Click here to see Olivia in a 4-minute video of a segment of the Ward 6 Democratic Committee Debate from earlier this week.
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Posted by Vivienne
Vote for Math
The upcoming election will give me and other parents the opportunity to ensure that our children are able to receive a top-notch math education. The Newton Public Schools K-8 math curriculum, based on Everyday Math and Impact Math, is deeply flawed and needs to be replaced. The good news is that some candidates who are running for school committee are likely to make the changes that are needed to secure a sound math education for our children. They are Margaret Albright, Olivia Mathews, Dan Proskauer, and Steve Siegel. Although they are different candidates with different agendas, they share a common appreciation for solid math education.
In the words of psychologist and cognitive scientist Stephen Pinker, “math is ruthlessly cumulative.” Mastery of one topic is needed for advancement to the next level. Everyday Math spirals. Students receive short exposure to various topics, forcing them to move on before they are ready. The curriculum relies too much on calculators and not enough on the basics. Problems with this approach have been recognized by other school districts, by some states, and by the U.S. Department of Education’s 2008 Math Advisory Panel report. In fact, the use of Everyday Math was ruled illegal by California in 2001 (and remained so, through 2007) and by Texas in 2007. The Impact Math curriculum used in our middle schools does not provide students with a firm grasp of the early algebra skills they will need when they encounter more rigorous algebra courses in high school and college.
Parents and teachers in Newton have seen the problem for years. In a 2004 Newton Public Schools survey, 60% of elementary school parents surveyed were unable to say that they agreed (or strongly agreed) with the statement, “Overall I am satisfied with the mathematics education my child has received in the Newton Public Schools.” Our elementary school teachers echo the same displeasure. When asked to rate their satisfaction on a scale from 1 to 5, where a 1 is “Not at All” and a 5 is “To a Great Extent,” 62% of the Newton teachers surveyed gave the Everyday Math textbook a 3 or lower.
Lack of confidence in the math curriculum has caused parents to hire math tutors. After school time is precious. Math is a big reason we send our kids to school. We would rather our children play sports or learn music afterschool, than be tutored in math to make up for a deficient program. The 2004 NPS survey reports that 25.5% of elementary and middle school parents provide extra outside math support for their children. This number does not include parental tutoring. Since the survey was taken, the stampede for math tutoring has gained momentum. One prominent program, Russian Math School, has seen the enrollment of Newton students increase year after year. Students of all ability levels are getting tutoring, not just poor or exceptional performers.
The school committee, with the exception of Geoff Epstein, has been on math auto-pilot. They seem to be absorbed in the mantra “Newton schools are great,” while ignoring the voices of parents. Some baby steps have been taken to try to solve the problems. NPS has hired “Math Coaches” to help teachers learn how to teach Everyday Math and many teachers have tried to deemphasize some of the most harmful aspects of Everyday/Impact Math. Although these may efforts help, the only real fix is a new math curriculum. This will not happen without the leadership of the school committee.
The stakes are high. Parents must take charge. The school committee needs a wake-up call. Why do Margaret Albright, Olivia Mathews, Dan Proskauer, and Steve Siegel deserve your vote? Although some have campaigned more loudly than others about the current program’s problems, they all care about math. They care about the deficiencies in the current system and they want to take action. All except Steve Siegel are running against incumbents who have proven that inaction does not work. Children grow up quickly. Regardless of whether our children are well prepared, tomorrow will be here soon. We can’t wait any longer.
Jeffrey Pontiff, Professor of Finance NewtonElect an Educator: Vote Olivia Mathews for School Committee on
November 3.
Olivia Mathews’ experience as an educator and experience
skillfully managing a limited budget as a literacy program
director qualifies her to be a tremendous asset to the Newton
School Committee. The most effective School Committee will be
comprised of members with experience most relevant to the
primary responsibility of the School Committee which is
establishing and reviewing educational goals and policies.
