New Jersey Community Schools Convening

Posted by New Jersey State Community Schools Network on October 3, 2016

The Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy at Rutgers University and the Montclair State University’s Center for Community Engagement will co-host a statewide convening on October 7th for educators, practitioners, policy makers, and other stakeholders interested in learning about community schools. The Convening is co-sponsored by the Rutgers University Office of Diversity and Inclusion and by The Henry and Marilyn Taub Foundation.

Context

Community Schools is a reform strategy in which public schools function as neighborhood centers, around which local partnerships can be developed to provide programs and services to students and their families.

Community Schools have been widely adopted by public schools and school districts across the country. Here in New Jersey, there are a number of school districts implementing community schools and others are taking a closer look at the strategy as a way to improve student and family success.

As community schooling gains a foothold in New Jersey, there is a growing interest in better understanding the existing and emerging models and how communities across the state can develop, support, and sustain community schools.

Participants attending the convening will have an opportunity to deepen their understanding of the community schools movement nationally and within the state, network with community school leaders and practitioners, and participate in regional planning sessions and the creation of a statewide community schools network.

Convening Information

WHEN: Friday, October 7, 2016, 8:30-3:30

WHERE: Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, Special Events Forum, 33 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ

REGISTRATION: $15.00 (Use this LINK to register. Click on “find tickets” to pay. Registration includes continental breakfast and lunch. Please email Julia or Bryan if you would like assistance with the registration fee.)

https://www.facebook.com/events/1084669374948033/?active_tab=posts

TRANSPORTATION: Driving directions to the Bloustein School and information about parking and public transportation are available at this LINK.

http://bloustein.rutgers.edu/location/

For More Information: Please contact Julia Sass Rubin at jlsrubin@rutgers.edu or Bryan Murdock at murdockb@mail.montclair.edu
Agenda for October 7, 2016 NJ Community Schools Convening

8:30 – 9:00 am Registration & Continental Breakfast

9:00 – 9:15 am Welcome

9:15 – 10:00 am “What are Community Schools”

Martin Blank, President, Institute for Educational Leadership and Director, Coalition for Community Schools

10:00 – 10:30 am “Why I support Community Schools”

Newark Mayor Ras Baraka

10:30 – 10:45 am Coffee Break

10:45 am – 11:30 “Why Community Schools Are Important”

Moderator and participant:

Barbara Reisman, Philanthropy Adviser and former President of Schumann Fund for NJ

Participants:

• Bryan Murdock, Director, Center for Community Engagement at Montclair State University.
• Chris Breit, Former Full Service Community Schools Coordinator, Paterson
• Bernadette Trapp, Principal of Rivera Community Middle School, Trenton

11:30 – 1:00 pm Pick up a lunch box & go to the North, Central or South Jersey rooms for facilitated discussions

Facilitators and note takers:

• North Jersey – Bryan Murdock, Nicole Lebron and Nina Alstrom
• Central Jersey – Anniesha Walker and Susan Rakosi Rosenbloom
• South Jersey – Nyeema Watson and Nancy Holmes

Goals:

• Raise awareness about who is currently engaged in Community Schools work in the State of New Jersey
• Develop a common language to describe the work
• Expand the conversation about why community school work is important beyond the initiative leaders in New Jersey
• Explore how the NJ CS Network can advance this work and create a state wide agenda for community schools

1:00 – 1:30 pm Lunch group facilitators and note takers report out to all attendees

1:30 – 3:00 pm Coalition building work session

Mary Kingston Roche, Director of Public Policy for Institute for Educational Leadership

Attendees will have the option to participate in one of the following breakout sessions. Each breakout group will work together to plan and shape the future goals and priorities of the New Jersey State Community Schools Network.

1. Community Schools 101
2. Policy and Advocacy
3. Professional Learning
4. Stakeholder Engagement

3:00 – 3:30 pm Next Steps