Every child walks into their classroom each day with varying preparedness to learn. It’s possible that a student may be experiencing a turbulent home life, hungry, facing housing instability, lack of medical resources, technology disparity or any other barrier that might be keeping them from succeeding in school. Increasingly, schools recognize that in order to learn, students need individualized supports.
We maintain Community Resource Centers in every school we serve, where students can easily and discreetly access all of the basic needs that keep them healthy and happy during school and over the summer. Each Community Resource Center also serves as a point of entry into Community Schools wraparound services, where staff can get to know a student's individual needs and offer sustainable assistance. The Community Resource Center is the hub and the footprint of Community Schools in each building and all of the work we do spreads out from there, yet in a time of this global pandemic, we have moved all of our support services to be accessible remotely.
TOGETHER! works in partnership with Tumwater School District (as well as North Thurston Public Schools through our Club House program), local churches, teachers, Rotary Clubs, Foundations, nonprofits, and student groups to help manage and maintain physical and mobile pantries full of items children and families need most.
In order to continue our mission we would love support from our community in the form of donation of funds and products. To donate funds, visit our donate page, and to donate food or other key items, check our list below, or check out the Tumwater Community Schools Facebook page for updates on current top needs or reach out to us to be added to our eShare newsletter email list.
“The Tumwater Community Schools partnership with TOGETHER! has become an essential part of our mutual effort to support students and families facing challenges in their lives which impact the ability to learn. Our growing list of community partners wanting to support and expand this effort would not have been possible without the amazing leadership, networking, and support our TOGETHER! team provides. Thank you to the entire TOGETHER! organization for the important work you do in support of children and families!" - Former Key Partner John Bash (former Tumawter School District Superintendent)
Our model’s integrated focus on academics, health and social services, youth and community development and community engagement leads to improved student learning, stronger families and healthier communities. The approach is adapted to meet each school’s unique needs.
Many children face challenges both inside and outside the classroom. Through a school-based site manager, our initiative strategically aligns and leverages needed resources so that students can focus on learning.
Areas of Support When it comes to making sure kids get the supports that they need to succeed in school and in life, we never give up. The Community Schools Initiative works to address the needs of the whole child by leveraging partners and resources. Some of the barriers that students face can include:
Experiencing family or personal crisis
In need of mental health services
Living in poverty
Coming to school hungry
In need of healthcare
Homeless or living in temporary housing
Language barriers
It’s important to understand that equity is different from equality, in that equality means that all students get the same thing. But when schools strive to provide equity, it means that every child gets what they need. Or, as 2015 National Teacher of the Year Shanna Peeples once said, “Equality is everyone gets shoes. Equity is all the shoes fit.”
Creating lasting equity in health and education takes mobilization of multiple partners to change systems that serve kids and families. Our Community Schools Initiative tackles barriers students and families face to their health, well-being and success. Using the research-based national Community Schools model, we transform schools and communities to ensure every child has an equitable opportunity to succeed in school and life. Using a whole child mindset, we mobilize partners and schools to transform systems of care for children. We know from research that health and education are intimately related. Ensuring students graduate from high school and are on track for post-secondary success is an important step in ensuring a lifetime of success, health and well-being.
TOGETHER! is currently partnering with the Tumwater School District to implement this model in elementary, middle, and high schools.
Courtney Prothero (she, her)
Tumwater Community Schools Manager: Michael T. Simmons Elementary & Tumwater Middle School CProthero@waTOGETHER.org
Diana Perez (she, her, ella)
Tumwater Community Schools Manager: Peter G. Schmidt & East Olympia Elementary Schools DPerez@watogether.org
Paulette Perez (she, her, ella)
Tumwater Community Schools Manager: Black Hills High School PPerez@watogether.org
Stephanie Lopez (she, her)
Tumwater Community Schools Manager: Tumwater High School SLopez@watogether.org
Vanessa Hurst (she, her)
Tumwater Community Schools Manager: Cascadia High School VHurst@watogether.org
If you are interested in supporting our Tumwater Community Schools program, please contact:
Sierra Abrams, Tumwater Community Schools Director Work Cell: (360) 999-0092 SAbrams@watogether.org
Tumwater Community Schools Initiative Funders: Tumwater School District City of Tumwater & countless partners - thank you all!
Tumwater Community Schools Facebook
THANK YOU TO OUR PARTNERS