Washington DC/ Annie Bogensxhutz Bolf, the Community Learning Center Institute Director of Training and Development, led a national program on June 23, 2022 as part of a webinar series on Community Learning Center entitled “Launching a Community School: Using Deep Engagement and Visioning to Understand Root Causes and Identify Shared Priorities. The series was presented by the U.S. Department of Education in collaboration with the National Education Association (NEA) and the American Federation of Teachers
Bolf facilitated a live virtual discussion about what it takes to launch a community school; deeply engaging students, staff, families and community through a needs and asset assessment; and other steps that are critical for schools starting the community school process.
The session is part of a six part learning series by the Department of Education in partnership with the American Federation of Teachers, Coalition for Community Schools, Learning Policy Institute, National Center for Community Schools, National Education Association, and the Netter Center for Community Partnerships. The series is taking place over several weeks to increase the field’s awareness of community schools and general capacity to engage in community schools work across the country.
The goals of the learning series include communicating the U.S. Department of Education’s vision for community schools and broader whole child work, lifting up community school best practices, and identifying where and how federal relief funds (including American Rescue Plan funds) have been used to support community schools.