With Sponsorship from the Assistant Superintendent of Schools, Amy Allen, I was given the privilege of presenting Value of Sport to the newly seated Board of School Committee on Monday, January 11TH.
Being a lifelong resident of Manchester, I had watched these sessions numerous times on television, but this felt very, very different. First, I had no idea how large the room was and that it even had a balcony section for overflow. It felt more like a theatre production than a committee meeting. Second, the place was packed. This was the 1st meeting of the new year and the 1st for 9 of the 14 members and after my presentation were 30+ people waiting to each speak for 3 minutes about a very heated topic: integrating 5th grade students into our Middle Schools. If you want to see some passionate parents and educators watch the replay On Demand. Ultimately, this felt different to me as I was presenting live to all of these folks on something that I was passionate about v. listening to other’s passions from my favorite comfy chair at home.
I’m always the early person to any event I attend, and this evening was no different. I was pleasantly surprised that I greeted, or was greeted by, at least a dozen friends I had known for many, many years. I immediately felt at ease. The presentation went off without a hitch. The School Board members were professional, well versed on Value of Sport (my presentation deck was sent to them 1 week prior) and their questions were spot on.
Well, I’m proud to say, I unanimously secured all 15 votes of support from the Board. I said thank you to all and went home with a big smile on my face. It was a good night for Value of Sport.
My next update will be about our website launch date and then our official school launch at McDonough Elementary, can’t wait to get going.
