Efforts Underway to Enhance Community Schools in Warren County
Warren County, KY – As the first month of the school year wraps up, there are exciting developments taking place at Henry F. Moss Middle School and Jennings Creek Elementary School. These schools are part of the Kentucky Community Schools Initiative (KCSI), which aims to transform educational environments into community-focused learning hubs.
The Prichard Committee for Academic Excellence announced last October that both Moss and Jennings Creek would join KCSI. This initiative is designed to improve schools through community engagement and partnership expansion. To support this effort, the Warren County Public Schools (WCPS) received a grant of $1.5 million to implement various programs over the next five years.
Changes on the Horizon
During a recent meeting on Thursday, Ben Kirtley, the Family Resource and Youth Services Centers coordinator for Warren County Schools, discussed the upcoming changes that will benefit students at both schools. One notable change is the introduction of enrichment days, which are set to occur on each school day. Kirtley emphasized the need for students to engage in various activities beyond traditional sports like baseball and basketball.
“Many of our students had limited opportunities to explore other recreational activities,” Kirtley explained. “Enrichment days will provide them with those options.” The focus for these days will be on social and emotional learning and practices from the “Leader In Me” program, promoting leadership and life skills among students.
On Fridays, club days will also be introduced. Kirtley shared that every staff member at Moss will actively participate in sponsoring or helping to support a club during this time, showcasing the staff’s commitment to enriching the student experience.
The Four Pillars of Community Schools
The community schools model is grounded on four guiding principles: active family and community engagement, expanded and enriched learning times, integrated support, and collaborative leadership. These pillars aim to support diverse, high-need student populations, as seen at Moss and Jennings Creek. In addition to academic improvements, the model incorporates eight “pipelines” that target various educational goals, including early childhood education, workforce readiness, and out-of-school programming.
Inclusive Communication for Families
At Jennings Creek Elementary, efforts are also being made to better engage with migrant families. Tracy Woods, the family resource coordinator, highlighted the use of a communication tool called TalkingPoints. This tool helps bridge language barriers by translating messages sent to families into their preferred languages.
“It’s an amazing tool, a very powerful tool,” Woods stated. Once a message is sent, parents receive it in their home language via text, and they can respond in their language as well. The translated responses come back in English. This initiative was first used last summer, promoting school events like the monthly Rock The Block, which saw significant family participation.
Looking Ahead
Exciting changes are on the way for students in Warren County. As both Moss and Jennings Creek Schools continue to integrate the community schools initiative, future meetings are planned to keep stakeholders informed and engaged. Details on the upcoming meetings will be shared as they are finalized.
The community schools initiative not only encourages academic success but also aims to foster a stronger community connection and provide sustained support for families. This holistic approach addressing various aspects of student needs promises to create a welcoming and engaging environment for all students at Moss and Jennings Creek Schools.
