Issue link: http://educator.cta.org/i/740763
SONOMA: Rural school builds community Sonoma is a vacation destination in California's wine country, but many residents are poor — working in ser- vice industry jobs or harvesting crops. Unlike the inner city, poverty in rural areas is often hidden from public view, with added challenges of isolation, insufficient social services and a lack of public transportation. To deal with growing student needs, the principal of El Verano Elementary School moved to make the school a community school last year. "I recognized there was a huge need for mental health and dental health," says Principal Maite Iturri. "For some families, getting care meant leaving the valley, and a lot of families don't have cars and transportation options. I realized kids had trouble learning when there were barriers, and I wanted to remove these barriers." The school expanded services through a combination of grants, partnerships with nonprofits and foun- dations, LCFF funding and volunteers. Among the offerings: free breakfast, a visiting mobile dental hygienist who cleans teeth, a psychiatrist who volunteers one morning a week in the "Parent Café" for discussions and referrals, and ESL , GED and parenting classes for parents. There's also a Parent University that's "for parents by parents," teaching everything from technology skills to Zumba. And the Parent Resource Center, staffed by a parent-engagement coordi- nator, offers assistance for housing, food stamps, immigration, health insurance, nutrition and improving parenting skills. Nallely Rojas signed up for the class "How to Work With Children When They Are Mad." "Learning how to react properly and calm things down," she says, made a huge difference in her parenting ability. The switch included more professional development time, allowing Valley of the Moon Teachers Association members to come together as a learning community, analyzing student data and focusing on literacy. It's paying off, with 75 percent of the students making progress in reading. Fifth-grade teacher Chris Marcoux says students are "less stressed" by outside distractions with the new model and are able to focus better in his class. "Sometimes you can see that students are anxiety-ridden, and they explain that Dad's having legal issues or Mom is having a hard time paying the rent. It's helpful for students when a school can offer tangible help." Kindergarten teacher Jenny Hinman loves that parents feel more welcome and connected to the school. She shares that students are excited to see their parents as learners right alongside them, and says it is fostering newfound pride. For third-grade teacher Craig Madi- son, who has been at the school nearly two decades, becoming a community school was a natural evolution — and something that has invigorated the school community. " These days, the place is always hopping," he says. "Whether it's Zumba, Folklorico, ESL or yoga, there's always something going on." "Sometimes students are anxiety-ridden. They explain that Dad's having legal issues or Mom is having a hard time paying the rent. It's helpful when a school can offer tangible help." — CHRIS MARCOUX, fih-grade teacher, El Verano Elementary Teacher Chris Marcoux says El Verano's switch to being a community school has meant students are less stressed and able to focus better in class. El Verano Elementary keeps its playground open to the community on the weekends. 19 October 2016