• What did we hear? What didn’t we hear that might be relevant? What assumptions seem to be operating? What questions does the dilemma raise for us? What have we done in similar situations?

Presenter can take notes if desired.

Achievement Plus Partner and Community Liaison

St. Paul Music Academy

craig.sweet@spps.org

Site-advisory councils used to exist, but disbanded because have found ineffective and not as collaborative.

Wrap around supports are an after thought that will come.

Do not recommend highlighting all essentials. Focus on the audience and one essential that they connect with the most.

• What did we hear? What didn’t we hear that might be relevant? What assumptions seem to be operating? What questions does the dilemma raise for us? What have we done in similar situations?

Presenter can take notes if desired.

create a “greater

together” mindset. It

supports the vision

and mission of the

school while seeking

and promoting the

voices of our youth,

families, and

community to guide

resources to our

school and community

While in the 2nd year of the grant, we had to learn what a CS was in the first year.

C: Joyce Willey, CA

C: Marissa Ackerman

C: Nathalie Umana

C: Leilani Luiz

• What did we hear? What didn’t we hear that might be relevant? What assumptions seem to be operating? What questions does the dilemma raise for us? What have we done in similar situations?

Presenter can take notes if desired.

• 45% Caucasian. 35% Hispanic (not all speak spanish), remainder is other

Can students walk to school?

• Student comes from base (30-40 min drive), commuter village (15-20 min drive), no public transportation

Have you had any events at community events or airbase?

• Yes -- most families live off base. Many families drop their children off and go to work

Does school/admin understand what you're doing?

• We have strong admin and teacher support. They used to not understand CS, but now they have become more understanding and collaborative

How many students?

• We all 3 schools, 1130 students.

On average, how many parents attend?

• Sports: depends on the sport

• Senior night had 50-100 parents

• Always offer Zoom but it is not highly attended

What is your goal in engaging parents?

• Providing meaningful value to parents

• Getting more parent voice and leadership

Do you have a FRC?

• Yes--we have 3 staff, resource center, resource closet

Have you surveyed parents??

• Yes--3

  • 1 targeting students

  • 1 targeting both students and parents

  • 1 targeting community wide (included parents)

• Most responses were in community engagement

• #1 thing is TEAM. Together Everyone Achieves More

• #1 thing was BUILDING relationships with parents

• "I don't speak spanish, but I try" -- this make people feel connected to me

• People will remember how you make them feel

• People want to know you CARE and want to support

• Integrate ART and creatively

  • Ex: "The Power of Us" had 300 people, "Strategy Planning" had less than 100 people

  • Provide bus/transportation

• Collaborate with community partners that give away resources, table, connect with others, hire people

• +1 extra credit works!

  • PBIS

• Get teachers involved so they can remind students to stay focused and get involved in events

  • Ex: we provide haircuts but we still need to remind them

• When they come in the evening, you need to have more than hotdogs and chips. You need to feed their appetite -- and help others try different foods.

We started that these past two months- hot chocolate and coffee for just parents and they get so excited during arrival and push the students into class so they can get their cup!

• Yes

What is the main mode of transportation for students to get to school? (Driving, walking, school bus?)

• All three ways. Their school is considered a neighborhood

Has the school tried to switch first period to homeroom or equivalent vs instruction during 1st period?

• No. Nothing has changed.

Have you run a report of the student addresses to assess neighborhood specific challenges? (I.e. adjusting school bus routes)

• We have not.

• Example from Isabel Tabares

Have you done any specific incentives that target just early arrival? Do you provide hot breakfast in the morning?

What type of interventions do you have in your school to help the students feel excited about reading?

• Different literacy activities (Literacy Night)

Are phone calls or home visits made to learn more about the families?

• Juain Young: everyone in the school needs to be onboard with the CS model. We used sesame street because it was fun and educational. Arts integration is a tool -- you have to do it well.

• Marina: real connections with families, systems, culture. Love is time. We need to dedicate time to connect with families and learn the root of the situation.

  • We were in a similar situation so first period is now 'foundations' where topics rotate (SEL lessons, iReady practice, restorative practices, etc.) Instruction starts in period 2. 
    
    Simultaneously, the attendance leadership team works on the root of the problem; weaving attendance into student/family agreements

• Joyce Willey: meet with the students and ask "why are you tardy, what can we do, what needs to change".

• Rashidah Fuller: this issue is so much bigger than one person and will take a group of people to problem solve.

• Briana Chaidez: every monday, a message is sent to parents saying "please don't forget school starts at 8am". Tuesday -- reminders are sent via counselors.

• Shannon Heffernan: at an elementary school, often parents schedules matter. Free hot chocolate when people drop off their student -- incentives for the parents.

• Joyce Prieto: Maybe an idea would be to identify all the families that are struggling with tardiness. Have a meeting with them individually or in a group to explain how this can negatively affect their student. But, also ask is there some type of support needed. And, offer an incentive for both the student and the parent. Maybe a lunch on the principal type of thing

• Deanna Hron: "success mentor" -- someone that checks-in with the student.

• A: We want it first with school staff. Families see Juain when they enter because his office is at the entrance of the school.

Q: Are you a school site employee?

• A: Yes.

Q: Is CS new to your district?

• A: Not really, there were 4 others that started 4-5 years ago.

Q: Who do you report to?

• A: Principal and CS manager.

Q: What kind of engagement have you done educational partners, students, staff to get CS word out?

• A: We have done CS Cafes, get parents on board/partners,