Alice Turkel for Cambridge School Committee

This group studied the issues faced by children who have experienced trauma. The sub-committee heard presentations from many experts in this field. We learned that childhood trauma can impede student learning and that a significant number of children in every classroom have suffered some type of traumatic experience. After a year of study this group presented its findings and recommendations to the Superintendent of Schools.

Alice worked for the Cambridge Health Department on children’s health issues.

She helped to plan the agenda for the Healthy Children’s Task Force. Ongoing priorities of the task force are mental health, healthy activity and nutrition.
Alice helped produce and publicize two public health forums; one on Healthy and Risky Teen Behaviors and the other on Childhood Obesity.
In response to parental feed back from the forum on Childhood Obesity, Alice organized the School Food Service Advisory, which gives parents a direct way to influence what is served in our school cafeterias by meeting with School Nutritionists and the Director of Food Services.
Alice surveyed every elementary school to find out how much time each school allotted for recess at different grade levels.
Alice arranged a tour of Brookline school cafeteria kitchens for members of the Healthy Children’s Task Force, School Nutritionists and the Director of Food Services for the Cambridge Public Schools introducing the work of Chef Vin Connely. That visit resulted in hiring Chef Vin Connely to create new recipes for the Cambridge Public Schools. The chef now works with Cambridge’s Food Service Workers, teaching them new recipes and new skills.
Alice worked in the school cafeterias introducing new foods to students and allowing them to vote on new additions to the school lunch and breakfast menus.
Alice produced a booklet, “Tasty Choices” of new school recipes for home use, illustrated by Cambridge Public School students. This booklet was sent home with every kindergarten through sixth grade student to help introduce their families to positive changes in school food.
The Cambridge Elementary Schools and the High School now have a menu of healthier, more appealing items including more fresh (and locally grown when possible) fruits and vegetables.
Cambridge was named one of the top five vegetarian-friendly school systems in the country by a youth organization associated with People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA).

Alice is a member of Cambridge’s Healthy Parks and Playground Initiative.

Members of this task force met for two years working to create a new way of planning city playgrounds. As the city renovates existing playgrounds and creates new ones, guidelines established by this task force will lead our city to build a network of exciting, increasingly varied, and more challenging playgrounds. These playgrounds will enhance the life of Cambridge citizens by encouraging and supporting physical activity for all ages and ability groups and by presenting opportunities for play that leads to cognitive and social growth.

Alice serves as an overseer on the board of the Boston Children’s Museum.

Alice served as a member of the “Go Kids” initiative, which worked on ways the museum, and its outreach programs could promote a healthy lifestyle for children and their families focused on good nutritional choices and increased physical activity.
Alice served as a member of the museum’s “Phase 2 Expansion”. This group worked on plans to develop a park in land acquired on the waterfront next to the museum.

Alice is a member of The Friends of the Community Learning Center Board.

Each year the Community Learning Center helps more than 1,000 adult residents of Cambridge improve their lives through free basic adult education programs. Programs include GED test preparation, English as a Second Language, citizenship classes and outreach on issues such as health concerns or navigating Cambridge Rindge and Latin School as the parent of a high school student.

Alice worked for the North Bennet Street School.

The North Bennet Street School is a vocational school committed to using the apprenticeship system to prepare adults for careers as craftsmen. Alice did out reach to community groups in low income and minority communities.

updated October 10, 2011