frankly in strengthening their voice and making sure that the people are ultimately empowered not only to share their voices but to create positive change within their community and I hope anything that I suggest eye-opening that we bring come together I hope everything that I do reflects that and it and certainly if it for any reason it doesn't I would ask you to please let me know and let's talk about it but I think ultimately you know what what this is this meeting is about as Doctor Ledford kind of frame for all of us is that this is about expansion it's a it's an expansion of of Roseville values it's an expansion of the opportunity that the school besides its Community now without getting too deep into it it is a very very complicated process in terms of expansion also with the current Administration that's not something that is always done some time is it takes if you try sometimes it takes a few different tactics but my belief when it comes to advocacy is at the facts matter and that you guys are the holders of those facts you are the you know firsthand the kind of positive effect that your school has had on your children and on your fan and and within your family and if anything I just want to be an advisor to all you to ensure that your voice is as strong as possible and is also reflective of where your values are and sometimes that requires you know conversation block partnership or someone in this case like me who can just simply give help so I'm having said all that you know the work that I do is mainly in the communication realm I worked in politics for about 10 years as a spokesperson I worked with in the Clinton ministration at the White House and also work for the house Democratic leader Richard Gephardt in the House of Representatives and working washing it for a number of years I then trans I moved up to New York and in as a corporate communication executive for about 12 years but frankly as much as that was fun and provided a lot of great opportunity I think certainly what I became a father my priorities changed immensely and specifically I am part of a multicultural family my wife and I adopted our son from Ethiopia our daughter is also African-American and I will tell you quite frankly that if our children were not receiving opportunity if as parents we did not have a voice in our kids education we would be able to take Archer learn and move them from a district school or a public school to a private school what bothers me the most and the reason why I've committed my professional life to this space is because I'm well aware that there are children just as beautiful as mine who do not have that opportunity or any parents who are just as good as me we do not have that. Who do not have that choice Powerman so I would say to you and I know through the course of time we'll get to know each other and we'll listen to each other and I look forward to opening that up very shortly but I think for me you know if there's any takeaway that I would ask of you it would be just simply the Opera to show you what I can help with to start building trust building opportunity and ultimately be in a position where your voice can be strengthened because for me on a personal level that this is personal and for me when I see parents not having a strong voice in in where their children can go to school or when I see children of color like my own who are now provided opportunity it gets me angry to be quite honest with you so if there's anything that I that I really hope we can accomplish together it's going to be the odd the ability for us to work together and fight the right lanes in which your voice can be strengthened throughout this debate part of that means making sure that we do and the work that we do follows you know where your heart is I would never want to be in a position where I'm suggesting a tactic or an idea that you don't feel comfortable with I can't count how many people and I can't talk and count at the same time but I think it looks like we have a really good turnout here at least 15 parents and I would say for each of those each of the parents on this call or others that may eventually join I hope I can be of service and creating a customized strategy for you personally and be in a position where you know there are a variety of different tactics but that we find the right ones that feel comfortable to you so having said all that and in losing myself what I really would love to do is just open it up a little bit and get a sense from each of you who's willing to share educate me on what it is about the school that matters to you why are you at this meeting today is it you know could be because the doctor said for it's amazing leadership it could be about you and your values as a parent it could also be about just that the valley that your child has received but at the end of the day you know what we're talking about here is that your voice you are speed you're already represented in the sense that your kid is already at the school so what I'm most inspired by is the fact that each of you are here because you care about the community that you're part of and that you want more kids to have the kind of opportunity that you and your your kids have and that that really you know is frankly one of the mower passionate and and and and caring examples of what what this is what community is all about so I'm I'm really encouraged and really thankful for for your interest in what's happening and I hope I can be of service to each of you individually so doctor Ledford I hope that was a good enough explanation to why I'm on I'm happy that yes I'm happy to provide additional contacts but I also would really love to just be here to listen and under you know your direction I would I would love to just kind of hear some stories all right so I can tell you this I can tell you that the parents here are absolutely what you said they are passionate about education they're passionate about their children's education but they also understand the importance of continuity and they know what their children are getting here and they would