Enrico Fermi School 17 has been working to transition to a community school model for nearly two years. Early priorities have included:
- enhancing trauma informed practices
- moving toward a longer school day and year
- summer learning
- project-based learning
- dual language enrichment program
- restorative practices
- strengthening relationships with parents and families
- improving communication and coordination with 50+ school partners
- ensuring highly engaging instruction.
CCSI partners with School 17 to provide the support needed for successful implementation, including:
- A full-time, on-site Community Schools Coordinator who partners with the principal to coordinate all the non-academic components of the Community School initiative, including communication with a broad array of stakeholders, developing the structures to enhance and sustain on-site services and supports, and facilitating linkages for case-specific needs
- Staff support for the school’s Community Engagement Team and its 7 active workgroups, which bring together school-based staff, parents, students and community partners to develop strategies to identify assets and address needs in priority areas including: adult education/ workforce development, health and wellness, social services, parent / family engagement, community engagement, youth development, and early childhood education
- Specialized training / implementation support to strengthen practice in key areas such as trauma responsiveness and identifying community assets, strengths and resources
Performance Targets & Outcomes
As a school in receivership, School 17 must meet specific performance targets related to both safety and academic performance.
In 2018, School 17 showed improvement on 83% of their metrics for NYSED, pulling them out of receivership for the 2019/20 school year. The demonstratable improvement in performance metrics were in multiple categories. For example, students attended school more consistently with a 33% reduction in chronically absent students from the last school year. The school is also safer with Restorative Practices, a Multi-Tiered System of Support for Academics, and SEL Responsive Classrooms; the number of serious incidents decreased by 44%. Academic performance improved in multiple ELA and Math metrics.
Support for CCSI’s work at School 17 is provided by the Rochester City School District and the
Farash Foundation.