Community Schools
Better Together “Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much” ― Helen Keller
Allyson Vukovich, Community Partnership Coordinator
Agenda •
Why Community Schools?
•
What are Community Schools?
•
How Des Moines Public Schools is building Community Schools?
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DMPS Community Schools Panel
•
Q/A
WHY COMMUNITY SCHOOLS?
Des Moines Public Schools
At a Glance Mission: The Des Moines Public Schools exists so that the students graduate with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to be successful at the next stage of their lives. Vision: To be the model for urban education in the United States • 32,979 students • Majority minority school district • 74.1% Free and Reduced Lunch
• 21% ELL •100 languages spoken
What are we up against? • Childhood Stress • Poverty • Trauma • Mental Illness • Anxiety
WHY… Do we need Community Schools? Research tells us… •
Young people need a wide range of opportunities and supports.
•
70% of American surveyed reported that they blame achievement gap/drop-outs on societal factors.
Community schools respond to these societal factors, family
"We tend to put considerations of family, community, and economy off-limits in education-reform policy discussions. However, we do so
circumstances, poverty and health
at our peril. The seriousness of our purpose requires that we learn to
problems so students can focus on
Facing the Hard Facts in Education Reform
learning! http://www.communityschools.org/aboutschools/faqs.aspx#_1
rub our bellies and pat our heads at the same time." – Paul Barton,
Coalition for Community Schools
How Community Schools Reduce Poverty
How Community Schools Reduce Poverty
WHAT IS A COMMUNITY SCHOOL?
Oakland Community Schools Video
What is a Community School? Community Schools serve the whole child and work to remove barriers to student achievement. A Community School is a place and a set of strategic partnerships among a school and other community resources that promote student achievement, positive conditions for learning and the well-being of families and communities.
HOW IS DES MOINES PUBLIC SCHOOLS BUILDING THEIR COMMUNITY SCHOOL VISION?
Many partners, one vision
Community Partnerships Community Schools are working to partner with the community to increase student and family access to services such as healthy food sources, healthcare and dental services, and quality after school programs.
Structured partnership process aligned with district initiatives
Basic Needs
Health
Neighborhood and Community Engagement
Student Enrichment
Social and Behavioral Supports
Data tracking to ensure positive outcomes for students
Building strong partnerships with those aligned to our goals and mission for all students and families
Access to high quality experiences for students
Community Schools Logic Model Inputs
Areas of focus
Outputs
Short term results
Long term results
Community School Coordinator
Family engagement
Supported families
Students are supported in making transitions in school
Students succeed academically
Sufficient staff (expertise & availability)
Extended learning & youth engagement
Comprehensive learning supports
Students attend school consistently
Students are healthy: physically, socially, and emotionally
Social, emotional, and physical well-being of students & families
Integrated academic enrichment and social services to support children's intellectual, social, emotional, and physical development
Students are actively involved in learning and in their community
Students live and learn in safe, supportive, and stable environments
Families are increasingly involved in their children's education
Communities are desirable places to live
Sufficient resources (funding & facilities) Available/ relevant partners Leadership and coordinated infrastructure
Support from schools and community
Age appropriate childhood development Cultural proficiency and best practices Linkage between schools and community partners
High quality and engaging programs Partner integration and collaboration in schools and communities
Schools are engaged with families and communities
Impact
Students possess the knowledge, skills and abilities to be successful at the next stage of their lives
Role of Community School Coordinator
• “Community Organizer" of the school and community. • Create, strengthen, and maintain the bridge between the school and community. • Facilitate and provide leadership for the collaborative process and development of a continuum of services for children, families and community members within a school neighborhood.
Community School Success! • Opened the Nolden Gentry Dental Clinic at Scavo High School- 1st in the state of Iowa! • Opened our first school based medical clinic in partnership with Primary Health Care with plans to expand to a mobile clinic at Hoover/Meredith • Open and manage 8 school based food pantries • Over 80 structured Partnership Agreements with community partners. • Vision to Learn partnership with United Way of Central Iowa
Community School Success continued… • Link Crew at all 5 comprehensive high schools. • Over 84.8% of freshmen attended orientation • 86% of our middle school students participate in at least 1 out of school time activity
• Development of structured data request system for partners to easily access data • Over 1,500 students involved in Silver Cord. Over $1,210,537.35 given back to our community every year!!!
DMPS Community Schools Panel
DISCUSSION: Exploring the community school vision • What stands out to you?
• How are these visions different from what you have been thinking? • What questions do you have?
Questions Thank you! More information can be found at: http://www.communityschools.org/
Allyson Vukovich Community Partnership Coordinator “Coming together is a beginning; keeping together is progress; working together is success”- Henry Ford
