National Network of Partnership Schools
Johns Hopkins university
partnership award
winners – 2004
WEBSITE SUMMARIES
2004 Partnership DISTRICT AWARD
CLEVELAND MUNICIPAL sCHOOL DISTRICT, Cleveland, OH
Theresa Yeldell, Executive Director, Division of Family and Community
Engagement;
Barbara Byrd-Bennett, CEO
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| Row 1: Dr. Theresa W. Yeldell (NNPS Key Contact), Crystal Davis, Bertha Banks, and Dr. Dorothy Hendricks-Sterling, Row 2: Belinda Harris, Danesha Gardner, Kariel Austin, Carmen Colon, Judy Simpson, and Melanie Powell-Brazil. |
Cleveland
Municipal School District has made great strides over the past three years in
organizing a Cleveland Network of Partnership Schools linked to NNPS. Over 100
schools are being guided by the Family and Community Engagement (FACE) division
within the department of Youth Development and School/Community Services. The director of FACE meets weekly with the
CEO, and makes presentations to the school board, principals, and other groups
to keep everyone aware of the district’s programs and progress on school,
family, and community partnerships. Superintendent
Barbara Byrd-Bennett noted: The Division of Family and Community Engagement
has been developing leadership, teamwork, and programs that nurture and
increase the number of strong school, family, and community partnerships.
Leadership is growing at both the district and school levels. At the district level, Cleveland passed a Parent Policy in June 2003, which supports a research-based approach to family and community engagement. The district’s superintendent also created a CEO School-Parent Organization Advisory Council to obtain parents’ ideas and opinions on district matters.
One innovative activity, Beyond the Walls, brought families and students together during the summer to take trips (e.g., City Club luncheon and tour of a slave ship, trip to Amish Country, ferry ride, tour of Cleveland, stage plays, etc.). The parents and children read books, kept a photo journal, and participated in discussion groups. The activity was sponsored by a private foundation in cooperation with the district, schools, Wal-Mart, McDonalds, and local businesses. Among other activities, the district sponsored a series of Family and Schools Together (FAST) workshops in eight schools to increase parent-child communications about schoolwork and the importance of good attendance, behavior, and high achievement.
Each FACE staff member is assigned a cluster of schools to (1) provide technical assistance on partnerships, (2) help the schools develop plans and practices of family and community involvement, and (3) meet with and support principals, parent organizations, Family Liaisons, and others. This work helps the schools meet requirements for NCLB and Title I.
FACE Facilitators also bring clusters of school representatives together for advanced training and to discuss partnership topics. They also help schools increase community connections with academic, cultural, civic, business, social service, political, and faith-based groups.
All work on family and community involvement is linked to the district’s mission and to each individual school’s Academic Achievement Plans (AAP). In 2004-05, FACE Facilitators will guide every school to develop activities for family and community involvement that will help boost student learning, achievement, and success in school.
ABOUT
NNPS: What Cleveland Municipal School District Leaders Say to Other Districts .
. .
If your
programs are good, NNPS will help you make them better. If they are very good, NNPS will help them
become the best! When fully
implemented, the NNPS framework and support will change or enhance the culture
of your entire school community in support of student achievement and success.
NNPS has kept pace with the many changes in policies, practices, and
perspective that impact our work with schools, families, and communities. NNPS research and analyses inform the
process and practice of our work. Change, though sometimes painful, is possible
and positive when you can act with confidence and competence. Collaborating for successful students,
families, schools, and communities is at the heart of who we are and what we
do.
Also visit Cleveland Municipal Public Schools’ partnership program at www.cmsdnet.net/FACE.