Call for input on community school selection criteria

Posted by City of Philadelphia on May 30, 2016

“Community Schools” are a nationally recognized way of developing schools by aligning services, supports and programs to address the physical, social, and emotional needs of children. Community schools:

• Are existing public schools where there is a coordinated plan for strategically aligning programs and services
• Provide improved access and services for families and neighbors that strengthen quality of life, such as: health services, career training, adult education, and academic supports
• Have dedicated coordinators who implement a community plan in partnership with the school’s staff and community
• Adopt priorities and programs that best meet the needs of the community, as determined by the communities themselves – families, educators, and stakeholders

Over the last several months, the Mayor’s Office of Education staff have met with more than 500 individuals including youth, parents, teachers, school principals, concerned citizens, public officials and representatives from dozens of community organizations and service providers.

Here is what we’ve heard so far:

• Principal and staff commitment to community schools is necessary for success
• Community schools can improve both learning and living conditions for children and families
• It is important to focus on improving access to services
• The priority for the locations should be neighborhoods with more risk factors like children living in poverty and more health issues (like higher asthma rates). Other issues that were identified as important include helping schools that need more help dealing with issues like student attendance and where there are more students who are English Language Learners
• Community schools should be strategically spread throughout the city

Because we’ve received so much great feedback, we’d like your help in prioritizing which of these things are most important.

Please take our brief survey by Friday, June 10th to tell us what matters most to you.

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Q5S3DL2

Still want to hear more about the community schools approach? Attend one of our upcoming public meetings:
Town Hall Meeting
with Mantua Civic Association
Wednesday, June 1st
6:00 pm
McMichael Elementary School
3543 Fairmount Ave
Brown Bag Lunch Discussions
Thurs., June 2 @ Noon
Thurs., June 16 @ 4:00pm
Seating is limited. Register now.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1kpIqpThbEApFV292wd_eVWtI7yPO15vqm1R9hMChacg/viewform?edit_requested=true

 

Educator Roundtable Discussion
in partnership with Philadelphia Federation of Teachers
Wed. June 1 or Thurs. June 2
4:30pm
Learn more and register:
https://www.facebook.com/events/1181056171934290/
Student Roundtable Discussion
in partnership with Philadelphia Student Union and the Philadelphia Youth Commission
Thursday, June 9
4:00pm
RSVP: education@phila.gov to receive location information