Supt. Ramos Pledges Aggressive Reach Out to SOMSD Community

This is the text of an e-mail from the new Superintendent, Dr. Ramos, that went out to a rather large list. If you didn't receive it and want to be on such a list, contact the Board office.

September 18, 2015

To the South Orange Maplewood Community:

When I first met you in April 2015, I promised that I would begin my work here with a Listening Tour. Since then I have enjoyed meeting many of you, and I know that there are many of you I have yet to hear from.

We want South Orange Maplewood to be an inclusive, positive environment, where you know that you make a difference and that your voice is heard. We have launched a new pilot communications tool – Let’s Talk! – to give you more opportunities to communicate with us about important issues. With Let’s Talk!, you can ask questions or submit comments 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Have feedback about the start of school? Have suggestions for a topic to discuss at our upcoming Education Summit? Have a story to share? Click here, or use the Let’s Talk! link at www.somsd.k12.nj.us to start a conversation.

You may remain anonymous, but if you leave your contact information you will receive a personal response within 2 business days. A response is guaranteed.

Let’s make this the best school year ever — one conversation at a time!

Sincerely,
Dr. John J. Ramos, Sr.

I hope he has the energy and patience to sustain this outreach. I find that when I am with a group of concerned parents talking about problems in the district, it is easy to become overwhelmed and to feel a strong desire to flee the district. On the other hand, if you can focus on the most pressing problems in the district and sort of tune out the rest, you can get things done.

I'm highly encouraged by Ramos' commitment to communicating with the community. But he has to rely on the admin staff to give timely and accurate feedback. How will he respond if his staff fails to fulfill his promise?

xavier67 said:
I'm highly encouraged by Ramos' commitment to communicating with the community. But he has to rely on the admin staff to give timely and accurate feedback. How will he respond if his staff fails to fulfill his promise?

Off with their heads!

[sorry]