Building Stronger Communities: The Power of Commun ity Schools

Discover how community schools are bridging divides by serving as hubs for services that support students, families, and entire neighborhoods. [Forward this message to a friend.]( [Facebook]( [Twitter]( [Instagram]( [LinkedIn]( [Web Site]( [View in Browser]( [Logo](   PPS UPDATES March 2024 [Image] Building Stronger Communities: The Power of Community Schools   In an era where communities are more divided than ever, fostering strong bonds among residents through community schools can lead to the transformation of not only the students but also the communities in which they live. Community schools go beyond the traditional role of public schools. They act as neighborhood centers that offer a wide range of services and programs that address the diverse needs of students, families, and the community at large. Their services can include after-school programs, healthcare services, adult education classes, mental health counseling, family engagement initiatives, and much more. [LEARN MORE]( PPS Board Member Elected Mayor   Congratulations to PPS National Board member, Thomas Reynolds, who was recently elected mayor of Water Valley, MS! Thomas recently ended his final term in the Mississippi Legislature where he served in the House of Representatives from 1980-2023. [LEARN MORE]( PPS of Pitt County Launches First PEP-ECD Cohort   PPS-PC launched its first PEP-Early Childhood Development cohort this month! Over 100 individuals have been a part of 5 different PEP-Parent Leadership cohorts since 2013 and PPS-PC is thrilled to introduce this new program to Pitt County. PEP-ECD is an exciting child development curriculum based on research from Harvard University. It teaches parents, caregivers, and educators how to support healthy childhood development with hands-on activities and strategies. It includes training modules on Brain Development, Social & Emotional Development, Minimizing Toxic Stress, Language & Literacy, and Nutrition & Physical Activity. The cohort will attend four sessions which began on March 6 and will continue through April 17. If you are interested in learning more about the first PEP-ECD cohort, please email PPS-PC executive director, Joshua Breazeale, at [jbreazeale@ppspittcounty.org.](mailto:jbreazeale@ppspittcounty.org) For general information about the PPS Parent Engagement Program, contact Director of Programs and Training, Martha Montufar, mmontufar@parents4publicschools.org. Portland Chapter is Back!   Over 50 new members recently joined Community & Parents for Public Schools of Portland (CPPS) to begin the work of ensuring educational equity alongside its two new dynamic leaders, Christy Splitt and Ashley Schofield. CPPS has been revitalized thanks to these dedicated new members, and they are energized and ready to make a difference! Their goal is to create a sustainable network of diverse voices to ensure quality education for all children in Portland Public Schools and, in late February, they lobbied state legislators to fully fund Portland schools. Through this event, connections were made, and parents were empowered. If you are interested in the hard work of convening the voices of parents and community to protect our public schools, please click [here]( to join CPPS and stay up to date! By the Numbers   - 7,395: High school seniors and returning college students need to submit their 2024-25 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form now. The new form, known as "Better FAFSA," is quick to complete and can provide up to $7,395 in aid. To apply, click [here](. - 24: Only 24% of computer scientists today are women. In celebration of Women’s History Month, we are sharing this amazing summer opportunity for high school students hosted by Girls Who Code! [Click here]( to learn more. Copyright © 2024 Parents for Public Schools, Inc. [Facebook]( [Twitter]( [Instagram]( [LinkedIn]( [Web Site]( [Unsubscribe]( | [Privacy Policy]( [Powered by thedatabank, gbc.](