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Azusa Unified board hears community‑schools update; district says grant extended through June 2028
Summary
District community schools leaders told the Board of Education on Oct. 7 that the community schools initiative is embedding supports for students and families, reporting staff training, site practices and a grant extension through June 2028.
Good evening, Azusa Unified School District Board of Education members heard a presentation on the district's community schools initiative on Oct. 7, with director Jenny Wiebe summarizing program goals and announcing the original grant timeframe has been extended through June 2028.
Why it matters: district staff said the community schools effort aims to centralize student supports, family engagement and community partnerships so schools become hubs that address academic and nonacademic needs that affect learning.
Jenny Wiebe, director of community schools, told the board the initiative emphasizes four pillars and that staff are working to embed community‑school practices so they continue after grant funding ends. "We build community together as we foster belonging and empower all," Wiebe said, describing professional development and site planning work underway.
Wiebe and several site presenters highlighted recent district activity: an AUSD Summer Institute that trained staff in trauma‑informed practices, culturally relevant instruction and leadership; an implicit‑bias and empathy training with 128 participants; and partnerships that brought keynote speakers including Father Greg Boyle and Dr. Deborah Duardo. Emma Kelly, a school social worker at Gladstone Middle School, described coordination among administrators, the well‑being center and community partners to strengthen mental‑health supports.
Parents and students gave site‑level examples of how the program operates. Karina Nazario, a Murray Elementary parent, said community schools helped parents move from “the sidelines” into planning and volunteering, growing a parent volunteer group from two people to about 15. "We started with just two parents to volunteer, and now we're 15 strong," Nazario said.
Fifth grader Aviano Eisa described being a peer mediator and leading community circles at Hodge Elementary, saying the programs helped her build friendships and leadership skills: "When the school has ways for me to get involved, I get excited about being at school."
District staff also said each site's community‑school implementation plan has been updated and posted on school websites. Wiebe said the original grant period has been extended through June 2028 and that the district has been told a two‑year extension opportunity may follow.
Board members thanked staff and community participants. Board member Ramos called the presentation “very impressive” and welcomed the grant extension; other board members described the work as essential to student wellbeing.
The board did not take action on the presentation; community‑schools staff said they will return with implementation updates as the program continues.
