Shauna Tominey-Learning in Community

At this week's Corvallis School Board meeting, we had the honor of voting to approve three new elementary school names: Husky Elementary became Bessie Coleman Elementary School, Jaguar Elementary became Kathryn Jones Harrison Elementary School, and Wildcat Elementary became Leticia Carson Elementary School. These names were chosen by the community (including students) through a thoughtful and intentional learning process. I felt especially choked up and teary in being a part of approving the new name for Husky Elementary - my own Elementary School - where I have so many special memories. I look forward to learning together with you more about the histories and stories of these amazing women. If you missed the Board meeting, you can watch the recorded discussion and vote starting at 1 hour; 6 minutes:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sr-CReW28YY&t=4157s

Board Meeting

I remember watching the attacks unfold on the news 20-years-ago before heading to work as an early childhood teacher in Seattle. As adults, we were struggling with so many different emotions, including confusion and fear, and did our best to channel ourselves into loving the children in our care. Earlier that year, Colin and I had graduated from college, gotten married, and he was commissioned into the Army as an armor officer. The tragic events of that day – September 11, 2001 – impacted our lives in more ways than we could ever have imagined over the years that followed. Yesterday, my daughter came home from middle school and shared with me the thoughtful conversation they had in class about 9/11, including the history of the day, remembrance of those whose lives were lost, the role of first responders (and the lasting impacts on their lives and health), how the way we lived and traveled changed, Islamophobia, and more. She felt proud to share with her teacher that her dad had served in the military and was also able to reflect on the complexity of what that meant. I feel so grateful to CSD teachers for meaningful conversations and meaningful learning. Reflecting on our histories helps us understand our present and shape our future. Liberated_sel Corvallis School District

We offer you the above resource to guide your discussion about 9/11 with students. To accompany this discussion, we invite you to read an excerpt from Suheir Hammad's poem, "First Writing Since." Visit the link in our bio to access Hammad's (@butterphoenix) full poem. Before reading the poem, provide students with the context of 9/11 (please see @asmahanmashrah for dos and don’ts of teaching 9/11), and background information about Suheir Hammad, who was born in Amman, Jordan to Palestinian refugees and raised in New York City. Today, we remember those who lost their lives. And we remember those who saved lives, too. With love, The LiberatED Crew #SuheirHammad #GetLiberatED #collectiveliberation #LiberatEDSEL

Let’s get to work, Corvallis!

My official role as a School Board member does not start until July 1st, however, I learned last month that the School District Budget Committee had an open position for a community member. I applied to participate by submitting a letter of interest and resume. Given that I met the minimum requirements to participate (I live in and am registered to vote in the district and I am not a district employee) AND no one else applied, I was selected. Sometimes it IS that easy! I will be serving in this role until June 30th.

Disclaimer: The comments in this series of posts (view album) are my own opinions and thoughts as a community member and not coming from any official capacity as a Board Member elect.

The proposed budget for 2021-2022 was released this week on Tuesday afternoon with a very short timeline for public comment or review before the proposed budget is approved. I see this as a tension and challenge that public school systems and government systems in general face. There is often a strong desire expressed to engage all voices in decision making, but the timeline requirements and structure do not allow for this to happen well or equitably.

Given that short timeline, how can you get involved in a meaningful way? I have created a series of quick posts to offer some ideas from my perspective as a community member with growing knowledge of the CSD budget process.
If you are interested in reading the full 262-page budget document, you can find it at the link below: https://meetings.boardbook.org/Public/Agenda/1216...
The student artwork makes it worthwhile to scroll through all 262 pages (wow!).

*Pictured: Shauna (me) as a Husky Elementary student (Grades K-5; 1984-1989)*

As we waited for election results to come in last night, I spent time reflecting on what I have learned through the election process and feeling grateful for this amazing community. I am grateful for my family and friends for their unconditional love and support throughout this election process and always. I am grateful for my Equity Slate colleagues: Lu (Whitebear for Corvallis School Board 509J), Sami (Dr. Sami Al-Abdrabbuh), and Vince (Vince Adams for Corvallis School Board) for welcoming me on this journey with them. I am grateful for the current School Board members Sarah, Terese, Tina, and Jay (Sarah Finger McDonald, Terese Jones) who reached out and encouraged me along the way. I am excited to collaborate and learn with continuing Board Members, while also bringing my own unique perspective and experiences to the Board. I am grateful for everyone who put their name forward to run for School Board in this election. Having nine individuals step forward to support Corvallis Schools by running for VOLUNTEER positions says a lot about how much the Corvallis community cares about students. Thank you to Rachelle, Ginger, Tim, Rich, and Bryce (Doc Cleary) (Rachelle Spindler for Corvallis School Board Position #5, Ginger Schudel Larcom for Corvallis School Board, Position #5, Tim Euhus, Rich Arnold for Corvallis School Board Position #4) for standing up for the community along with us. Having so many voices in this election encouraged us all to challenge ourselves and one another with tough questions, listen to and engage more deeply with the community, and look ahead to how the positive work of the current School Board can be strengthened while also acknowledging that there is significant work that still needs to be done. And finally, I am grateful for all of you-students, educators, families, and the greater Corvallis community. Thank you for sharing your stories with me along with your worries and hopes. Thank you for trusting me with the responsibility of representing you on the Corvallis School Board. I am humbled and honored to be elected to serve the community and school district that has had such a profound impact on my own life. I hope to serve you well. With gratitude, ~Shauna

