All within a chaotic election period, when I was honored to receive your vote of confidence to retain my seat, we on Local School Councils were doing our best to navigate the needs of our constituents; the parents, the teachers, the staff; all for our students, with the everyday challenges that the new world of CoVid brought.

On more than one occasion our school was called into formal tracing and testing intervention mid day, as everyone tried their best to make the most of this impossible learning situation.

The teachers and staff of our school handled the challenge with Herculean strength.

And I am proud of many of our votes that have kept our school running safely during these times.

In that line, at our Thursday, July 2, meeting, I made the motion to approve the purchase of social emotional curriculum from a resource center that specializes in collaborative classroom interactions.

Especially now, this is needed.

I was grateful to Representative Cruz for the second, and am proud the motion carried.

Also on July 2, I was able to reaffirm my commitment to partnering with other CPS schools in our neighborhood.

It was an honor to make the official motion to approve our funds to support nearby Brenneman School for their amazing work for Disney students attending their Summer Bridge program. Teacher Rep. Mr. Fahrenbach made the second, and it passed with the expected enthusiasm.

Cross-neighborhood collaboration can paradigm shifting to the resources that can be provided.

Lastly, at the calling of our August 2nd meeting, I made the impassioned motion to support our Principal in opening a new, dedicated fund specifically for the celebration of the diversity of our school’s community and aim for our shared enrichment. This will be our Diversity and Inclusion Funding line item, and will allow us to transparently gauge our commitment to our values.

And that is why I will close my post with this.

It has been a very difficult 1.5 years for our school community, as with every community.

And yet, despite this all, within that same time period, a dedicated group of Disney members from across all age groups, across all aspects of implied differentness and mentalities, 1st graders, 5th graders, parents, teachers, all throughout, still came together to celebrate what matters most:

Each other.

And despite all, the bright smiles of children eager to learn shines on.

DISNEY LEARNERS

                                               Learners

                                               Equity

                                               Arts

                                               Diversity

                                               Excellence

                                               Responsibility

                                               Success

Thank you.

Until then,

Looking forward.

Daniel,

Community Representative,

Disney Magnet Elementary