like to see that continue without disruption so would that be right in my staying the right right so I'm going to let them tell you about Roseville Community Charter School and why it is you know they are looking forward to us being approved by the state to expand so I'll because I think that I could talk all day about Roseville Community Charter School and what we have to offer an amazing Scholars are amazing families amazing programs are amazing staff but I think hearing it from them Matthew you're going to have a better idea of what whatever strategy needs to take Matthew is very knowledgeable about allergies to work in political sectors because unfortunately although we were in school and Doctor Leppard is very much so in the educator I am not a politician I'm unfortunately in a situation that I have to think that way in order to help our school get approved for expansion so Matthew is here you know volunteering to be here to help us to build our ability to advocate rascal does anyone want to either come up or I can bring the microphone to speak come on up shut up Adele hello but the camera where to look hello well my name is Maria was the Llano everything started in kindergarten with my daughter viviani Rivas been here since kindergarten all the teachers have been amazing since then and we feel loved in this cool it's amazing we feel like a family and I just love like I could brag about this to all my friends and be like we do this here do you guys wouldn't know but we do and I love how they involve the parents in so many things in all this program Biryani just did was she was so happy late and it's so many opportunities so many programs that that they are provided to them that is amazing so now I owe this year my son started kindergarten and I would love to keep them together as much as I can because it will be easier for me also will it really close and we could just walk to the school so it's pretty last song and I love after school program the everything is perfect to me and like I said all the staff are so friendly and so it'll cated this kindergarten all the teachers have been amazed and I'm so grateful and I want to keep being part of this this school as long as I can but thank you the evening I love my walls mom's he's been here since the first grade and before he entered the school he experienced like a death with my uncle passing in front of and I have to say I explained the situation to the school and everything and like I explained it and I want them a hand with anything though I want you to be firm with him and he's been going through situations. I will do what I must say from the 1st to the 4th grade the teachers has even through the cove at the teachers has been amazing they really have been amazing they love my son love them and it's just been amazing like it's been helpful to me and I'm getting a little emotional right now because this school has really really helped my son his tragic to everything it's like it was a setback with that but they've been there and they really help my son they still working with him and everything go and they all the teachers by the name on it started with Miss Chang and Miss Scott you know I didn't go see Miss Atwoods and then staying and that's been amazing and now he's with mr. Edwards so whatever. but all the teachers forgive me for being emotional no but this is very emotional for me like when I say they have been there the social worker as the council is everybody doctor leffert she don't they have been there even to this day and it's amazing I'm like huh I wish this school to go to the 12th grade and fifth grade because they have work with him not just him I just seen how this is work with everybody his special ed teacher has they have really been amazing they have been amazing and it will be a blessing to allow him to continue to grow and it's cool with these amazing teachers and the amazing staff are it's not just the teachers account at with all the staff and they are amazing and go on a trips when I'm at work like 14 and 16 hour days but it's been amazing not fit it in they work well and I appreciate it so if you can make it and it that will be greatly appreciated though the school is really amazing though and I really appreciate you guys thank you anybody else and. Bedford we have some folks online perfect perfect good evening everyone my name is gyro and my daughter has been in the school she started from kindergarten and now she's in fourth grade I have another first grade and I must say this girl is so amazing that's what she said I've seen my daughter grew from kindergarten to the fourth grade I sent so many skills to leadership skills in her as soon as I can. I'm so so like so nervous right now because Wesley Community because of Roseville Community Charter School which I so much appreciate and then anytime you know we have to go anywhere they like them which school does your kids attend and I like Roseville Community Charter School day like it's you know they can see it the teachers are so amazing exceptional the leadership the program everything so it would be a great Delight to see the extension to 5th grade and you know even Beyond because I can just imagine my son keeps telling me please Mom don't take me how to Roseville even if my sister is leaving I don't want to leave that school so it will be a great opportunity for hers as parents to witness this extension and most especially now that you know for the 4th grade from breeders parents to see our kids being the first day of the first fifth grade sets will be so happy to have that to have them continue in the values that is cool carries I must tell you Roseville Community Charter School is a very great school for kids on Wii on this extension thank you thank you I told you we have amazing amazing parents and we have three amazing parents who have their virtual hands up can we maybe call on them in order I can't say I'm sorry I can't see McKayla and and I all excuse me all right. Real life or do you want me to call him or would it be easier yes you can call on them and then they can unmute it right