Candidate Profile: Caroline Rosas

For Somerville Patch's 2013 election guide, we asked all candidates running for office in Somerville the same three questions, and we posted their answers without editing them. Here are the responses from Caroline Rosas:

Question: What are the two most important issues facing Somerville right now, and what would you do on the Board of Aldermen to address those issues?


I feel that the two of the most important issues facing our schools currently are reaching students on all educational levels and home to school communication.  We need to increase our resources so that teachers are not overworked but are able to teach to all levels of learning and introduce tools that our students can benefit from.  Our numbers start to decline in the middle schools and if we provide our students with resources at an earlier age then our students would be on par with other districts and schools. I will work to ensure that every school has the resources it needs for students to excel.  Our schools and our students already benefit from incredibly talented, thoughtful and committed teachers, staff and administrators.  By introducing paraprofessionals throughout elementary schools it will be an asset to not only our students but our teachers.  In addition, our students need to be exposed to technology at a younger age – students at all levels should be using computers on a daily basis.   At the Kennedy School we have an Innovation Planning Committee (and several working committees) developing our proposal to improve academic achievement, social and emotional growth.  Of particular importance to us is to recognize that our plan includes all students and all families of the Kennedy School.

Another way we can reach all students on all levels is our guidance counseling program which the current board is already working on.  We need to apply more resources to the middle schools and high school. By expanding our guidance counseling program it will help students make the right decisions and know what options are available to them.  We can start in the middle school by engaging out students and working with them on what they would like to do in high school and beyond.

Another important issue that I feel strongly about is communication.  Being on the PTA board I know firsthand the difficulties in communication and involvement but I strongly believe that if we increase communication and use tools that we currently have our family involvement and communication will grow and expand.  By working together across the district and engaging families we can only strengthen in this area.

At the high school there is the parent/guardian welcome center which I believe that if each school had something similar to that it could be used effectively in providing families the resources to know what is going on at their school, extra help for students, athletics, community events, how to be involved and so much more. 

Question: Tell us about your background.

I am a mom to two boys, Owen who is in 2nd grade at the Kennedy in Ward 5 and to Colin who is in the Smile program at the Capuano.  My husband Lee and I have lived in Somerville for the past nine years and it is where have made it our home and educate our children. We own a two family with my sister Elizabeth Shea who is a huge part of our lives as well as our boys.  I grew up in Concord, MA where I attended both public and private schools and then went onto Assumption College in Worcester, MA.   I have worked in then technology education space for the past 12 years and am currently a Director of Client Services at Blackboard, Inc. an education software company.

I have served on the board of both the Capuano PTA and the Kennedy PTA where I am currently the treasurer. For the past two years I have served as the secretary on the citywide PTA.  I am also involved with the Innovation Committee at the Kennedy School where I am on the home to school communication subcommittee. My involvement in our schools, especially at the Kennedy, has given me the opportunity to know what affects our students, teachers and families.  I am able to see firsthand and listen to people share their stories on triumphs and struggles.

Question: Why should Somerville residents vote for you?

I think that residents in Ward 5 should vote for me on September 24th and then on November 6th because I am a dedicated mom to two boys that are enrolled in our school district and I have been involved in our schools since Owen started at the Capuano.  I am committed to ensuring that our students receive the best education possible and I committed to this community in growing and becoming stronger.  I would like to strengthen educational programs and bolster parental involvement. My beliefs in our schools and our community combined with the education of my own children are some of the factors in deciding to run for school committee.  I want to continue to work to improve our schools and ensure that our children receive the best possible education, given the resources available. 

If you would like to speak with my directly or send me email please feel free to reach out to me at:

978 760 0963
carolineforschoolcommittee@gmail.com
https://www.facebook.com/CarolineSheaRosasForSchoolCommitteeWard5
http://carolineshearosas.blogspot.com/