As you may know, Olivia is extremely optimistic and maintains a
positive attitude in approaching challenging situations and
overcoming obstacles. In case there are any concerns, it is my
pleasure to report that Olivia is incredibly assertive. She does
not shy away from anything. Olivia is completely capable of
making difficult decisions and taking a “hard line”
when necessary.
I have seen Olivia in action time and time again over the past
nine years. She never ceases to amaze me. Olivia’s
leadership style is empowering and creates opportunities for
many people to part of the solution.
Now is the time for you to be part of the solution. I strongly
encourage you to learn about the candidates, get involved with
campaigning and vote on November 3.
Olivia is supremely driven to improve how the Newton schools
educate our children.
Olivia Mathews is a woman of action. We know this to be true from working with Olivia in the Kids-In-Action Club at Mason-Rice Elementary School.
Two years ago, Olivia co-founded a bi-weekly after-school club that involves children who want to make a difference in their communities. Olivia focuses on teaching the kids that they must take action to help resolve the global and local problems they care about. For example, when the kids expressed concern about endangered animals and world health problems, Olivia helped them take action by organizing a coin drive to raise money. The kids also expressed concern about local children in need, so Olivia helped them take action by traveling with them to a nearby agency to clean and sort toys and supplies. The kids expressed concern about the environment, so Olivia helped them draft a petition to send to Congress to help ensure that other kids learn about preserving the environment. She also helped the kids create art to display and sell at a citywide event to raise funds and awareness about issues they care deeply about.
Olivia’s leadership in Kids-In-Action is illustrative of what she would bring to the School Committee — a commitment and ability to take action to get things done. Her past experience as an educator and as a school administrator is also invaluable. Olivia’s ability to get things done and to inspire those around her will bring a new level of positive energy to the School Committee.
If you want action, please join us in voting for Olivia for School Committee.
Liz BlumbergI am writing this letter in full support of Olivia Mathews for School Committee this November. I am thoroughly impressed with her as a candidate because her experience is perfectly suited for this role. With several graduate degrees in education; experience as a teacher and administrator in the Cambridge school system; and a founder and board member of a thriving literacy program in the Boston area has confirmed for me that she is wholly qualified. In fact, our city is sorely in need of her hands-on experience and out-of-the-box thinking.
As a parent of three young children, I am deeply concerned with the future of our schools and the current priorities of our leadership. Since my children have entered public school, each year parents (including Olivia) hold their breath anticipating more budget cuts, larger class sizes, lack of classroom aides and overwhelmed teachers in deteriorating and inadequate buildings. We need a school committee and administration that is prepared to do more with less, make difficult decisions for the short and long term and seriously reassess our long-term goals if we are to maintain the high quality and expectations of our public schools.
As the city moves forward in choosing our next superintendent, we are at a turning point, which is why we need qualified candidates who will bring a fresh perspective and new energy with pragmatic solutions. That candidate is Olivia Mathews. Please join me in supporting and voting for her this November. I encourage you to learn more at www.oliviafornewton.org.
Nicole La CameraMathews produces results and inspires people (originally published 9/23/2009)
It is with great enthusiasm that I write in support of Olivia Mathew’s candidacy for Newton School Committee. I am the executive director of Everybody Wins! Metro Boston—a literacy and mentoring nonprofit organization founded by Olivia in 2002. I was fortunate to have the opportunity to work closely with Olivia as an intern in 2003 as she was launching the organization and again in 2006 as the organization’s program director. Daily I remain motivated by her leadership and vision and I continue to work closely with many others she inspired to support our cause during her tenure.
Olivia produces results because she is able to combine the articulation of a grand vision — in our case to provide weekly reading mentors for over one thousand children in the Metro Boston area — with the action steps it takes to reach that vision — for us, partnering with one local school and recruiting several local businesses to serve 13 children in Cambridge in the spring of 2003. Olivia embodies the adage that a long journey begins with a single step. Her leadership and experience will be invaluable to Newton as the city begins to implement a new strategic plan for its schools under the leadership of a new superintendent.