okay okay well thank you so much for the opportunity to speak I have a unique take on Roseville because I have come from Florida and I have two children one in particular who is autistic and another one has a learning disability and I have another one which requires some other assistant that I can state that I so much appreciate Roseville because it embodies what a school should be because it don't eat peaches my children the regular academics but it also I'm homes in on the total students such as you know starting from the whole core values of collaboration and honesty and Excellency and think of they should add support because that is one of the most important things that I love about Roseville at the support that ever call my child he came to Roseville and he was artistic and the state at the school Felton would be you know Hearts but I can say that I have not seen so much progress with my son and as far as Services he's received you know and the fact that I can express my opinion and and and and make a suggestion send it it's always accepted and respected we have a cola collaboration with the teachers as far as what is the plan of care for save for my child I have another child who has ADHD and when he was at his old he failed first grade and the amount of effort and just I don't know what it is I can say It's Magic but I can say that it's the hard work of not only the teachers but also in spilling respect within the children integrity making themselves feel proud that I'm pleased to say that my oldest he was able to get honor roll next last year so to take away back from him when she's in fourth grade I really hoping that he does stay in fifth grade Beka of the whole puberty thing you know a 5th grade is a very trying time for many kids because they're going through puberty and I would hate to have him to deal with that as well as a new school so I just have so many Gray starting from Talking leopard it trickles down to the teachers that. The school is so awesome for the kids and I just would hate for it to stop there so it whatever can happen for Roseville to continue to the 5th through the 8th he wonderful it would help many parents like myself thank you thank you I don't know if that leopard if you want me too I guess mikele do you want to be we take Makayla off mute perfect and then will we have a parent in person and then we'll back to our third parent who has her hand up do you have to unmute basketball can you unmute yourself and then you can speak you have to unmute yourself we can't unmute you okay or we can move on to the next parent Miss Nelson you have to unmute yourself hi everyone can I buy hear me hello yes I yes I thank you so much sorry I couldn't make it there in person to the personal reasons but I am honored to even be online to you know to just share my experience with Roseville and you know what you guys my daughter came I have a scholar she's deaf Nelson she's in fourth grade now and she came when she was in second grade and you know during the pandemic they came after that they came straight into you know a new school year so when she came she was so timid she was so scared everything made her nervous and as the school year went on she just started growing she started creating her own voice she became on honor roll she became she been running for a suit suit councils and a leadership and now she's on safety patrol just so many opportunities you guys Rolesville Charter School give my daughter it's amazing just even last year you because she did so well she was nominated to go to Camp she never went to Camp she got the experience she went for a week and she came back and she couldn't she couldn't stop telling me how much fun she had that was an experience of a parent I wasn't able to give her but you guys gave her the opportunity and I can see the teachers the support from you guys I want voice as parents not even as my daughter is always heard I can go to doctor leffert Any teacher to 2 to just make my besides being known and I know and I guarantee that it will be answered as a concerned friend cuz I'm I'm a very concerned parent and even before she was leaving and I knew they only one of the third grade I was so sad because I have to have a younger sibling which is going to be transitioning to kindergarten and I want I want them to stay together you know cuz my daughter is going to be in kindergarten be nice for her if they do get expansion I pray to God that they do that you know my daughter you know Destiny will be there to kind of like help a little sister along the way for her first time being in school and stuff like that and I'm just thinking about the future I'm also expecting another child at the moment future that I would even want dumb to even go to Roswell so it's not even just for now I'm thinking about ahead that's how amazing the school is that I'm thinking about ahead that my kids my future generation will be able to even be able to come to you guys school and I just want to continue to pray for you guys a teacher's the school itself over all that you guys continue to do what you guys are doing and just giving these kids opportunities that they probably wouldn't have gotten making them you guys are preparing them for so much more leadership and all these things is is it's on it's on is unbearable and you just speaking about it I could I could testify for most of the parents that it brings it brings warm so your heart just when speaking about it because you guys are truly amazing you guys are truly amazing and I thank you guys I forgot and you know we need this expansion not even just sniff let's go all the way to Aid our you know if you could go further let's go so that's all thank you guys so I'm going to ask Miss Kylie with ecology is apparent leader of our parent advocacy group but I have a testimonial in writing so I'm going to read it is Hillbilly Nerf Ramirez says I have three girls in school and I love Roseville Community Charter School in my girls also wish with all their hearts that they go on to 5th grade because it's an excellent School excellent teachers and School staff