1

Overview of PGCPS Community Schools Model

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

What are Community Schools?

2

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

What are Community Schools?

The Community School Model is a national model where schools serve as the hub of the community providing both academic and social-emotional support for students and their families.  As defined by the Coalition of Community Schools, “A Community School is a public school - the hub of its neighborhood, uniting families, educators and community partners to provide all students with top-quality academics, enrichment, health and social services, and opportunities to succeed in school and in life.”

​

The goal of Community Schools is to help ensure students and their families are resilient, successful, ready to learn and are prepared to be involved in their community. Prince George’s County Public Schools currently has 129 Community Schools incorporating the Community School which includes your school!

3

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

The Mindset of Unpacking Students in a Community School

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

Steering Committee Members

5

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

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 supports that a school offers should be targeted towards 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.

​

​

​

​

6

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

Six Pillars

• Expanded and Culturally

Relevant Curriculum

​

• Effective Teaching Practices

​

• Inclusive Leadership

​

• Multi-Tiered Systems of Support

​

• Family and Community Partnerships

​

​

• Community Support Services

7

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

Number of Community Schools

129 Community Schools which include:

​

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

​

​

​

8

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

FUNDING: Blueprint Funds: Kirwan

State funding (Concentration of Poverty) allows for $248,000 for each Community School:

To cover the salary for the:

• Community School Coordinator (CSC): An employee of PGCPS who acts as a liaison between the school and the community to establish and maintain partnerships that support students, families, and the local community.
• Mental Health Clinician Supports: Many of the Community Schools’ school administrators expressed the need for additional mental health supports (i.e., therapist, clinicians).
• Health Care Practitioner: A Registered Nurse (RN) assigned to the school.

Each school will also receive at least $36,000 for Wrap Around Services:

• Before spending any funds, they must be approved by the principal, Community School Specialist, and finally the Director of Community Schools.

​

9

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

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

​

10

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

Wrap Around Services

• Extended learning time 
• Before and after school
• Weekends

​

• Safe transportation to school
• Vision and dental care services
• Expanding school-based health center services
• Additional social workers, counselors, and restorative practice coaches
• Enhancing physical wellness, including providing food for in-school and out-of-school time 

​

• Enhancing behavioral health services including access to mental health practitioners and providing professional development to school staff to provide trauma-informed interventions
• Providing family and community engagement and supports
• Language classes 
• Workforce development training
• Establishing and enhancing linkages to Judy Centers
• Promotes school readiness for early learners
• Enhancing student enrichment experiences
• Improving student attendance
• Any other professional development for school staff to identify students who are in need of resources �

11

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

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

​

​

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

The Role of the Principal

• Ensures that a Site-Based Community School Leadership team(Steering Committee) is established with regular meeting dates co-led by your Community School Coordinator
• Promotes the Community School’s vision
• Creates a climate supporting the Community Schools Model
• Ensures that the system’s policies and procedures are followed
• Ensures that there is space in the building for resources to be brought into the school
• Provides input into the evaluation of the Community School Coordinator (CSC)
• Meets one-on-one with Community School Coordinator (CSC) at least monthly

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

Role of the Community School Specialist

• Support each Community School Coordinator (CSC)
• Serve as a resource for each CSC by visiting each school and troubleshooting with each Community School team
• Participate, when possible, in school-level Community School Steering

Committee meetings

• Attend, when possible, parent engagement events
• Support CSC in creation of action plans
• Support CSC in analyzing needs and asset assessment data
• Support CSC in establishing Parent Resource Centers

​

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

My Job, Your Job, Our Job

This document outlines the roles and responsibilities of key individuals you will collaborate with on a regular basis.

​

16

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

Thank You!

17

QUESTIONS/PREGUNTAS?

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