To the Editor:

We are writing to share our endorsement of Lisa Martino Alves for Pelham Board of Education Trustee.

As the parents of a combined seven children with over two decades of experience working with school administrators, we have seen a variety of individuals serve in these positions.  We were given an opportunity to meet Lisa just before she was named the new principal of HHHS last summer.  We were immediately impressed with her attitude and vision of our school as a community, serving not just our students but also their families as well.  She has made herself available to parents throughout the year, offering monthly “Coffee with the Principal” dates where parents can ask questions or have conversations about any topic of interest.  She is often seen around the school, interacting with students and staff alike.

As involved parents active in our school, we have been thrilled with her willingness to engage with us, entertaining our out-of-the-box ideas to support our students and staff.  She is always eager to talk and brainstorm how to get the job done, sharing her many years of educational experience with our many years of volunteer work to facilitate joint efforts toward promoting academic excellence, supportive social and emotional learning, and just plain fun for our kids.  We appreciate how she values our voices and opinions and treats us as partners, again showcasing how much importance she places on including parents and community members in the conversation.

Our district’s financial challenges following the closure of the Indian Point power plant have required Lisa to work creatively with our district administrators to safeguard programs and staff.  We are pleased with the priority she places on ensuring that our students gain not only the best education our school can provide, but also a well-rounded high school experience, getting them ready for the next stage in their lives.  We know that her dedication as an educator, as well as her personal experience as a mother, give her a solid foundation for providing guidance to the Pelham district in the coming years.  Just as we are fortunate to have her at the helm of our high school, we are sure that the Pelham community will feel the same with her as a Board of Education Trustee.

Jenean Eichenholtz and Michelle Piccolo Hill

Montrose, NY

Editor’s note: This letter has been revised from an earlier version at the request of the authors.