As Charley would say ..... "Winning!"

I am very excited! This was my first run for public office and I won. My term begins in July. Thank you to everyone who supported me. I do appreciate the support. The run was not about politics...it was and is about our kids and their future.

Election day is upon us!

Tomorrow is May 3rd! Be sure to exercise your right to vote!

Remember- a vote for Angie is a vote for Mimi!

Thank you for your support!

Endorsement

I am very excited to announce I received a letter today stating I am being endorsed by the Kentwood Education Association/Political Action Committee.

Their blog:
http://kentwoodea.blogspot.com

want one? I have 'em!

Email me if you would like a sign- I deliver! A vote for Angie is a vote for Mimi!
aforton1@gmail.com

Catch the candidates on tv!

If you are interested in who is running for what on May 3rd- here are the times of recorded interviews:

WKTV Government Channel - Comcast Channel 26
and AT&T U-Verse Channel 99:

Monday April 25 6:30pm
Wednesday April 27 6:30pm
Friday April 29 6:30pm
Saturday April 30 12:30pm
Monday May 2 6:30pm

MLIVE Article

MLIVE article re:
The state Education Department is highlighting 25 West Michigan schools – including four in Grand Rapids – as among 109 saluted for “beating the odds” by demonstrating success despite “traditional barriers to academic achievement.”

Kentwood was among those honored!

http://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2011/04/four_grand_rapids_schools_on_s.html#cmpid=v2mode_be_smoref_face

Q & A time

I was asked today about the following questions. Rather than reinvent the wheel- I will just copy and paste!

1) Motivations- I have two elementary aged boys in the district- 3rd and 4th grade at Meadowlawn. My third boy is a toddler but he'll be joining his brother's soon enough. I have been very active in their education. There has been a significant change to our special education program this year in our district. This really peaked my interest in becoming more involved. Both older boys have varying special needs so not only am I concerned for the general education population being successful and independent but the special education population as well. Not only is this a challenge for our educators but a culture change for everyone involved. It is also a great opportunity to build better relationships, create tolerance/understand and produce more inclusive and mindful students.

2) Board's role/responsibilities- I feel my role, should I be elected, is liaison. I feel there can and should be more parent involvement in what goes on with our district. I feel the board members should be very much in touch with what the educators are struggling with (tools for teaching, social obstacles, budget effects etc) and what the parents view as needed and necessary. I have spent my entire career in Human Resources. I worked at Steelcase for 13 years. I understand the need for common goals, trust, and communication. Without these three, it doesn't matter what our budget is. Our growth and success is stunted if we don't work together to ensure our children have meaningful, independent, and successful adult lives.

3) Tenure and terminations: Having been in HR for several years, I firmly believe in the teachable moment. When a member of the group is not performing to ability and standard, I believe it is vital to the success of the whole team to bring the issues to light and engage in conversation. Goals should be set and agreed upon.

4) Endorsements: no political parties have endorsed me and I have not asked any groups to support me. 3 members of the current school board said I have their support.

5) my goals if elected:

work closely with parents, educators, administration and community to discover cost cutting measures that do not adversely impact our children's education

continue to support the integration of special education with general education- supporting both the culture and ensuring educators and parents have what they need to be successful

work on committees to engage parent and educator communication - increasing participation in our PTC's

fully support common core - ensuring the educators have the understanding and tools they need and ensure parents are fully informed about the how's and why's of the program

Who is Angie Forton? Part 1

Part 1

I thought I would type some of my thoughts and the positive effect I could have as a Kentwood School Board member.

Budget

Hard to think about education without thinking about budgets- especially in the past few years. This state has endured many hardships. My family has struggled with the same unemployment issues faced by many other families in my neighborhood and community. Worrying about finances makes it hard to focus on other important issues.

