Cioppa, Shelly - Eastpointe School District
Are you an incumbent?
No
Brief Intro of Candidate
I have lived in Eastpointe for 46 years, I left in my 20's to serve in the Navy but came back after 10 years. I attended East Detroit Public Schools for my entire education and my son is also a graduate of Eastpointe High School. I own my own small business and am a member of the local VFW, having served in the Persian Gulf War.
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How would you engage and include parents, caregivers, community members and students in decision-making in your district around things like curriculum, budgeting and district policy?
I plan to recommend that every school in the district develop a Family Involvement Plan, which will engage families, educators, businesses, and other community members in education. Such plans will include outreach strategies, related home learning activities, community resources, and supportive school and district policies and actions. The State Board of Education offers model family involvement plans to assist local districts and school buildings in developing local plans, so I will be reaching out to the State for more information to make this happen.
What are your thoughts on school discipline and the way it is exercised in your school district? What are your thoughts on restorative practices?
I believe detention and suspension as part of school discipline is a counterintuitive practice. Preventative discipline is much more effective. This approach aims to prevent behavioral issues by helping teachers avoid punishment. Strategies include posting class rules, rewarding good behavior, and involving parents before behaviors get out of hand. For more chronic and serious behavior problems I believe in a broad-based plan of adopting a system in which a network of mental health specialists, educators, and others in the community work together with students and their families.
What are your thoughts on how to improve student mental health
Schools and teachers can provide instruction that focuses on building social skills and emotional development, provide relationship-building programs to enhance connectedness between students, staff, and families, promote self-care tips, such as getting enough sleep, eating a healthy diet, and exercising regularly and teach mental health in core classes or as part of their school health education program. Lessons can include interactive activities, personal stories, and homework assignments.
What are your thoughts on ways to improve Black student achievement in your district and in Michigan schools overall?
To improve Black student achievement we need to identify goals, strengths, and needs of black students and their families. We then need to address creating opportunities to hear from Black students and their families to make space to learn about each student’s unique aspirations and perspectives; engaging students voices to strengthen their leadership, agency, academic achievement, and social and emotional health. Black people should be represented in all school subjects all year long—not just in history, and not just during February.
What are your thoughts on how to ensure that all students and their families, regardless of race, gender identity, sexuality, disability, religion, income status, etc., feel safe and included in your district?
By identifying and addressing each students goals, strength and needs all students will feel seen, heard and cared for. There should also be intervention in instances of bullying or oversight by students or teachers with firm social behavior instruction/classes/seminars.
What are your thoughts on how to recruit and retain staff, particularly staff of color, in your district with regard to pay, benefits, and working conditions?
Plain and simple, to get the best and the brightest we have to pay above and give benefits beyond that of the districts around us. We have to focus on supplies for these teachers to do their jobs as well. If property needs to be sold and schools consolidated to make it happen, then so be it. We also need a Superintendent that uplifts our teachers and supports their ideas and encourages thinking outside the box.