Blog

Goal Teams: Problem Solving With Purpose

Download this newsletter Kyle Serrette, the coordinator of the National Education Association’s (NEA) growing Community Schools network, describes these schools as “addicted to problem-solving.” For many, Community Schools simply means the provision of wrap-around services somewhere in the building that address needs beyond academics.  This kind of service-provision already exists in a number of Durham…
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Our Schools, Our Communities

Year 2: From Listening Project to Goal Teams Two years ago, the journey to Community Schools in Durham began with the excitement of one school and the hiring of an organizer.  A number of Durham educators attended a training led by the National Association of Education (NEA), and left inspired by the vision of school…
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The Future of Lakewood Elementary: Bulldog Bright

Two years ago, the school year began with a lot of question marks at Lakewood Elementary.  Years of under-funding and a difficult school climate had resulted in high staff turnover and low rates of academic success for students.  Many of the neighborhood’s more affluent residents, especially the white ones, had abandoned the school, and gentrification…
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Five months in: mid-year update!

By Symone Kiddoo (School Social Worker, Southwest Elementary & Club Boulevard Elementary), with contributions from Evelyn Ponce, Lexus Walker, Megan McCurley and Anna Grant: For education professionals, the post-holiday stretch into spring break is full of middle-of-the-year testing, sick kids, and snow days. To some, a snow day might sound like a reprieve. To us,…
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Welcome to the Community School Coordinators!

The Bull City Community Schools Partnership has officially onboarded four new Community School Coordinators, who will be absolutely crucial to implementing the Community School model in its first year at Club Boulevard Elementary, Southwest Elementary, E.K. Powe Elementary, and Lakewood Elementary. Hope Valley is moving forward with exciting parent engagement intitiatives and strengthening the relationships…
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Teacher and student

Club Boulevard Teacher of the Year Candidate Reflects

Alexa Goff teaches at Club Boulevard Magnet Elementary School, is a member and leader in the Durham Association of Educators, and has played a key role in the Community Schools campaign – both inside her school and at the level of the Initiative. As a candidate for Teacher of the Year, Goff was asked to…
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Community Schools: Defend and Transform in Practice

Backstory Part 1 (Durham Association of Educators) In 2015, Durham’s local affiliate of the North Carolina Association of Educators/National Education Association (NCAE/NEA), the DAE, had a leadership transition.  The majority of the new leaders were either elected or appointed based on a commitment to the following platform.