LAKEWOOD, Ohio -- Lakewood City Schools Superintendent Maggie Niedzwiecki’s next “Listen & Learn” session is scheduled for 6 p.m. Tuesday (Oct. 18) in the Ranger Café at Lakewood High School.
“It’s an opportunity for me to be able to share some of the gains we’re making educationally to our community members, but additionally it’s a time for them to share any topic that they have come to meet with me about,” Niedzwiecki said.
“So I sit back and listen to their thoughts and concerns for us as a district. We try to host them throughout the community as a morning or an evening event, so then we can accommodate different work schedules.”
Superintendent Michael J. Barnes originally created the series as a way to not only meet the community, but also hear firsthand what residents have to say about the school district.
A new wrinkle to this year’s one-hour informal sessions finds Niedzwiecki announcing different topics ahead of time. The upcoming session includes a discussion of the Vision of a Lakewood Graduate and new Vision of a Lakewood Educator initiatives.
“I’ll share some of the highlights of the work,” said Niedzwiecki, who noted that “Listen & Learn” sessions have led to insightful conversations.
For example, last winter, parents wanted to discuss a new state law pertaining to dyslexic students.
“They really wanted to understand how we as a district identify potential dyslexia in our younger students,” Niedzwiecki said. “I was able to share what we were doing at that point in time.
“It was interesting to see and to hear how closely our community members pay attention to some of those policies that come out through the Ohio Department of Education.”
While the “Listen & Learn” sessions normally attract 15 people, the superintendent is hopeful that number will increase over time.
“Our next one will be in the winter, with Treasurer Kent Zeman,” Niedzwiecki said.
“Many people like to come out to hear what’s going on financially. Also, it gives them an opportunity to share their thoughts and ideas about our financial future.”
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