ETAC Region Updates

Join us at the Eastern NYS Community Schools Conference at Manhattanville College!

Learn from our team of experts on school-based health clinics, trauma-informed care, family engagement, mental health, mentoring, expanded learning time, leadership, aligning systems that support a community school strategy, the nuts and bolts of community schools, and more!

Friday, October 4, 2019
Manhattanville College
Harrison, NY

8:00 am -9:30 am: Community Schools 101
(optional; please note your participation when you register)

9:30 am – 3:30 pm: full conference

Keynote speaker Dr. Raymond Sanchez

Featuring keynote speaker Dr. Raymond Sanchez (Superintendent, Ossining School District), the day of workshops will include sessions led by Terry McSweeney (NYSUT); Dr. Andrew Bell (Program Director of Children’s Mental Health, County of Westchester); Dr. Jen Curry (CEO, Change Impact); and Dr. David Mauricio (Superintendent, Peekskill City School District).

The day will also include an opportunity to meet Dr. JoAnne Ferrara, author and associate dean at Manhattanville College, along with a raffle to win a copy of her recently published book, Community Schools: People and Places Transforming Education and Communities.

Click here to learn more about the workshop offerings and presenters!

News from the NYS CS TAC:

Wenger-Trayner E, Wenger-Trayner B. Communities of Practice, a brief introduction. 2015. http://wenger-trayner.com/introduction-to-communities-of-practice/

The NYS Technical Assistance Centers are excited to announce the launch of three Communities of Practice (CoP) for the 2019-2020 school year: family engagement (ETAC), trauma-informed care (NYCTAC), and integration of Multi-Tiered Systems of Support and Community Schools (C/WTAC). Please look out for invitations to webinars and other virtual meetings for the 2019-2020 CoP.

A Community of Practice (CoP) is a group of people who share a concern or passion for something they do and learn how to do it better as they interact (Wenger, 2006). A CoP has three characteristics:

  • a shared identity based on a commitment and the development of competence around that shared commitment;
  • shared engagement in activities around the shared commitment; and
  • shared practices and the development of shared resources in the form of tools, experiences, and interactions to solve problems (Wenger, 2006).

In short, a Community Schools CoP shares expertise and works collaboratively to improve the implementation of the Community School strategy. 

We look forward to connecting with you as we develop the Communities of Practice this school year.

Wenger, E. (2006) Communities of Practice, A Brief Introduction

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

Email cstac@rockland21c.org or call 845-627-5437.