PRINCESS ANNE, MD, October 13, 2023 – Princess Anne Elementary School (PAES) was recently selected to participate in the Building Strength Through Community Schools Learning Exchange; a professional development program sponsored by the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) and the Institute for Educational Leadership. Within The Blueprint for Maryland’s Future legislation, community schools are those leveraging Concentration of Poverty (COP) Grants to provide wraparound services that address structural and institutional barriers to student achievement. Six of Somerset County’s public schools are COP grant recipients for the 2023-2024 academic year.
Participation in the Community Schools Learning Exchange gives PAES the opportunity to work with national experts in the community schools strategy and partner with Chesapeake Mental Health to address a common goal of bridging the school’s original implementation plan and providing a continuous improvement path for growth. PAES, Greenwood Elementary School (GES), Somerset Intermediate School (SIS), and Carter G. Woodson Elementary School (WES) are fourth-year community schools. Washington & Academy & High School (WAHS) is a second-year community school and Crisfield Academy & High School (CAHS) is a first-year community school. WAHS is developing the school’s implementation plan, and the remaining community schools in Somerset County are independently conducting needs assessments; a collaborative process to identify the assets, needs, and stakeholder input in their respective communities. School teams utilize this information to develop student supports, expanded learning opportunities, family and community engagement, and collaborative leadership opportunities. The Blueprint requires all schools receiving Concentration of Poverty Grants to submit needs assessments and implementation plans to MSDE for review and approval.
Dr. Dot Bell Jackson, Concentration of Poverty Coordinator for SCPS shared, “Community schools serve a critical role, ensuring that students, their families, and the community are working together for improved student outcomes. By utilizing community assets, removing barriers to learning, and providing wraparound supports, we can positively impact student attendance, academic achievement, mental health, and physical wellness. Through the Learning Exchange, we have an opportunity to develop more meaningful ties, align our goals, and engage in shared decision-making with key stakeholders. We believe that PAES is an outstanding model for the community school strategy, and we anticipate that our work with the Learning Exchange will result in continued growth for PAES as well as our other community schools.”
Somerset’s community schools are staffed with a Community School Liaison; a COP grant-funded position responsible for conducting outreach and coordination activities with partner agencies that provide wraparound services to students and families. Many partner agencies teamed up with schools this fall, attending open house night to distribute information to families and students. Somerset’s Community School Liaisons collaborate with community partners throughout the school year to provide education and resources to families at school events, coordinating parent workshops, online training courses and resource groups.