Please read the candidate statements below for PS 321’s School Leadership Team, 2022-24. And please join the PTA Meeting on May 25th at 5pm to vote on our election slate – all PS 321 families are eligible to vote, but you must be present on Zoom during the voting period. Thanks to all of our SLT candidates for volunteering!
Melissa Dimas
My name is Melissa Dimas, and I am a parent of a 4th grader and a 1st grader. It is my sincere hope that you cast your vote for me to join the School Leadership Team for P.S. 321.
Here’s why I’d like to be a part of SLT.
Our family has been a part of the 321 community since long before the pandemic, and I always knew our teachers and administration were special. But, these last two years gave new meaning to the word dedication, and now, I’d like to have the opportunity to support the 321 administration and teachers, after all they have done to support our kids and the entire 321 community.
SLT affords the 321-parent community with the opportunity to participate in the decision-making process to shape the educational priorities for our kids. I’d love the opportunity to be a part of that process and believe my work experience will bring a unique set of skills.
Through my work experience as a Peace Corps Volunteer and at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), I know the importance of community participation and I want to dedicate my time. When I am not “momming,” my job at the EPA is to work with governments in countries around the world to help encourage citizen participation in the decision-making process because we know when the community is involved there are better outcomes for everyone.
I am mom to both a general education student and a student with an Individualized Education Program, so I understand that all kids learn differently. I’d like to bring my experience advocating for my own child with an IEP and use that experience to advocate for all types of learners at 321, not just those with IEP’s.
I am also mom to two children of color and know the importance of continuing the conversation and work the school has done on race, diversity, equity, and inclusion. I want to be a part of that work.
Over the years that my kids have been students at 321, I have been involved in the 321 community in a wider variety of ways, including classroom liaison, PTA nominating committee, and volunteering to support the gala, school store, spring carnival and field trips. All of those experiences have helped me better understand the mission and goals of our school, and made it clear how the teachers, administration and families that make up our community are truly special.
I hope to be able to represent the parents of PS 321 on the SLT. Thank you for your consideration in voting for me.
Jennifer Stringer
Hello! My name is Jennifer Stringer and I am the mother of a first grader at PS321. As a former educator myself, I understand the incredible impact an engaged, collaborative community can have on the lives of our educators, families, and students. During the pandemic, supporting and building that community became a challenge unlike anything we’ve ever faced before. Perhaps like your family, our first 2 years at PS 321 weren’t exactly what we had expected. Even so, we’ve made an effort to stay engaged and help build and support our community. I’ve volunteered at the Used Book Fair, the Spirit Shop, the PS 321 Holiday Shop, and co-organized the 1st grade Parents Night Out. While I love being involved in these school wide efforts, some of the best moments have been joining my daughter for field trips out in our very own neighborhood. As an SLT member, I’ll help to shape policy that is informed by my experiences in education while being mindful of our community at large, and the individual lives of each of our students.
We’re at a crucial point in education where we have an opportunity to look forward to what could be instead of looking back at what was pre-pandemic. Our students have the opportunity to better practice empathy, understand and manage their emotions, and develop their own sense of self alongside math and reading. As a member of the SLT team, I’ll represent our students and families with an eye for how the decisions made today will help them build the skills they need for an ever-changing future.
Sarah Sampson
My name is Sarah Sampson. I am mom to a 2nd grader at PS 321 and a 7th grader, who graduated PS 321 and is currently at MS 839. I would be honored to participate in the School Leadership Team for PS 321 and I hope you cast your vote for me.
When my oldest was a kindergartener at PS 321 I became involved first by taking on various volunteer roles like editing Pandamonium and selling carnival tickets. As his time continued at the school, I took on several PTA officer roles seeking to support not only the fundraising function, but also the school’s community building efforts. I served as co-treasurer for two years, co-VP of fundraising for a year, and as co-PTA president during the 2019/2020 school year. In addition, I’ve helped at many events including the auction, movie nights, potlucks, the holiday shop. I’ve also volunteered for field trips, as a learning friend, to read No Place for Hate Book Club books, and at many other family engagement events.
My involvement is rooted in supporting not only the teachers and staff who are so devoted to educating our children, but also in the high esteem I have for this community’s culture. I am grateful for all those who have worked to create an equitable and inclusive educational environment that extends to every student, including those beyond the walls of this school. I think I can contribute as an SLT parent member by continuing to ensure that culture.
