A Campaign Gift

Dear Friends,

I have received many wonderful campaign gifts, since I began this journey in June to be the next School Board Member from the Red Bud District of Frederick County. My thanks to all of you who have contributed with money, time, and encouragement. Your faith in me has made me even more committed to serve on the School Board and use my experience and personal gifts to help guide our school system.

Of all the gifts to my campaign, the nicest and most surprising came this week from my "opposition", Gary Hall. Gary had announced his candidacy before I did, and has a love for the Frederick County Schools. He is a caring and concerned citizen who would serve well in any position that he held. After meeting me, and researching my qualifications and commitment to education and the citizens of Frederick County, Gary made the decision to step aside, and back my candidacy for School Board. Printed below is the text of Gary's letter to the editor of the Winchester Star. My thanks to Gary for his gracious action, and helping me to become your next School Board member.

A ‘great fit’
After meeting and getting to know Peggy Clark, I have decided not to run for the Red Bud District School Board seat in Frederick County. I feel Peggy is a great fit for this position. Her background, open-mindedness, and ability to be a great listener should prove to be valuable assets as a representative for the people of the Red Bud District. If you are undecided on a candidate, take some time to talk with Peggy. I think that you will be happy that you did.Thanks to all of you who helped and supported my candidacy. Your efforts are greatly appreciated.
Gary L. Hall
Frederick County

CALL TO ACTION - SEEK MORE SCHOOL FUNDS!

Dear Red Bud Families,
As your School Board Candidate, I have been visiting with many of you in your homes and neighborhoods. Our schools have gotten off to a fairly smooth start, and children seem happy with their classes, and parents satisfied with their child's teachers and programs.

I am also hearing of the impact of our recent budget cuts from parents, students, and teachers. As we continue to see the impacts to our education system from the economic downturn, it is imperative for citizens to speak out. DON'T IGNORE THE SLEEPING GIANT! If your elected officials in Frederick County, Richmond, and Washington, DC do not hear from you, they will assume everything is just fine, and no additional school funding is needed.

In Frederick County Schools this year, there are many changes due to reduced funding. MANY positions were cut! These were positions in every area of the School System, and their loss means less service to our children. The Federal Stimulus money kept Frederick County Schools from having to cut salaries, but we were dangerously close to having that too.

This is a CALL TO ACTION! As you see issues with your child's education as a result of reduced funding, let your elected officials know. SCHOOL FUNDING IS ON THE CHOPPING BLOCK locally, as well as at the State, and at the Federal Level. School Boards across the State and across the Country cannot provide the best education our youngsters deserve with reduced funding.

Citizens of Frederick County, let your voice be heard that our schools need to be a top budget priority. Your children's futures depend on it!

Peggy Clark

Candidate for Frederick County School Board

Red Bud District

To contact me, E-Mail:friendsofpeggyclark@verizon.net

The Promise of a New School Year

August 26, 2009 - Opening Day of School for Greenwood Mill Elementary School!

August 2009

The start of a new school year always holds such promise! This year the Red Bud District has two new school environments that have opened, which provide new opportunities to our children.

Senseny Road School will now be home to all of NREP (Northwestern Regional Education Program) and several Head Start classrooms. This will mean that our regional special education programs will now all be under one roof. This will cut down on a huge amount of travel time for staff who served students both in the Early Childhood Program and the Severe Disability or Emotional Disability Programs. A benefit to the students will be a facility where all of their needs can be met in a single building.

Greenwood Mill Elementary also opened it's doors to students today. It is a larger school than some of our older elementary buildings, with a beautiful campus set among several of the newer Frederick County neighborhoods. The intention is for Greenwood Mill to be a neighborhood school, where many children can walk or ride bikes to and from school.

I have been campaigning for the Red Bud Seat on the Frederick County School Board. As I have traveled through the Red Bud neighborhoods, I have picked up on the excitement about the new opportunities for our children as we begin this school year. It is a year full of promise for great things, but also some anxieties because of the economy and some changes. Please continue to share your views with me, so that after the elections (if I am priviledged to gain your votes and win), I will be able to represent our families and children in the best possible way.

I am looking forward to a very promising year for our schools. To contact me, please e-mail me at: friendsofpeggyclark@verizon.net.

