We know that many factors influence how well a kid does in school. Students who are well-fed and have the hygiene supplies they need are more likely to be able to focus during class.
That's why United Way teamed up with Rochester Public Schools and other partners to develop Rochester Full-Service Community Schools.
These collaborations bring services like food pantries, hygiene products, health clinics, enrichment activities, and more to students during the school day. That way, teachers can focus on academics while community-based organizations support students' wellbeing.
Help us raise $30,000 by September 30 for Community Schools!
Stories From Our Schools
"The [Community School] Resource Room is very important because some students, they don't have the things that the school provides. They can't afford it and they don't have it at home, like toothpaste, deodarant, stuff like that."
- Gio, Student at Alternative Learning Center (ALC) in Rochester
""[We need to focus] on not just the academic pieces like reading and math...We have to think about basic needs, like access to food, clothing, and hygiene items. All of those things are important in helping a kid be successful at school.""
- Intisar Khan, Franklin Elementary's Community Site Facilitator
What is a Community School?
Community Schools are partnerships between Rochester Public Schools, United Way of Southeast Minnesota, the individual school site, and other community resources. In this sense, a community school is both a place and an idea.
Thanks to these collaborations, teachers can focus on academics while community-based organizations support students’ wellbeing. These services connect students to resources that positively impact their health, give them opportunities to engage in community and leadership development, and ensure they and their families have their basic needs met.
Local Community Schools currently include Franklin Elementary, Gage Elementary, Riverside Central Elementary, John Adams Middle School, the Alternative Learning Center, Mayo High School, and John Marshall High School.
The Community School model boosts success inside and outside the classroom because it makes sure that students don’t need to worry about things like having clean clothes or enough food. By bringing resources and services on-site to their schools (a place where they’re at quite often!), students’ focus can be on academics during the school day.
Data has shown that these services lead to improved student learning, student well-being, stronger families, and healthier communities (Maier et al., 2017).[1]
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[1]Maier, A., Daniel, J., & Oakes, J. (2017). Community Schools as an Effective School Improvement Strategy: A Review of the Evidence [Review of Community Schools as an Effective School Improvement Strategy: A Review of the Evidence]. In learningpolicyinstitute.org. Learning Policy Institute. https://learningpolicyinstitute.org/media/136/download?inline&file=Community_Schools_Effective_BRIEF.pdf
Every child enrolled in a Community School has access to their school’s Resource Room and the other activities run by the Site Facilitators. There are no restrictions based on income or other factors, reducing the stigma associated with accessing these services.
Since 2017, Rochester Public Schools and United Way have partnered to support the holistic needs of students and families. We have provided staff support, funding, and strategic input to help these efforts to improve student learning, build stronger families, and create a healthier community.