Letters to the Editor Supporting Martha Simon for School Committee
Liz and Dan DiTucci Jr.
April 1, 2024
This year, we have chosen to support Martha Simon for School Committee. We are both products of Burlington Public Schools and chose to raise our children here. Our daughters are currently students at Fox Hill Elementary School and Marshall Simonds Middle School. We have read more
Dear Fellow Residents,
This year, we have chosen to support Martha Simon for School Committee. We are both products of Burlington Public Schools and chose to raise our children here. Our daughters are currently students at Fox Hill Elementary School and Marshall Simonds Middle School. We have watched and participated in countless School Committee meetings, been a member of Fox Hill and MSMS school councils and advocated for small class sizes.
What we appreciate most about Martha is her independent status. Martha is not part of any legacy Burlington political alliance, which is clear as you drive around town and see candidates’ lawn signs. We’ve seen firsthand that Martha genuinely cares. She listens to parents, asks the right questions, and follows up. She supports our wonderful teachers. We trust Martha to not only vote in the best interests of our own children but all children & taxpayers.
Please join us in voting for Martha Simon for School Committee. You can vote early now (at town hall during business hours though April 4th) or on election day, Saturday, April 6, 2024.
Sincerely,
Liz and Dan DiTucci Jr.
Jennifer Priest
March 28, 2024
I am writing to express my enthusiastic support for the re-election of Martha to the School Committee. Having seen her dedication firsthand, I am confident she will continue to serve our community with integrity and passion.
... read more Dear Neighbor, I am writing to express my enthusiastic support for the re-election of Martha to the School Committee. Having seen her dedication firsthand, I am confident she will continue to serve our community with integrity and passion. Her background in special education and advocacy for inclusive learning has been invaluable. Martha also champions green initiatives, fostering a sustainable and healthy environment for learning. Additionally, She has consistently demonstrated fiscal responsibility, ensuring that our educational resources are used effectively. One of Martha’s most admirable qualities is her willingness to collaborate and engage with stakeholders from all backgrounds. She values input from parents, educators, students, and community members, recognizing that effective governance requires inclusive decision-making and transparent communication. Her collaborative approach fosters a sense of unity and shared purpose, ensuring that the voices of all constituents are heard and respected. What sets Martha apart is her independent voice. She prioritizes the best interests of our students and schools above all else. I urge our community to support Martha’s re-election. Thank you for considering my endorsement. Please reach out if you need further information. Sincerely, Jennifer Priest
Melissa Massardo
March 25, 2024
I first got to know Martha well during a long carpool to Cape Cod. She and I attended the annual Massachusetts Association of School Committee (MASC) conference together. We spent two days meeting other school committee members from across the state and attending ... read more I first got to know Martha well during a long carpool to Cape Cod. She and I attended the annual Massachusetts Association of School Committee (MASC) conference together. We spent two days meeting other school committee members from across the state and attending educational presentations covering a wide variety of topics. We divided and conquered meetings ranging from how electric school bus fleets to literacy best practices to improving curriculum and more. It was a great learning experience for me in my first year on the school committee and it was obvious how invested Martha is in affecting positive change in our district. Martha is someone ready and willing to put the hours in and go the extra mile. She also took me to help her volunteer at our joint medical clinic with Woburn public schools that ensures recent student arrivals in our schools have the necessary medical examinations to start school right away. She was so welcoming to all families in the community and fiercely advocates for them within our district. Martha uses her experience to the advantage of all members of the school committee but is also in a continual state of learning. Both Jeremy Brooks and I benefited from her kind tutelage as the newest committee members. She is consistently working so hard to ensure that our district is moving forward and addressing the current needs of our students. She anticipates the coming trends and challenges in educations and is ready and willing to help the district adapt and improve. Ask her to research something and it’s as good as done. Martha is an incredibly valuable member of Burlington’s school committee and someone that I am proud to call a friend and mentor. Please join me in voting for Martha Simon for School Committee on April 6. Sincerely, Melissa Massardo Burlington Public Schools Parent Burlington School Committee Member
Chris Warren
March 25, 2024
I know from first-hand experience what a high-quality person Martha is, and her outstanding character. She is reflective and fair when making decisions, considering all points of view, and devoted to the Burlington community and to the educational success of each and every child. read more
I know from first-hand experience what a high-quality person Martha is, and her outstanding character. She is reflective and fair when making decisions, considering all points of view, and devoted to the Burlington community and to the educational success of each and every child.
Martha does not like to “toot her own horn,” so people who know her well, like me, will have to do it for her. Martha is a retired special needs educator, who has devoted her entire professional career (30+ years) to teaching in Massachusetts public school systems. She also worked part-time with students on the autism spectrum. Moreover, she volunteers at the Burlington elementary schools. She does this School Committee work because she cares, because her profession as an educator is also her vocational calling, and she believes in the value of a public school education as one of the “great equalizers” our American democracy offers.
Martha and I met in 2009, when the Friends of the Landlocked Forest was formed, for which we are still advocates of as founding members and became good friends from there over the years.
