Dear Menlo Park City Council Members,
I am writing to express my support for the Menlo Park Community Campus (MPCC) and its mission to provide a safe and enriching learning environment for the community, specifically the youth. As a former teacher at Belle Haven Elementary School for six years and now the Superintendent of Ravenswood, I understand the importance of ensuring equitable access to the services the youth center provides. I was surprised to see that students attending a private school were given priority access to this wonderful public space.
It is crucial to ensure that all students in the Belle Haven neighborhood have equal access to the youth center and its services. The document as it currently stands explicitly gives "Beechwood School," a private school across the street, priority access on page H.1.7. Belle Haven Elementary, 0.5 miles away, is not mentioned.
Many Beechwood students come from Belle Haven and East Palo Alto. Given their proximity and longstanding commitment to the community, this private school should have priority access. However, students also attending the local public school should have equitable and priority access to the youth center.
To achieve this, I suggest the MPCC ad hoc subcommittee and city staff ensure that the programming plan reflects the needs and priorities of all residents in the Belle Haven neighborhood, including those who attend Belle Haven Elementary School. While I am now aware that there have been multiple community meetings and consultations regarding the MPCC, I believe that it would be beneficial to have more direct communication with Belle Haven Elementary School, Ravenswood City School District, and other local community members who serve the youth that reside in Belle Haven during the planning process. I recognize the importance of collaboration between the school and the city, given our close collaboration in other areas like the city library and use of the Belle Haven Elementary field, so I was surprised that Ravenswood was not contacted directly.
As always, my goal is to advocate for the needs of our school community and to ensure that all students in the Belle Haven area have access to safe, healthy, and enriching learning opportunities. Therefore, I urge the City Council to consider the importance of equitable access to the MPCCs youth center and its services for all residents in the Belle Haven neighborhood, including the families who attend Belle Haven Elementary School. Thank you for your time and consideration, and I hope that we can work together to ensure that all students in the Belle Haven area have access to the resources they need to succeed.
For students,
Gina
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Gina Sudaria (she, her)
Superintendent |650-564-2942
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