Lighted Schools Strategy
The Alliance for Lighted Schools is a public/private partnership of agencies and organizations with a strategy for bringing communities and schools together for the benefit of children and families throughout Oregon. The Lighted Schools Strategy is based on an idea that's been around for a long time opening schools to the optimum use of the communities that have invested in them. Also called Community Schools and more recently 21st Century Community Learning Centers, the strategy's objectives are to:
- Enhance student performance by linking kids to resources which are essential to their success
- Providing a safe, drug-free place for kids
A Lighted School may encompass a broad range of options depending on the community, including after school programs, summer activities, school-to-work initiatives, health clinics, or other alternatives.
The Lighted School:
- Optimizes the investment that a community has made in its school
- Builds on existing efforts
- Conceives the school as a community center with programs and services before, during and after school hours, and on days when the school is out of session, as well as school days
- Operates in partnership with other groups in the community to provide a variety of services
- May include a family center, or co-locate at a family center site
- Is a community-designed, comprehensive system of supports and services to families and children
Key elements of success for Lighted Schools:
- Collaboration: A team, comprised of community partners (parents, city/county governments, businesses, faith community, etc.) works with local school board and other local planning entities on developing and fostering a Lighted School in the community.
- Authority: The team makes recommendations on policy and implementation of the community's Lighted School program
- Approach: A community coordinator is appointed to make the Lighted School happen.
- Funds: Sufficient funds cover expenses of the community coordinator, partial operation of the Lighted School, and administration of the Lighted School Strategy.
Five Fundamental Resources to a child's success and some examples of how a lighted school program can provide them:
A healthy start:
- Immunizations
- Classes for new parents
Safe places to live and play outside of schools hours:
- Structured after-school activities
- Block homes
An Adult Mentor:
- Tutors
- Big Brother/Big Sister Program
- Lunch Buddy Programs
Marketable, relevant skills:
- School-to-work programs
- School-based enterprises
Opportunities to take part in building the community:
- Formative, structured activities which organize volunteer services to foster civic and environmental responsibility through civic organizations, churches, youth and associations and other groups.
Resource Information On-line:
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