Welcome Central/Western CS TAC Assistant Director – Meg Garton

I am so pleased to be joining the Central/Western CS-TAC as the new Assistant Director as we head into year two! I am currently a doctoral candidate in the Department of Teaching, Learning and Educational Leadership at Binghamton University in New York where I also received my Certificate of Advanced Study in School District Leadership. I received my Master of Science degree in Special Education at Portland State University and went on to teach students K-12 with emotional, behavioral and multiple exceptionalities in both Oregon and New York. In addition to teaching, I have supported district implementation of multi-tiered systems of support as a PBIS coach and District Data Coordinator within the central New York region. My work across the continuum of school services, and in collaboration with related and community services, contributes to my drive and passion to facilitate positive outcomes for all our students, as well as continue capacity building for families and communities, through the work of community schools. I currently live in Ithaca, NY and enjoy hiking the gorges and discovering all the waterfalls with my family and energetic retriever, especially as we head into the summer months! I look forward to meeting all the hardworking districts and communities around our region and building collaborative and supportive relationships with the CS-TAC.

Regional Event Highlights

Rochester:
2019 Center for Urban Education Success (CUES) Forum on Community Schools – May 4, 2019

Over 100 attendees, 18 local, statewide, and national organizations came together to discuss developing partnerships with schools and communities at the CUES 3rd annual event. This forum emphasized the role community schools play in addressing academic, social, and emotional needs of students and families.

Keynote speaker Abe Fernandez, Director of the National Center for Community Schools, delivered an inspiring address followed by Rochester City Mayor, Lovely Warren to conclude the day with the Rochester community schools approach.

For more information about the 2019 CUES Forum on Community Schools click here.

Wayne County: Community Schools and Multi-Tiered Systems of Support Networking and Professional Development with Dr. Jason Andrews and Ms. Ali Hearn – May 9, 2019

During this regional event, we explored ways to align and integrate Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) with a community schools strategy. The day included outstanding presentations by Dr. Jason Andrews, Superintendent – Windsor Central School District and Ms. Ali Hearn, Technical Assistance Director – Midwest PBIS. Another highlight of the day was our panel from Wayne County on how to create lasting partnerships. Panelists included Mr. Jim Haitz, Director – Wayne County Mental Health; Mr. Nelson Kise, Superintendent – Sodus Central School District; and, Mr. Barry Virts, Sheriff, Wayne County Sherriff’s Office. The afternoon offered a selection of 10 different breakout sessions on a range of exciting topics.

Binghamton:
Addressing Chronic Absence in Schools with Ronald Cope II, National Center for Community Schools – May 10, 2019

The main focus of this workshop was to start conversations about school attendance and creative interventions and strategies. Participants had the chance to collect attendance tools and review attendance data. Additionally, they developed tiered intervention strategies while mapping resources and building capacity.

A special thank you to Binghamton University Community Schools and the National Center for Community Schools for their collaboration for this event.

Syracuse:
Leading Effective Cross-Sector Partnerships Between School and Agencies – May 16, 2019

Our last regional event for the month of May was quite a success! We decided to shift the focus onto developing cross-sector partnerships and building capacity within existing models. Monique Fletcher, Project Director, Children’s Aid kicked off the event by sharing strategies for effective collaboration. Monique was followed by Jay Roscup, Community Schools Director, Wayne County Consortium who emphasized systems, data, and practices integration. Cross-sector partnership models from Fulton and Rome included lessons learned. Thanks to Peaceful Schools for hosting.

Spotlight of the Month

The Wayne County Partnership for Strengthening Families is a consortium of more than forty agencies, organizations, and school districts in Wayne County. Each of our members provide valuable services to help, coach, and uplift individuals and families in order to empower them to be their best selves. The Partnership provides a forum for our partners to share information with each other and with those they serve.

United in purpose, the Partnership helps to share information, pool resources, and promote cooperation to get partner services to where they can do the most good. The full Partnership meets five times per year, and three work groups meet more frequently to tackle issues surrounding behavioral health, education, and family resources. For more information about the Partnership, visit www.wcpsf.org or www.Facebook.com/WCPSF.

The Partnership shares information between Partners, as well as with the larger community. Follow us on social media, or subscribe to our bi-weekly newsletter to receive the latest information. We promote and support Partner events.

If it’s happening in Wayne County, and if it benefits families or individuals, the WCPSF is your best source for information!

Make sure to follow us on Facebook and stay updated with our upcoming events!

Do you have a community school story that you would like featured in our e-newsletter?

Email Elizabeth Anderson at cstac@binghamton.edu or call 607-777-9383.