Get Educated on the School Bond

As the parent of a current preschooler (as well as elementary school students in the Rye City School District), I want to encourage the parents of other preschoolers in Rye to take the time to learn more about the capital bond proposal and vote taking place on March 12. The changes to the buildings in the school district proposed by the bond will impact and benefit our children the most. With construction slated to begin in 2020 and finish in 2023, children who are currently in the 2’s programs at the nursery schools will be the first ones to enjoy the benefits of the renovations, all the way from elementary through high school.

Notably, when I was on the Excellence Committee at Midland (2014-2016), we focused some of our efforts on considering how physical aspects of the school environment, and particularly air quality and temperature impact student outcomes. This topic is of considerable interest to me not only because of my children but also because of my professional background as a licensed psychologist and educational psychologist.

There are two public events scheduled where parents can learn more. Young children are welcome at both:

• Saturday, March 2, 12-2 p.m. — a Community Café and School Tours. Meet in the Rye Middle School Multipurpose Room

Thursday, March 7, 7-8:30 p.m. — an informal conversation and Q&A with Superintendent of Schools Dr. Eric Byrne in the Rye Free Reading Room Meeting Room.

Our children will be in those big school buildings before we know it. Come take a tour of the schools, check out the architect’s concepts for what the spaces could be, and play a part in your children’s future education.

• Sasha Blackwell