Olivia’s gift is her ability to inspire people to work together to accomplish things they never thought possible and to realize that as individuals we can make a meaningful difference in our communities. Newton now has a rare opportunity to put Olivia’s energy and her ability to drive action and produce results to work for the Newton Public Schools. I am without reservation in encouraging you to cast a vote for Olivia Mathews on Nov. 3.
Darcy Madden, Executive Director Everybody Wins! Metro Boston
I’m voting for Olivia Mathews for School Committee in Ward 6 because she has an educator’s perspective as well as a complete commitment to the future of our Newton children’s education. Olivia and I co-led a Second Grade Girls Scout Troop and she exemplified what it means to be a community role model to the girls. Her focus was always about being respectful and teaching the girl’s social responsibility. Olivia also co-leads an organization at Mason-Rice called Kids in Action where both my daughter’s participate in. The mission of Kids in Action is to get kids socially involved early on and teaching students to know they can make a difference in their community by being socially responsible. Olivia’s involvement in these organizations coupled with her experience as an educator and non-profit leader with an eye towards fiscal responsibility makes Olivia a solid candidate for School Committee. A member of Newton’s School Committee needs to make deliberate decisions that will enhance our students educational experience and provide the tools they need to be successful and socially responsible while staying fiscally responsible during these challenging economic times. I feel strongly that Olivia would fill these objectives so that’s why I’m voting for Olivia Mathews for School Committee on Nov. 3.
Barbara JosephHills and Mathews bring needed experience for path ahead (originally published 10/20/09)
The two biggest problems facing our school system are our $3.5 million annual budget gap and our aging school buildings. The future looks bleak, with expected annual cuts of 40 teachers, increasing class sizes and over-capacity elementary school buildings deteriorating each year.
The strategic plan offers no real guidance on budget gaps and the School Committee plan for fixing our elementary schools has won little community enthusiasm since its June, 2008 approval.
These factors reinforce the need for new members with professional experience and skills in collective bargaining, building planning and K-12 education.
In the collective bargaining domain, Matt Hills and Olivia Mathews bring much needed help. Matt has a profound commitment to our kids’ education, outstanding financial management skills and extensive collective bargaining experience. Olivia has experience and skill in teaching and school administration. Such combined talents would optimize our prospects for fruitful negotiations with the teachers’ union.
In the elementary schools domain, Steve Siegel combines professional structural engineering expertise with a sound grasp of our educational issues. Imagine if we add Olivia’s perspective on what makes classrooms and school buildings work? Surely they would help us arrive at educationally sound, affordable elementary school solutions.
We have a rare opportunity to elect three School Committee team members whose financial, building and educational skills and experience almost perfectly align with our pressing need to achieve sustainable class sizes, teachers protected from budget cuts and upgraded school buildings.
Steve Siegel, Matt Hills and Olivia Mathews deserve your vote on Nov. 3!
Geoff Epstein, School Committee Member, Ward 1 Arlington StreetMathews has ‘the vision to achieve results’ (originally published 10/20/09)
I met Olivia Mathews when our children attended the same preschool in Newton Centre, and I immediately noticed her dedication to education.
Olivia is an educator, and she sees the whole world from the perspective of an educator — always on the lookout for innovative ways to educate children. At our preschool, Olivia led a book group for parents to discuss parenting books. She facilitated the discussion to engage everyone, a dedication to the collaborative process that I know she will bring to the school committee.
With things like reintroducing foreign language to our elementary schools and a fluid differentiated learning program, Olivia is well-informed on the best ways to ensure that our students are prepared — not only for standardized tests — but to succeed at the highest levels in this global century.
And Olivia has the experience to help our schools achieve these goals using creative ideas. As an assistant principal in Cambridge she improved kids’ math achievement by using staff meetings to help teachers learn to use diagnostic assessment tools to target instruction to the needs of individual children. Cost: $0. That’s the kind of hands-on, out-of-the-box thinking that our school committee desperately needs.
As the parent of a kindergartener and a preschooler, I am just beginning my journey through the Newton Public Schools. I know Olivia has the vision to achieve results for our schools not just for next year, but for years to come.
