Community Schools advocates praise new Colorado law
Advocates for Community Schools, including the local teachers union and the Pueblo Education Coalition, received a boost last week when Gov. Jared Polis signed Senate Bill 102 into law. Although neither the district nor the D60 board responded to a request for comment, during a February meeting, board member Dennis Maes and Superintendent Charlotte Macaluso offered their beliefs that Risley — which benefits from a network of partnerships and collaborations — is already meeting the requirements of a Community School.
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Op-Ed: Community Schools Could Become Hubs for Delivering Resources
Schools could be made a focal point for getting critical resources, including social services, to students and their families. Among the successful strategies that have fostered educational equity over the past century are “community schools.” Community schools are emerging again, this time as a promising approach to two critical policy issues in our state: school desegregation and school consolidation.
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For a strong future, all Minnesota students deserve excellent education opportunities
Minnesotans have made clear to us how much they value strong funding for our K-12 classrooms. A three percent per-pupil increase the first year and two percent the second year of the budget will help position schools to build a great future for all students, no matter where they live in the state. It’s critical to encourage our next generation of Minnesotans to develop passions and ambitiously aspire to reach their hopes and dreams. Read More >
New community schools law makes a splash with Aurora Public Schools teachers
Local teacher union advocates hope the Aurora Public Schools district will take advantage of a new law allow allowing struggling schools to become not just learning centers but also food banks, mental health clinics, adult language classrooms and laundromats, with mindfulness and meditation built into school curriculum. Read More >
Competing priorities: Comparing the DFL, GOP and Walz education budgets
School safety and student mental health, school funding increases, and varied approaches to early childhood education all got attention in spending plans brought by the governor, the House and the Senate. During the 10-day spring break at the Legislature, Minnesota Department of Education Commissioner Mary Cathryn Ricker embarked on another statewide education tour to tout Gov. Tim Walz’s plan, which includes a 3 percent general education funding boost for fiscal year 2020 and another 2 percent for 2021. She said school leaders she’s meeting with this week hope to see that hefty increase in the final budget. Read More >
Sparks fly at Saanich's Spectrum community school during announcement
Wearing safety goggles, local minister of education and board chair used pliers to hold up the metal banner with the phrase "Spectrum SD 61 Metal Shop". The district said in a release that the enhancements will not only enhance, but also offer students a greater variety of career pathways, and increase their opportunities for hands-on learning. Read More >
Madison commuity schools look to be an 'extension of home'
The community schools strategy is working in the Madison school district! The district is seeing positive results. Math scores from spring '18 are higher among community schools participants. Students on track for graduation increased by 54% in 2018. Read More >
Las Cruces middle school opens first on-campus dental clinic with DAAC partnernship
Las Cruces middle school partnership with Dona Ana Community College to bring in the first on-campus dental clinic and Delta Dental grant allowed them to purchase mobile dental equipment. This is what a community school looks like! Read More >
Elkhart Community Schools and an Indiana non-profit provide to-go meals for students
A pilot program involving five Indiana schools and a local non-profit seeks to provide to-go meals for students in need by making use of excess cafeteria food. The partnership between Elkhart Community Schools and the northern Indiana non-profit Cultivate Culinary School & Catering began in March. Read More >
Community Schools Pilot Project at Lincoln Elementary School
Grand Island Public Schools has embarked on a unique approach to educating children with its community schools pilot project at Lincoln Elementary School. This approach sees the schools as the center of the community for the families of their students. Read More >