Lawndale outlines community schools expansion, family workshops and new partnerships

Emily Lay, the district's community schools coordinator, told the Lawndale Elementary School District board that the initiative's work is now underway at every school site and is focused on four pillars intended "to ensure that every student is healthy, supported, prepared, and ready for success in college, career, and civic life." The presentation took place during the board's regular meeting.

Lay described site-level "asset mapping" and needs assessments conducted through surveys, interviews and direct outreach to students, parents and staff. She said coordinators are forming advisory councils at each school to bring together students, staff and families to set short- and long-term goals and to align those goals with site budgets and gap analyses.

Keeslyn Michael, a community school coordinator at Anderson Elementary, highlighted events and programs launched this year. "The Million Male Figure March is one that we had a huge success with," Michael said, and she described the district's Active Parenting workshop series that has run in English and Spanish at multiple sites. Michael reported about 65 parents have participated to date and quoted several parents who said they were seeing practical strategies begin to work at home.

Coordinators described routine tasks that include attending SSC and ELAC meetings, holding family coffees with principals, conducting student outreach at recess and in classrooms, and participating in weekly coordinator team meetings. The district team conducts monthly professional learning and coordinates districtwide family events, including a "Grateful Gathering" that will provide food, clothing, books, flu shots and family activities.

The presentation listed several partnerships the district has developed or strengthened. Lay and Michael noted a collaboration with the PTA Council to help provide food for family events, a planned donation of 150 pairs of shoes through a Soles for Soles partnership, and work with ADAP to deliver student-facing and parent workshops on drugs, alcohol and vaping following Red Ribbon Week activities.

Board members asked logistical questions about donations and event distribution; coordinators said a local church and the district's food services will supply pallets of produce and that resource bags will be assembled to serve an estimated 300'00 families at the upcoming gathering. No formal board action was taken; the item was presented for information and board feedback.