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'Schools Uniting Communities' set July 26
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Originally posted July 9, 2012
Tulsa Public Schools, in conjunction with a grant from the AEP Foundation, will present a conference entitled "Schools Uniting Communities" on Thursday, July 26 to help advance the district's community schools initiative. An estimated 300 people are expected to attend the conference in an effort to provide information about how community schools can make a difference in the lives of children.
Community schools play a central role in helping families and students to overcome significant barriers to student achievement by addressing the needs of the "whole" child. Partnerships are formed that involve the entire community, with families, civic organizations, donors and social service providers acting in concert to address the academic, emotional, physical and social needs of children.
"The need in many of our neighborhoods is so great that this conference will allow us to jumpstart community schools in our district," said Dr. Diane Hensley, director of community schools for TPS. "Educators have long known that until a child's basic needs are met, no learning can take place. This conference is aimed at people who can make a difference for all students, whether they are professional educators, civic leaders, parents, or students, or are connected with universities, community organizations or faith-based groups. We enthusiastically welcome all interested parties."
Conference sessions will cover a wide range of community school-related topics, such as:
- What is a community school?
- Measuring the success of community schools;
- How to engage parents and communities on all students' success; and
- How does the climate of your school impact learning?
The keynote speaker at Schools Uniting Communities will be Dr. Pedro Noguera. An award-winning educator, author and activist, Noguera is an important voice in education today. He is a professor at the Steinhardt School of Education at New York University, co-director of the Institute for the Study of Globalization and Education in Metropolitan Settings and director of the Metropolitan Center for Urban Education.
Noguera's "Bolder, Broader Approach" in educating young people involves the support of the whole community. Recognizing the multiple connections in a child's success gives communities the opportunity to unite efforts.
The conference, presented by the AEP Foundation for Support of Community Schools, will take place from 8 a.m.-3 p.m., Thursday, July 26 at OSU-Tulsa. It is free to attend and includes a luncheon featuring Theresa Kiger, principal of Roy Clark Elementary School, a 2011 National Community School of the Year. Those wishing to attend can register at the door or in advance at www.tulsaschools.org/communityschools under "Upcoming event."
For more information, contact Hensley at 918-746-6142 or hensldi@tulsaschools.org.
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