Community schools work to improve education

TULSA - Community Schools are being incorporated into elementary schools across Green Country and making a difference in the lives of students.

The Tulsa Public School District currently has 11 community schools, including Eugene Field, Hawthorne, Kendall-Whittier, Alcott, McKinley, Mark Twain, Addams, Marshall, Celia Clinton, Cooper, and McClure.
 

Union Public School District has 6 community schools, Briarglen, Roy Clark, Boevers, Rosa Parks, Grove, and McAuliffe.
Both districts have additional schools in the process of becoming a community school.
 

A community school integrates academic, health, and social services; youth and community development; and community engagement.

At Rosa Parks Elementary in Tulsa, 10 year old Kaitlyn Kirsch and her friend Julia take gardening very seriously.

"We harvest them to make sure don't die with fruits on them and so we can eat them." said Kirsch.

Students spend time each week in the Global Garden, one of many aspects of a community school incorporated at Rosa Parks.

"They love coming to the garden." said Maggie Regan, Global Garden Educator.

The idea behind a community school is to educate children beyond academics. To break the barriers that often stop children from reaching their full potential.

"You see them have more confidence in the classroom when speaking to people about their gardens and we hope that translates over into the rest of their life." explained Regan.
 

Research shows, community schools not only improve academic performance but attendance as well.
Mark Twain elementary is a prime example.

"It wasn't intelligence or value of school but actually getting here, on time everyday for school." said Principal Diane Hensley.

Hensley recalls in years past, many of her students would get sick and families could not afford to see a doctor.

Mark Twain in West Tulsa now has a health clinic on site.

"Making sure all children had that primary care as soon as possible made a huge dent in our problems in attendance at Mark Twain." said Hensley.

Now it's up to educators to keep the students in school and motivated.
The Community Schools Initiative has found that one way to do this, is through mentoring.

Dozens of mentors volunteer their time at schools across the area.

"The kids light up like trees they are so excited you can see it all over their faces." said Kindergarten teacher Marissa Krispense.

Krispense has seen the benefits of mentoring in her own classroom.

"Any kind of positive influence you can put in these kids lives it just builds them up it help them to believe in themselves."

If you would like to learn more about the Community Schools Initiative click here .

And for more information about Tulsa area Community Schools click here .