This month we are thankful for the support, solidarity, and transformational work of community schools across our nation. We are excited to share a post-election message from student leaders at the UCLA Community School along with several updates about the California Community Schools Partnership Program and University-Assisted Community Schools across the state and nation.
Thanks for reading!
UCLA Community School Student Leaders’ Post Election Message
“We know that after the election, some students may feel more anxious; sadly, some may have experienced hate such as racism, sexism, or other types. Hateful words and actions have become more visible in our community and nation. We’re here to reassure you that at UCLA Community School, we don’t tolerate hate in any form. We’re committed to respect, inclusion, and standing together.”
Student leaders for the School Site Council, Student Clubs, and Student Council came together to address the UCLA CS community in light of the recent national election results. Their empathetic, thoughtful letter began with the passage above and continued on to remind students to lean on one another to build strong community in the face of upcoming challenges.
Read their full message here.
School-Based Legal Support for Immigrant Families
The Immigrant Family Legal Clinic provides critical legal support for immigrant families at the RFK Community Schools. On November 12th, UCLA Community School Partership Lead Wendy Salcedo-Fierro shared the clinic’s work at a national convening at the University of Pennslyvania, “Community Schools and University-Assisted Community Schools: Partnerships that Change Schools, Communities, and Universities for the Better.” Check out her slides as well as the clinic’s Fall 2024 Newsletter to learn more!
State Board of Education Presentation
On November 13th, the UCLA Center for Community Schooling presented to California’s State Board of Education. Karen Hunter Quartz shared the growth and progress of community schools grantees across the state as they build their capacity to implement the approach, and strengthen partnerships to deliver on critical whole child and family supports. Karen’s presentation to the board also highlighted how grantees are seizing the opportunity afforded by the California Community Schools Partnership Program to center teaching and learning, and integrating other sources of funding to support and sustain their community schools work.
To learn more, read the full agenda item or review the presentation slides.
California Community School Stories
Storytelling helps individuals relate to one another by sharing common experiences and learning. As part of our Deep Dive Transformation Partnership work, a set of Community School Fellows participated in a rich storytelling learning arc that has prepared them to uplift the inspirational work happening in their communities. Their accounts capture the rich journeys of communities seeking to center the voices of students, families/caregivers, educators, and community partners.
Explore the Fellows’ stories using the interactive digital map created in collaboration DEFCon, the Digital Ethnic Futures Consortium, a digital humanities initiative of the California State University at Fullerton.
California Network of University-Assisted Community Schools
As a Regional Training Center for University-Assisted Community Schools, we host study tours for teams that are building their partnerships. On November 19th, educators from UC Irvine and Santa Ana Unified School District joined us at Mann UCLA Community School and RFK UCLA Community School to help launch their first university-assisted community school partnership at James Monroe Elementary School.
On December 2nd at 11:00am, we will be launching a statewide UACS Community of Practice. For more information, please contact Wendy Salcedo-Fierro (wfierro@g.ucla.edu).
Mark Your Calendars
The 2025 Community Schools Empower Summit will occur on June 12-13, 2025 in Fresno County. The Request for Proposals is now open and will close on January 10, 2025.
We are excited to co-sponsor Learning Policy Institute’s “Re-Imagining Education: Transforming High School for Powerful Learning” web series. Register now for the series, which will run from November 20, 2024 to May 8, 2025.