Dear Friends:

I kindly welcome you as you arrive at my support site for my candidacy for member of the Garvey Board of Education. I do believe very strongly in supporting our community's schools.

My name is Tony Ramos, candidate for school board. Garvey School District has been a home for my family and me and since 1977. Our father, who worked as a gardener and my mother, who worked as a housekeeper, always placed a high value on education. Working closely with local schools, they worked hard to make sure that my six siblings and I received exemplary educations. I am now carrying on this tradition as a single parent. My daughter, after completing her education in Garvey schools, graduated from San Gabriel High School in June.

Having the perspective as a student and parent that participated in the Garvey schools, I have seen the strengths and weaknesses of local educational programs for over thirty years. I am grateful to Garvey for providing the foundation that has allowed my brothers, sisters and me to graduate from high school and be awarded college degrees.

I believe that there are three main components that really help students become successful in school: material and human resources, a safe learning environment, and commitment from students and their families.

All children learn more effectively in a challenging and inspiring environment. Classrooms must have highly trained and effective teachers using the latest tools and techniques at their disposal. As a board member my highest priority will be the retraining of weak teachers and the expansion of the use of technology in all classrooms.

All children learn more effectively in a safe, healthy and nurturing environment. As a board member I will expand programs that prevent violence from invading our campuses, provide students with skills leading to a healthy life style and shield them from unhealthy outside influences.

All children learn more effectively when parents are informed about and involved in the educational process. As a board member I will open up the channels of communication between schools and homes by expanding the use of technology to communicate information critical to the progress of students to their parents and assure that all families have the ability and resources to contribute to their children's success in school.

My siblings and I are the product of effective teachers and involved parents. Our success is the result of a strong learning environment both at school and at home. If elected, I will do my best to fulfill my vision of providing students with the educational pathway to future success that was provided to me by Garvey School District.