My point : Our district, like most other districts in the state, are going to face budget cuts. It is just a matter of how much. We need to stand together as involved parents and community members and start meaningful conversations about ways to do more with less. I feel the parents, administration, and educators need to draw on the experiences and knowledge we have to be successful. We need to understand and trust that the education, testing, and results are taking us in the right direction. If there are doubts, then those need to be voiced.

The Kentwood district had an increase in enrollment this current school year. This means houses in the neighborhood are starting to move, new families are starting to come into the district, and there will be fresh ideas to share. Kentwood is home to a population that represents over 60 countries and languages. This is a fantastic opportunity to draw on that wealth of knowledge and culture. No doubt that is also challenges. When we look at the budget -we cannot discount the needs of each child. For example: we need to ensure the arts programs have an equal seat at the budget table.

Together - the parents, educators, and administers need to work together, trust each other, and approve a sound budget that does not stunt the growth of our children's education and competitiveness. We have to prepare our kids for professions and fields that haven't even been invented yet.

Part II coming soon!

Pre Election Events

It is time to get the ball rolling! A couple upcoming events for you to get involved in the Kentwood Public School Board Election Election day is May 3rd. The public forum will be held at the Kentwood Public Administration building on Eastern on Thursday April 14th at 7pm. This is a chance for the public to get to know the candidates. A series of questions, important to parents and community members, will be asked of each candidate. WKTV filmed each candidate answering questions. The final cut should be available on the Chamber of Commerce website on or after April 4th. WKTV will also air the final video a couple times in April. Those dates haven't been confirmed yet. Visit this blog often for more events and details. Want to support my election campaign? Tell your family, friends, and Kentwood neighbors to come visit my blog. I would like to count on your support. Let me know and I will get you involved. I am printing yard signs soon so there will be plenty to do!

Another new picture- I couldn't create this hair if I tried!

2 boys and a green iguana! Thank you Rainforest!

Since it has been about a year since I have blogged- here is a couple new pictures of the brood!

Running for Kentwood School Board!

I am very excited to announce I am running for Kentwood School Board.

Election date is May 3, 2011.

I debated with myself about creating a new Blog for this adventure. I elected to stay with this blog because it is who I am- a mother of three boys- two currently in the Kentwood Public School system. I have a vested interest in the quality of their education, an obligation to participate in neighborhood events, and support my community. So far, I have received overwhelming support from parents, the school's my children have attended, and school administration. This adventure has only just begun so keep checking back for updates!

back...now 2010

Wow...been more than a year. Where has the time gone? I cannot even imagine how many parents have said that since the dawn of time. It still is as true....

We just celebrated William's 10th birthday. TEN! double digits! His birthday marks the end of summer and the start of school. William is going into 4th grade. Another marvel of life...advancement in school. I look back at his previous school pictures. Amazing. His favorite pasttime (minus of course video games) is drawing and creating comic books.

Zach is 8. He will be nine after the new year. He is blazing a trail to 3rd grade. We just met everyone's teacher last week. He is our dancer. Everything has to do with music.

He and his big brother spent a lot of time in the water this summer- at grandmas, in the backyard in the pool, sprinklers. And what a hot summer. Perfect weather for water!

Isaac, Mayor McCheese, is our dyamo. He will miss his entertainment when they go back to school. He is all toddler and all 2....mood swings, attitude and all kisses when he wants. He has such a winning smile, it is hard to stay mad after the peas & macNcheese flies through the air.

I'll back again sooner, I promise! :-)

mac and cheese heaven

don't get between this man and his mac!

watch the last three seconds close

i about fell out of my chair when I caught a glimps of the future...

next it will be "just drop me off here, I don't want anyone to see the car or YOU!"

:-)

steps

Just an afternoon growing up a little at a time. I cannot help but feel very blessed every day- for everything I have.

