Bridget Ray-Canada, incumbent Ward 1 School Committee member, announced today that she will not be running again for a third term in November’s School Committee election.  Here’s the email announcement that she sent out today to her mailing list.

Thank you for being a part of my journey. I have met so many people during my time on the School Committee as I listened and learned about your concerns and hopes for our schools and children. I have made a difficult decision to not seek a third term as Newton School Committee Member, Ward 1, as I shift my focus to my family and other aspirations.

It has been an honor to serve on the School Committee and provide, a calm and consist voice throughout the many challenges faced by Newton during my 2 terms including what feels like the “twilight zone,” COVID19 starting in Spring 2020.  I committed to work hard every day to ensure Newton remains a top school district as I supported full-day kindergarten, pushed to address Horace Mann missteps, thoughtfully negotiated contracts, and supported a reopening plan to provide in-person learning options and safe facilities for our students and teachers to return to school.

Given the diversity in our schools, I had hoped there would be more progress towards inclusion during my term, but the district still has some work to do. It is important that NPS takes a bold stride to become a district who maintains an equity lens for learning plans, placement of students, SPED, sports, and all aspects of teaching and learning. I believe having a new Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Director to support the district’s work will bring about meaningful change.

I have had the privilege to work with awesome, smart, and caring colleagues on the School Committee, NPS Leadership and City Council. I love our schools and the city of Newton. I have been blessed to live here and consider Newton one of my favorite communities that I have lived in.  I am proud of my efforts to maintain an open dialogue and safe space for FORJ, students, educators, administrators, parents, PTOs, City Councils and the community to share their experiences.  I hope I have made an impact. I have certainly tried to bring others along and lay the foundation for substantive change and understanding of our obligations for greater inclusion and equity.  

Historian Edward Hale said it well. “I am only one… but still I am one. I cannot do everything, but still I can do something; and because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do the something I can do”
 
I am blessed and humbled by the people who supported me over the years and the rich conversations with the many people I have met along the way. These encounters gave me a window into your lives to understand that we all have a shared value, we all want our children and our schools to thrive and become even better.

Thank you again for your support and sharing your hearts.   

Sincerely,

Bridget