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Center School Election Ballot for School Council Representatives 9/20/23

Posted on: September 20, 2023 - 5:28pm

We have six parents running for two open seats on the Center School Council for the upcoming year. Please use the link to vote for two. I have included the responses to the nomination questions for each candidate. The ballot will close at 10:00 am on Friday, September 22, 2023, and an email will be sent to families by the end of the school day on Friday, September 22, 2023, to notify you of the election results. Thank you for supporting the Center School Council by voting for parent representatives.

Mrs. DeGrenier
Principal

Each candidate was asked two questions: (1) Why would you like to serve on the Center School Council? (2) What qualifications or experiences will you bring to the Center School Council?  The responses from each candidate are included below.

Please use this link to vote for two candidates to be parent representatives on the Center School Council: https://forms.gle/8hxWGPLYLARBf6Wx9.

Erin Bertrand

  1. The most important part of a student’s education is in the connections and communications that happen between school employees and parents. As an educator myself, I know first hand how important it is to approach our children’s education with a team mentality and to work together to ensure success for everyone. As someone with three students at Center School and 15 years as an educator myself, I believe I offer a unique experience in being able to serve on this board.  
  2. As a kindergarten teacher for the past 15 years, I truly believe in my ability to think outside the box, as well as my ability to multi-task could be an asset to this council. As a mom to three boys, all who have different learning styles and educational needs, I think that my ability to connect with multiple levels of need would be an asset to this council. 

Victoria Palek

  1. As the parent of a child currently enrolled in Center school, another one joining next year (+ 3 high schoolers at home), I have a strong interest in supporting the school administration in ensuring the educational needs of the students at Center school are being met, the budget is properly allocated/tracked for the needs of the school and ensuring that there is an adequate school improvement plan.  Born and raised in Colombia, I also believe I bring a different perspective that is valuable to the school community from a diversity and inclusion standpoint.
  2. From a professional standpoint, I have almost 20 years of experience in the construction industry, particularly in construction management roles.  I am currently an Operations Leader for a global engineering consulting firm.  Budgeting, prioritizing, mentoring and leading are all critical parts of my daily job.  Through previous employment, I was a consultant at the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA)  - during the time Center School was being built! - and have a strong understanding of the processes and requirements managed by the agency and its impact in Massachusetts communities.  I have a Bachelor’s Degree in Construction Management (Florida International University) and a Master’s Degree with a concentration in Management (Harvard University).

Tihna Kouka

  1. To be a representative of diversity for the school as well as partake in the expressions of need, concerns and goals for our students/school.
  2. Being a person of color with a child of color in a district that lacks diversity, working in public schools, working with children from ages 6 mos-18 years of age in the past 20 years, training adults in a professional setting.

Jill McCrevan

  1. I would love to be a part of the School Council because I feel like I could bring some fresh ideas and opinions, and I would love to have an understanding of what goes on behind the scenes to run everything smoothly. I am very happy to help in any volunteer roles needed and will be eager to help with any needed fundraising. I will have all 3 of my children coming through Center School for the next 6 years consecutively! 
  2. I have been very involved in all things Hanover since we moved to town in 2020. My oldest daughter is a Girl Scout and I have enjoyed running her troop as the Troop Leader for the past 2 years. I am currently on the Family Social Committee in The Hanover Club, going into my 3rd year serving. We organize and run fun events for families in town who are part of this fantastic club. I have also spent a couple of years volunteering as a Parent Liaison for my youngest kids at Harmony Family Preschool. Any time I can make it to a PTA meeting at Cedar School, I am there - and I volunteered in the school as much as I was able. Before moving to Hanover I was a Board Member in the Adams Shore Association in Quincy. I love to be involved in my kid’s lives and schools and happy to help wherever is needed. 

Mary Sawler

  1. Our family is new to the Hanover and Center School community. As a parent who has been involved in the boys PTA at their previous school, I would love to find ways to contribute to our new school and community. I am committed to education as I grew up in a home where my mother was an administrator and have a strong understanding for the importance of a strong committee to support the efforts of all administrative and educational staff.
  2. We recently moved from Newton, MA where I served on our PTA committee. I helped with planning school wide events, fundraising opportunities for the school and assisted with managing events hosted by the school. I have organizational skills, team player, good listener and contributed feedback and ideas during our monthly meetings. 

Kelly McCarthy

  1. I truly enjoy working with the amazing Center School staff and volunteers of the HPTA. I would appreciate the opportunity to serve on the Center School Council to suggest any ideas for curriculum improvement or development, share my thoughts on improving the school for our students, and identify ways to wrap a budget around these items.
  2. I am the parent of twins in grade 4 and a daughter in grade 8. Being the parent of multiples and non multiples can bring a unique outlook on the educational and emotional needs of all children. As a certified preschool teacher and director for 25 years, I have realized that my training and experience has taught me almost as much as parenting has ;) Currently I am working at a preschool in the area. I have also held the prestigious title of Girl Scout Troop Leader for 4 years and running. I enjoyed the opportunity to jump in as both a HPS daily substitute teacher and a long term sub during the pandemic and beyond. And never least, I love to volunteer for the PTA taking on any role that needs to be filled. I feel that many hands make light work so volunteers are a necessity in an educational setting.