It's time to get out the vote! If everyone who has returned a ballot so far gets at least one friend or relative to return their ballot, we can reach that 50% goal. It is possible with your help.
It's too late to mail in ballots, but you can find the Ballot Box closest to you at: https://www.co.benton.or.us/elections/page/may-18-2021-special-election-ballot-dropsites

It's time to get out the vote you all! If everyone who's returned a ballot so far gets at least one friend or relative to return their ballot by May 18, we can reach that 50% goal. It is possible with your help.
Don't forget it's too late to mail in ballots but we have lots of ballot boxes in our local community. You can find the one closest to you at: https://www.co.benton.or.us/elections/page/may-18-2021-special-election-ballot-dropsites

We voted! Have you turned in your ballot for the May 18th Special Election? It's too late to put your ballot in the mail, but you can drop it off at one of many ballot drop sites around town!
https://www.co.benton.or.us/elections/page/may-18-2021-special-election-ballot-dropsites

Thank you Corvallis families for sending your questions my way! A question I have been asked recently by a number of families is: "What are your thoughts on math leveling versus math tracking?" Please visit the Q&A page on my website to read my response and learn more about how I am currently thinking about this and other issues facing Corvallis schools: https://www.shaunafor509j.org/

Shauna Tominey for Corvallis School Board 509J Shauna Tominey for Corvallis School Board 509J, Position #5, Special Election May 2021

Join Dr. Luhui Whitebear (Whitebear for Corvallis School Board 509J) and me today (May 10th) at 3 pm on Zoom. Get to know us better, share thoughts, and ask questions about the Corvallis School Board Election in an informal setting. We hope to see you there!

Meet the Equity Slate Candidates Here are the upcoming opportunities to meet with Sami, Shauna, Luhui, and Vince. We look forward to meeting you and sharing in conversation about how we can continue to improve our schools. And remember to get your ballots in by May 18th!

Happy Mother’s Day to all of the amazing mothers in my life, and especially my own. 💜 Wishing you meaningful moments and memories today. Holding you in my heart if today is one that is especially challenging or accompanied by grief. 💜🌸💐

Happy Mother’s Day! 🌻

Thank you PAC for listening to our stories, elevating our voices, and sharing our journey. Please take time to vote in the May 18th Special Election. I am excited to support Dr. Sami Al-Abdrabbuh, Dr. Luhui Whitebear (Whitebear for Corvallis School Board 509J), and Vince Adams for Corvallis School Board.

It is an honor to be included as part of a team that is trusted to work collaboratively by the Corvallis Educators Association.

We need a school board that has the confidence of our amazing teaching staff. There are only four candidates endorsed by the Corvallis Educators Association: Luhui, Shauna, Sami, and Vince. A vote for them is a vote for our teachers.

What questions do you wish you could ask each School Board Candidate? I have recently been asked about my stance on the Jaguar Boundary redistricting plan, research I would use to guide COVID-19 decisions, and the value of education climate science. Showing up as my authentic self and being transparent are values that I hold strongly. It is very important to me that if elected, I was elected because of who I am, the views I hold, and the experiences I carry. I see this as critical to holding the trust of the community and building meaningful relationships that would allow me and other School Board members to represent the voices of students, educators, administrators, and families. I have started adding each new question and my answer to the Q&A page of my website. Please send additional questions my way and view past answers here.
https://www.shaunafor509j.org/

Shauna Tominey for Corvallis School Board 509J Shauna Tominey for Corvallis School Board 509J, Position #5, Special Election May 2021

One of the challenges I have with social media is that although it provides a platform to connect and share, it can be hard to engage in a meaningful way. Sometimes our best selves come out on social media, sometimes our worst. Still - let's start a thread together. Whether you have voted already or not - what are you looking for in a School Board Member? The Oregon School Board Association has outlined qualities of "effective" and "ineffective" Board Members. Take a look here - which are most important to you? http://www.osba.org/Resources/Article/Board_Operations/What_Makes_a_Good_Board_Member.aspx

What makes a good board member? Many of the qualities that make board members great are acquired over time, through training and experience, so don’t discredit your potential worth as a board member, even though you may never have served in such a capacity.

Thanks to Oregon's wonderful vote-by-mail system, many voters have already sent in their ballots! Hurray! Now, I'm starting to hear/see questions from individuals who have heard rumors about the Corvallis School Board election or are looking for more information and finding that the voters pamphlet just isn't enough. If you are undecided, please take the time to research each candidate carefully. I will post links to each candidate's website (if known/available) and page in the comments. With pandemic response and recovery in addition to typical School Board responsibilities, Corvallis will need a School Board that the community trusts and believes in to build stronger relationships with families, work collaboratively with educators and administrators, and support all students. Learn more about the responsibilities of our local School Board and please vote!

http://www.osba.org/Resources/Article/Board_Operations/What_Does_a_School_Board_Do.aspx

What does a school board do? When you’re elected to serve on the board, your education has just begun. Board service is like inheriting the reins of a corporation without any training. The “learning curve” for education leaders is steep. Plan to spend time in workshops and conferences. Training is essential to running a c...

