“The students currently attending Sycamore Junior High School in Anaheim recently became the first cohort of their district’s inaugural community school — an opportunity that California’s top education official believes would have helped him when he was a young child.
On Sept. 1, the Anaheim Union High School District launched a community schools resource center during a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the middle school campus. State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond was among those in attendance.
“It’s a pleasure to be with you to celebrate the community school resource center here in Anaheim Union,” said Thurmond. “This is a district that has won more Distinguished School awards than any other district in the state.”
Community schools are public schools that partner with stakeholders to create the conditions students need to thrive. The model promotes caring for the whole child by providing services and support that are based on what students in that specific community need to succeed — whether that’s free healthy meals, health care, tutoring, mental health counseling, or other tailored services before, during or after school, and on weekends.
Anaheim Union defines a community school as a safe place at the heart of the community where students, staff and families are connected and work together to expand opportunities and address the needs of the whole child so that all students can thrive and realize their unlimited potential.
“I can’t help but think of my grandparents when I’m thinking of community schools,” said Thurmond.”
Get the full story here.