so thank you so much Miss Ramirez come on up thank you very much thank you so much I need to write hi everyone how are you my name is Patricia. I'm so excited for the stay here tonight I say thank you God for giving me the opportunity for stay here in the meeting and what is my experience because you know I have it a lot of experience here loan years because I have a sick children because the three is all in the three is younger my middle daughter middle Laura is having now. all their boy is 11 years old and my baby at 6 years old my daughter and now is in the 7th grade in my son is in the 6th grade write a now is in the older was cool and keep a key purpose and I'm so happy and I'm so excited it in for a meeting start and the first and then in the back I am so happy for that is cool why because my my kids my children in the keeper post is the gray is Connor why is the greatest color because they was stay here starting kindergarten in 4th grade and now my daughter is in the first grade is in this school keep purple they have kindergarten also keep and why is it on my Dora is Wayne f is say now in the keep for me animal is more easy day my three kids stay together and they keep why because for me Roseville community that is so cool is excellent right in my boat son and my daughter and my son I took it about together and say what's going on when Evelyn Evelyn going to keep or Evelyn going to Roseville and my son and my daughter I say no no no everything needed to stay in Rosemead and now my daughter is here is in the first grade also my daughter is excellent and very excellent scholar why is excellent because they have excellent teacher excellent principal xln director you know for me excellent stuff and I say thank you thank you so much for us for the God for giving that opportunity the community they have excellent school that is it that is the we are they worried the really worried 4 x 10 to the 5 great because the community they need that school they at Annabelle Wendy a lot of parents outside my friends and they was when they studying the new year for the school what's going on when the child as they haven't a Ford Vicky no I go in today order school because my old son or my old Dora is in the different it's cool for me is a little hard saved okay also for me because for me the really they need honesty right that is cool is meggison it's not messing only for this color is Manson for the parents Mia theme for the community right because fill in the in their neighborhood they have excellent School they have excellent neighborhoods right this is the what is the importance of extended by grey and maybe why not they may be in next year going to 12 grey also right because they needed they look in the app they look in the app 5678 I need they need all the neighbor me maybe they don't worry because they open or not open I don't care because they have others going no it's better working together everybody together together working when they stop together working when the teacher in together when the Skyler's okay and what am I say thank you so much also the parents were still here thank you for your time for ticket I'm because I know everybody is so busy and say thank you so much and thank you for the thank you mister Matthew for stay in giving me the opportunity I talking about when you thank you thank you so much and have a nice good night if someone do my messages all right and then we have someone all we have to do parents want to speak I have two more statements need I not mention I don't have any problem with I don't have any problems with bullying that's number one for me as well as for my child and children the kids under and core values of this school and they are respectful thank you very much for that that is all from Miss Nelson who are already spoke but you wanted to add that thank you and hi my name is Hilda Pasquale oh I know mistress while my daughter is at Roseville since kindergarten she's now in third grade she loves the school and her teachers now my granddaughter started and I'm so thankful for the status cool it would be amazing if they're able to expand thank you very much for that very nice is Rayna what is Uranus known if you can unmute yourself there you go hello good evening like me or say my name is Rayna Cruz and Malia Dela Cruz mother Department of emerging concern is safety I feel when I drop my daughter off at school and she's safe can you have stuff to do and you don't have to be thinking like in other stuff because you know you can stay for me that number one second that Mission Bay High Performance standards that the teachers are great I have six nieces in Roseville as well and I would love to spend a fifth grade I would have loved to because like that we don't have to look for another school all my nieces and my Bora go to school day together and we know that they stay and that they care about each kid education and for me that's my number 10 that what they need in that so for me that would be great and thank you so much Abby's light very nice thank you and yes Aliyah is a cheerleaders you can safety patrol so she is definitely helping to keep the school safe and we have another parent I'm not sure of the name is George Soros Oasis mr. Borrego maybe Miss Cabaret you there yeah I don't think okay all right so we we we circled back to miss caborey but I'm not sure she's able to see you. he may be still at work so I have a couple things I wanted to share if this is a good time to do that we have one more parent I want to say one more thing right sorry Matthew this is so great I'm so sorry I forgot to say what also say thank you thank you so much Community Charter School because in this community they have a lot of parents Hispanic right a lot of parents took him only spoke to Spanish in there Community they don't have problem feel the purest don't talk English in y or Atlanta. Is this support you I am I English know what is so wrong because never door is closed for me and also never is closed the door for the parents you know on this Earth English because that is the point very very important