COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT TEAM MEETING
Monday September 29th, 2025
Rochester City School District
Rochester, NY
Welcome to CET!
Mission
Vision
Agenda
1 min. | Welcome |
4 min. | Words from our Principal Jason Muhammad and Community Schools Director Lieselle Taylor |
3 min. | Purpose of CET Meetings |
2 min. | Monroe High Schools Needs Assessment Update |
5 min. | Shine Bright Student Spotlights |
10 min. | In-Building Community Partner Updates |
10 min. | Out of Building Community Partner Updates |
15 min. | Student Parent Discussion |
5 min. | Student Parent Raffle |
5 min. | Next Steps/Reflection |
Purpose
Mission: To cultivate a culture of academic excellence in partnership with schools, students, families, and community stakeholders utilizing inclusive and innovative learning opportunities for all learners.
Vision: To use Community School strategies to build a solid foundation that promotes equity and educational excellence for all learners.
Goals
Become familiar with Partnerships at Monroe
Discuss opportunities that would benefit the Monroe Family
Needs Assessment
What is a Needs Assessment?
A needs assessment is a process used to identify and evaluate the needs of a group, organization, or community.
It helps determine gaps between the current situation and desired outcomes, prioritize needs, and guide decisions about resource allocation and program improvements. It often involves gathering data through surveys, interviews, or existing reports.
Goal of Needs Assessment
Identify needs: Understand the gaps between the current and desired situations.
Prioritize needs: Focus on the most urgent or important issues.
Allocate resources effectively: Ensure resources are directed to the areas of greatest need.
Inform decision-making: Guide policies, programs, and strategies based on evidence.
Evaluate existing services: Assess current programs or services to identify areas for improvement.
Survey Link:
SHINE BRIGHT STUDENT SPOTLIGHT
In House Community Partner Updates
Hillside Work Scholarship
Impact on Students/Families | |
September Student Contacts/interactions: 87 Students Current Enrollment: 37 students Student Mentoring Contacts: 59 contacts Academic Support: N/A (starts in October) Extracurricular activities: N/A (starts in October) Parent contacts: N/A |
Overview: HWSC is dedicated to supporting youth in grades 9th-12th in achieving their educational and career goals. Its main focus is to facilitate graduation, college, and career readiness. We are able to do this by providing ongoing mentorship, enrichment opportunities, and career exploration. Participants are assigned to a Youth Advocate who supports them in navigating academic challenges, personal growth, and career exposure, fostering a strong post graduation plan. Students who meet “AAA” standards (Academics, Attendance, Attitude), can be referred to our Youth Employment Training Academy and receive their certification upon completion. Lastly, HWSC provides a variety of workshops, activities, affinity groups, and resources designed to enhance skills, boost confidence, and expand knowledge in areas critical for success in school and beyond.
Service Provided: Mentoring, Social/Emotional Development, Life Skills, Employment Readiness, Academic Support, College & Career Exposure
Goals and Deliverables: Graduation, College, and Career readiness. Ongoing mentorship, enrichment opportunities, and post-secondary planning.
Highlights
Staff | Position | Cell Phone | |
Karelyn Torres-Rivera | Youth Advocate II | 585-481-4563 | |
Omayra Ramos-White | Supervisor | 585-301-0281 |
Brockport ETS
Impact on Students/Families | |
September Student Contacts/interactions: Current Enrollment: Student Mentoring Contacts: Academic Support: Extracurricular activities: Parent contacts: |
Overview: The Educational Talent Search Program (ETS) is a federally funded TRIO program designed to help middle and high school students develop the necessary understanding, knowledge, skills, and self-esteem to graduate from high school and continue on to postsecondary education.
Service Provided: Mentoring, Social/Emotional Development, Life Skills, Employment Readiness, Academic Support, College & Career Exposure
Goals and Deliverables: Graduation, College, and Career readiness. Ongoing mentorship, enrichment opportunities, and post-secondary planning.
Highlights
Staff | Position | Cell Phone | |
Ingrid Gonzalez | College & Career Advisor | 585-217-2213 | |
Melissa Utez | Supervisor | 585- 366-4122 | muetz@brockport.edu |
U of R Upward Bound
Impact on Students/Families | |
September Student Contacts/interactions: 21 Current Enrollment: 17 Student Mentoring Contacts: 21 Academic Support: 21 Extracurricular activities: 2 Parent contacts: 2 |
Overview: Upward Bound cater to specific areas such as, Access to Academic Advisor, Programming and events catered to expand students' college and career awareness, Academic support (tutoring, check-ins, etc.), Trips to college campuses (local, regional, and national), 6-week summer program (In-person hosted on UR campus), Intensive support during senior year college and financial aid application season.
Service Provided: Mentoring, Social/Emotional Development, Life Skills, Employment Readiness, Academic Support, College & Career Exposure
Goals and Deliverables: Graduation, College, and Career readiness. Ongoing mentorship, enrichment opportunities, and post-secondary planning.
