FEDERATION FOR COMMUNITY SCHOOLS NAMED TO ILLINOIS’ PARTNERSHIP ZONE 

The Federation for Community Schools has been selected as a partner in Illinois' Partnership Zone, working with districts across the state to implement the community school model to transform low-performing schools. Illinois has created the Partnership Zone as a structure for using Federal school improvement grants in strategic and impactful ways. "By implementing the community school model, low-performing schools will be able to remove barriers to student success, provide additional supports to teaching staff, and engage families in meaningful ways with their children's schools," says Suzanne Armato, Executive Director, the Federation for Community Schools. "Among other strategies, we will be working with schoolss to use the afterschool time as an opportunity to re-engage students in learning and suport them in mastering what they are learning in the classroom." 
Click here for more information and to read the press release.

State School News Service article on the Illinois Partnership Zone
Click here and scroll to the second page to read the State School News Service article about the Federation's selection as an Illinois Partnership Zone supporting partner! The article refers to the work that will be undertaken to "implement the community-involvement model of school improvement for the benefit of underperforming schools."

Chicago School Policy Luncheon Series
Federation for Community Schools' Executive Director Suzanne Armato participated in a panel discussion around out-of-school time and how to make it as impactful for children and young people as possible. Click here to read the Catalyst article that quotes Sue and provides an overview of the panel's discussion.

2009 Dimon Award Recipients Announced!
Nine Illinois community schools received the 2009 Dimon Distinguished Community Schools Award at the Illinois Community Schools Forum on Friday, October 9^th. The Dimon award-winning community schools also received $10,000, in recognition of their work in implementing the community school model to its fullest. Click here to read the press release.

This year’s award-winning community schools are: 

 HB 684 Signed Into Law!
On August 25, 2009, Illinois Governor Pat Quinn signed House Bill 684 into law, making Illinois the only state in the nation to codify community schools into their state school code.  By institutionalizing the community school model and providing a structure for community school oversight and expansion, Illinois is also poised to answer Secretary Arne Duncan's call for innovation in education and take full advantage of Race to the Top funds.  Thanks to all of our members for their efforts to propel HB 684 through the legislative process!
Click here for the press release

RECENT ARTICLES

Joliet Township High School Recognized with Dimon Award -- Joliet Herald News, October 29, 2009
The Joliet Township Youth Experiencing Success in School (YESS) program was recognized as a Dimon Award recipient at a school administrator breakfast this month. "The Dimon Award recognizes the entire community school effort in this state while focusing attention on stellar community schools that have exhibited excellence in the development, implementation and proven outcomes of a community school," said Greg Hall, director of professional development for the Federation for Community Schools in Chicago. Click here to read the whole article!

The Summer 2009 issue of the American Federation of Teachers' quarterly magazine, American Educator, focused entirely on community schools. Click here to read it!

Community Schools: Bringing Together Community Partners to Increase Opportunities for Youth -- The Education Innovator, June 2009
This edition of The Education Innovator outlines the benefits that community schools offer students, families, and communities, and the positive outcomes that occur when schools and communities partner together to create opportunities for youth and adult development. The Federation for Community Schools' and our stakeholders' work to secure the passage of HB684 and codify community schools in the Illinois state school code is also highlighted.

Community School Programs Featured in Documentary -- Daily Chronicle, April 2009
Highlights of the article include quotes from Representative Pritchard (also an HB684 sponsor) about the importance of community schools -- "I’m glad that you [Sycamore] are now immortalized, but more importantly, the community school concept is growing, and we’re going to be able to add to that,” Pritchard said.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Community Schools Are Duncan's Legacy, Too -- Catalyst, December 2008
Community Schools Should be a Priority -- Catalyst, October 2007

RECENT RELEASES AND ALERTS

HB684 Passes Unanimously!
DoE Recommends Using ARRA Funding to Support Community Schools
March 19th is Community School Advocacy Day in Springfield!
The Community Agenda Announcement
Lights ON Afterschool in Illinois!

For more information about the community school model, its benefits, and/or to visit a community school in your area, please contact Melissa Trumbull at melissa@ilcommunityschools.org or (312) 629-4992.