Letter: Gaetane Francis Is 'Energetic, Articulate Leader'

To the Editor:

I am writing in support of Dr. Gaetane Francis’ candidacy for a position on the Board of Education.

Gaetane is an accomplished medical doctor who has served the Greenwich community for over 20 years. She and her husband, who is also a physician, made a very thoughtfully considered choice to educate their children in the Greenwich Public School system because of its strong academics, diversity and solid neighborhood schools. As Gaetane’s children, like my son, have attended Glenville and then Western, I have seen Gaetane repeatedly demonstrate her deep knowledge, background and passionate interest in education – an interest in which she follows in the footsteps of her parents and older siblings. To that strong background, she adds an exceptional ability to get things done. For example, she created math differentiation materials for grades K-2. She also created a packet to help elementary school parents find “just right” books for their children. As the district-wide PTA Council Advanced Learning Program (ALP) Co-Chair, she successfully advocated for fixes in programming gaps leading to the creation of advanced 6th Grade Science and advanced English and Social Studies in 9th Grade.

Gaetane is a hands-on worker and is never dogmatic. You can be sure that she will work tirelessly to close the achievement gap by addressing core issues that impede student achievement at full potential. She will encourage the use of mastery-based progression learning so that a student can move at one’s own pace by utilizing the Digital Learning Initiative. She supports training and guidance for our teachers to succeed in that effort. Gaetane also supports a later school start time for Greenwich teenagers and will seek through best practices to achieve what is right for the entire Greenwich community. I am confident she will achieve her goals and help shape future goals and issues while she demonstrates her good listening skills and effective communication skills to work collaboratively with all stakeholders.

Gaetane is an energetic leader who will provide creative solutions to old and new issues on an expedient timeline and with efficient use of taxpayer dollars. I urge voters to watch, if it becomes available again on GCTV Channel 79, the forum held at Central Middle School on Tuesday, October 20th for the six BOE candidates. It can also be viewed on YouTube at the following link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LwRp1W32VCg

I watched it and it is my opinion that Gaetane was the most articulate and responsive candidate. I urge you to cast your vote on November 3rd for Dr. Gaetane Francis if you want to have a brilliant, well informed, likable, energetic, experienced and responsive representative for our Greenwich Public Schools.

Thomas L. Gazianis

Greenwich