because why because their parents they don't show if you don't talk English I left him for a lot of teacher and also for Doctor lever they worry for a few no understand English the looking Somebody explain what's going on that is all the poem very very important for that school because they order is cool I don't know because the other is called appearance they don't feel any better in the school because maybe sometime they don't like them because the parents only talk in Spanish that is a older boring very very important thank you so much for the thank you for saying that so what I would like to to do at this time is turn it back over to you Matthew and maybe you can offer some words after having her. are there any other parents who want to come up and speak we have we have sure we have a scholar would you want to speech come on up what do you want to say I just went to I forgot to talk about my son is starting here he came for the public school and I have the choice to go with him public school hope for him in Roseville so I was very nervous cuz I didn't know if he was he has an IEP so wasn't sure if they were going to be able to help him all the way but Roseville make sure that my son have all the help that he needs and I'm so happy because from the all the first day until now he has grown so much and he loves it here he gets all the help he needs with speech a compassionate sarapin everything and and I just feel relieved because that was I was so afraid that he wasn't going to get all the help that you need it but I'm so happy that he's needed it he he's getting everything he needs in and he is progressing so much and I am I was I want to stay here because it's going to be hard for him to go to another school and you know get to know new people tell them about his needs and now Roseville knows all the teacher knows him and know how to help him so it's very hard to start all over again and I just want the kids to stay here thank you he has been a fabulous but that's always because of the connection with the parent in the school so we can't do it alone right yes Hazel you would like to say something to it would you like to say you want to say something about our school it's something good what do you want appreciate that Hazel so you need to get this juice yourself a good evening a good evening evening my name is Isabel and I want to say thank you for the delivery because you met all the kids grade smarter and that's why everybody loves about the leftover thank you Hazel alright Seattle you have the best the best Scholars well do you want me to to jump in or would we have more more speakers so yeah Jump On In Matthew thank you first of all I just need to add on a personal level how truly rewarding it is to hear these success stories and how listening really this is the kind of stuff that makes Not only my day but my week and perhaps even my whole I am so moved by the stories I'm so moved by these testimonials and I I really am grateful to be part of this team and be in a position where I can I hear you and I want to thank you all for for sharing as much as you have I think they're a couple of individuals takeaways and in a couple of broad takeaways I'd like to share so on an individual level would aside from the actual stories that people chose to communicate what I'm what I also wanted just recognized to the whole team here is all of these stories are different they're not there there's a constant theme there's a Common Thread but if you you know whether it be the program's key kids together the school's ability to deal with trauma or a project loss you know programs for special needs listening to parents child development showcasing the Hispanic voice and showing respect to that the scary proposition of having to change schools safety these are all different value points and it's remarkable to me that as we sat and listened to each other that we weren't all necessarily saying the same thing we are all instead sharing our own personal stories and that really struck me and it also shows the broad value proposition that Roseville provides Rochester Community but also specifically the vision and Direction the doctor Ledford has brought the community it's all there's a reason why we call this testimony right because at the end of the day we're testifying work biting our point of view and and I was struck by that on a personal level in the end Franklin before I go to bed tonight I'll be certainly reflecting on these really amazed stories in in value that that you all have shared with me so I really wanted to just thank you all for letting me in on a broader Spectrum I wanted to provide a couple of takeaways as well I've been doing this I would say for about 10 years maybe a little more in and one of the things that's always telling is when something when a school leader says okay let's let's have a meeting and talk about it and I'll bring some parents and every most cases when a charter school does that I'll be lucky to get 45 parents by my count this is more of an estimate in the SATs at 15 of you showed up on a Tuesday afternoon to talk to some guy who you don't even know that just shows me how much you love this school and how much important it is we ensure that your voice is strengthened through this process so clearly clearly there is a motivation and a passion here that I'm very proud to be a part of secondly as I mentioned before I want to thank you as well not just for sharing your stories and having me be in a position to listen to them but truly educating me on the value proposition because in mine find what makes public charter school so valuable is when they reflect the communities that they serve and clearly based on these diverse experiences these diverse values that your that to me says everything so I want to thank you for sharing it with me but I also want to point out you know in my mind that the most important thing that I can do in the position that I'm in to try to find ways to help is is to really ensure that your authentic voice is heard there are people in this world that do what I do I do it a little