b'susancourtneyEducators collaborate when they are valuedas professionals and receive the training,support and resources they need. Families belong when they are valuedas true partners in the educational process.Students thrive when they are supportedto meet high expectations and fullyexpress their identities. VOTEBY MAIL ORIN PERSONNOV 3 The proposed expansion includes a set of wide open steps that look out on the park. BerginWinkfield2020.com Lines 3+4 Tagged "The Forum" the steps are reminiscent of the public gathering spots in ancient Romea place to hang out, to study, to read, to talk quietly with friends.PAID FOR BY BERGIN & WINKFIELD FOR BOECEOAlbertoIbargenaColum- Butthisprogramminginnoway VibrantRigorousThriving bia High School graduateand Newdetracts from its core service:access to YorkTimesdeputymanagingedi- information.Itsmission,saysLester, tor Rebecca Blumenstein, a longtimeis not only to level the playing field, Maplewood resident. And despite thebutprovideinformationforallthe pandemic, its Ideas Festivala seriespeople. As well as the headline grab-of conversations about all sorts of top- bing talks with important people, the ics among people with a connection tolibrarysscheduleincludesaclassfor Maplewoodis still on track for thisjob-huntersandaYouTubechannel fall. devoted to children. We have such a wealth of [talent]And the library addition focuses on in our town says Lester. The creativ- the core aspects of a library. It will pro-ity is so amazing, so to not tap intovide a much-needed childrens room, a that is unimaginable. teen reading room and a maker space; it will double thenumber ofmeeting roomsand significantly A history of excellence increase com-putertermi-a future of promise nals,group tablesand workstations. Thearchi-tectspresen-tationnoted Lester interviewed Maplewood poet, author, and reporter Tina Kelleythat15per-in 2019 as she was awarded the literary prize as part of the Maple- centofMa-wood Ideas Festival. The festival was spearheaded by Lester to cel- plewoodresi-Register at www.aosenj.org or call 973-290-5225. ebrate the thoughtful, creative people with connections to the town. Photo credit: Franck Goldberg dentsdonot 40/ matters magazine / fall 2020'