On February 26 and 27, 2024, several key representatives from the Allentown, Pennsylvania public school district came to Hartford for an exploratory visit and tour of the Community Schools features and facilities of Hartford Public Schools. All Hartford Public Schools are Community Schools because our schools and district provide wrap-around services that support the Whole Student and their families.
The Allentown team visited the district with the goal of learning best practices for Family Engagement and Community Schools. Their visit was centered around our Community School model, discussing and sharing structures in place and sharing resources available to districts similar to ours to make the work happen. The visit was born from a conversation between Dr. Torres-Rodriguez, HPS Superintendent (pictured above, center with the group) and Dr. Carol Birks, Allentown School District (ASD) Superintendent. The Allentown School District is a large, urban public school district located in Allentown, Pennsylvania in the Lehigh Valley region of eastern Pennsylvania.
Members of the HPS Office of Family and Community Partnerships, the group who leads our Community School and Family Engagement work, hosted the visiting group from the Allentown School District (ASD) which included Dr. Shuanta Broadway McDaniel, Chief of Performance Management, Equity & Accountability, Dr. Robin Harris, Chief Outreach Officer – Office of Family and Community Engagement, Audie Torres, Director of School Choice and Enrollment, and Dr. Lourdes Sanchez, Director of Student Services. From United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley was Khushboo Jain, Director of Community Schools Network and Marci Lesko, Chief Operating Officer.
ASD members (right) tour the the HPS Welcome Center and Enrollment Office with the OFCP team. Center is Nuchette Black-Burke, HPS Chief Engagement & Partnerships Officer
During the two-day visit the group experienced an overview of the Office of Outreach, Family & Community Partnerships – the roles within the department, Data tracking tools, policies, procedures and protocols were discussed. Discussed Family Engagement Frameworks and the HPS Community School Strategy. They also had guided tours of the HPS Welcome Center and the Office of Enrollment & School Choice, the Student Success Center at Hartford Public High School, and at M.D. Fox School, with Principal Geissler, the FCSSP, Community School Director from the Village for Families and Children, and ConnectiKids, discussed their services, community supports and programs. The Allentown team also visited the school-based full service health clinic.
ASD team members learn about the MD Fox School community team
Dr. Shuanta Broadway McDaniel, Deputy Superintendent/Chief of Performance Management, Equity, and Accountability from ASD recalls, "Hartford Public Schools is truly a district that embodies its priorities of focusing on the whole student. The Cabinet team was extremely gracious to our Allentown School District team. They shared best practices, resources, hospitality, and took us to see the work in action. Visiting the schools was an experience I will remember forever. Thank you for the privilege to walk the halls of Hartford Public High School, the second oldest high school in the United States, and to experience the magic that occurs at Michael D. Fox Elementary School. I cannot thank Dr. Leslie Torres-Rodriquez and her Cabinet enough for the opportunity."
HPS and the Office of Outreach, Family and Community Partnerships are collaborating with other school districts in and out-of-state. HPS is a leader in Family Engagement, Community Partnership, and Community Schools work.
For more information and questions, please email Outreach@hartfordschools.org
More reflections from our visitors follow:
You all went above and beyond by not only supplying us with stellar presentations within your central office and schools, but you supplied us with beneficial resources to continue to assist us as we build sound structures for our Office of Family and Community Engagement. We were impressed by the breadth of knowledge that exists regarding Community Schools, School Governance Councils, Centralized Registration, and onsite arrangements such as the state-of-the-art Welcome Center that serves stakeholders.
-- Dr. Robin Harris, Chief Outreach Officer – Office of Family and Community Engagement
It was incredible to see how intentionally the Hartford Public School District has embedded the Community School ideology of whole child education within their District Priorities speaks to their commitment to the success of youth and the larger community! We have seen tremendous successes in student excellence with the CS model in ASD in the past 19 years of implementation and a deep partnership with the district team would only exaggerate those successes and broaden impact. I am hopeful with the incoming Superintendent's team, we can take the observed 'leveled approach' in HPS and expand the Community School implementation to the whole district in ASD too!
--Khushboo Jain, Director of Community Schools Network - United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley
The vision of a family and community engagement framework that is felt in both policy and practice was inspiring and thought-provoking. The hospitality of educators from both Hartford and ASD was felt and I can clearly see how our work together will grow beyond anything we have seen before. The future is very bright. On behalf of United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley, thank you for inviting us to join your vision!
--Marci Lesko, Chief Operating Officer - United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley
I am impressed and inspired by the comprehensive approach to student well-being and academic success observed during our team’s visit to Hartford Public Schools (HPS). The integration of physical and mental health services, along with the whole student district model for excellence, reflects a dedication to fostering the holistic development of each student. The intentional cultivation of equal and equitable partnerships among families, educators, and the community, as well as the establishment of a Welcome Center, exemplifies a commitment to creating a supportive environment that prioritizes the needs of every individual. I look forward to creating and developing district initiatives while continuing to build and expand meaningful partnerships to enhance the educational experience for all students in ASD.
--Dr. Lourdes Sanchez, Director of Student Services
Thank you to Dr. Torres-Rodriguez, Ms. Black-Burke, and the wonderful staff at Hartford Public Schools for sharing their work and passion with us. The presentations, materials and site visits sparked conversations around all the current and future opportunities ASD has to continue the work around family and community engagement. Allentown is on the move!
--Audie Torres, Director of School Choice and Enrollment