248-537-2422
littlechrissy0606@gmail.com
Crystal Sims
For a Firm Foundation
Candidate for Southfield School Board 2024
Who am I?
My name is Crystal Sims. I was born in Detroit, Michigan. I began my educational career in Lutheran school and was later transferred to the Detroit Public Schools. I graduated from Cooley High School and have always loved learning. I was accepted to Alabama A&M University with a full scholarship offer, but due to my mother’s illness, I was forced to decline. Soon after, I became a single mother to a beautiful baby boy...as a teenager. My dream of attending a university disappeared completely...So, I thought. Being a very young mother and raising a son alone, I knew that I needed a strong support system. For that reason, I enrolled him in Catholic school. I knew those nuns wouldn’t let him get away with anything.
When he was 16 years old, I got married and moved to Southfield, Michigan. It was here that my son graduated from Southfield Lathrup High school. He later pursued his lifelong dream of joining the military. Like myself, he began attending parochial schools and was later transferred to public school. The difference was paralyzing for the both of us. I later had two more sons and became a stay-at-home mom. Those two boys began their educational career in parochial school also and were later homeschooled. This turned out to be a very successful endeavor—as both were accepted to the colleges of their choice with scholarships to boot. I have always been a very hands-on mother, especially when it came to the education of my three children. Because of these experiences, I’ve learned a lot—I’ve discovered what works and what doesn’t.
Why am I running?
I have recently learned that in the Southfield Public School system, only 26% of elementary school children read to proficiency or above and that only 13% are proficient or above in math. I was first shocked, then saddened, and finally deeply concerned for their future. After learning that these statistics were not just exclusive to Southfield, but all across America, I decided that I couldn’t just be a spectator and a complainer, I had to do something about it. https://www.usnews.com/education/k12/michigan/districts/southfield-public-school-district-109546#:~:text=Test%20Scores%20at%20Southfield%20Public%20School%20District&text=And%2048%25%20of%20high%20school,above%20that%20level%20for%20math
https://www.niche.com/k12/d/southfield-public-school-district-mi/academics
This world is changing so fast. Hearing news reports that 30% of GenZ are unsure of their gender; Know the debilitating effects of excessive and unscensored cell phone use by minors, which I lovingly refer to as “Dream Killers”; With the entrance of social and political agendas making their way into the classroom, it’s a miracle a child can learn anything at all. It’s too much noise, and far too many distractions. Children are our future...our future doctors, lawyers, builders, scientists, and presidents just to name a few. Something must be done to get them to their finish line. The status quo is not working and time is up.
https://www.nbcnews.com/nbc-out/out-news/nearly-30-gen-z-adults-identify-lgbtq-national-survey-finds-rcna135510
There’s an old song, that was regularly played in my public school. I can still hear the words, for they are etched in my soul. It has emboldened me to participate in the fight for America’s children. Some of the words go like this, “I believe that children are our future. Teach them well and let them lead the way...
My mission?
Very few people know of the history behind the formation of the public school system in America, and its original purpose. The Old Deluder Satan Act (enacted by the Massachusetts Bay Colony in 1647) laid out the foundational basis for the public school system in America. The law’s name came from the first line of its contents—mentioning Satan’s heightened danger to those who lacked education. It also reaffirmed the fact that both the parents and teacher are responsible for educating their children to basic literacy levels. It was believed that Satan dwells in ignorance. The Act’s sole purpose at that time was to teach children to read so that they would be able to read the Bible. Because of this, America became a world super power. We also had the strongest educational system in the world by far. Many people all around the world desired to either come to this county to live or at the very least, send their children to this country to be educated.Later in 1962, Madelyn Murray O’Hair, an atheist, petitioned the Supreme Court to end prayer and bible reading in public schools. She did not want her son to be forced to read the bible or recite the Lord’s prayer. She was successful. Since that day, school test scores began to gradually fall to what what we have today. I want the public school system in America to return to its former glory. I believe that restoring a bible curriculum is pivotal. I am deeply passionate about education. I believe that a strong early childhood educational experience is crucial. A child’s mind is like a sponge at that age. By the age of eight, it is believed that their mental disposition is pretty much set.
As a Southfield schoolboard member, I want to work with the current members to 1) look for ways to increase funding for new programs and materials to enhance the education opportunites for its students, 2) find more funding for teacher materials that are necssary to educate their students more efficiently, 3) to create more parent workshops to encourage young parents in the educational process of their children that will encourage them and assist them on this wonderful journey called parenting. Being a parent is a rigorous journey, but the road is short. In the end, they will discover that their sacrifices were well worth it. In short, working with the current members, I want to find ways to direct more funding back to the students where the funding is needed.
STEM programs are great and necessary, but they are not for every child. Teens need more professional development opportunities. They need to experience a wide range of potential career paths. I want to work with the community and businesses to create more tutoring, internships, and work study programs for teens that will prepare them for a career if college is not in their plans. Increasing more courses such as wood shop, automotive, cooking, sewing, ROTC, and many others will prepare them to enter the workforce immediately after graduation and set them on a course for success.
I liken the education of our youth to the foundation of a structure. A firm foundation is a structure that is built so secure that it stands through adverse conditions. This structure cannot be easily shaken.
As a Southfield Public School Board member, I will study hard to be an excellent school board member. I will strive to improve public education in Southfield. I will support the employment of those best qualified to serve as school staff. My first and greatest concern is the education and welfare of the students. So, good personnel is necessary for good results.
I will also represent the desires of the parents as well as Southfield citizens within the realm of my responsbilities for the betterment of the child and our community. I will maintain two way communication to keep them informed of our progress and the problems of the district. I also encourage parents as well as the citizens to bring their aspirations and their concerns to our attention, and I encourage them to stay informed of what’s happening within the district.
As an independent candidate, I am not bound by party lines. I have no school ties, and my children are now adults. So, I have no “Skin in the Game”. This allows me to focus solely on what is best for the children and the community.
Experiences
Assistant Controller for a Non Profit
2010-Present | Southfield, MII have a lot of experience in the accounting field. I began as a staff accountant. I was promoted to Senior Accountant, and now I serve as an Assistant controller.
Condominium Treasurer
2004-Present | Southfield, MI- I work with the owners to set priorities for expenditures.
- I work with the owners to set budgets as well as negotiate revenue requirements.
- I assist in the bargaining process as well as the approving of major contracts.
- I assist with monitoring and ensuring building improvements.
Homeschool Teacher/Principal/Counselor
2007-2017 | Southfield , MIIt is evident that every child is different and learn in different ways. I learned who my children were as well as their learning styles...which were quite different. Thus, I chose an accelerated curriculum for them. I did not want them to be left behind, especially since I was educating them on my own. I understood when each one had given their best even when the results were different. They understood the reward systems in place and strived to achieve them at all times. I also discovered their gifts and could even see their potential future career paths. I groomed them with extra-curriculm activites in those areas as well as exposed them to many others. Our homeschool motto was, Excellence or Nothing at all.
Carrier/Supervisor-United States Postal Service
1985-1999 | Detroit, MIAs a single mother of one son at the time, I began my postal carrier. The work was hard, but the pay was good. I later became a postal supervisor managing the workforce of over 60 carriers as well as clerks. I managed their work hours to correlate with the workload. I also prepared monthly financial budget for the station. After several years as a supervisor, I returned to carrier status. Their work hours were not conducive for a single parent.
Education
Walsh College
Masters of Science in Accounting (MSA)Graduated 2004 | Troy , MI
Wayne State University
Bachelor of Science - Corporate FinanceGraduated 1995 | Detroit , MI