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What is the Office of Community Schools?

Supports schools as they become community schools

Ensures that there is a systemic approach to our community schools

Liaise between school administration and community partners and county government

PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS • www.pgcps.org

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Number of Community Schools

148 Community Schools which include:

Alternative Schools, High Schools, Middle Schools, Academies, Elementary Schools, Early Childhood Centers and Regional Special Education Centers

PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS • www.pgcps.org

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What are Community Schools?

PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS • www.pgcps.org

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What are Community Schools?

Whole child framework that examines school improvement through the lens of improving student and family options
The model establishes authentic family and community engagement with integrated health and social supports
The collaborative practices gained through partnering with community serve as the roots for the community school
Students served by the community school should have more opportunities available at graduation and will have strong families that are engaged and involved

Narrative of image: Community Schools promote globally sustainable approaches to address the needs of the whole child and in service to families and communities. Through partnership with direct service providers, teachers, and school leaders, these efforts can be supported and upheld by the 6 Pillars of PGCPS to create the premier model of Community Schools in the state of Maryland.

Through partnership with direct service providers, teachers, and school leaders, these efforts can be supported and upheld by the 6 Pillars of PGCPS to create the premier model of Community Schools in the state of Maryland.

PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS • www.pgcps.org

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What happens when we become a Community School?

You receive a Community School Coordinator.
You will need to establish a Community School Steering Committee
You will need to conduct a Community School Needs Assessment
You will utilize PGCPS’ Six Pillars to guide efforts
You will need to focus on results and accountability to families, children, and community

PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS • www.pgcps.org

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The Mindset of Unpacking Students in a Community School

PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS • www.pgcps.org

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What is the purpose of the Needs Assessment?

Community Schools have the capacity to address many of the community’s needs; therefore, the programs and support that a school offers should be targeted toward those needs.

The Needs Assessment guides the Steering Committee in determining the needs of the students, families, school leaders, and communities by developing a plan to address them effectively.

Steering Committee varies per school: administrators, CSC, Mental Health providers, PTA, counselors, and special education coordinator

*Taken from the Institute for Educational Leadership and the Coalition for Community Schools

PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS • www.pgcps.org

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Kirwan & Concentration of Poverty Budgets Community School Funding

Personnel Funding is to be used to cover salary for Community School Coordinator

Funding is to be used to hire mental health therapists/clinicians for each school

Each school will receive at least $30,000 for Wrap Around Services

Some schools receive additional Concentration of Poverty Funding (Per Pupil Funds) depending on enrollment, years as a community school, and a state needs formula

PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS • www.pgcps.org

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MSDE Wrap Around Services

PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS • www.pgcps.org

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Role of Community School Coordinator (CSC)�

Organizes and oversees a community resources’ and needs’ assessment process
Seeks input from teachers, school staff, parents, and students to determine ongoing needs of students and families
Works to align school, family, and community resources
Facilitates school and partnership data collection, sharing, and analysis
Meets on a regular basis with the school administrator
Meets with grade level teams when there are discussions about students
Facilitates ongoing family member group meetings
Co-leads school’s Steering Committee
Becomes a member of the Community School Coordinator (CSC) network managed by Coalition of Community Schools
Collaborates with school-based and community-based stakeholders to develop and implement appropriate services, activities, and/or programs

PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS • www.pgcps.org

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Membership on the committee should include:

representatives from the various stakeholders: parents, professional staff, support staff, union and partners.

The Steering committee is co-lead by the principal and the Community School Coordinator. They should work together to generate the agendas.
No need to create a new committee
Repurpose your current School Improvement Committee/School Based Management Team

Community Schools Steering Committee

Co-chaired by Principal and Community School Coordinator

Parent(s)

Staff (Professional and Supporting)

Union:

PGCEA

Local 2250

Partner(s)

PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS • www.pgcps.org

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Steering Committee Members

Identifying community needs and resources.
Contributing to project planning and problem solving.
Helping staff connect with key decision makers and community members.
Talking with community members and other agencies about the program.
Creating a shared vision for the school
Identifying desired results
Helping to align the work of the partners for the school

PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS • www.pgcps.org

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Steering Committee Requirements

Each Community School Leadership meeting should have an agenda and minutes

Meetings schedule on a regular basis throughout the year

Principal and Community School Coordinator should co-chair the meetings

Information/notes from the meetings should be shared with entire staff

PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS • www.pgcps.org

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Benefits of Being a Community Schools

Providing learning opportunities that develop both academic and non-academic competencies

Building social capital—the value attached to the social networks and relationships that support learning and create opportunities for young people while strengthening their communities

Garnering additional resources that directly support schools’ teaching and learning goals while reducing demands on school staff

PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS • www.pgcps.org

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6 PILLARS : THE FRAMEWORK OF OUR COMMUNITY SCHOOLS�

Expanded and Culturally Relevant Curriculum

Effective Teaching Practices

Inclusive Leadership

Multi-tiered Systems of Support

Family and Community Partnerships

Community Support Services

PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS • www.pgcps.org

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Who is on the team?

PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS • www.pgcps.org

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Continued….

PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS • www.pgcps.org

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Thank You!

QUESTIONS/PREGUNTAS?

PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS • www.pgcps.org