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Announcer: Welcome to Mondays with Maria, presented by ADDITION Financial Credit Union. Here's OCPS, superintendent Dr. Maria Vazquez.
Maria Vazquez: Hi everyone. Bri MacNaught is back with me to talk about my town halls that I'm thrilled to bring back this year.
Bri MacNaught: Dr. Vazquez, I have lost count of how many you've done over the past couple years. I think you're near a hundred or more than a hundred even.
Maria Vazquez: Almost. I may get close to that number this year. That's a lot. I know, but they're wonderful. I really appreciate the time that our parents, students, and community members carve out to spend some time with me. So I love doing them. And this year we are going to take it to middle schools. Okay. And host them at the neighborhood middle schools, invite our community to come out. And I'm looking forward to the conversations.
Bri MacNaught: And I know this year you're hoping to maybe have some more student voice involved in all of this, correct?
Maria Vazquez: Yes, I am. So in addition to the town halls that we are going to be hosting at night in our middle schools, I have scheduled a visit to every one of our high schools and I am meeting with representatives from their clubs and sports. And we're going to have a conversation about school things that motivate them to come to school. What are some of the programs or activities that we're not providing any tips they might have for me as superintendent of how we might make it a better experience for them? What I have found over the last several years, not just my time as superintendent, but as deputy, is that we have incredibly bright and insight insightful students. And every time I have an opportunity to chat with them, I'm, I always leave not only inspired, but with new insights that help make our district a better place.
Bri MacNaught: I have to tip my hat real quick to you because I was student body president back in the day and I didn't even know who my superintendent was. So this is huge. It's your going and actually listening to the students. I know they will appreciate it and they'll feel seen and heard, and that will go a long way. Now, what will the community town halls look like this year?
Maria Vazquez: This year we are going to shift in the past we've hosted them at our high schools, but we are going to go to middle schools this year and give again, the community an opportunity to meet me if they haven't. Last year we had some repeat visitors, so some may already have attended town halls, and we'll give some updates about Orange County Public Schools. Well maybe we'll talk about some of the new security measures in place. But then the rest of the evening is really spent on answering their questions. So many times there's there myths out there or just questions that they might have that they haven't been able to get an answer to. Occasionally we'll have a family that is having some particular struggles, and so members of my cabinet are there to be able to troubleshoot and, and provide, if not an answer, but be able to have someone reach out to them the very next day. And because we're looking at middle schools, I think we're going to also maybe get questions about that middle school experience. You know, it's a very unique age.
Bri MacNaught: A lot of change happening.
Maria Vazquez: A lot. They're going from an elementary school that for the most part, they have, you know, one teacher, maybe two, and then their specials teacher, but they spend most of their day in, in a classroom. Now we're going to middle school. They've got six or seven different teachers, a lot bigger, more students. That transition where you're fifth to sixth grade, a lot of you know, parents that might be nervous students themselves. And additionally, we really start exploring pathways there. So questions they might have about curriculum, courses they might take courses that delve into certifications. So I'm really excited about the town halls this year.
Bri MacNaught: So these town halls are really about your accessibility and just being able to talk to you, which I think is so great that you do that for our community.
Maria Vazquez: Yeah, I love being out there listening because it's when we listen that we learn and that we can become better. So thanks so much for being with me today on Mondays with Maria. If you're interested in coming to one of my town hall meetings, we will post the dates on our website so you will know when and where they're being held. We'll also send a Connect Orange message when we are in the school near where you live. Thank you all for watching. Don't forget to like, follow and subscribe. I'll see you next week on Mondays with Maria
Announcer: For an extended conversation on today's topic. Listen to the Mondays with Maria podcast, available wherever you get your podcasts. Mondays with Maria's presented by edition Financial Credit Union, count us in for every step of your financial journey. Learn more at Additionfi.com. For more OCPS news and information, visit TheSlice.cps.net. I'm your announcer. Kaleb Priester, a senior at Jones High School. Thanks for watching and have a great week.