Community schools treat the whole child

Enrichment activities offered at each participating school — Fiesta Gardens International, Laurel Elementary, Lead Elementary, San Mateo Park Elementary and Sunnybrae Elementary — include various sports, coding, dance, music offered uniquely to what each campus’ students wanted to join. 

 “I participate in soccer, and I love this program because it never existed in the past,” said Justin, a fifth grader at Lead Elementary. “When Friday games come, I get really happy that we get to travel to other schools or they travel to our school.” 

Other students shared what they’ve enjoyed about the additional programming, from students realizing they enjoy playing the ukulele or all the lessons they could learn on the basketball court, to a newcomer reflecting on the first friends she made after moving from Mexico.

The California Community Schools Partnership Program supports schools with high populations of English language learners to partner with community agencies in providing resources to students and their families. Features of community schools include integrated support services, family and community engagement, collaborative leadership practice and extended learning time and programs. 

The district received grants to establish the program at the five schools, which has provided more than 650 enrichment opportunities offered in the past year, a press release reads. 

“Their experience is why we are bringing these opportunities to them,” said Christian Rubalcaba, assistant superintendent of Student Services.

Beyond after-school programming, the community schools model emphasizes ongoing engagement of families, educators, staff and students to review surveys and collaborate on designing programs. Each campus has a steering committee that meets regularly to contribute their own ideas and have a hand in decision making at their schools. 

“We make decisions taking input from parents, staff members, students and we’re excited to continue in this important work sharing the decision making process with everyone,” said Madeline Reyes Sanchez, the Community Services specialist at Laurel Elementary. 

Engagement with the families of students also includes “parent empowerment” through various efforts, Rubalcaba said. Bilingual workshops are offered on topics ranging from social-emotional wellness, leadership and academics. Centers at the community school campuses offer families help such as providing access to hygiene products and clothing.

At a graduation ceremony for the parents who participated in the learning sessions offered by the Parent Institute for Quality Education, many spoke to the power of their own voices. 

“It was so empowering to hear them talk about the importance of being at the table, the importance of being present, and how that's how you're able to build power and share your voice to influence and bring the very best to our kids,” Rubalcaba said. 

Hector Lopez, a parent at Sunnybrae Elementary, participated in the PIQE program, and shared how enriching the experience was while his child was also able to be supported.  

As the district works through its multi-year implementation effort, California educational leaders recently approved the final round of community school implementation grants — the award San Mateo-Foster City School District received in May 2024 — bringing the $4.1 billion state program to 458 more schools. 

“Our community schools continue to serve as exemplars of programs that activate resources across the whole school community to educate the whole child,” State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond said in a press release. “I am proud to see California continue to be at the forefront of recognizing that student wellness is a cornerstone of learning.” 

Receiving the grant guarantees dedicated funding from the state for the next three years, but the district is also looking to other funding sources for long-term support. Funding does remain a topic of concern, though, as the state’s budget continues to remain constricted. 

Another grant opportunity the district is eyeing looks to support the continuing efforts of community schools. The district hopes to receive the grant to supplement similar programs at the campuses that are not currently involved in the community schools initiative, Rubalcaba said. 

Currently the initiative is focused at the district’s elementary schools, establishing a foundation of support for students that they will be able to bring with them as they integrate into the district’s middle schools, said Jeannette Ramirez, principal on special assignment for community schools and multilingual. 

“The roots of that partnership that is grown, that ‘I am going to now know this other family and we know each other and we’re going to bring our children together,’ that is the essence of community school,” Ramirez said.  

Trustees shared their appreciation for staff’s efforts in implementing the initiative. 

“There were a lot of community ties that were broken by the pandemic, so the timing of the community school grant and having these programs have really revitalized the campus,” said Trustee Maggie Trinh, who is also a parent at Sunnybrae Elementary School.

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