Shannon Armstrong Hancock AvenueOlivia Mathews & Steve Siegel for School Committee (originally published 10/20/09)
Newton is very fortunate to have such a talented group of candidates for all offices. And I believe that we’re incredibly lucky to have Olivia Mathews and Steve Siegel running for School Committee.
It is extremely important for voters to decide whether they want educational policy decisions for the Newton Public Schools to be made by a School Committee composed entirely of people with no experience in education, or if they want someone to serve in the critical role of an educator on the School Committee. Among so many other unique talents she offers, Olivia Mathews will bring a very important perspective in negotiating the next teacher contract — that of an actual teacher. This is a rare chance to elect an educator to the School Committee, and I urge voters to take advantage of this opportunity and elect Olivia Mathews to the School Committee from Ward 6.
I also believe that Steve Siegel really understands the important issues we are facing, and he will be a strong and independent voice on the School Committee. Steve will draw on his experience as a local business owner and a structural engineer, and he will bring an objective and analytical approach to solving the problems we are now facing in our school system, including our crumbling buildings. He’ll advocate for openness and best practices in our school system. We definitely need his skills and passion, and I would urge the voters to elect Steve Siegel to the School Committee from Ward 5.
Jay Harney Ward 4 AldermanWith so many candidates, my friends have been asking me who to vote for, because they know I follow the issues pretty closely. So I figured I would make it easy for them by just sending my recommendations to the TAB.
On the School Committee, I will be voting anti-incumbent down the line, because I am still so saddened by the Newton North project and what that $200 million expense means in terms of other things our city won’t be able to afford, such as better roads, better buildings, better parks, as well as enough supports for our teachers, police and firefighters who are the heartbeat of our city — keeping us safe, and educating our children. Mayor Cohen was the protagonist in that drama, but our spineless School Committee was the Greek chorus. They could have stood up to him and they did not.
Some years we have no choice who to vote for — but luckily this year some tremendously talented new people have stepped up and so I am thrilled to be able to support Margaret Albright, Dan Proskauer, Steve Siegel, Olivia Mathews, Matt Hills, and Margie Ross Decter. (Remember all Newton voters vote in all school committee races.)
On the alderman side, there are fewer contested races, but I am thrilled to be able to vote for Jeff Seideman. He has been the voice of reason from the outside all these years, I want him front and center representing me from now on.
Emily Norton Prescott StreetMathews has education background (originally published 10/20/09)
I am writing to encourage TAB readers to elect Olivia Mathews to the Newton School Committee on Nov. 3. We are parents of children in the Newton schools, and we feel strongly that this is a critical opportunity to elect a positive, solution-oriented, organized and energetic leader who has the experience to make decisions for the district. Olivia is a skilled educator who has served as assistant principal of the Cambridgeport School, and she will bring a unique perspective to the work of the School Committee. The district needs someone with education experience on our School Committee; otherwise, the decisions for our schools will be made entirely by people who have never worked in schools.
Olivia is not just a talented educator; she is also an involved parent of two Newton Public School students. In addition, we have seen Olivia’s experience and leadership in action over the years. She brings our Newton Centre neighborhood together by organizing Ultimate Frisbee each Sunday, and we have developed a strong sense of community from enjoying exercise and the outdoors with more than thirty families who attend throughout each season.
Olivia’s leadership skills would be an incredible asset to the Newton School Committee as they strive to make decisions that are both educationally sound and supported within the Newton community. For the sake of Newton’s children, families and community, we urge you to vote for Olivia Mathews on Nov. 3.
Val and Doug Gage BroadwayMathews welcomes discussion (originally published 10/20/09)
As a former school principal and current Newton parent, I am writing to encourage you to vote for Olivia Mathews for school committee. Olivia will keep the school committee focused on what counts most: making sure each child, whatever her unique needs, is well-supported and appropriately challenged in the classroom. Olivia understands we can’t fund every good idea, but as a former teacher and administrator, she would be instrumental in directing our scarce resources toward those initiatives that support teachers and promote the best learning for our children.
