Schools

San Lorenzo School District Kicks Off First of Many Community Meetings

The meetings focus on making sure students have the choice of attending college with the help of the school district, local businesses and the community.

The held its first of several community meetings as part of a new outreach program aimed at welcoming more community members to be part of the district and play an integral role in the educational success of its students.

During a meeting held at the school district's office on Dec. 13, around 75 people of mostly school district staff and administrators listened in on a presentation by motivational speakers Marsha Dodson and Dr. Darlene Willis, co-founders of the organization Empowering Parents.

They were promoting their new family campaign titled, “Empowering Parents on Tour: The Million Parent WAKE-UP Challenge!” The two have traveled across the country partnering up with school districts, churches, business owners and community members on bridging the gap between students' success in education and the support from their community.

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Through the use of music, poetry, scripture and statistics, they shared insight on the importance of obtaining an education beyond high school. They said that by changing the mind set of students in these communities, the America's Promise Alliance Report statistic that a student dropping out of public high school every 26 seconds will hopefully change.

"You need some kind of post high school education to make it in this economy," Willis said.

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The women said they hope to build a close-knit community "that looks out for each others' kids."

Dodson said the fact that San Lorenzo is already a tight community to begin with, achieving this goal isn't too far-fetched.

"We're going to be traveling to other distrcits and sharing this model," she said.

However, they stress they need the help of neighbors and local businesses to be SLZUSD partners — people who often have daily interactions with its students. They would be the eyes, ears and cheerleaders for the schools and encourage parents to attend future empowerment workshops.

By showing even the slightest bit of interest, like asking a student how he or she did on the SATs, students can become motivated to do well according to Willis. She also said businesses that offer some kind of incentive for academic excellence, such as a free snack or soft drink, may help as well.

Chris Lam, owner of Papa Murphy's Pizza off Lewelling Boulevard, was one of the few business owners who attended the first meeting. He already works closely with the district's elementary schools by providing certificates and incentive rewards for a "children of the week" program he started.

"It's a tool for the teachers to motivate and reward students," Lam said.

A child from each class of nine SLZUSD elementary and middle schools receives the award each week. With their parent's permission, those children can then have their photo posted on the pizza shop's wall once they come in to claim either a free pizza or side item.

After starting the award program about four months ago, Lam said the wall is filled with hundreds of photos.

As for the community meetings, he said it's a big step in the right direction for supporting students in the community.

"I like that there's a strong focus to getting the parents involved and it's a good beginning and dialogue to get started," Lam said.

Dates and times for future community meetings and empowerment workshops are still being planned. Patch will post them on our event calendar.


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