Letters to the Editor

Griffiths: Thanking All Who Supported My Campaign

Newly-elected School Committee member recognizes residents for their vote.

To the Town of Belmont,   It is such a humbling honor to be elected in a contested race for School Committee. I learned a great deal through the process  of campaigning, and I had the great pleasure of meeting many of you. As you all know, one does not get elected alone, but by the efforts and support of many people. I humbly thank every person who met with me and shared their advice and their account of Belmont History with me. I thank every person who held a sign, hosted one on their lawn, said a good thing about me, made a donation, wrote a letter of endorsement on my behalf, passed out flyers, or graciously hosted a coffee so I could meet more of our neighbors and learn the concerns of our town. I thank every person who actively worked…

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Town Election, 2012

To Belmont Voters: 'It Has Spurred Her to Serve the Citizens of Belmont'

A final election statement to voters from the husband of School Committee candidate Pascha Griffiths.

I am writing to ask for your support of Pascha Griffiths for School Committee. I have known Pascha in a variety of capacities over the last 12 years but most significantly, she’s my wife.  You might say: of course, you’d ask us to vote for Pascha: you’re her husband!  You’re highly biased! And I would agree: I am biased. But more than anyone, I have also seen up close how serious Pascha has taken this campaign and how it has spurred her to serve the citizens of Belmont.  In fact, before I go any further, let me ask one thing: the next time you meet a candidate or incumbent in local politics, please thank them, even if you don’t always agree with them. Public service is exactly that: a service to all of us and it falls to us to express our …

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Candidate's Page 2012

Pascha Griffiths: Why I'm Running for School Committee

Campaign announcement from a candidate seeking a seat on the school committee.

My name is Pascha Griffiths and I hope to be one of your two choices on April 2 for the open School Committee seats. I have spent the last month meeting with Belmont residents from all walks of life, and I have learned so much from each of you. More than ever, I believe that Belmont needs a volunteer with my background to serve on the School Committee. I bring the perspective of a professional educator, which is currently missing on the School Committee. The committee will soon create a new Curriculum Subcommittee to support the school administration, which I am eager to join. I have created curricula in many domains – science, leadership, community service, communications – and I have a wealth of experience to bring to the table. It is …

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The Candidate's Question of the Week

Question of the Week: School Committee Candidates on Teaching Levels

Pascha Griffith, Anne Lougee and Matt Sullivan answer questions related to Schools.

The Question of the Week is a weekly round of questions related to issues and concerns in races for town-wide office. How would you determine if the Belmont School District has an adequate number of teachers and how would you fill any gaps in need? An adequate number of teachers at the elementary level is different than high school; therefore I’ll explore the question as it applies to our three school levels.  For elementary grades, research has shown that small class sizes improve student achievement, and may even have lasting achievement affects that last beyond the elementary years, even if students are no longer in small class sizes. The U.S. Department of Education website archives these studies, including the Tennessee STAR and Long-…

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Griffiths Pulls Papers for School Committee Race

Seats remain in a number of precincts. "You have until Monday," says Town Clerk Cushman.

It's now a race for the Belmont School Committee. Pascha Griffiths of Bradford Street, one of four finalist to fill a vacant position on the School Committee in October, has pulled nomination papers to win one of the two seats being contested at Town Election. The Winn Brook parent hopes to join incumbent Anne Lougee – who was picked in October by a joint meeting of the Board of Selectmen and School Committee to occupy the position – and Board of Library Trustees' Matt Sullivan on the ballot. The election will be held Monday, April 2. An applicant to the doctoral program in education at Harvard University, Griffiths said she wants a career in educational leadership and being on the School Committee would allow her a chance to learn more. “…

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Franklin Tucker

2:35 pm on Wednesday, February 8, 2012

Dear Ms. Oates: Thanks so much for the explanation on 'open' seats. The best solution is not using the term in this articles and the future. Thanks   more ›

Meet Your Neighbors

Pascha Griffiths: Founder of Beloved Quilts

Former public school teacher helps others create community service projects.

Belmont Patch's Friday feature, "Meet Your Neighbors," is just that – discovering more about fellow residents or people who work in town and make the community a nice place to live. Who? Pascha Griffiths of Belmont What? Founder of Possibilities Factory and Beloved Quilts Her story: Pascha Griffiths is profoundly spiritual but it’s rare that she hears God’s voice. Yet she did – clear as a bell – a few years ago when she was pregnant with her second son and looking for guidance on how to keep up with her community service endeavors. “I was in my kitchen, cleaning it and eating Tortilla chips,” said the Belmont resident who, a decade ago, founded Possibilities Factory Inc. It’s a non-profit organization she’s put a lot of heart and soul into…

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