Sarah McLaughlin for Reading School Committee

02/17/2024

Interested in learning more about me and why I’m running for re-election? Come swing by the meet and greet on Tuesday evening!

02/11/2024

Saturday was a gorgeous day for holding campaign signs out on the common! Thank you to everybody that came out to enjoy the sunshine and hold a sign!

01/29/2024

I am excited to share that I am running for a second 3-year term on the Reading School Committee in our upcoming election. We have achieved so much over the past 3 years. A few of my personal favorite highlights-

* Purchased and rolled out a new, evidence-based K-5 ELA curriculum that aligns to the essential components of reading
* Established a path forward to free Full Day Kindergarten
* Kicked off the Killam School Building committee and building project
* Funded 2 positions critical to our district’s growth - director of academic excellence at RMHS and district math coaches
* Collaborated with district leadership to establish a data-driven, multi-year strategic plan

I am excited about the opportunity to continue the collaboration with my fellow school committee members and amazing RPS district leadership team to achieve our shared vision - to instill a joy of learning by inspiring, engaging, and supporting our youth to become the innovative leaders of tomorrow.

05/12/2022

http://thereadingpost.com/2022/05/11/school-committee-endorses-new-literacy-curriculum/?fbclid=IwAR0ZhAyJVeRLSy7QKxaZN5nd8YmNliTdMPoxkM_ph8Oen0J9EdpDiAMQ5ic

“If you want to invest in our kids, then invest,” Wood End Elementary School Principal Joanne King challenged the School Committee on Monday night. “This group was tasked by you with finding a better way to improve literacy for our students, and they found it,” King continued. As part of the...

04/07/2021

Thank you to everybody who came out to vote today, to all those that have been supportive of me and my campaign, and to Shawn Brandt and Geoffrey Coram for being such strong competition. We are so lucky to have so many amazing candidates who are willing to step up and work to make our community even better!

04/06/2021

It's Election Day and polls are open from 7am - 8pm. We are lucky to live in a town with many engaged community members willing to step up and serve on town boards and committees (including me!). Make sure you head over to the RMHS Field House and cast your ballot!
Sample ballots for your precinct can be found on the town website -
https://www.readingma.gov/administrative-services/elections/pages/sample-ballots

04/05/2021

The RMHS finalist open mic session is tonight on Zoom. Community members will have an opportunity to ask questions, as well as submit feedback via a google form. This is a hugely important role in our district, so be sure to join and learn more about the candidates!

6:00pm- Stephen Sierpina, Principal, Windham High School, Windham, N.H.

6:35pm- Kevin Tracey, Principal, John Glenn Middle School, Bedford, MA.

7:10pm- Sara Yuen, High School Principal, Phoenix Charter Academy, Boston, MA

To join the session, you can use this Zoom link -
https://readingpsma.zoom.us/j/82774063242

Candidate feedback forum - https://forms.gle/Xur3bZqjNRZo1Gry8

https://readingsuperintendent.wordpress.com/2021/04/03/rmhs-principal-finalists-community-forum-on-monday-april-5th/

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04/02/2021

T-minus 4 days until election day! Who are you going to vote for? What do they stand for?

I am not a candidate who wants to further the agenda of any particular “side” or “group”. I am running because I want what is best for all children in Reading: academic excellence for all, equity to ensure all students get what they need from our schools, and strategic planning to map out a vision for the future of our schools. I believe that even groups with differing priorities for our schools still have important voices that must be heard, and I promise that as a school committee member I will be inclusive and respect and hear all perspectives.

Have questions about who I am and what I stand for? Please send me a message so we can connect!

04/01/2021

"Sarah is transparent, never afraid to ask difficult questions, open to new perspectives, and willing to adapt her thinking and acknowledge when a different approach is warranted. I share this perspective because I truly believe these are the qualities we should endeavor to have in our elected officials – someone who will listen, someone who will consider different perspectives and data sources, and someone who will work collaboratively with others to make informed decisions that benefit all."

Thank you Emily! I appreciate your support and your thoughtful words!

Posted on April 1, 2021 by Reading Post LTE: Casting Your vote for Sarah McLaughlin The Reading Post accepts Letters to the Editor. All letters must be signed. The Reading Post reserves the right to edit or not publish any letters received. Letters do not represent the views or opinions of the Post....

04/01/2021

An amazing video from our neighbors in Wi******er about the struggles our students, families, and educators face when we don’t identify reading challenges early and intervene. Definitely worth a listen!
Their stories are the stories of so many families, including those in our town. 2019 MCAS data show that only 61% of 5th graders in Reading were meeting or exceeding grade level expectations in ELA. That means that nearly 40% of the kids we sent on to middle school were not reading or writing at grade level.

Systematic and explicit phonics instruction benefits all readers! 1 in 5 students have dyslexia or struggle with reading. Intervening early reduces the proportion of children at risk for reading failure and reduces the proportion of poor readers overall. I'm looking forward to the opportunity to work with the incoming Superintendent and the School Committee to set aggressive goals for the early identification of students at-risk for reading struggles and improving outcomes for all students.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=jD-SnryP-RQ&feature=youtu.be&fbclid=IwAR0PTDoL82AepgcfEOiQzyPUTvuMRVB2SCH10ebi1WnSsTexT4ZKFUsHRXA

These are the voices of community members sharing their struggles and experiences with early literacy and dyslexia in Wi******er, MA Public Schools.

03/31/2021

"... the most effective Reading school committee members over the years have been the ones who have demonstrated character in what they say and do, competence in how they do it (and in what they expect of the superintendent and other administrators), and commitment to excellence and equity for all students of all abilities. Sarah brings all of those qualities and brings in another couple of important “C’s” – Conquering Complacency."

Thank you Marianne for your kind words of support!

Posted on March 31, 2021 by Reading Post LTE: Elect Sarah McLaughlin to the Reading School Committee The Reading Post accepts Letters to the Editor. All letters must be signed. The Reading Post reserves the right to edit or not publish any letters received. Letters do not represent the views or opin...