Sincerely,

Peggy Clark

Working Together to Improve Math Scores

Dear Friends & Neighbors,
I have a concern about our youngsters grasp of basic math concepts. In a time where there is a calculator on every computer, cell phone, and desk, all of us tend to rely on these tools rather than performing basic math operations in our heads.
For a campaign tool, I have chosen a simple ruler to both get my message out, and help reinforce basic math concepts. A ruler can be used for measuring distance, as a straight edge, but also as a number line. It is my hope that parents will take some time to show their children how to add and subtract using the number line, and also introduce fractions in an easy, visual way.
Math SOL scores are often less than we would like to see. I feel that a big part of the problem stems from our students lack of a basic understanding of elementary mathematics principles. I encourage parents to help their children and the schools by reinforcing these basic math principles at home. Below are a few ideas that you can use in addition to using my ruler as a number line.

• Teach your child to count out coins.
• Teach your child to read time on a circular clock with hands, not just on a digital one.
• Encourage your child to help you in the kitchen with measuring using measuring spoons and cups.
• Make math fun, and use it every day - do basic math functions without a calculator!

Have a wonderful back to school week!

Peggy Clark

Candidate for Frederick County School Board

Red Bud District

Have questions or concerns? E-Mail me at friendsofpeggyclark@verizon.net

Campaigning with Friends and Family

Peggy Clark, Candidate for Frederick County School Board - Red Bud District

With Baltimore Friends at the Museum of the Shenandoah Valley - August 13

Clark Family enjoying the Greenwood Fire Department Dinner and Auction - August 8

August has been a wonderful time to gather with friends and family. This year the "gathering" has gone hand in hand with campaigning. I have attended many functions during the last several weeks with friends and family at my side, all wearing a button saying "Trust a Teacher, Vote for Peggy Clark for School Board" . My Step-Daughter Erin posted a great entry on her blog that features our fun evening on August 8 at the Greenwood Fire Company Yard Party.

http://snappshotphotography.com/blog/2009/08/08/peggy-clark-step-mom-for-school-board/.

Last week, my friends from Baltimore took a "day trip" to come visit me. We went to the Museum of the Shenandoah Valley where we were treated to a wonderful tour of the gardens, thanks to my Cousin, Mary Stickley (who is in charge of the MSV Gardens). We also toured the house and museum and ate lunch in the Tea Room. It was a delightful day! My friends all wore a campaign buttons, and told everyone that we met to vote for me. I'm so sorry that my school chums live in Baltimore, and can't vote in the Virginia election on November 3!

Thanks to all the folks who are helping to make my campaigning a wonderful experience. I hope to "make you proud" on November 3!

Peggy Clark

Candidate for Frederick County School Board

Red Bud District

Please contact me at friendsofpeggyclark@verizon.net

Picnic for Creigh Deeds

I was honored to be invited to a picnic at the home of my friends Donna and Dickie Dick in Frederick County on August 11. The purpose of the picnic was to give an opportunity to meet and hear from the Democratic candidate for Governor, Creigh Deeds. I had met Creigh a few years ago, and was very impressed with his caring manner and his obvious love of the Commonwealth of Virginia.

His speech last night reflected his understanding and commitment to education issues. I was thrilled to hear that he shares Governor Kaine's passion for preschool education. Over the last 30 years, I have seen firsthand what a need there is in Virginia, and particularly in Frederick County for quality preschool education for our children. Creigh Deeds is also a strong supporter of increased funding of K-12 public education, and salaries for teachers that keep up with our neighboring states.

I had a brief opportunity to share my views with our candidate for Governor. I was also introduced to the assembled crowd as a candidate for the Frederick County School Board. It was an honor to be recognised at that fine occasion.

Peggy Clark

Candidate for Frederick County School Board

Red Bud District

Please contact me at friendsofpeggyclark@verizon.net

Summer Travels

Dear Friends and Family,

My husband and I usually travel during the summer, but this year we have stayed closer to home to give extra time to campaign for the Frederick County School Board. We are hoping to take our "summer vacation" in November after the election.

I was able to take a short trip to Staunton and Harrisonburg last week. On August 2, my sisters and brother gathered at Bethel Church in Staunton to remember our Mother who would have turned 90 on August 5. She would have been my greatest supporter in my School Board Campaign, and I credit her with shaping the person I am today.

I was also able to attend the first several days of the Bible and Music Conference at Massanetta Springs in Harrisonburg. I attended the conference many times for a day or an evening with my Mother over the years, but never to stay "on campus" for several days. It was a bittersweet time for me. The experience of hearing powerful Bible speakers was amazing, as was the chance to practice in a choir under a nationally known director. However, the experience pulled at my heart strings as I remembered my Mother who passed away in November, and was such a part of my Massanetta experience. The last morning I was there, I took picures of the wake-up bagpiper. His music filled the air, and was a fitting end to my days at the conference.

Hope you are all having a renewing summer!

Peggy Clark

Candidate for Frederick County School Board

Red Bud District

Please contact me at friendsofpeggyclark@verizon.net