Last year, in late March 2023, an English Language Learner (ELL) educator from one of Burlington’s schools contacted the Friends of the Landlocked Forest to ask if a guided nature walk for her students could be arranged. She wanted to develop a curriculum to complement the walk, with nature vocabulary and such. I didn’t understand what she meant, but Martha did. The educator noted that it was late in the school year to make this request; Martha worked with her to develop the curriculum and Martha led the nature walk field trip in May 2023. I don’t know many people who would move heaven and earth to make this happen. Martha just believes in all Burlington students, their rich educational experience, and sense of belonging to our community.
Finally, Martha cast a courageous vote in October 2023, at the Fox Hill School Study Committee, based on her conscience and much deliberation, in favor of rebuilding both the Fox Hill and Pine Glen elementary schools on the same site. She was clear and principled in her reasoning: a new school for the most students and the least pressure on Burlington taxpayers (savings of $50 million after rebuilding of the Pine Glen School in the future). She was a minority vote. However, with her usual aplomb and professionalism, Martha accepted the majority will, and vowed to work toward accomplishing this vision of the new and smaller Fox Hill Elementary School, even though that was not her first choice. What is important to Martha is finding common ground and unity. In my book, that’s called leadership. Onward and forward!
I hope you will join me in casting a vote for the re-election of Martha Simon on April 6.
Best Regards,
Chris Warren
Ava Brehm
March 18, 2024
First and foremost, I want to express my sincere gratitude for Mrs. Martha Simon’s support and encouragement during my time in Burlington Public Schools. Her dedication to fostering student involvement and ...read more
First and foremost, I want to express my sincere gratitude for Mrs. Martha Simon’s support and encouragement during my time in Burlington Public Schools. Her dedication to fostering student involvement and her genuine interest in our perspectives have left a lasting impression on me. As a recent graduate of BHS, I am compelled to contribute to our school community in a meaningful way. Mrs. Simon’s continuous presence at various student events, including school plays and musicals, exemplifies her commitment to engaging with students beyond the confines of formal meetings.
During my time at BHS, I had the opportunity to address the School Committee on several occasions, particularly on very difficult topics such as equity. Mrs. Simon’s willingness to support student voices and her proactive efforts to incorporate our perspectives into decision-making processes have been commendable. I’m supporting Mrs. Simon for reelection to School Committee on April 6.
Sincerely,
Ava Brehm
BHS Class of 2023
Phyllis Neufeld
March 18, 2024
I am writing this endorsement for Martha Simon for Re-election to School Committee for a variety of reasons. The top one is that I know Martha is a caring, intelligent woman and a very effective School Committee member. As the past President of the Lexington Education Association, ... read more I am writing this endorsement for Martha Simon for Re-election to School Committee for a variety of reasons. The top one is that I know Martha is a caring, intelligent woman and a very effective School Committee member. As the past President of the Lexington Education Association, and one who was Martha’s President at that time, I saw first-hand how she cares for students, parents and educators. She was vigilant that the students received all that they deserved, and was always looking for new ways that would help improve their learning. Martha exhibits the same traits here in Burlington in her job as a School Committee member. She is a fair, passionate, and committed advocate for our youth. She has been responsive and open when I contact her in my role as a Town Meeting Member, and will find the answers to my questions if they are not at her fingertips. She is often at school events, is open to speaking with any who engage her with questions or comments, and when she says she will get back to you, take it as a fact. While she and I don’t always agree, I trust that whatever decision she ultimately reaches is based on thoughtful research, talking with constituents, and listening carefully. She spends many hours researching, talking to parents here in Burlington and school personnel in other districts. Burlington needs that kind of dedicated leadership. Please join me in re-electing Martha Simon to School Committee. Burlington needs her. Thank you. Respectfully,
Phyllis Neufeld, TMM Precinct 5
Ali Skelly Peters
March 11, 2024
My ties to Burlington public schools are deep: My dad, Mike Peters taught at Pine Glen for 20 years which is where my sons both went. One son is at Marshall Simonds now and one attends Shawsheen. I have taught both in the LABB program and in Burlington public schools. read more
My ties to Burlington public schools are deep: My dad, Mike Peters taught at Pine Glen for 20 years which is where my sons both went. One son is at Marshall Simonds now and one attends Shawsheen. I have taught both in the LABB program and in Burlington public schools. I coached BHS girls track for many years, and am a special education teacher with 18 years’ tenure.
Martha Simon is running for re -election to the School Committee. I cannot overstate her value to the Burlington school district. ,The breadth and depth of her knowledge from her own career in the field of education gives me confidence in our school district’s future. She understands trends in education, has a realistic understanding of what challenges are ahead, , and has the know how to meet the challenges. For example, she is the School Committee member whose leadership will prepare this district for universal pre-kindergarten which is a coming state mandate. Multiple towns have already adopted this, and she will position Burlington to absorb the financial impact and necessary space for increasing student enrollment.
Martha exerts strong positive influence on both administration and staff. It’s clear to me as a teacher why she is listened to and respected. Additionally, she is accessible full time and attends conferences, every districtwide school event, volunteers in the elementary schools including as a weekly tutor at Francis Wyman and even participates in high school Robotics. We are really lucky to have her on School Committee. Please join me in voting for her on April 6th.
-Ali Peters Skelly