Marjorie The Special Education Committee was initiated by Marjorie when she learned that the city did not have a policy or a good history of supporting families whose children had IEP's and SPED needs in our out of school/afterschool programs. This committee made up of parents and policy makers has resulted in the first ever city policy and protocol for integrating children with special needs into city run after school programs. iIncluding additional training for afterschool teachers.
Currently, Marjorie is working with the city and residents committed to climate protection to engage Cambridge youth in monitoring the city's progress on its own climate protection goals. As chair of the Civic Unity Committee, Marjorie held a hearing to explore and brainstorm the possibilities to empowering and educating Cambridge youth to become agents of change in the climate protection/energy conservation movement. As a result Marjorie is now working with the Cambridge youth centers, city staff and Cambridge residents and youth to develop an educational program that will enable Cambridge youth to monitor and report back to the city with updates on our progress to becoming a greener city along with recommendations to further our progress.
Marjorie worked very closely with members of Al Bustan-a preschool based in 808 Memorial Drive. The preschool was faced with a 60% rent increase-just months before they were to be visited for accreditation by National Association for the Education of Young Children Marjorie's work to help negotiate Al Bustan's extended lease shed light on the lack of pre-school options for Cambridge families. Recently, Cambridge lost the Agassiz pre-school, (an established and respected program) to the city of Somerville due to the increase in their rent and lack of space available in the city. Marjorie is chairing a series of meetings to evaluate the lack of available pre-school slots (both public and private) in the city. Working with a coalition of parents, early childhood educators, the school department and the city, the goal is learn how we can value the importance of early childhood education and ensure there are enough accredited schools in Cambridge.
Marjorie is hosting a speaker's series for Cambridge City employees and residents who are interested in issues related to parenting. Speakers will include authors, professors and providers from Harvard Medical School, Lesley University and Harvard's School of Education.
