Ryan at Auer Avenue School speaking about Milwaukee Community School Partnership (MCSP) with a group of volunteers.
March 14, 2016
Written by Ryan Hurley, United Way Employee
Community Schools are based on the simple belief that our schools and communities are rich in assets and that through broad engagement and deep collaboration we can ensure strong, healthy and successful schools, families and communities. They also acknowledge the challenges and hard work necessary to transform relationships, policies and procedures.
In partnership with Milwaukee Public Schools, United Way is currently working with four MCSP Schools: Auer Avenue Community School, Bradley Tech High School, Hopkins Lloyd Community School and James Madison Academic Campus. Each of these schools has conducted a local assessment, developed a Community School Leadership Team - a diverse group of individuals invested in school and community success - and identified common goals so that each individual and organization are working collectively.
While we have seen some very promising results around academic achievement, attendance and improved school climate in less than one year of implementation (See a recent Milwaukee Journal Sentinel article highlighting Auer Avenue’s recent successes), we recognize that Community Schools are a long-term investment strategy for building sustainable and successful schools.
With this in mind, each of the four MCSP Schools has a full-time Community School Coordinator who is tasked with engaging and organizing stakeholders (staff, parents, students, community residents, local organizations), and aligning community partnerships around shared goals (among many other things!).
Meet: Ryan Hurley
Title: Director, Milwaukee Community Schools Partnership
In coming weeks, you will hear from our amazing team as they share a little about themselves and their Community School, but since I am kicking this off; here are five things about me.
- My favorite book as a child was the Goosebumps series.
- My most embarrassing childhood moment was the day that I was quarterback at recess and I wound up for a pass, held onto it a little too long and ended up throwing the ball on the roof. Game over. My friends were not impressed.
- My favorite subject in school was English and Creative Writing.
- My favorite school field trip was when we went to the Cave of the Mounds.