Community Schools Meeting Recap

On April 29th, we hosted our last Community Schools District Table Meeting of 2023-2024 at Tomales Elementary. The purpose of this meeting was to gather feedback from the community on the eight Emerging Strategies. Through an interactive activity, participants rated the eight Emerging Strategies based on the level of focus they wanted us to give them for next year. Based on this feedback, we have chosen the top four strategies to focus on next year.

In the room, we had community-based organizations, a representative of the County Government, one of our SUSD Board members, parents, teachers, and district and school administrators. In the 2-hour meeting, participants enjoyed food while connecting; they heard updates on the eight emerging strategies and plans for next year, including an introduction to Participatory Budgeting and an update on implementation funds for Tomales High School. They were able to ask questions and give us comments and suggestions.

We are grateful to everyone who participated and look forward to seeing you all at our Site council meetings this month.

The Community Schools District Table Meeting participants engaged in an interactive activity that prompted them to get into two groups and walk around the room to hear more about the eight emerging strategies. Posters were taped to the walls with the title of the strategy and three different categories for rating: It Needs more focus; We are doing good, and I am not sure; I have questions. Hosts were at each station, providing information and answering questions about the strategies. Based on the feedback during this activity, the four strategies to focus for next year are:

1. Partner with the State to identify workforce development programs that increase employability and career options for low-wealth parents.
2. Early identification and intervention for services for children 0-5 in collaboration with West Marin K-5 Readiness Group.
   
3. Expand mental health clinical counseling.
   
4. Mobile health provider to offer optometry, dental and health screenings, and essential treatment.
   

On Friday April 26th, the California Department of Education shared the list of proposed grantees for cohort 3 of the California Community Schools Partnership Program. Unfortunately, Tomales High School was not among the listed grantees, so we will not receive community school implementation funding.

Drawing from our experience with the appeal process from last year, and recent information shared by the CDE, we have decided not to appeal their decision. Instead, we will focus on preparing a strong application for the 2025-2026 cohort, should it be available.

Community Schools will continue to be a DISTRICT-WIDE SYSTEM, and all efforts implemented at our elementary schools will be extended to Tomales High School, including our participatory budgeting initiative. The Community Schools Director will continue collaborating with site administration and leadership on Site Council Meetings and other site-based initiatives.

The May 21st Tomales High School Site Council meeting will share more information on the grant requirements. Check the Tomales High School website for the Zoom link and more details on the meeting.

We have been working hard to elaborate a plan to make these meetings more accessible to the community. Next year, our District Community Table Meetings will rotate between sites, with Bodega Bay School hosting the first one.

The first part of the meeting will feature a site highlight. School sites will have the opportunity to highlight their learning community through student performances, a presentation, or any other effective means. The Director of Community Schools will work with them to help coordinate.

Community engagement will be at the core of these meetings, and there will be an opportunity for community-based organizations to do outreach, share their services, and connect with our parents and district community.

Site Council meetings will happen every month at ALL school sites. At these meetings, site-based community school efforts will be shared and created. Budget presentations and discussions will occur at these meetings. Site-based end-of-year grant reporting and possibly mid-year reporting will be completed at these meetings.

Next year's site council meeting calendar is still in the works and will be posted on our district website once available. The remaining Site Council meetings for this year are as follows:

• Tomales Elementary - May 13th at 4pm
• West Marin School - May 20th at 5 pm
• Tomales High School - May 21st at 4 pm

Bodega Bay School is in the process of establishing a School Site Council, budget presentation, and end-of-year reporting for 23-24 will happen during their PTA meeting on May 14th at 4 p.m.

What is Participatory Budgeting?

• Participatory budgeting (PB) is a democratic process in which community members decide how to spend part of a public budget. It gives people real power over real money.

Why are we implementing a participatory budgeting process at Shoreline Unified schools??

• PB is a unique opportunity to include student voices in decision-making.

Who will participate?

• Bodega Bay School
• Tomales Elementary School
• West Marin/ Inverness School
• Tomales High School

More information will be shared at the August 26th District Community Table Meeting at Bodega Bay School.

As part of the District Community Schools Table Meeting, we asked participants to use sticky notes to write questions about the information presented or the concept of community schools. Click on the links below to access the document with these questions and their answers.