Are full service community schools servicing the community?

At one time Community Builders oversaw the Community School effort.

Glen Oak Community School (click images to enlarge)

I thought we were told that the multi-million dollar Glen Oak School, would be a full service community school. However, on any given day or time, you can drive by the building and it is clear that the building is currently being under utilized in a neighborhood filled with crime and children with nothing to do.

The Community School Initiative is being run by Bradley and they have assembled a very impressive board. However, the St. Bernard's scenario below, is an example of volunteers who are actually doing the work needed for the community vs. a bunch of impressive folks sitting around a board table having donuts and coffee for one hour every month.

St. Bernard's School on Kansas

A local group is turning the old St. Bernard's School into a community center. St. Bernard's School is currently being used for summer youth basketball leagues. But city leaders, community members, and local pastors want to expand that by opening part of the building as a neighborhood outreach center.

Meals, recreation, and educational opportunities would be offered to people of all ages. The group is in talks with organizations like the Boys and Girls Club and the Peoria Park District for potential programming.

"We don't really have neighborhood schools anymore. So we're kind of hoping we can step in and fill that gap. And this will be the place that people look to for that center of the community." Organizer, Father Tom Stone

The organization is currently seeking funding for the center, which it hopes to open this fall. The information below is from psd150 website.

Full Service Community Schools

Bradley University’s College of Education and Health Sciences, along with the Institute for Principled Leadership in Public Service, serve as the lead agency for the Peoria Full Service Community Schools (PFSCS) project. Guided by The Federation for Community Schools, this initiative is funded through various grants, including Heart of Illinois United Way and Illinois Children’s Healthcare Foundation. The partnership is governed by a community advisory council that includes representatives from Bradley University, Peoria School District 150, City of Peoria, Peoria City Council, Illinois Central College, Caterpillar Inc., Methodist Medical Center, United Way, Two Rivers Professional Development Center, Southside Bank, and Peoria County Health Department.

PFSCS is responsible for implementation of the full service community schools model, which targets health, families, community, and academics, by providing a continuum of care and support that will empower students and their families to become productive, engaged members of the community. Currently, PFSCS serves three Peoria School District 150 schools: Harrison Community Learning Center, Trewyn Middle School, and Manual Academy. The project also supports a Parent Mobile Resource Center (a renovated school bus) that will travel in the neighborhoods surrounding the three designated community schools to provide information, connection to resources and District 150’s Parent University, and services such as immunizations, screenings, and parent education/workshops.

The PFSCS goals for the 2011-2012 academic year include hiring a resource coordinator for each school, engaging parents, teachers, and community members in promoting the well being and academic success of the students in these schools, promoting students’ mental health, physical health, and safety, and establishing data collection and analysis protocols to measure the partnership’s success over time.

Core Advisory Council

Michele Anderson, South Side Bank

Renee Andrews, Principal, Trewyn Middle School

Judy Dietrich, Illinois Central College

Steve Fairbanks, Community Development Specialist, City of Peoria

Curt Fenton, Peoria City/County Health Department

Dr. Jana Hunzicker, Bradley University, College of Education and Health Sciences 

Taunya Jenkins, Principal, Manual Academy

Jan Leonard, Two Rivers Professional Development Center (Regional Office of Education)

Dr. Chris Lucas, Bradley University, College of Education and Health Sciences

Karin Maybanks, In-School Health Coordinator, Methodist Medical Center

Renee McKinnon, Peoria School District 150

Veralee Smith, Principal, Harrison Community Learning Center

Michael Stephan, President, Heart of Illinois United Way

Dr. Jenny Tripses, Bradley University, College of Education and Health Sciences

Chuck Weaver, Peoria City Council

Jennifer Zammuto, Caterpillar Foundation

Manual Academy

Manual Academy, which serves students in grades seven through twelve, is divided into four “schools within the school”. It houses a Middle School Preparatory Academy, a Ninth Grade Success Academy, and two career-focused academies for sophomores, juniors, and seniors: the Health Academy and the Business Academy. In 2008, Manual implemented the Johns Hopkins Talent Development Program, which incorporates features such as novel-based literature programs, quarterly academic progress conferences between students and community volunteers, and a daily advisory program. Manual’s mission is to redefine teaching and learning. The school’s website states, “We will ensure that each student reaches his or her full academic and personal potential through an educational approach characterized by continuously re-conceptualizing teaching and learning in a nurturing environment.” Manual received an Illinois Academic Improvement Award in 2010.

Trewyn Middle School

Trewyn Middle School, serves students in grades kindergarten through eight. Partnering with the Peoria Park District and Carl Cannon’s E.L.I.T.E. program, Trewyn’s mission is “to collaboratively transform, inspire, and empower students to be goal oriented and proactive in their education, using best practices while maintaining the highest standards of accountability”. E.L.I.T.E. is a code of conduct and communication that is based on the concept of mutual respect. It is, therefore, everyone’s responsibility to: (a) use Phrases for Success (please, thank you, you’re welcome, yes ma’am, no ma’am, excuse me, I’m sorry, help me, I have, I can, etc.), honor others through simple acts of courtesy, and exhibit self-respect in the way we dress, speak and act.

Harrison Community Learning Center

Harrison Community Learning Center, which serves students from birth through eighth grade, opened the doors of its new facility in 2010. The school is described as “one of the most researched and studied facility designs to be developed in the United States”. The school provides a variety of programs and services, including the 21st Century after school program, which engages third through sixth grade students in reading, math, science, and social studies through the fine arts. Harrison’s mission is “to ensure that all children build an academic foundation, develop (become life-long learners), and grow in self-confidence and compassion through a challenging curriculum which nurtures each student’s abilities and aspirations in partnership with parents, family, and community”.

Parent Mobile Resource Center

The Parent Mobile Resource Center (MPRC), the brainchild of former parent educator Julie Lonteen, launched on June 23, 2011. A true collaboration, Julie brought together Peoria District 150, the City of Peoria, and Bradley University to plan an innovative approach to parent engagement through the revitalization of an old, retired school bus. The actual revitalization of the bus was a true community project with individuals, businesses, and unions stepping forward by donating money, supplies, time, and talent to turn Julie’s vision into reality. This bus travel s in the neighborhoods surrounding our three community schools to provide information and services, including Parent University classes, early childhood screenings, immunizations, a lending library, and workshops and activities designed especially for parents.