Olivia welcomes open discussion and disagreement. Given the complex and controversial nature of many recent School Committee decisions, it is striking how little debate or dispute there has been within the committee. This uniformity of opinion on the committee deprives the district of an opportunity to weigh diverse perspectives and benefit from open dialogue. Meetings with School Committee members at our school sites often feel more like public relations tours than opportunities for genuine give and take. Olivia’s demonstrated ability and commitment to engaging stakeholders – even around controversial issues – will serve the committee well.
Vote for Olivia Mathews for School Committee.
Rebecca Holcombe Newton HighlandsMathews would be wonderful addition to School Committee (originally published 10/6/09)
Olivia is a parent of two Newton public school students and a former public school educator. She was a popular elementary school teacher and assistant principal in Cambridge. Olivia’s experience as a public school educator and administrator give her a unique ability to assess candidates for Superintendent and to review our school system’s budget for efficiencies and cost savings. Olivia has hands-on experience building public-private educational partnerships. While in Cambridge, she founded the Boston chapter of the successful literacy program Everybody Wins! a public-private partnership supporting low-income youth.
Please join me in voting for Olivia Mathews for School Committee!
Lucia Dolan Devon RoadOlivia Mathews for Newton School Committee (originally published 10/6/09)
I believe Olivia will be a fantastic addition to the Newton School Committee. She led the startup of EveryBodyWins Metro Boston, and I was one of her first board members. As a board member and participant in the program, I witnessed Olivia through her positive energy; convincing dialogue and sheer brute force grow the program. She led a program from startup, to one that now has almost 1,000 participants, who read weekly to local elementary students. In this role, she convinced school administrators to be the “guinea pigs” on this program; she met with countless local business to gather support and even worked with the local governments to ensure smooth sailing with their educational priorities.
As a Senior Vice President inside of a large financial institution, I have seen countless strong leaders and managers, and I would put Olivia at the top of that list. She has very clear communication skills; I’m sure refined during her teaching days in NYC and Cambridge that will serve her well on Newton’s School Committee. Once on the school committee, she has promised to engage the community in the school system. I am confident that she can meet this goal with her experience and her academic work. As a board member, I saw firsthand Olivia tackling difficult issues with peers and moving to common ground and even in some cases moving would be opponents to being our program’s biggest advocate.
In addition, Olivia has a master’s in education from Harvard, clearly she has the necessary training to work with senior leaders of the Newton School system.
David Daglio Beacon Street BostonIf you’re like me, you have a lot of trouble keeping track of all the candidates we have to choose from in November. In the Ward 6 School Committee race, the choice was easy for me. We need an educator — Olivia Mathews — on the School Committee.
I only recently met Olivia, but I was immediately struck by her tremendous positive energy. We soon found that we had a connection, in that I had seen her work in action. I teach in Waltham, and I always looked forward to Fridays last year because the Everybody Wins program used my classroom space. I saw students who scrambled to get to “Power Lunch” where they could choose a book to read with an adult volunteer from the Waltham business community. Many of the volunteers stay with the same student for several years, forming close relationships. The cost is minimal and the rewards are enormous. Kids, books, caring adults, laughter and smiles — what could be better?
Knowing that research shows that children who are read to are better readers, Olivia established this program in Waltham and several other communities.
As a teacher and an assistant principal, Olivia has spent years learning about what works in the classroom. As a member of the Newton School Committee she will put creative, cost effective ideas into practice. Her vision includes collaboration with local colleges and members of the community and enhanced electronic communication with parents. Please join me in voting for Olivia Mathews Nov. 3.
Martha Harney AuburndaleMy children went to the Newton schools, and now my grandchildren are going to the Newton schools. I am very proud of the excellent reputation of our school system. That is why I find it distressing to read about the condition of the buildings, which have not been properly maintained; the layoffs of lunchladies and teachers; and increases in fees. There is a sense of a system afloat with no one guiding the ship. That is why I am voting for change on the School Committee this November. I have had the opportunity to meet some of the individuals running for School Committee for the first time, and I like what I see. These folks will get my vote on Nov. 3: Margaret Albright, Dan Proskauer, Steve Siegel, Olivia Mathews, Matt Hills and Margie Ross Decter.
