To The editor:
I write to ask my fellow neighbors to join me in enthusiastically supporting Phil McQueen for re-election to the Lynnfield School Committee.
Phil has more than 22 years of unparalleled experience as both a teacher and administrator. Phil is currently the English Department head at Lynn Classical High School.
A glimpse into the classes Phil teaches and one can see his profound commitment, compassion and dedication to education. He says: “My aim for students in my classes is for them to become better communicators, and educated world citizens, who will be able to effectively, and successfully navigate the ever changing 21st century world we live in.”
Phil brings that same level of commitment and dedication to our Lynnfield public schools. As a School Committee member since 2018, Phil has proven leadership and a willingness to collaborate. Phil’s commitment to advancing equity in education and our community is visible as he was instrumental in the creation of the anti-racism statement from Lynnfield schools this last September.
Phil is an avid, compassionate listener and champion of all of our students. I believe that Lynnfield deeply respects and cares for its teachers and having a School Committee member with exceptional educational experience is a perspective that we should be thrilled to have. The School Committee’s recent appointment of Phil as the point person for the Lynnfield back-to-school plan is no greater compliment or signal of trust.
With three sons in Lynnfield public schools, Phil understands what it is like to parent in the current pandemic school year.
Phil has worked tirelessly with the entire School Committee board to ensure that our students have the best opportunity to return to school as the 19-page state guideline outlines. I found the School Committee to be empathetic and willing to conduct numerous meetings to inform parents of the school district’s plans.
Also, during the beginning of this unprecedented pandemic, Phil and the School Committee were tasked with the enormous responsibility of hiring a new superintendent. I am thrilled to have Superintendent Kristen Vogel lead our school district and I have been so impressed with the initiatives that have already been executed.
For example, as a member of the newly established Equity and Diversity Committee I can see first-hand the eagerness of our new superintendent and teachers to learn and implement equity and inclusion in our curriculum.
I believe this will have far reaching positive effects and strengthen our community as well.
I first met Phil years ago at a Destination Imagination (DI) event as we proudly cheered on our kids at a regional competition. Lynnfield has long held a strong tradition in DI excellence with many of our school-sponsored teams advancing to state and global competitions.
To be a DI parent is to know happy chaos, sacrifice of a basement, collections of all recyclables and duct tape and finally to have a joyful insight into seeing how our kids, over the course of a DI season, can brainstorm and create an entire presentation.
I believe the ability of our children to lead, design and create these DI presentations is a result of the excellent education and enrichment experiences they receive in our Lynnfield public schools. Excellence in education in our school district is achieved by an ongoing collaboration of the School Committee and our magnificent teachers.
Since 2013, I have been a parent volunteer and also a member of the Huckleberry Hill School Parent-Teacher Organization serving as both vice president and president. I understand and appreciate the importance of the School Committee meetings. The meetings are where budget decisions and curriculum policies are announced.
I highly encourage every Lynnfield resident to watch them. In my experiences I have found Phil as well as the other members of the committee consistently receptive to my numerous questions, concerns and comments.
In the end we are all neighbors, passionate supporters of our excellent schools and want our kids to have an enriching, whole person education. I believe that Phil is the choice to continue with the goals and standards set by our School Committee. Please join me in voting for Phil McQueen on April 13.
Darlene Kumar
Lynnfield
