Eric Silverberg introduced Renee Parker:  Renee completed her Bachelor’s degree in Education and then earned two Master’s Degrees from Arizona State University. During her 26 year career with Mesa Public Schools Renee has Served as a teacher, instructional coach, principal, human resource director and currently serves as the director of community partnerships. Throughout her career her focus has always been on working to ensure both the academic and social emotional needs of students are addressed, ensuring them a pathway for success. She is committed to empowering youth with the tools, training, and knowledge they need to perform optimally day in and day out. Through the use of evidence-based strategies, she is able to help youth with a variety of performance skills ranging from mindset and motivation to improving focus and concentration, handling performance errors, imagery, developing confidence and mental toughness. Renee believes in creating partnerships that utilize strengths and build a strong future for the community.  CLICK HERE to download a copy of the presentation slides she used during her presentation.

 

There are over 64,000 students in the Mesa Public School system.  They have 10,000 employees.  The needs are great.  In order to accomplish all they hope to accomplish, they need community partners.  

 

The pandemic had a profound social and emotional affect on the students.  There were academic deficiencies that have and will take years to make up.  It is a known fact that if children are not literate by the third grade, their ability to succeed is severely impacted.  In fact, Renee shared that the needs for future prison beds are based on that statistic.

 

In today's world, reading to kids is not normal in many households.  The school district has partnered with the public library so all students automatically have library cards.  The can check out books, audio books - all kinds of things - even cake pans.  With that resource availability, teachers were taught how to encourage students to utilize those services.  The libraries saw a 56% increase in use.

 

Volunteerism is critical in one-on-one literacy coaching.  Through a partnership with AARP,  they are able to provide 30 minute sessions two times each week.  The volunteers are matched with the same student the entire school year.  It not only improves literacy, the bonding of students with their volunteers provides social-emotional growth for the students, as well.  It helps those kids in danger of falling through the cracks.

 

The community partnerships include some of the communities major employers - Boeing, Honeywell, and Intel to name a few.  Their partnerships help the students understand Science, Technology Engineering and Math (STEM) in a more exciting way.  They start to understand that what once looked overwhelmingly boring and difficult could actually allow them to be a part of projects resulting in amazing outcomes.  They also provide seminars for parents, who only know and understand what they've been exposed to.

 

Community outreach must include ways to meet basic needs.  One of their wins was that of obtaining a $197,000 grant to provide feminine hygiene supplies which are then available at no cost to students - some of whom missed school regularly because of lack of supplies before the grant.

 

Mesa PD does shoe box events to meet some of the basic needs.

 

SleepWorks has a mattress event which includes bed bundles.

 

The district partners with First Things First to make as many students ready for Kindergarten as possible.  Their dedicated work makes a huge difference.

 

They partner with medical and dental providers.  Bad teeth can impact education.  AT Still University is a huge help in this area.  Poor dental health can cause medical emergencies.

 

The Federal Government has cut some Title I funds.  This will create 20% decrease in funding next year.  They will have to find other ways to meet needs.

 

The McKinney Vento students have been identified as "homeless."  There are many homeless who are not identified.  When individuals and families are below the poverty line, food is the first priority.  They have pantries at the schools.  It's had to keep up, but some of the most fulfilling work.  She said it reminds her of the boy walking along the beach throwing starfish back into the water.  An adult told him he couldn't save all the starfish.  The boy threw another starfish into the water and said, I made a difference for that one!

 

One way to get parents more engaged - "If you feed them, they will come."  When kids are presenting at school - make sure food is involved.

 

Colleen thanked Renee for her presentation by presenting her with a Rotary coin.  

 

 

 

The McKinney Vento students are nearing graduation. 6 of the 9 may not have sufficient finances for their next school. While there are scholarships to apply for, these kiddos will need help applying for funding. Volunteers are needed to complete scholarship applications. Since the meeting, Liz reported that Kayla Mudge and Deb Koeneman had volunteered.  She says four more volunteers are needed. Applications can (and should) begin immediately.  Liz is coordinating with Colleen on a strategy to pull everyone together.