differently I am not the kind of guy that basically writes a press release or not bad or tapes a video segment and then scripts the parents that I work for or I I don't have any interest in scripting you I have an interest in promoting how you feel inside and clearly by sharing those voices with me not only has an educated me but it clearly shows me that there's no one in this meeting that needs to be scripted you have an authentic voice each of you and it's my job to help showcase. Santa Claus voice in terms of next steps that's you know is I was talking about that today you do for me there is a variety of ways in which your voice can be proactively shared and for me in addition for me what is important is finding the right platform the right way in which year boys can be shared and putting you each of you in a position where you're where you're comfortable in sharing your voice I have no interest in telling you what to say and I have no interest in telling you where to say it but I do have interest in is adapting to where you want to go so I think and Doctor Ledford I would love your thought partnership here but after hearing these impressive boy I know we're almost at I'm here but what I would what I'd like to suggest is for me if it works for you Doctor Ledford putting together for you a variety of options that parents could choose from and obviously I'm not going to just kind of options what I'll do is I'll put the options and kind of describe what each of those options are and then either in another meeting with all of us or maybe dr. Ledford you know whatever you want to do what I can do is kind of map out those options and then maybe for those who are in attendance. To life or you could ask them all of these options you know what's more preferable and then I can I work together individually with each of the parents to kind of do all those things but I can dig and Zach however you want again I know that I'm I know that we're at time and I don't want to take up too much of everyone's time but I think the key here today as I told mr. Ledford is number one I'd like to be in a position where we can build trust and I hope we've started that process and number two I wanted to be educated everyone in this group today certainly has educated me and I'm grateful for it and it's going to allow me to search you guys better so. Your life heard I don't know what you think about that idea in terms of next steps again I'm happy to Zig and zag however you but that's my reaction for what is fine I think for the parents who are here I guess you know a raise of hands of any of you who feel comfortable if we were to ask you to speak about your experiences here may be right about your experiences here or maybe you know just whatever modality that Matthew comes up with as a way for him work with us to get our voices heard in Trenton are you comfortable with that because what I'll do is give a menu of choices and then you can decide what you're most comfortable with and how about virtually do we have virtual and or can you come off camera or just give a yay or nay if you're not okay okay I see thumbs up yeah but seems like the majority I see virtual hands do for you parents with your will hand you know what to do with Zoo all right so I see I think five or two hands I seen three thumbs up and so I'm going to stay for the majority of us we are comfortable Matthew with looking at what menu of choices you have and we'll make it happen the next time that we're meeting have parent University which is on November remember another make funny nose the week we come back from Thanksgiving like the 28th or 28th and 29th to Lyford is that like this where some the majority are online and then summarize or does everyone just come to that one University we may all be online but that would you want if you wanted to be in person we could do that too I would love to do that why don't we talk offline I don't want to create any burdens on anyone and and I think yeah why don't we talk about that offline I'd love to come whatever 20% so would you be okay if it ended up being a in-person meeting cuz I think that way if he's going to record and things like that it would be better if it's in person right all right that's right they said come on Matthew come on tomorrow school got a lot of people online that was the reason why I I was online today is that okay with all the what you know what we can worry about it later I mean I think the key here if they have enough time to know about it I think they will be more than happy to come okay deadline for submitting our application is December 1st so time is of the essence that's why we would have to have another meeting before December 1st. go ahead Matthew I'm sorry so I'm sorry what day to get very noisy because we're going to do dismissal for after school so I go ahead and you know what I'll follow up with you later tomorrow that's fine I get it alright no worries thank you very very much for your help Matthew we so appreciate you that you're going to help us make our application for robust B B I think amplifying voice and that's I think what we were missing the last time that we applied our voices were not Amplified you're more than welcome but let me just say number one organization that really is here for you in any capacity is the New Jersey Children's Foundation they're the ones who connected us they are you know so focused on supporting find such as yourselves and have done it now for a number of years and I'm proud to be associated with that and today and I must have just so proud to have been allowed to come in and listen to each of you and I I'm so inspired by these stories and I I I look forward to rolling up my sleeves in and getting some results for y'all I hear you all right thank you have a good night and thank you again have a good night. Thank you for being you thank you parents for being here online thank you so much for being best errands ever very much

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Parent Advocacy Meeting (November 14th, 2023)

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