Sally Fleschner Prescott StreetMany of you who have read these articles of support and endorsement have read how Olivia is both highly educated and an educator herself. Although I’ve known Olivia as a parent at Mason-Rice School, I’ve also been fortunate to work with her in a program called Kids-In-Action. Olivia volunteers her time to enrich the minds of elementary age students introducing them to global topics and inspiring individuals. Similar to Olivia, the program is extremely organized, functional and inspiring. The School Committee would be well served by her communication and leadership skills. Although many of our candidates are extremely educated and knowledgeable on Newton’s issues, it is Olivia’s persuasion, listening to peers and communicating that will give us the best opportunity for a successful and highly functional school committee.
Alvin Taylor Commonwealth ParkMathews will be an ‘informed, passionate, and devoted voice’ (originally 9/22/09)
I write in support of the candidacy of Olivia Mathews for a place on the Newton School Committee
I am a retired elementary school teacher, and the grandmother of two boys who attend the Mason Rice School. Olivia Mathews was the assistant principal at the Cambridgeport Elementary School in Cambridge when I taught there. Because I had this opportunity to observe Olivia and become acquainted with her talents and strengths, I feel qualified to recommend her.
Here are the qualities which I believe would make her an invaluable member of the committee:
She brings great energy and focus to everything she does, and she is passionate about teaching and learning. Combined with this passion is her capacity to listen and observe. She is deliberative and intentional in her work, and in her life, but she is also a woman of action. She knows her priorities, and she is exceptionally able to set goals and get the job done.
I believe that she will work cooperatively with the other committee members, because she has a measured way of interacting within a team.
Her listening skills and her expressive and persuasive voice will also serve her well
Olivia understands how children learn; she knows their basic needs in a learning situation, but she also has her eye on the ideal. She has the education and also the long-term experience, both in her profession and as a parent, which make her understandings deep. She will be an informed, passionate, and devoted voice for Newton’s students and their teachers.
I hope that you will give this talented and able woman your vote.
Sylvia M Soderberg Boston
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Posted by Shannon Armstrong
Watch my interview on NewTV’s Jackie Morrissey show on YouTube.
Share the link with people who you think would like to hear some of my ideas in the comfort of their own living rooms.
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Posted by Vivienne
This week there are FIVE campaign events, including a one-on-one debate on Sunday at NewTV which is open to the public! See the complete list of events. I hope you will encourage others to attend events and become informed voters.
We Still Need Money
Thank you for your incredible generosity – we have reached $5,500!
We need $1,500 more to send out postcards to voters.
Please contribute $100 (or whatever you can) for this mailing.
Your donation is essential for our success.
Donate online through PayPal
or mail a check to
P.O. Box 590673, Newton, MA, 02459
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Posted by Vivienne
We can use help with getting flyers to all Newton voters! Please Contact the campaign with whatever time you have (even an hour or two) and we’ll give you a location that is easy for you to flyer.
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Posted by Vivienne
Contact the campaign and let us know how many you want. You sign them, put on stamps, and mail to everyone you know in Newton who you think shares your belief that we need an educator on our School Committee.
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Posted by Vivienne
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Posted by Shannon Armstrong
Watch Olivia Mathews on Newton Talk hosted by Jackie Morrissey (originally aired October 7, 2009)
Part 1:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X6LZaMm6lT0
Part 2:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4-iCs23eSFk
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Posted by Shannon Armstrong
Come see Olivia speak at Candidates Night: Monday, October 19 at 7:15 PM, at Newton Community Service Center, 492 Waltham St., West Newton, in the Auditorium. Sponsored by the Newton Republican City Committee, Candidates Night gives each candidate:
three minutes for an opening statement, followed by several minutes for questions from the audience. … Our event should end around 9:00 PM.
This event is free and open to the public.
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Posted by Vivienne