Purpose of Our Community Schools Committee

The purpose of the Community Schools Committee is to solicit input from ALL staff, students, families, and community partners to expand and refine our offerings to meet the needs of the Mountain View School community.

Next Steps

We intend to grow the number of staff, parents, students, and community partners who participate in discussions and take action to bridge what our community needs with what Mountain View provides. Current Efforts:

Students - In collaboration with our Science Prep Teacher, Community Schools is co-facilitating a dynamic Student Leadership Elective aimed at empowering students to take active roles in shaping our school environment. This elective is designed to engage students in various school-wide initiatives, fostering both leadership and collaboration skills.

Students participating in this elective will have the opportunity to lead and contribute to key projects such as:

• Yearbook Creation: Students will oversee the design, development, and production of the school yearbook, capturing the spirit and memories of the school year.

• Community Schools Working Groups: Students will be involved in task forces that address critical school and community needs, ensuring their voices are heard in planning and decision-making processes.

• Project-Based Learning (PBL) Initiatives: In alignment with our school's commitment to PBL, students will have the chance to develop and lead their own projects, focusing on real-world issues and personal interests.

• Student-Driven Interests: The elective will remain flexible to incorporate student interests, ensuring that the projects they engage in are meaningful and relevant to their passions and aspirations.

This Student Leadership Elective will also serve as a key decision-making and feedback body, providing Mountain View students a platform to share their ideas, advocate for their peers, and actively contribute to shaping school policies and programs. By giving students a voice in decision-making, we aim to cultivate a sense of ownership and responsibility, fostering a more inclusive and engaged school community.

Parents, Guardians, and Caretakers - Family and Community Engagement (FACE) has been identified as a key challenge within our Community Schools work, and addressing this is essential to fostering a truly inclusive and supportive school environment. Our goal is to not only engage parents and guardians but to empower them as active partners in school decision-making and community-building efforts.

We plan to leverage and strengthen the participation of parents and guardians by tapping into already established groups, including:

• Site Governance Team (SGT): A crucial body that helps shape school policies and practices, where parent and guardian involvement is key to ensuring decisions reflect the needs of the entire community.

• School Site Council (SSC): An important decision-making group focused on school budgeting and academic programs. By increasing parent participation here, we can better align resources with the priorities and aspirations of our families.

• English Learner Advisory Committee (ELAC): This committee plays an essential role in advocating for our English Language Learners. Engaging parents of ELL students will provide critical insights to improve language support programs and ensure equitable access to learning.

• Parent-Staff Association (PSA): This group is central to building strong relationships between families and school staff. Strengthening this connection will foster better communication, collaboration, and a sense of shared responsibility for student success.

As we continue our work in root cause analysis and problem statement formation, we recognize the importance of not only engaging parents but also using their voices and influence to create a ripple effect within the community. By building strong relationships with these groups, we aim to:

• Empower Parent Leaders: We will cultivate leadership among engaged parents, encouraging them to take on active roles in facilitating discussions, organizing events, and guiding initiatives. These parent leaders will serve as ambassadors, helping to bring other parents into the fold and create a culture of collaboration.

• Expand Outreach and Inclusion: Through targeted outreach efforts, we aim to connect with traditionally underrepresented families, ensuring that our engagement efforts reach the full diversity of our school community. By doing so, we will create a more inclusive environment where all voices are heard and valued.

• Develop a Feedback Loop: To ensure continuous improvement, we will establish mechanisms for regular feedback from parents, ensuring that their perspectives shape our school’s initiatives. By listening to their concerns and suggestions, we can refine our approaches to better meet the needs of our students and families.

• Build Trust and Relationships: Central to our efforts is the need to foster trust between families and the school. By involving parents in meaningful ways, we will build stronger relationships and create a sense of shared ownership over school improvement efforts.