COMMUNITY SCHOOLS: WHAT STUDENTS DO ON THEIR SUMMER VACATIONS
Community schools all over Illinois are hives of activity this week, and all summer. By providing enriching, supportive, and fun programs for students and young people while schools are on break, community schools are creating opportunities for children and young people to learn, broaden their horizons, and access physical and mental health supports in safe environments. From remediation and tutoring to academic enrichment programs, from organized sports teams and physical education to arts and culture programs, and from mentoring programs to field trips, community schools are vibrant and active places throughout the summer. To learn more about summertime programs at community schools or to share information about the programs underway at your community school, please contact Melissa Mitchell at melissa@ilcommunityschools.org. Have a great summer!
FULL-SERVICE COMMUNITY SCHOOL RFP RELEASED
The Department of Education released the Full-Service Community Schools RFP last month. Please click here to access the RFP, frequently asked questions documents, the Department of Education's technical assistance and bidders' conference materials, and additional information about the Full-Service Community Schools program. The National Coalition for Community Schools also conducted a Webinar walking community school practitioners through the RFP and highlighting important considerations to make when applying. Please click here to access that Webinar. If you have "Illinois-specific" questions about the RFP, please feel free to contact the Federation for Community Schools at (312) 629-4990 or Melissa Mitchell at melissa@ilcommunityschools.org
ADVOCATE FOR HB 5693: FUNDING FOR COMMUNITY SCHOOLS
At the beginning of this year's legislative sessions, State Representative Will Burns introduced House Bill 5693 in the Illinois General Assembly. HB 5693 proposes to allocate $5 million in funding to support community schools in Illinois. Click here for a one-page fact sheet about HB 5693. Even in the midst of the state's budget crisis, community schools are a sound investment. Of the $5 million that the Chicago Public School district invested in 70 community schools, those schools were able to leverage an additional $10 million in "already-paid-for" supports, resources, programs, and services brought into the community schools, making them accessible to the people who need them, and ensuring that the investments in those resources are maximized.
We are hoping to draft similar legislation next year. If you are interested in talking about a community school line item with your legislators and elected officials, please click here to access a sponsorship letter that you can customize and use with your elected officials.
Community Schools Advocacy Day in Springfield a Big Success!
Thanks to all who participated!
On March 16th, more than 200 community school advocates and supporters traveled to Springfield to spread the word about community schools, to ask for legislative support for HB 5693, and to demand that legislators come up with an equitable, humane solution to the budget crisis.
This year we held a rally in the Capitol Rotunda and attendees heard from Rep. Will Burns, Rep. Ken Dunkin, students, parents, district administrators and providers about why community schools are so important to students, families, and communities across Illinois. The rally could be heard throughout the Rotunda, and cheers of "HB 5-6-9-3 for the COMMUNITY!" could be heard throughout the building!
Thank you to everyone who who went to Springfield and shared the important work you all do for community schools, to help promote an appropriations bill for our community Schools, House Bill 5693, sponsored by State Rep. Will Burns, and to underscore the significance of keeping State funding intact for human services during this economic crisis. It was a great day! Click here to see photos and to follow community schools on Facebook!
COMMUNITY SCHOOLS IN THE NEWS!
Click here to see an NBC 5 Chicago report on the state budget cuts, and how they will impact Chase Elementary School and its students, families, and community. The piece features Children's Home + Aid Community School Manager Lilly Leon!
Click here to join us on Facebook!
