I have known the Kaish family ever since my family moved across the street from them in 1993. Michele has always been a dedicated family person who made sure that her three sons got a top quality education. She did that by helping out in the classroom for all her children, working with the teachers, staff and administrators at her son’s schools and being part of the PTA.
Michele has no other goal than to make sure that the whole child is supported and developed during their school years. I have since moved out of West Windsor, but Michele and I still keep in touch and I know that good education for all is a very important part of her life.
I cannot vote for her, but I encourage all the residents of West Windsor to vote for her. You will not be sorry.
Harvey Berliner
Honolulu
Michele Kaish has had more hands-on experience with the day-to-day operations of the WW-P School District than any other non-district-employee I know. Over the past 15 years she has devoted thousands of hours volunteering within the schools. I have personally known Michele for six years and have served on a PTA board with her. Her volunteer efforts have included fundraising to support curriculum and instruction, organizing activities thatenhance school offerings, advocating for children’s welfare, and representing the voice of parents at district meetings.
Michele actively seeks to learn about the district’s curriculum, policies, programs, and finances, and she has taken steps to educate parents about such issues. Michele understands that parents are essential partners in the district’s effort to provide a quality education.
Michele’s vast experience within the district schools is complemented by her natural leadership abilities. She possesses an ideal combination of assertiveness and humility. She knows how to use diplomacy to build consensus, but when there is a difference of opinion, she respects the ideas of others and finds common ground. She is organized, businesslike, and authoritative, but she is also willing to roll up her sleeves and serve wherever needed to promote the success of the schools.
Michele’s volunteer experience has involved managing tens of thousands of dollars in PTA/PTSA donations, and she has handled financial matters with the utmost respect for the parents who have entrusted the PTA/PTSA with their money. She has consistently sought to avoid wasteful spending. I feel certain that Michele, as a member of the WW-P Board of Education, will approach her stewardship over taxpayer dollars with the same level of fiscal responsibility.
Michele Kaish has unwaveringly served the best interests of children in the WW-P School District. She understands how school policies and programs affect students and families, and she is not afraid to advocate for fairness, consistency, and excellence. It is essential that board members serve as the eyes and ears of the community and work with administrators to push the district toward improvement. Michele has developed positive working relationships with administrators and teachers who have welcomed her candid observations about trouble spots. Michele knows how to register her concerns firmly and respectfully, and I am eager for her to assume a role within the district that will introduce her ideas to a broader group of decision makers.
Catherine Foley
West Windsor
I first met Michele Kaish through our mutual bond — concern for our three sons as they move through the West Windsor school system. We have served on the PTA executive boards of Dutch Neck and Village Elementary Schools together over the past several years. I have come to respect and admire Michele for her intelligence, insightfulness, and ability to effect positive change which has benefited our children, the school district, and our community at large. She instills in those with whom she works a sense of dedication, and has led many with divergent views towards the common good that has enhanced the quality of education in West Windsor-Plainsboro. Her professionalism and quest for excellence consistently shined through as she successfully served as a member of PTA executive boards and numerous school committees. Michele’s keen attention to detail, as well as her untiring effort to gain consensus, moved the committees ahead towards an agreed upon goal.
Michele is able to see and quickly understand the bigger picture and takes the tactical steps needed to achieve a goal which at times seem so unreachable. Michele will always persevere and get the job done with support and satisfaction from all involved.
Linda Kerins
Greenfield Drive, West Windsor
I have known Michele for a number of years but really got to know her well while serving together on the PTA at Village School. When the PTA president moved out of district early in the school year, Michele volunteered and stepped up to fill the Presidency. It was not a quick decision but a thoughtful decision Michele made to volunteer even more of her time. It proved to be a very successful year in the PTA due to Michele’s guidance. Michele opened up the lines of communication between the parents, teachers, staff, and administration by introducing a PTA e-mail blast, which included current happenings and important school news. Many of the other district PTA/PTSAs replicated this as it was, and still is, so informative and successful. Under Michele’s leadership the school had a hugely successful “Just Write A Check” PTA fundraising campaign.
Michele has experience at multiple grade levels and in multiple schools in our district due to her volunteer endeavors. She has prepared budgets, sent out many communications, and made important and timely decisions that use resources wisely and benefit the greatest number of students.
Like Michele, my husband and I moved to West Windsor because of the outstanding school district. We want the best education and opportunities for our children. I believe that Michele will act in the best interest of the students and parents in our district. I know that Michele is always willing to listen and understand the concerns of parents.
Michele does not make decisions without considering all aspects of the situation. She is fair, open minded, and a collaborator in all of her volunteering positions. I know that she will bring these positive traits to the Board of Education. Michele’s strengths of fiscal responsibility, decision making and the ability to listen make her the best candidate.
