Whitehead Elementary and Flinn Middle Schools are thrilled to announce they have each been selected to be part of a cohort with ACT Now. This Community Schools grant[LR1] will support each school with $500,000 annually for five years—a total of $5 million! This transformative grant will support the implementation of the Full-Service Community Schools (FSCS) model, aimed at increasing family involvement, building community partnerships, and fostering a deeper sense of belonging for students.
The initiative, launching in Fall 2024, focuses on enhancing student attendance, improving family engagement, and boosting overall academic success by offering a wide range of programs and resources for children and families. To support these efforts, each school will be hiring a full-time Community Schools Coordinator to oversee the planning, implementation, and operation of the FSCS model.
Key Goals and Solutions:
Year One (Fall 2024): Initial implementation of the Community Schools Model, introducing the foundations for expanded family and community involvement within the four pillars of community schools.
Year Two and Beyond: Continued focus on the four pillars of the Community Schools Model.
Expanded learning time and opportunities
Collaborative leadership and practice
Active family and community engagement
Integrated student supports
ES Sustainability: Each school will employ a Community Schools Coordinator, offer afterschool and extracurricular programs, and keep school facilities open for learning and activities outside regular hours. That job posting can be found here.
Flinn and Whitehead leaders will be reaching out to stakeholders for community input. Potential uses of the grant may include summer programs, community transportation, parent classes, community partnerships, community events, and care closet.
Paula Randall, Principal of Whitehead Elementary, and Cory Schrank, Principal of Flinn Middle School, shared their excitement, "The ACT Now Community Schools Grant will allow Flinn and Whitehead to partner together to create a hub for our community. We will be able to provide many more services to our families and really make our neighborhood an active, fun, and safe place to live! We can't wait for the future of the Blue and White Community!"
About the ACT Now Coalition:
The ACT Now Coalition is a diverse network of afterschool providers, families, business leaders, community advocates, youth organizations, and policymakers from across Illinois. The organization advocates for quality, accessible afterschool programs and youth development opportunities for children. Their support includes securing funding, managing grants, and offering professional development resources to ensure program success.