Community schools: An evidence-based, effective strategy for reopening
The New York State Community Schools Network recently released a brief highlighting how communityschools and community schools partners like you have stepped up amid COVID-19. The brief shares recommendations collected from the field on how New York can build on its investment in the community schools strategy to address the challenges that have been exacerbated by the pandemic. The brief provides information about:
What a community school is;
How community schools work;
How community schools have supported children, families, and staff during the COVID-19 pandemic;
Why community schools are an effective strategy for reopening New York schools; and
What New York can do to support community schools. This includes specific recommendations to the State.
Share the community schools brief widely within your network to help elevate the impact of community schools.
Reach out to your state legislator (Assemblymember and Senator) urging them to elevate the community schools strategy and ensure that community schools are fully funded amid budget uncertainty (see template email).
Share the brief with school administrators, urging them to utilize the community school strategy in your school/school district (see template email).
If this email was forwarded to you, sign up for our community schools listserv to receive advocacy updates and learn more about how you can be involved with the Network.
Advocacy Alert New York City Budget cuts to NYC Community Schools
A month after learning about the cuts to NYC Community Schools, and three weeks after a letter to the Mayor without getting a response, there are still no details on which NYC community schools will experience cuts, when, and by how much. Therefore, NYC Community Schools advocates are ramping up their advocacy to #SAVECommunitySchools. We are calling on community schools and community schools partners in New York City to urge the City Council to restore these critical funds. Check out the updated advocacy toolkit, and join ongoing advocacy efforts to #SAVECommunitySchools on social media.
For resources and guidance for NYS Community Schools during COVID-19, please visit the NYS Community Schools Technical Assistance Centers website at https://www.nyscommunityschools.org/. Click on "Virtual Events" for many upcoming opportunities.
For additional COVID-19 resources, visit HERE. Information and resources related to school reopening can be found here.
Mission Statement The New York State Community Schools Network advocates to develop, promote, and sustain community schools in collaboration with government, local school districts, and community partners. Through a diverse coalition of community-based agencies, parents, teachers, and statewide advocates, we champion effective community school policies so that children and families can thrive. Steering Committee members of the New York State Community Schools Network Binghamton University Community Schools, Children’s Aid, Finger Lakes Community Schools, New York School-Based Health Alliance, New York State Network for Youth Success, New York State United Teachers, Rockland 21C, Rural Schools Association, United Federation of Teachers United Community Schools.
Know someone who would be interested in receiving updates from the New York State Community Schools Network? Please encourage them to sign up for this listserv here.