Wendy Kramer
West Windsor
Want to see more responsive leadership within the WW-P School Board? Desire more effective and efficient use of your tax dollars? Do you think there should be continuous educational improvement for all our children? If your answer is yes, then I hope you will join me in endorsing Michele Kaish.
I was fortunate to meet Michele about five years ago when our children were attending the same elementary school. Michele was the PTA president at two different schools and I’ve had the honor of serving and learning under her direction and leadership as one of her vice presidents. I’ve also had the pleasure of sitting in the stands with Michele and her family as we rooted on our children playing baseball at Ward Field while discussing life, school, and other world events.
As PTA president, Michele consistently added value and direction to the Board’s understanding of the goals and direction of the WW-P School District. She provided a depth of diversity and an independent view as a focused and engaged member within her leadership role. In all my experiences and interactions with Michele, I’ve continued to be impressed with her unique ability to craft and implement policies that encouraged administrators and educators to improve the quality of our children’s educational experiences. As in many organizations, members always have differences of opinions and I found Michele’s skilled way to “agree to disagree” and maintain a civility and respect for all involved completely refreshing.
Patti Kuczmarski
47 Ellsworth Drive, West Windsor
When they say, “it takes a village” to help us to provide all that our children need, I always think of my neighbor Michele. I have been deeply blessed to have her as a neighbor and a friend these last 13 years. I could not have gotten through the myriad challenges that have faced me over these years without her. She is there for people in a heartbeat, without a moment of hesitation. I cannot think of a single situation that has faced me where she has not been part of my support system and the “solution.”
It is this same dedication and clarity that she has brought to everything she does. She is the kind of mother I hope I can be to my own children. She is there unequivocally for each of her three in the classrooms, at the PTA; at each and every school event and function. She is not only involved in these activities, she is informed and knowledgeable. She takes the time to educate herself in all aspects of the things she does. She is fair, intelligent, and insightful. She is warm and caring and able to organize a very “full plate” with humor and grace.
Linda Mannheim
40 Spruce Street, West Windsor
Unlike some of her many supporters I have only known Michele for about a year, but in that year, she has thoroughly convinced me that she has the knowledge, the dedication, and the commitment needed to serve on our school board. When I met Michele, she was the outgoing president of the Village School PTA and I was the incoming president. Michele had served on PTAs for several years and had an enormous amount of knowledge –– and I had none. Michele spent countless hours training me, providing me with resources, and guiding me-until I too became familiar with the ins and outs of the school system. And she continues to provide me invaluable guidance and friendship to this day.
Throughout this process, I learned a lot about Michele as well. She is bright, resourceful, and compassionate, and knows so much about every aspect of our school programs, including academics, sports, music, extracurricular activities, special education.
And I learned something else about Michele as well. She has enough confidence in herself and her knowledge of the district to ask tough questions of the district’s decisionmakers, and to challenge programs and policies.
Sue Roy
2 Strathmore Place, West Windsor
I have had the pleasure of working with Michele in the Dutch Neck and Village PTAs over the last five years. As vice president of the Dutch Neck PTA, Michele was extremely organized, compassionate and focused on always doing what was best for the kids. She has a clear sense of what needs to be done and a methodical approach to getting it done. Michele was always aware of what was best for the kids, parents and school. I have a great deal of respect for Michele, who devotes so much of her time to the school and community while simultaneously being a devoted and involved parent to her own kids. I have no doubt that we would be in great hands with Michele Kaish on the school board!
Rima Sakaria
41 Reed Drive South
Serving on the Board of Education can at times be a difficult task and board members must balance many conflicting requirements in an attempt to come up with the best possible outcome. Michele Kaish’s experience with the various schools her children have attended over the years gives her an insider perspective that someone who does not have children would not bring to the table. Her role on numerous PTAs has shown her leadership and community building skills. The Board of Education needs more members who have the leadership, inside experience, and community building skills Michele has.
Andi I. Sjamsu
Village Road West, West Windsor
I have known Michele for six years. In these years I observed her dedication for our schools and the children, her kind and empathic personality. Being a parent with children in the district, she is aware of current issues and she understands parents’, students’, and teachers’ needs.
My own personal experience was when Kaish, as PTA president, welcomed the idea of implementing a “Summer Reading Program” at Village School. In doing so, she had our children’s interest as the number one priority and supported a convenient option for parents to purchase books for their children for the summer.
Not only has she been a parent guiding her own children through the school system, she has played an active role in their schools. She has tremendous experience and knowledge of the district’s schools.
Suparna Mahableshwarkar
West Windsor
