Strong Schools, Strong Neighborhoods Neighbors Taking Action To - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Strong Schools, Strong Neighborhoods Neighbors Taking Action To Support Our Schools Javier Cervantes Community Liaison, LINC UP Rocio Rodriguez Crime Prevention Organizer, RPNA Parent Action Leader, Cesar E. Chavez Elementary Earnestine Mays KSSN, Campus Elementary Safe Routes to School

GRPS 101 • 5th Largest School District in Michigan – 16,700+ students – 83%+ free/reduced lunch – 20% Special education – 24% English language learners – 32% African American/36% Hispanic/24% Caucasian – 55+ countries represented – 51+ languages spoken • 3rd Largest Employer in Grand Rapids; 12th Largest in West Michigan – 2,700+ employees (1,500 teachers) $250 Million Annual Expense Budget • – $198 Million General Operating – $52 Million Special Revenue (Special Ed, Food Service)

GRPS Success Story • Graduation Rates UP • Attendance UP • Staff Morale UP • Parent University Attendees UP • Chronic Absenteeism DOWN • Suspensions DOWN • Coordinated, district-wide Professional Development • Best Count Days in 2 Decades

Parent Essentials has increased • Parent Engagement • Student Attendance • Job opportunities • College preparation • Scholarship opportunities • Knowledge of free community resources • Interaction with other parents • Trust in schools • Bridging gap to schools and families • Relationship with students/parents

Neighborhood Schools • LINC UP • Wellspring Lutheran Services (Pailalen) • Grand Rapids Public Schools (Parent University) • Immigration Services from Gardiner Law • Community Foundation (Challenge Scholars) • American Red Cross (CPR) • Kent School Services • YMCA Network • Man Power/Amway • STEM Green House • Effex • Grand Rapids Urban League • Forge Industrial Staffing • Hispanic Center of Western • Spectrum Health Michigan • Prigeon and Clay • Roosevelt Park Ministries

Neighborhood Reaching In Challenge Scholars Early Middle College Early Middle College allows students an opportunity to earn a high school Two diploma from Grand Rapids Public paths to Schools and an associate degree from GRCC at no cost by completing tuition free just one additional year (year 13) of high school. It also provides access college to support services, which enhance student learning.

Helping Schools by Helping Parents (Michigan Radio) “How do you make sure schools in communities without a lot of resources are successful? That's not an easy question to answer, but we're always looking for promising leads. And we found one in a Grand Rapids group that helps parents find the resources they need to be successful. These Parent Essentials meetings have been running for a few years now in Grand Rapids. The community organization LINC Up and the Grand Rapids Public Schools say the meetings have engaged parents and helped reduce chronic absenteeism. But they’ve also started to have a real, tangible effect on the lives of families, helping parents solve problems and even helping them find a job .”

Parent Essentials as a Parent • Parent involvement • Present themselves • Building bonds • Get informed • Resources • Opportunities

What is a PAL • Liaison between families, schools and the district • All activities parents do to help their children succeed • Parent meetings • Conferences • Volunteering their time and talents

What is Parent Engagement?

Neighborhood Schools What is a community school? What is Kent School Services Network (KSSN)? What is a Community School Coordinator?

What is a Walking School Bus A walking school bus is a group of children walking to school with one or more adults. That may sound simple, and that is part of the appeal. It can be as informal as two families taking turns walking their children to school or as structured as a planned route with meeting points, a timetable and a schedule of trained volunteers.

Why Develop a Walking School Bus • Health benefits • Support and reconnect with neighborhood schools • Supports attendance • Ensures safety habits • Solutions to transportation concerns • Peace of mind • Increase family and community engagement • It’s fun

Starting is Simple • It can always grow • Identify the neighborhood • Connect with the school district • Meet with the neighborhood school’s principal • Meet with parents • Recruit parent volunteers as leaders • Collaborate with other community organizations • Identify a route • Get the word out

Students skip the ride, join Grand Rapids launches 'Walking School Bus' ‘Walking School Bus’ for instead (WZZM 13) student safety (Wood TV 8)

Discussion and Questions