'Fireside Chats with Dr. V'

ALBANY, N.Y. (Oct. 19, 2012) – City School District of Albany Superintendent Marguerite Vanden Wyngaard, Ph.D., wants to come over for a chat.

The new superintendent is reaching out to all families and community members who would like her to come to their home to talk about the city’s public schools and how to make them better. “Fireside Chats with Dr. V” will be a key part of the new superintendent’s community engagement plan. The meetings will be informal and should be focused on identifying challenges and working together toward solutions.

There are just a few ground rules:

• Meetings should involve at least 10 guests.

• Meetings should be in the evenings or on weekends, and about an hour in length.

• Guests should participate in the spirit of collaboration.

• Meetings must fit in with Dr. Vanden Wyngaard’s s own schedule as a working mom.

Fireside Chats with Dr. V are intended to be comfortable, free-flowing conversations that will give the superintendent background on the areas that parents and community members believe are most pressing for the school district in its efforts to raise achievement for all students.

“Collaboration, cooperation and powerful partnerships with all community members are the only ways we will be able to achieve the shared goals we have for our children,” Dr. Vanden Wyngaard said. “As a district we can no longer be perceived as an isolated organization. We are a viable and vital part of the fabric of Albany, and we need to reach out to our families to help them feel more engaged both in our process and in their children’s education.”

Fireside Chats with Dr. V will be part of the new superintendent’s broader community engagement efforts. Dr. Vanden Wyngaard also plans larger community meetings to allow for public input, and will empanel both an advisory council of community leaders that will meet periodically, and school and community ambassadors.

The feedback from all of these conversations will inform the district’s work on an updated strategic plan.

If you have questions or would like to schedule a Fireside Chat with Dr. V, contact Director of Communications Ron Lesko at 475-6065 or rlesko@albany.k12.ny.us, or Mary Bryan in the Superintendent’s Office at 475-6010.  

The mission of the City School District of Albany is to educate and nurture all students to be responsible citizens, critical thinkers and lifelong learners to successfully compete in the global community by providing an academically rigorous and safe environment in partnership with parents, students and the community. The district serves about 8,600 students in 15 elementary, middle and high schools. In addition to neighborhood schools, the district includes several magnet schools and programs, as well as other innovative academic opportunities for students, including four themed academies at Albany High School.