Supporting Eilleen Gagliano

I am writing this letter in support of the Board of Education candidate, Eilleen Gagliano.

I have known Eilleen for nearly 8 years, first as a customer to my former business where I first learned of her significant contributions to Warwick through her volunteerism and Spanish language instruction at a Warwick preschool. Later, as the PTA President at Park Avenue Elementary School. I was very impressed with Eilleen’s ability to organize and motivate teams of parents in the creation of various programs and events. Most notable was Eilleen’s total revamping of the Park Avenue After School Enrichment program.

She single-handedly transformed a four-week volunteer-based program into a wildly successful after school curriculum with offerings such as photography, Spanish, Chinese, Tae Kwon Do and cooking courses made available to children throughout the school year. This program not only engages the elementary school kids, and their parents as volunteers, but also brings in members of the community, local business and middle and high school students.

Eilleen has also attended every Board of Education meeting since her children have been enrolled in Warwick schools. Her understanding of the process, the stakeholders and the issues faced by the Warwick School District is second to none. Her commitment to our schools and our community is inspiring. She takes a special interest in supporting those among us who have more unique challenges, such as children for whom English is a 2nd language. Eilleen was a critical part of the team that instituted a program at the preschool level that provides children with English Language skills to ready them for Kindergarten. This program helps set children up for great successes as they embark on their school experience. It also reduces the need for district funded language instruction because the children enter school as stronger English language students.

With her years of contributions to the Warwick community and schools, the next logical step for Eilleen is a volunteer position on the Warwick Valley Board of Education. I will be voting for her. I encourage you to come out and vote as well.

Maura Peddle
Warwick