"When we teach children that differences don’t matter, we do it with the best intentions. Without intending to, however, we may be ignoring that there are children and families whose lives are defined every day by their differences."

I wrote this piece a few years ago reflecting on my experiences growing up in Corvallis and a moment inspired by one of my favorite teachers. For every child, youth, and adult to feel safe being who they are, we have to recognize and celebrate our similarities as well as our differences, see the strength and value in our diversity, and recognize that each individual's experience, perspective, voice, and truth is just as important to them as yours is to you.

https://confidentparentsconfidentkids.org/2019/01/17/differences-do-matter-why-talking-about-them-helps-us-raise-compassionate-kids/

Differences Do Matter – Why Talking About Them Helps Us Raise Compassionate Kids… Celebrate Martin Luther King Jr.’s Life and Legacy By Initiating Conversations In Your Own Family Life… Guest Post by Shauna Tominey, Author, Creating Compassionate Kids; Essential Conv…

Join us this Wednesday! The League of Women Voters of Corvallis is hosting a Corvallis School Board 509J Candidate Forum this Wednesday (4/28) from 5:45-8 pm - virtually on Zoom. All nine candidates (for four positions) have been invited to participate (with Spanish interpretation).

Corvallis School Board 509J Candidate Forum – LWV Corvallis What do you think is best for the children of the 509J district? As we come to the close of a school year like no other, Corvallis voters have a choice of candidates for four of the seven school board positions.

Last month, I was invited to share a virtual workshop on Creating Compassionate Kids: Parenting through the Pandemic for OSU’s Contemplative Studies Initiative. Supporting students’ social-emotional well-being and mental health is a critical aspect of healing and growth from the impacts of the pandemic and underlies academic success. Watch the recording here!
Workshop description: The past year has been like no other. With a global pandemic, heightened attention to social justice, political divides, natural disasters-children are on an emotional rollercoaster (and parents are, too!). Join Shauna Tominey to discuss strategies for managing children's emotions and stress as we help them make sense of the world around them.
https://liberalarts.oregonstate.edu/sps/contemplative-studies/2020-21-series/shauna-tominey

Shauna Tominey OSU's Contemplative Studies Initiative in partnership with the Hundere Endowed Chair in Religion and Culture present the Contemplative Practices for the Greater Good Series. A special thanks to the Corvallis Public Library and OSU's Family Resource Center for co-sponsoring this talk.

Showing up on a Saturday morning to support one another and get the word out about the May 18, 2021 Special Election!

Showing up with Shauna Tominey for Corvallis School Board to support Dr. Sami Al-Abdrabbuh and Vince Adams for Corvallis School Board as they start literature drops! We support each other each step of the way toward the elections.

Exciting news! Signs are here!!! Thank you for the community input on design. We have about 15 more to share. If you are interested in displaying a yard sign and have not already let me know, please comment here or send an email/private message. Thank you for your help getting the word out! (May 18th Special Election)

Mi sitio web ahora está en español. Gracias por compartir.
https://www.shaunafor509j.org/home-spanish

Shauna Tominey for Corvallis School Board   English Shauna Tomineypara la Junta Escolar de Corvallis 509JPuesto es una comunidad sumamente importante para mí. Crecí en Corvallis y fui estudiante en el sistema de escuelas públicas K-12. Ahora, como madre del distrito, espero darle algo a la comunidad a la que amo y a la que l...

Building the Future with Every Student! What an honor it is to run for School Board as a slate with this amazing group. We are supporting one another in the Corvallis 509J School Board Elections (Special Elections May 2021) - and hope you will support us, too! Like/Follow Whitebear for Corvallis School Board 509J, Vince Adams for Corvallis School Board, and Dr. Sami Al-Abdrabbuh to learn more about their campaigns.

Hi Friends! In addition to providing access to high-quality education, I believe the most important things we can do for our students is to let them know they are seen, heard, and valued for who they are. I have been working on a few different yard/window sign ideas that I would love your input on - each with a different way of highlighting inclusion. Which one gets your vote - #1, #2, or #3?

Shauna Tominey-Learning in Community added a button to help you learn more about them.

Thank you so much for liking and following Shauna Tominey for Corvallis School Board! I am excited to share that my website is now live:
https://www.shaunafor509j.org/
Please check it out and share with others in the Corvallis community. Although I write about the issues I believe are critical for CSD, I am interested in hearing from you! Students, families, educators, and community members - please get in touch, share your concerns through the contact form, and watch for additional ways to connect in the coming weeks.
~With gratitude, Shauna

Shauna Tominey Shauna Tominey for Corvallis School Board 509J, Position #5, Special Election May 2021

Shauna Tominey-Learning in Community updated their website address.