As I look forward to my next three years as a parent at this school, I want to devote my energy to engaging in the necessary conversations to continue PS 321’s truly remarkable dedication to this community culture. I welcome the opportunity to represent parental interests and help envision what our children’s education will look like as we continue to think about the roles of testing, homework, social and emotional learning, and the pandemic. I’m committed to remaining an active and engaged member of our community.
Letitia Hazell
My name is Letitia Hazell, and I am the mother of a kindergartner (and one kid to enter in the 23/24 school year). It is my sincere hope that you will cast your vote for me to join the School Leadership Team for P.S. 321. Here is why I will be a great fit for this position and hope to earn your vote.
The School Leadership Committee is designed to foster parent community within 321. As a parent of two and a HigherEd Educator, I understand the importance of participation in collaborative decision-making in school-level and district-level policy. As an educator myself, I have made the pledge to be as involved as possible in the school’s community and to help the school community. My experience as a mom and an Academic Librarian will aid in the process of developing 321’s Comprehensive Educational Plan (CEP).
321 deserves a parent community that understands the importance of service within the school community. Since becoming a member of the 321 community, I have become a Co-Class Parent, Co-Chair for the Picture Day committee, a Pinch Hitter, a member of the Equity and Inclusion Committee, and assisted with Tech Day. By volunteering my time and effort, I am ensuring that 321 continues its commitment to the community by serving on the School Leadership Team.
Advocacy for the children has always been dear to my heart. Advocating for those who cannot advocate for themselves, and assisting parents who are not aware of how to advocate for their children in the ways they need is important to me and is the key to success for all children. My experience with advocating for my children and the skills I have gained as an educator combined will allow me to be a voice to advocate and shape decisions for all the unique body of students.
I hope to be able to advocate and represent the parent community and their needs for educational policies that will be inclusive, as an elected parent for the School Leadership Team. Thank you for your consideration.
Sarah Janowsky
Hello! My name is Sarah Janowsky. My oldest son is finishing 1st grade and was fully remote for his Kindergarten year. I also have two younger children who are excited to enroll at 321 in the near future. Like many other parents, throughout the pandemic I focused my energy on my son and his classroom. For the past two years, I’ve watched in amazement as 321 continues to flourish, supporting families and students thanks to the incredible work of parents, teachers, staff and administrators. This year, I’ve been eager to find a way to actively support the entire 321 community.
So why the SLT? I work in Business Operations as the head of Financial Planning and Analysis at the nonprofit charity: water. My professional skill set translates naturally to working on 321’s budget. I also thrive in collaborative environments and am excited to work with this group of parents and staff.
I was educated at progressive institutions, and am eager to ensure 321 continues to provide accessible progressive education. Helping to continue the legacy of progressive education and ensuring inclusivity and equity will be the critical lens through which I evaluate challenges that the SLT must address.
321 is a magical school that supports a wide array of students and families, and I’m eager to help the school continue to be a beloved pillar of the community through planning and budgeting.
Wendy Luedtke
I am Wendy Luedtke, mom to a 2nd grader. Like many of you, we had no experience with 321 prior to our daughter starting K. We’ve now had 3 wonderful teachers and are so thankful for them. We’ve also been super grateful for the school leadership, staff, and the PTA volunteers who have clearly been giving their all for us. I am running for the SLT because I am committed to helping the school continue working to meet the needs of the PS321 Community.
Although it is technically outside of school, I was a vocal and persistent advocate for bringing Kids Orbit afterschool to PS321 so families have access to quality, affordable onsite care for our kids. I believe my dedication, persistence, and perspective will be valuable inside the school as an SLT member as well. I may not be able to fix whatever challenges we identify, but I can make sure voices are heard and do not give up easily.
I believe I am not alone in feeling like although we are half-way through our time at PS321, we are still getting to know the larger school community, and vice versa. Thanks to COVID, many days feel like the first day – who knew there were two picture days? I hope to bring our voice into the planning and work of the SLT and help find ways to catch us all up on building community between families and staff.
I have volunteered in a variety of areas at the school. During Kindergarten, I volunteered in the cafeteria at lunch. (I loved that gig and would love to see it return once Covid protocols allow. You get to meet all the kids!) I also participated in the Green and Healthy committee and helped with clean-up events. This year, I volunteer for Pinch Hitter needs whenever I can. Things like “help sell cupcakes for an hour” are totally doable now and then – and these no-planning-required-but desperately-needed snippets have been fun and given me a window into the school.
Basically, I am your candidate if you’re looking for a kind, persistent working parent who wants to help.
