The Oregon Community Foundation’s Central Oregon Leadership Council has awarded three grants totaling $202,800 for community schools programs in Central Oregon. One of the programs will be located at Vern Patrick Elementary School in Redmond, one at Sisters Parks and Recreation District in Sisters and there will be a countywide program at three elementary schools in Wheeler County.
The volunteer Central Oregon Leadership Council is funding community schools as part of OCF’s Regional Action Initiative. The council was given $1million to improve the region in a significant way and chose to address fostering academic success for area students.
The council focused on community schools because research shows they are an effective model for engaging students, parents and community members in educational activities at the school, beyond the academic day. Community schools provide natural hubs for community members. Through the school building, with the help of a community school coordinator, students and community members are able to access classes, tutoring, health and social services, community building activities and more. By enhancing the community’s connection with the school, studies show improved student learning and academic success, stronger families and healthier communities.
The Sisters Community School is a partnership with the Sisters Parks and Recreation District and the Sisters School District. Improving academic achievement among students in grades K-12, especially students who are at risk of under-performing, will be a main focus for the community school program. A full array of parent education and community programs will be offered to Sisters’ residents in the evening hours. Mental health and basic health services will be added as component programs through partnerships with Deschutes County Mental Health, among others.
Redmond School District’s Vern Patrick Elementary will become a full-service community school for the 2010-2011 school year. It will be the district's fifth community school. Promoting academic achievement among students, fostering parent engagement and providing opportunities for adult continuing education are the primary goals of this community school.
Wheeler County will be launching a countywide community school program in the fall of 2010. Each of the county’s three elementary schools will become a community school. While each community school will reflect the community’s needs and strengths in Fossil, Mitchell and Spray, they will all follow the same vision of nurturing the whole child and building community. 1,500 Wheeler County residents are expected to benefit from this countywide program.