At the May 20 School Board meeting, four former School Board chairmen (Ferdinand Day, Mark Eaton, Melvin Miller and Connie Ring) spoke eloquently about how the future of Alexandria’s children depends not just on the schools, but on the support they receive through the City and in the community. These leaders represent a larger group of former School Board chairs who are developing a campaign to encourage civic action on behalf of our City’s youth. It was so humbling to hear these men, who have already given so much to our schools and to this City, asking the community to pull together and transform the way we prepare our children to be happy, healthy and engaged citizens. It does, in fact, take a village. (more…)
Archive for the ‘Community Involvement’ Category
The Work Starts With Us
Tuesday, June 1st, 2010‘NurtureShock’ Nurtures Community Bonding
Monday, March 8th, 2010Tonight (Monday), ACPS will host an extra special event: An appearance by Ashley Merryman, co-author (with Po Bronson) of “NurtureShock: New Thinking about Children,” the thought-provoking New York Times bestseller that’s the highlighted book of the second annual Turn the Page community reading event sponsored by the Alexandria PTA Council. We are excited to welcome Ms. Merryman, who will share her research and answer questions at T.C. Williams High School. (If you’re reading this after the fact, you missed a great program, but you’ll soon be able to watch the video online.) (more…)
Schools of the Future Involve Partnerships
Monday, January 11th, 2010There is a buzz throughout the country about the benefits of community schools. As defined by the Coalition for Community Schools, a community school is both a place and a set of partnerships between the school and other community resources. The connected and integrated focus on academics, health and social services, youth and community development and community engagement leads to improved student learning, stronger families and healthier communities. Schools become centers of the community and are open to everyone – all day, every day, evenings and weekends. (more…)
The Gap
Monday, October 12th, 2009In Alexandria City Public Schools, we are working hard to assure that each and every student achieves at high levels. We have begun the honest and courageous conversations that will lead us toward accomplishing our goals, and we are strengthening our partnerships with parents, community members and organizations who share our passion; yet, we have much work to do. (more…)
Our Urbanized Mayberry
Monday, March 23rd, 2009I am so encouraged by the comments that readers have posted on my blog! There have been many great suggestions on which I will follow up, and there have been several valuable constructive criticisms. We’ve publicized my blog through many channels, but I hope those of you reading today will help spread the word and urge people to post comments so we can expand these important community conversations. I love the fact that Alexandria is both an urban city and a small town (an “urbanized Mayberry” according to the Washington Post), and that so many people are engaged in and willing to comment on issues relating to education. (more…)