GG part II

So the snow looks like it is trying to make way for spring. Then the 20 day sneaks back up on me and out we haul boots and gloves again. And just like the weather, there are times I think of her often and other times, she is just comfortably in the background. But I am certain she will never leave. I happen to believe that folks that aren't alive are still with us. And I can tell you there have been a few times that while playing with Isaac in the afternoon, driving to or from work or doing mundane activities, I will suddenly think of her. Again, just my belief, but I think at that time she is thinking of me, hanging out or something is connecting. Or maybe it is wishful thinking. Whatever it is...doesn't matter really. I just know the memories come back and I relive them and it is good. I mention her to the kids once in a while- the foods she liked, didn't like, things she liked to do etc.. I think it is a good idea because as they grow up, I don't know about you, it is nice to have interests or tastes related to others sometimes. Kids can appreciate the fact that there is someone else out there that likes/dislikes the same stuff they do. Especially when it is someone that loves them and they love back. and it ISN'T mom and dad!

So here is to GG...

GG part 1

Hmmm, well the picture is a bit smaller than I thought it would be...but you get the idea!  It is a picture of GG and William from the 2007 calendar.  It is kind of an interesting feel because you know the shot on the blog is not the direct picture...which would be timely for this blog and it's purpose.

We got the call about a year ago that she had passed.  Not a surprise as her health had been steadily failing since October -nonetheless sad.  Then ensued the mad dash to pack, arrange, and get to Mt. P for the wake and funeral.  And we were lucky enough to be in the same state!  Thou shall not complain too much!

So a year later, there is plenty to reflect upon.  I now have three sons.  Isaac is 10 months old now.  Blonder than blonde, full of life and personality.  He is starting to scoot around and cruise the couch.  Now if only I could get him to sleep through the night.  One thing I do wish was that GG could have held him. I have a feeling she is around and has seen him but to really hold him, that would have been great.

Now, what better way to celebrate a person's life is to remember the fun and good times? What did GG like!?  Chicken wings, bacon, microwave fries, "little porkies", okee dokee popcorn and a cup of soda during evening programs, being teased about the Green Spot, Golden Coral (oh, no one said your taste was ALWAYS good- no one is perfect) everyone to take their shoes off at the door (lest we be able to OPEN and SHUT the door with all those shoes there), for us to come and stay a while (or longer if possible), loved to tell us what was in the fridge and for us to eat at least one of each thing in the fridge, babies..she loved babies, Could not understand when they got to be about one year old why they just won't stay on her lap quietly, and family.  She really loved getting everyone together at the holidayz. I remember when I was really young, we used to have 4th of July at her house.  That was back when everyone would put a beer or two away- even her.

So, how has she influenced my life!?  Well, now, like her, I have three children.  And JUST LIKE HER, I have already started calling everyone by someone else's name.  I did not think that was going to happen for a while.  But when you think about it Zach and Isaac have similar sounds. You know it is bad when you call kids by their brother's nicknames.  Then you know it is downhill from here.  I make coffee and then cannot figure out where i put it.  Hmmm, that might be GG or my mom - most likely both!  I really feel blessed I got to live with her during college.  Now, had you asked me my opinion at the time, it might have been a bit different.  But now as I reflect- i got to know her much more than I would have otherwise.  What is that phrase, something about hind sight!? 

Part 2 will following this entry soon!

ice, anyone!?

Here is my little ice skater.  He had never gone before.  GR has a ice rink so we thought we would give it a go.  My size 9's were horribly uncomfortable so we made it around the rink about 4 times and were ready for hot coco (he calls it warm coco because hot means it burns- smart boy!).  We never fell once- pretty darn impressive.  And sunny, today was very sunny. 

my goonies

Goonies...all three of my boyz are watching the great 80's film Goonies.  Isaac did not watch long because the Cherrios ran out all too soon!  But Will and Z watched the whole thing and really enjoyed it.  It was fun to watch again after so many years.  The things we forget.  Also, recently I was cleaning up the baby and he being sick, his was rather 'snotty' so I started singing "I gotta boogie"  "I can't shake it off, oh no...I can't flick it off, oh no...I sure ain't gunna lick it off.... OH NO!"