Editor’s note: The following letter is in support of the Jan. 25 referendum asking Hoboken voters to approve $241 million in bonds for a new Hoboken High School.
By Jessica Rodriguez
Hello, I am a hardworking and devoted single mother part of what they call the low-income community. I never get involved in conversations like this, but I am sharing my thoughts about how amazing Hoboken schools are. The “Yes” vote is important.
I have a younger son in first grade in Connors School and older son in seventh grade at Hoboken Middle School. I also work for the district at Wallace School. I have taught in a few daycares in Hoboken for years and those children once my own students also attend schools in our district. I also went to Hoboken High School in which I excelled and was part of many opportunities offered. The buildings are old now; they were OK when I went there, but that was 20 years ago.
My own son is in HMS and has had so many opportunities himself. I appreciate how much my seventh grader has learned and been a part of all opportunities given. Regardless of our economic status as “low income,” the district has made sure all our children get the same opportunities and make our children feel included. He is a High Honor student and takes AP classes. His teachers are amazing and encouraging all the time and my son has amazing grades because of the academics provided in our schools.
He tried tennis, something that he wanted to try for so long and finally was able to because of the amazing program the district set up and it was free and is also taking advantage of swimming at the high school. Being able to sign him up knowing he’s not being deprived because we are low income, do you know how that can feel?
They have so many clubs and activities to make sure our children thrive and make sure they are successful. He is on the Student Council and Yearbook. And they made him so comfortable he came out of his shell. He is in the play and even signed himself up for upcoming competition. He has thrived and opened up. Because his teachers care.
I made sure that I told him to get into it all because unfortunately I can’t afford anything as a single mother. Lots of people are ashamed but nope it’s for my sons and our district has opened doors for low-income students to experience things they wouldn’t. I figured if his friends can, so can he.
These two years with the pandemic have affected everything including learning for our kids. My little son finished pre-K-4 online then all K and is now behind on reading not because of the teachers but because the world changed. He has an IEP because the pandemic literally changed his whole little life. His amazing teachers and staff at Connors have made sure that he thrives by providing resources and all he needs to thrive because they care.
To think that people who don’t know anything but test scores is ridiculous to me. Test scores will never, ever define how much work these children put in and teachers and staff to make sure they thrive and are successful.
I wish there was more being done in terms of spreading awareness on low-income students thriving because of all the amazing opportunities Hoboken schools have provided. There are so many options to encourage children.
There is so much good, and I would like to help spread more awareness in communities so all the children can get the most out of their education. At the end of the day, it is for my children and all children. As long as my kids are good, so am I! Because I care, teachers care, and the whole district is amazing. Thank you.
Jessica Rodriguez was born and raised in Hoboken and lived in the city until a recent move to Jersey City.
Send letters to the editor and guest columns for The Jersey Journal to jjletters@jjournal.com.
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January 15, 2022 at 02:11AM
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