As the sun sets on another summer, our kids are settling into a new school year.
New teachers. New classes. New routines. New challenges.
For many families, September is about getting back into a rhythm—figuring out mornings again, keeping up with assignments, juggling activities, and asking that familiar question at the end of the day:
“How was school?”
But this fall, I’m asking Pennsylvania parents to add one more thing to that list:
Pay attention.
I know. Politics.
Most people hate the political games. They hate campaigns, partisan fighting, endless mailers, commercials, Facebook arguments, and politicians pointing fingers at each other.
I get it.
But whether we enjoy politics or not, decisions made in Harrisburg affect our children.
They affect their schools.
They affect the resources available to them.
They affect school choice, public education, special education, cyber charter families, traditional district families, and ultimately taxpayers across this Commonwealth.
And this fall could matter.
Before everything changed in my own life, I had been working on a plan for the months ahead. There were things I wanted Candy Apple Advocacy to accomplish, conversations I wanted parents to have, and ways I wanted families to become more engaged.
Then life stopped.
On August 7, I lost Tabby.
For twenty years she was my wife, my partner, the mother of our children, and someone who fiercely believed that parents needed to speak up for kids—not just our own kids, but any child who needed someone in their corner.
The last month has been about something much bigger than politics or advocacy. It has been about our family learning how to move forward without her.
I want to thank everyone who reached out, prayed, sent messages, shared memories, attended her celebration of life, checked on the kids, or simply gave us some grace and space.
That love and support has meant more than I can adequately put into words.
I’m still figuring out what moving forward looks like.
But I also know Tabby would never want me to stop speaking up.
So, little by little, I’m getting back to work.
Over the coming days and weeks, I’ll update you on the plan I had for this fall, what has changed, what hasn’t, and where I think Pennsylvania parents need to focus their attention.
This isn’t about telling you how to vote.
It isn’t about telling you which political party has all the answers.
And it certainly isn’t about spending the next two months fighting with strangers on Facebook.
It is about being informed.
Read.
Ask questions.
Talk to your lawmakers.
Pay attention to what happens in Harrisburg.
Listen to what candidates say about education—and then look at what they have actually done.
Most importantly, remember that parents have a voice long before we ever walk into a voting booth.
Summer is ending.
The school year has begun.
Harrisburg is coming back.
And Candy Apple is getting back to work, too.
There will be more soon.
For tonight, though, thank you.
Thank you for giving my family time.
Thank you for supporting us.
And thank you for continuing to believe that when Pennsylvania parents pay attention, speak up, and stand together, we can make a difference for our kids.
This fall, let’s be ready.