PAGE 2 — Addison Independent, Monday, May 28, 2018
Beeman looks locally for new principal Park led Addison Central School By CHRISTOPHER ROSS NEW HAVEN — Travis Park’s commute from his home in Bristol is about to get a little shorter. Since 2016 Park has served as principal of Addison Central School. On July 1 he’ll report to Beeman Elementary School in New Haven, where he will replace outgoing Principal Kristine Evarts, who has accepted the position of special education coordinator at Otter Valley Union Middle/High School. A Utah native, Park, 39, moved to Vermont when he was 20 and fell in love with teaching while volunteering at Bristol Elementary School. In 2011, after college and a few years teaching and coaching in New Hampshire, Park returned to Bristol Elementary and taught there for five years before becoming principal of Addison Central. The Addison Independent asked Park to share a little bit about himself and his vision for Beeman Elementary. Here’s what he had to say: What’s one quality/interest/ experience you have that makes you relatable to elementary school kids? I am a big sports fan. I enjoy young adult books. I juggle! Kids love that. I am actively involved and genuinely care about kids, and that seems to show in the way I interact with them. I have young kids myself. I’ve also had the privilege of teaching kindergarten and third through sixth grade, and have coached sports around the same age. How old are your children and how do they like living with “the principal”? My daughters are eight, six and four. As for living with a princi-
her Bristol house growing up. She is the director of ANeSU/MAUSD Expanded Learning Program. Your bio says you play the guitar (though “poorly”). What kind of music do you play and how has that informed your views on music in schools? I try and play anything that uses basic chords! My children all play the violin, which has been a wonderful way to support their growth. It takes dedication, perseverance and hard work, and I feel that it is a great way for students to challenge themselves. What prompted your move from Utah to Vermont when you were 20? I became a missionary for my church, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, and was TRAVIS PARK assigned this area. During my time pal, they still seem to think I teach, here I did lots of volunteering and but just have more meetings at was asked by a teacher to volunteer night. They also look to me as their in the classroom. I really grew to personal jungle gym and play-toy at enjoy working with youth and ultithe moment. mately this guided my path toward You grew up in Utah, but you’re elementary education. a Chicago Bears football fan. Why Was there a specific moment not the Denver Broncos? while volunteering at Bristol When I was seven, “Da Bears” Elementary School when you just were the best in football (and co- knew you wanted to be a teacher? incidentally beat the The first time I subPatriots in the Super stitute-taught was for Bowl). Growing up “Growing up in a sixth-grade class. in a state without a a state without I was very nervous. professional football a professional But as I made my way team gave me the football team gave to the office to check freedom to choose, me the freedom to in I was greeted with and that was the smiling faces. Then, year I got really into choose, and that as the kids came into football. However, was the year I got the classroom they my grandmother really into football.” were excited and enthroughout my life gaged in the work. I always confused the may have mentioned Broncos and the Bears in her gifts to to them that we could play a mean me — much to my dismay. It only game of Four Square later if they furthered my love of the Bears and were good! Overall, though, I think dislike of the Broncos! it was a collection of moments that Tell us about your family ties to inspired me. the area. Did you have any Aha! moments My wife, Mandy Chesley-Park, while principal of Addison Central is the seventh generation to live in School that you will find helpful as
you transition to Beeman? This year we started awarding students a Soaring Eagle Award for going above and beyond school expectations. During the award assembly I could see the anticipation on the kids’ faces as they looked to see who it would be, and then when the name was read it was great seeing the excitement from that student, the other students, teachers and parents. The Aha! was not that we all enjoy being surprised, which is great, but that we enjoy feeling valued, like we are part of something. My hope is that every single Beeman student feels valued, cared for and part of a community. Tell us about your plans for getting to know Beeman and the New Haven community. My plan is to meet with all the staff and as many community and family members as possible. I would like to connect with incoming kindergarteners and their families by visiting their homes, if possible. I want to be visible in the community. What else would you like the Beeman community to know about you that no one ever seems to ask? I was that kid that went to seven different elementary schools in six years. I remember being nervous walking into a new school and meeting new people. One thing that made a difference for me was my teachers. I had one teacher who went out of his way to call on me in class, and even if I answered a question wrong helped me feel like it was OK and to keep trying. And when I got it right he praised my expertise and made me feel like an important part of the class. Teachers and educators make a difference. I’m proud to be a part of this school and community and want all Beeman students to feel the way I did: valued, cared for, with a sense of belonging.
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By ANDY KIRKALDY VERGENNES — The first effort to find a replacement for soon-to-retire Vergennes City Manager Mel Hawley was not productive, Deputy Mayor and search committee chairman Jeff Fritz told his fellow aldermen at last Tuesday’s city council meeting. The committee’s efforts resulted in one candidate, according to Fritz, and the committee decided, he said, it would be “inappropriate to move forward just one candidate.” The council then backed Fritz’s recommendation, made on behalf of the committee, to hire the Vermont League of Cities and Towns to take over the search at a cost not to exceed $6,800. Fritz said that cost would probably be closer to $4,300, and that it would be “hugely more expensive” to contract with a private search firm. Fritz said VLCT officials have contacts among existing Vermont managers, plus advertising contracts that should make their search more effective than the city committee’s. VLCT, he said, could “focus in on a pool of candidates we did not have an ability to reach.” Meanwhile, council members said at the May 22 meeting they were concerned that the clock was ticking toward Hawley’s July 25 retirement date. Fritz said the committee had discussed with VLCT officials the possibility that the league might also have to look for an interim replacement. “VLCT is prepared to help us find an interim manager, which does help relieve the pressure. We do need a city manager in place by July 25,” Fritz said. Council members asked how soon the search should turn toward looking for an interim, rather than a permanent solution, a question Mayor Renny Perry handled. “If we don’t see any more traction within a few weeks or a month, then we’re in the hunt for an interim,” Perry said.
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