Program Development Tools
The following two spread sheets are designed to record and monitor the types of programs that are being delivered within the community school. The community school has as its goal, the successful development of children and students, in all areas of their lives. Programs and services should be implemented based on student needs. The spread sheets allow planners to monitor the range of programs and services being offered. They helps us think strategically about which programs are targeting which age groups, and what developmental areas are being addressed in each program/service. Used in conjunction, the program planning tool and the program monitoring tool can ensure that program goals and outcomes are truly successful at impacting developmental areas and needs.
This tool works well to identify the scope of programming needed to address specific developmental domains for specific groups of students and adults.
Community School Programs and Services Currently Available
This form is similar to the Community School Program Planning tool, however it does not break down the program doamins as affectively. Instead, it helps identify evaluation data and funding information.
Program Information Linkage Worksheet
Well designed programs respond to key developmental challenges identified in the school community. Programs contribute to successful development when they have a well defined curriculum that enhances cognitive developmental challenges being addressed during the academic day. Effective programs identify goals and outcomes for participants, and evaluate their effectiveness at intervals during the delivery timeline.
Program Observation Tool and Program Monitoring Tool
The Program Observation and Program Monitoring tools are forms that have been modified from a tool developed by a New York State After-school Network. The two forms are nearly identical, but the Program Monitoring form includes a few areas of evaluation that are not included in the Program Observation form. Observation and monitoring of programs provides valuable information to community school planners and governance teams about the quality of programs and services being provided. It can help identify challenges in the program model and the instructional process. Observation can also serve to build connections between what’s happening during the regular school day and programs and services offered beyond the traditional school day. In one model, classroom teachers visit after-school programs and use the observation tool to look for potential connections between the academic curriculum and the program subject matter. By facilitating communication between program providers and teachers, a more seamless learning experience can be created for students. Instructional methods can be shared. Instructors can support one another. The relationship between teachers and students can be enhanced.
Community Needs Assessment
The needs assessment is a critical tool for several reasons. First, it enables the resource coordinator, partner organization, and Oversight Committee to identify and prioritize the needs of the people that the school serves. It also engages the entire school community – children, families, school staff, and community members – in the development process. By providing people with a voice, the needs assessment encourages ownership of programs, and allows people to have a real stake in community school development and outcomes. A needs assessment provides a channel for outreach to community members beyond the school walls – neighbors and community business leaders, for example.
Sample Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)
This MOU was originally developed for community schools that participated in the Chicago Public Schools’ Community Schools Initiative and received funding from the Chicago Campaign to Expand Community Schools. However, the document is applicable to most community school partnerships and can easily be adapted to meet your partnership's specific needs.
Program Outreach Questionnaire
This document can be used as an outreach questionnaire provided to Overisght Committee members and others who may know community resources that could offer needed programs and services. When a need is identified, stakeholders disseminate the outreach questionnaire to potential providers and ask them to complete it. Potential providers then return the completed questionnaire which is then reviewed by the Oversight Committee. Program descriptions that seem promising are identified and providers who submitted them are then given the Program Information Linkage Worksheet to complete. The Program Outreach Questionnaire was adapted from a form developed by a Resource Coordinator at Castellanos Community School in Chicago.
Community School Newsletter Templates
These monthly newsletter templates can be used by community schools to inform parents and community members about the programming available at the school. Created by Barbara Radner of DePaul University, each month features helpful information about a variety of topics from How to Increase Your Child's Reading Success to Community Resources such as the Shedd Aquarium. The work is done for you! All you need to do is add information about your community school. Click on the links below to download a monthly newsletter template that can easily be adapted for your community school. Newsletter templates are also available in Spanish and will be updated each month.
- General Community School Newsletter Template
- General Community Schools Newsletter Template - Spanish
- December Community School Newsletter Template
- December Community School Newsletter Template - Spanish
- January Community School Newsletter Template
- January Community School Newsletter Template - Spanish
- February Community School Newsletter Template
- February Community School Newsletter Template - Spanish
- March Community School Newsletter Template
- March Community Schools Newsletter Template - Spanish
- April Community Schools Newsletter Template
- April Community Schoold Newsletter Template - Spanish
- May Community School Newsletter Template
- May Community School Newsletter Template - Spanish
If you have tools or resources to share that would be useful to others get started with or managing a community school, then please contact Melissa Trumbull at melissa@ilcommunityschools.org.
