By Jondi Gumz
On May 8, Pajaro Valley Unified School District officials shared news of a $32 million grant over five years from Gov. Gavin Newsom to put into practice a “community schools” approach that they expect will be transformational at 24 of its 34 school sites.
Superintendent Dr. Heather Contreras, who started her job May 1, expressed gratitude, saying, “This funding will allow us to expand our commitment to the Whole Child, Whole Family, Whole Community framework and approach, which has already shown great success in supporting our students, families and educational community.”
This initiative was began under former superintendent Michelle Rodriguez, who brought the Whole Child, Whole Family, Whole Community philosophy to Pajaro Valley, which is the largest school district in Santa Cruz County with a $345 million budget and declining enrollment of 16,000 students.
The money for Pajaro Valley is one grant among 288 awarded by the governor and the state Board of Education totaling nearly $1.3 billion.
The grants began in 2021 when the state had a $76 million surplus and the Legislature agreed to support the California Community Schools Partnership Program for seven years.
When implemented with fidelity, research shows a community schools approach can boost student outcomes in attendance and graduation rate, according to the Opportunity Institute.
Districts that applied for grants tend to have more students who are low-income, English learners, homeless, or foster youth.
Schools become neighborhood hubs using this approach such as: Oakland International High School, Redwood City schools, and Union Public Schools in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
During a two-year planning period, members of the PVUSD educational community co-created this guiding vision: “A PVUSD community school places the student at the center of everything. Community members, organizations, educators and families coordinate resources in and out of school to prioritize each student’s growth, wellness, and sense of belonging.
Conditions are strengthened, barriers broken and successes are celebrated as we work, learn, love, and thrive together with families and community to prepare students for their promising futures.”
Community schools are a holistic approach to education that focuses on meeting academic, social, emotional, and health needs of students and their families.
Each community school will determine priorities that remove barriers to learning and create a positive and inclusive school culture.
The goal is to engage the entire school community in creating conditions for students to thrive and succeed.
Schools may choose to provide services such as mental health counseling, medical care, expanded learning opportunities, and/or family engagement activities.
Under Rodriguez leadership, many of these services were offered, and in the “community schools” model, services are typically provided at the school site rather than school staff expecting students and parents to search in the community for services.
The grant will be used to hire “Community Schools specialists” and fund school-level professional development and supports to respond to each community school’s priorities.
That’s different from the norm, where professional development for teachers and staff is districtwide.
Contreras said, “By providing essential services within the school environment, we can ensure that all students have the opportunity to succeed academically and socially.”
The district office also is committing to invest in ways to strengthen whole-child and whole-family systems.
PVUSD staff said community school sites will work closely with students, families, staff, and community partners to ensure resources are aligned to the expressed priorities of each school.
For information about PVUSD’s community schools initiative, email Dr. Heather Contreras at [email protected].
For a report on this state initiative, see https://theopportunityinstitute.org/publications-
list/2023/6/19/follow-the-money-california-community-schools-partnership-program-second-round-of-planning-grants
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PVUSD: One of the Best for Music Education
Pajaro Valley Unified School District is one of 975 school districts honored as Best Communities in the nation for music education by the National Association of Music Merchants Foundation.
This prestigious award program acknowledges the exemplary efforts of teachers, administrators, parents, students, and community leaders for their commitment to and support of music education.
“PVUSD is dedicated to providing a well-rounded education that includes a robust music program,” said Stephanie Monroe, coordinator of visual and performing arts. “We are honored to be recognized for our commitment to music education, and we are grateful for the hard work and dedication of our music educators, students, families, and community members who have made this achievement possible.”
In 25 years, the foundation has recognized more than 1,000 school districts and schools in 43 states.
For information about the Best Communities in the Nation for Music, visit www.nammfoundation.org/
TOP PHOTO: Dr. Heather Contreras, the new superintendent of Pajaro Valley Unified District Schools, meets locals on her first day. • Photo Credit: Jondi Gumz