Oyler Griffin / November 27, 2013
By Emily Offenbacker
On October 25, more than 80 people from New York visited Oyler to learn more about what it takes to be a Community Learning Center. Parents, advocacy groups, principals, teachers, business partners, a food bank, NYC Department of Education officials, and representatives from the United Federation of Teachers, visited Oyler. This was an important visit because New York City Schools are modeling 16 Community Learning Centers after Oyler, six of which have been running since last year. They also got to hear first hand from the Griffin Staff about Oyler.
After the New York visitors toured the school building, there was a session held in the gym. There were several speakers before the Griffin staff. Dr. Marilyn Crumpton, Medical Director for School & Adolescent Health at the Cincinnati Health Department, spoke about Community Learning Centers. She said, “Time is important. We only have a few years with kids to get them where we want them to be.” Katie Burroughs, Director of Adopt a Class, said, “It gives them hope that they might not have had otherwise.”
After speaking of personal experiences, Griffin staff interviewed several people from the crowd, including Chief of Staff for the United Federation of Teachers, Ellie Engler, Vice President of Elementary Schools Karen Alford, and Regina Castro, Parent Leader with New York Communitites For Change.
There are 1800 school buildings and 16 Community Learning Centers in various stages of development in New York City. When asked what their hopes are for their Community Learning Centers, Casero said, “To have all the services under one umbrella, especially to have nurses specialized for different things.” Alford and Engler both said, “That they look like Oyler.” Engler commented on the Oyler students, saying, “Students are happy at the School; it’s obvious on their faces. Their depth of knowledge is unbelievable. It’s more than a school.”
When asked what they learned during the visit, Casero said, “That community does exist, that it is possible and it [a community learning center] can work. We just need more dedicated people like the people here at Oyler.” Alford said, “This is my seventh trip. I learn something new every time. This time was more detailed, and I learned more of how to get businesses and the community involved in the school.” Casero also said, “It’s amazing. All of the work that was put in wasn’t done over night. Everyone was on the same page to get this done.” Alford said, “Wow. Oyler is a blue ribbon school and is deeply embedded in the community. It has a dual focus on wraparound services and academics.”
At the invitation of the United Federation of Teachers, the Griffin Staff will hold a Skype meeting with fifth graders who have formed an after school journalism club in New York. The Griffin staff will advise the NYC students on how to run their newspaper.
The Griffin staff shortly after a panel presentation to visitors from New York City and the United Federation of Teachers to Oyler School on October 25, 2013. Photo Source: United Federation of Teachers.