1. Central/Main Community School
An Initiative:
A Strategy Not a Program

2. Background
City-wide partnership initiative was newly launched over the past two years between City of Orange and JP Morgan Chase
Initiative includes community development; early childhood education
Strengthening capacity and outcomes for public schools

3. Background
JP Morgan Chase selects Orange public schools as first NJ community school launch site
Orange chooses Central School
Central School extends invitation to Main School

4. What is a Community School?
Schools where coordinated partnerships between the school 
and other community resources 
target important results. 
 Its integrated focus on academics, services, supports and opportunities leads to improved student learning, stronger families and healthier communities.
(Adapted from the Coalition for Community Schools)

5. Characteristics of a Community School
Extended Services and Opportunities
Extended Hours
Extended Relationships (“swinging door”)
Shared leadership

6. CAS Developmental Triangle
enrichment – educational & cultural
core instructional program
Definition of a Community School (from our book)
“An educational institution that combines the rigorous academics of a quality school with a wide range of services and supports to promote children's learning and development.
It unites the most important influences in children’s lives –schools, families, and communities-to create a web of support that nurtures their development toward productive adulthood”.
There are many models of Community Schools and we are just one model. However, we are one of the most difficult to implement but most comprehensive.
Illustrated in these core concepts of the triangle
removing barriers to learning & development
mental health
social services
health
dental

7. Comprehensive Collaborative Coherent Committed
All community schools develop a set of new capacities (4 C’s) to become:
Comprehensive
Collaborative
Coherent
Committed

8. Comprehensive
Programs respond to a wide spectrum of identified needs by marshalling the full complement of partnership resources.
Whole Child Developmental Approach (eg Comer)
Needs Assessment & Resource Allocation
Asset-based, High-quality Program Development

9. Collaborative
All stakeholders are involved in meaningful, permanent roles – including educators, parents, students, funders, community members, providers, policymakers.
Engagement
Partnership Development
Shared leadership
Engagement
Outreach strategies & Communications (to individuals and organizations)
Building the Table
Leadership development
Partnership Development 
Relationship building
Partner recruitment
Roles clarification and shared responsibility
Shared Leadership
Forming Coordinating Bodies/governance structures
Power-sharing, structure, oversight
Integrating CS governance with existing school structures

10. Coherent
Activities and programs are coordinated and integrated with effective management and accountability.
Program integration and oversight
School/Partner Relationships
Alignment, Congruence, Seamless

11. Committed
Sustainability planning and activities are employed from the start.
Shared vision and results
Building public will and participation
Strategic financing 
Evaluation and capacity-building

12. Needs Assessment (Parents, Students, Faculty)
Safety: more safe and enriching activities for children/youth afterschool, weekends, summer
More access for children and families to technology
More homework assistance in afterschool
ESL for Parents

13. Central/ Main Community School GOALS:
Create a campus across the two schools and the YWCA to build capacity and resources to benefit the members of the school community
Create jointly planned faculty meetings and all-school events
-Form a planning team from across these institutions, and
-Connect representation to all three institutions governing structures

14. Central/ Main Community School GOALS
Increase student academic success and wellbeing
More extended day, year round quality offerings to more students
More homework assistance afterschool (Homework Clinic)
More access to computers during out of school hours
Create a TEEN Center at the YWCA to engage teens (6-8th grades) in positive activities

15. Central/ Main Community School Goals and Strategies
Increase parent/ family engagement through partnership and strengthen social capital
Create a Parent/Community Room in the School
Offer ESL (to both Spanish- and Creole-speaking parents)
Offer parent leadership training and ‘how to better support your child’s learning at home
Offer more access to technology at school/YWCA during school and out-of-school hours

16. Central/ Main Community School Goals
Increase quantity and quality of afterschool / extended day programs
Build strong partnerships locally, regionally and nationally to benefit students
Build relationship with Lead Partner, YWCA of Essex and W. Hudson in Orange
Increase the numbers of students who participate in extended day activities

17. Positive Conditions for Learning: Leading to Results
Early childhood opportunities are available …so that children are ready to enter school.
There is a core instructional program with qualified teachers, a challenging curriculum, and high standards and expectations… so that young people succeed academically.
Learning bridges the gap between life and academics – in school, after school and out of school – so that students are engaged and motivated and involved in their community.
(From the Coalition for Community Schools)

18. Conditions…Results, cont.
Basic physical, social, emotional, and economic needs of young people and their families are met…so that students live, learn and thrive in stable and supportive environments.
There is mutual respect and effective collaboration between families and school staff…so that families are actively involved in their children’s education.
Schools and partners work together to find solutions…so that communities are desirable places to live.
From the Coalition for Community Schools

19. How will we measure success?
Results Based Accountability in our plan to answer main question:
How can we know (data, evidence) that everyone is better off because of the Community School and new partnerships

20. What has been accomplished to date
Needs assessment/parent survey over 90% return
Expansion to ‘campus’
ID of Director and Lead Agency (YWCA)
Plan, Budget, Goals
Fall Calendar for Parent’s Center and Youth Development/ extended day program

21. How can you assist?
On-site/nearby health clinic and dental partnership for children
Sports
Mentoring and Youth Development opportunities
Additional partnerships to support goals and outcomes
Personal endorsement with the students