Highlights
Staff | Position | Cell Phone | |
Whitnee Shipman | Academic Coach | 585-363-0334 | wshipman@rochester.edu |
Center for Youth (Help Zone)
Impact on Students/Families | |
September Student Contacts/interactions: 346 Mediations: 14 Interventions: N/A Groups: N/A Parent Conference: 3 |
Overview: The Center for Youth HelpZone is a dedicated safe space within the high school where students can access emotional, social, and academic support. Designed to promote mental wellness, personal growth, and resilience, the HelpZone offers confidential, student-centered services in a welcoming and non-judgmental environment.
Service Provided: Help Zone Social-Emotional Learning, Hygiene supplies, Re entry from suspension, mediations, clothing closet, small groups, restorative trainings, youth development, life skills
Goals and Deliverables: To help young people reach their full potential by: Creating opportunities, Removing barriers, Promoting social justice, Providing services on their terms, and Respecting and fully involving youth
Highlights
Staff | Position | Cell Phone | |
Brittany Dorman | SLS | 585-474-5617 | |
Daekwon Ruffin | SLS | 585-414-3434 | |
Robert Downs | Supervisor | | rdowns@centerforyouth.net |
Pathways to Peace
Impact on Students/Families | |
September Student Contacts/interactions: 150 Mediations: 9 Interventions: 32 Groups: 0 Parent Conference: 4 |
Overview: Pathways to Peace is a City of Rochester program designed to support high school students who are at risk of violence, truancy, or involvement in gangs. Through school-based outreach workers, the program provides mentorship, conflict resolution, and family support, while helping students stay on track academically and emotionally. The goal is to intervene early, reduce suspensions and violence, and connect youth with positive alternatives that promote personal growth and school success.
Service Provided: Violence Prevention, Youth Intervention, Mediations, Re Entry from suspension or Youth and Justice, Gang Intervention, Mentor
Goals and Deliverables: Pathways goal is to assist youth in the community by teaching alternatives instead of resulting to violence. Conducting Home visits, Mediations and Advocating in Court as needed.
Detailed Student Curriculum Based on Strategies for avoiding violence and Social Emotional Tools
Highlights
Staff | Position | Cell Phone | |
Courtney Allen | Intervention/Gang Specialist | 585-943-4650 | |
Tyrone andrews | Supervisor | | tyrone.andrews@cityofrochester.gov |
School Based Health Center
Impact on Students/Families | |
September Student Contacts/appointments: 59 Visits 46 Patients Seen Current Enrollment: 174 |
Overview: Pathways to Peace is a City of Rochester program designed to support high school students who are at risk of violence, truancy, or involvement in gangs. Through school-based outreach workers, the program provides mentorship, conflict resolution, and family support, while helping students stay on track academically and emotionally. The goal is to intervene early, reduce suspensions and violence, and connect youth with positive alternatives that promote personal growth and school success.
Service Provided: Physicals, primary and preventive care, Mental health assessments and therapy, Medication management, Treatment of acute and chronic conditions, On-site lab services and medication dispensary, Health screenings, education, and referrals, Immunizations and adolescent health counseling, Collaboration with students’ primary care providers
Goals and Deliverables: The primary goal of an SBHC is to improve the overall health, well-being, and academic success of students by providing them with easy access to healthcare services within the school environment. These centers work to reduce barriers to care such as transportation issues, lack of insurance, and limited access to healthcare providers.
Highlights
Staff | Position | Cell Phone | |
Nicole Butler | | | |
Amy | | | |
Monroe Market Food Pantry
Impact on Students/Families | |
September Number of Families Served: 9 Families Adults Served: 14 Students Served: 261 |
Overview: The school food pantry offers free, accessible food support to students and their families who may be facing food insecurity. It provides a variety of non-perishable items, fresh produce (when available), snacks, and essential household items. Students can confidentially access the pantry through student request link found in google classroom. The pantry helps reduce hunger, improve focus in class, and ensure that no student has to worry about their next meal while at school.
Service Provided: Food delivery
Goals and Deliverables: Address Student hunger, Promote Healthy Eating, Support Families in Need
To access the Food Pantry at Monroe High School
Please email: Jalen.McGill@rcsdk12.org, lajoie.rice@rcsdk12.org
In the email, please identify a current phone number to be reached at.
Highlights
Staff | Position | Cell Phone | |
Jeremy Hinz | Director of Emergency Services | 585-490-1205 | jhinz@opendoormission.com |
Outside Community Partner Updates
School Highlights & Events
Welcome to The Roe Event
School Highlights & Events
Welcome to The Roe Event
School Highlights & Events
Grade Level Assemblies
School Highlights & Events
SMART Program Meeting
Future Events for Parents
Student / Parent / Alumni / Partner
Discussion
Closure
Next Meeting: Monday October 27th 4pm - 5pm
Please take a moment to reflect: