IMPLICATIONS FOR COMMUNITY PARTNERS

Community-based organizations play an important role in providing positive experiences for students during the summer months. Many youth-serving organizations have a long history of providing seasonal recreation activities for children and teens. As school districts become more purposeful about harnessing summer learning opportunities, community organizations have an opportunity to play a new role as summer school partners.

Although collaboration can offer powerful benefits to students and communities, partnering organizations often face challenges as they attempt to blend with the culture of the school. Community partners may want to consider the following issues:

• Are the goals of the summer program clearly defined and shared by partner organizations? School district staff may want to focus summer programming on meeting the learning needs of students who are behind grade level or boosting achievement test scores. Community-based organizations may be focused more on meeting the emotional and development needs of children and youth. Setting clear goals can alleviate confusion or friction. Regular and open communication between partner organizations is another effective strategy for program success.
• What will partners contribute to summer programming? Thoughtful planning will articulate the roles of each organization and draw on the strengths each partner has to offer. For example, a school district might provide curriculum materials and oversee selection and training of academic teaching staff. An organization with expertise in youth development may provide staff for mentoring or building positive student attitudes toward learning. An organization that specializes in science or the arts may provide hands-on learning experiences in areas of interest.
• How can community partners help to engage parents? Support from parents is a key to summer school success. Community-based organizations may have strong ties to local families and specific populations and cultural groups. Organizations might encourage family participation by hosting a potluck or open house to inform parents about summer learning opportunities, or organizing an end-of-summer celebration to showcase student success. Community organizations may be able to use their newsletters or other means of communicating with families to share information about summer offerings.