230 likes | 397 Views
Community Schools Initiative. School District 17 Robert Mazerall, District Coordinator. AGENDA. Definition History Education Plan When Kids Come First Vision Goals District 17 Coordinator Examples of Community Schools Partnerships. Community Schools Initiative. What is it?.
E N D
Community Schools Initiative School District 17 Robert Mazerall, District Coordinator
AGENDA • Definition • History • Education Plan When Kids Come First • Vision • Goals • District 17 Coordinator • Examples of Community Schools • Partnerships
Community Schools Initiative What is it?
A community school… • Creates an alliance between the school and the community • Uses community resources such as: • Volunteer groups • Parents • Public sector • Private sector
Is unique, which means every community will have a different mix of services • Uses resources to provide additional opportunities for classroom instruction and /or after school programs • Insures all activities and services reflect the primary goal – to enrich and support educational outcomes
Is open for students, their families and organizations beyond traditional hours
A Community School… Is NOT a new concept… …it is a NEW focus.
History • One of the first jurisdictions in Canada to adopt the concept of Community Schools was Saskatchewan • 1980: 11 Community Schools designated to address urban poverty issues • 1996: Building Communities of Hope: Conceptual Framework developed • 2001: the number of Community Schools doubles and expands to include rural K-12 • 2004: 98 schools involved in initiative
Commitment # 6: “To engage Communities and Partners in Improving Schools” • Specific Actions • Phase I (Years 1 and 2 of the Plan) • Phase II (Years 3 and 4 of the Plan)
Community Schools InitiativeVISION For parents, businesses and community members to work in partnership with educators to support schools as centers for learning by linking the resources of the community around them. • 2007 Framework
Community Schools InitiativesGOALS • To deliver high quality educational programs • Create positive learning opportunities • Foster cooperative learning culture / environment
Increase learner success by addressing educational and social needs • Develop successful family / community / school partnerships that integrate and improve access to resources • Encourage leadership in educational innovations
Respect and promote the culture and identity of the community • Support life-long learning programs
Community Schools CoordinatorDistrict 17 Responsibilities: • Facilitate planning initiatives • Identify and foster development opportunities • Ensure community / school input • Track and monitor programs
Assess the community capacity to deliver sustainable programs • Work to mitigate barriers that challenge and restrict community use of schools • Ensure effective communication with all stakeholders including community members, schools, district, department of education, public / private partners
Respect and promote the culture and identity of the community • Support life-long learning programs • Liaise between partners / schools / district and department to ensure stakeholders are best positioned and capable of sustaining on-going relationships
Ensure all programs services and activities reflect the primary goal – to enrich and support educational outcomes • Develop and deliver strategic marketing presentations that explain and promote the community schools concept • Develop and maintain a database of all current and potential partnerships
Community Schools in Action • Wellness Centre • Fish Friends • Early Childhood Learning • Local Option Course • Scouts, Girl Guides, Beavers, Brownies • Driver Training • Outdoor Classroom • Woodworking – evening program • Parenting – evening program • Computer courses – evening program
Community Schools in Action … continued • Nutrition Programs • Headstart Program • Youth Leadership – First Nations • Music lessons • Gymnastics • Coaching of Sports • Karate • Dance; Square Dancing • Art class • Army Cadets
Current Partnerships • Red Cross • Junior Achievement • RCMP – Community Program • Department of Education • Oromocto First Nations • Department of Wellness Culture and Sports • IRVING • Chamber of Commerce • Municipalities • OPAL Family Services • Boys and Girls Club • Department of National Defense • United Way • Department of Health
Schools Need: • Mentoring • Tutoring • Classroom helpers • Fine Arts (music, art, etc) • Breakfast Program • Sports/Coaching • Supervision • Behind the scene assistance
SCHOOLS NEED YOUR SUPPORT