Journey to the Lehigh Valley:
COMPASS Community Schools in Action
Jill Pereira, Acting Director, COMPASS Community Schools
Lehigh Valley Snapshot
Two counties – 626,850 population
Metro IA United Way - $9.4 M “Campaign” – 36 Staff
Total $3.3 M investment in early childhood and education
programs, systems strategies
17 school districts – 200 schools – 100,000 students
42 schools in 4 districts identified as “highest need” (based
on academic performance/poverty rate)
50+% urban students eligible for free/reduced lunch
1,000+ students drop out of high school each year
…A Community Building Partnership of United Way of the Lehigh Valley
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Building on over 10 Years of
School Success Partnerships…
 1997-2005: Lehigh Valley Council for Youth 
Partnerships with 7 school districts (20+ schools) to pilot “school
success” models:
5 Family Centers
“Wraparound” for challenged students
Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS)
40 Developmental Assets
 2005: Regional “launching” Community Schools Conference &
first three Community Schools
 2006: New collaborative name & board for a new strategic
direction – Community Partners for Student Success (COMPASS)
…A Community Building Partnership of United Way of the Lehigh Valley
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Our Theory of Change…
Student well-being is necessary to absorb
quality education
Schools cannot do it alone – Parents
and community partners help build
resources and social capital to
support students
Community School model seeks longterm/integrated improvements vs.
quick-fix/fragmented programs
Measurable Results:
School Success
& Graduation
More and stronger Community Schools are
possible with ongoing skilled support
…A Community Building Partnership of United Way of the Lehigh Valley
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Resource Development
for Community School Partnerships
Mini-grants for small, specific projects
Project Investment
Program Investment
Range: $10,000-$290,000
After School Programs, Parent Engagement
Programs/Services, Salaries for Essential Staff
Members, such as Parent Coordinators, After
School Coordinators
Partnership Investment
Approximately $500,000 annually
Community School Coordinator/Director
Salary,Training and Technical Assistance,
Operating Costs
…A Community Building Partnership of United Way of the Lehigh Valley
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COMPASS:
UW’s Intermediary Catalyst for “Movement”
COMPASS “brand” represents collaborative of two counties,
three school districts, five lead partner organizations, multiple
volunteers and funders
Mobilize & support new Community Schools
Strengthen developing Community Schools
Train Community School staff, leaders & teams
Equip community-based organizations to partner effectively with
schools
Engage local businesses & corporations in “adopting”
schools
Build public/private resource pool to achieve critical mass
…A Community Building Partnership of United Way of the Lehigh Valley
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COMPASS Community Schools:
Core Ingredients
 School Principal leading the vision and process
Community School Coordinator/Director
employed by a Lead Community Organization or
Institution of Higher Education (Lead Partner)
Site-based Leadership Team
Results-focused, curriculum-integrated plan
Coherent web of partnerships
Parents as leaders and decision-makers
…A Community Building Partnership of United Way of the Lehigh Valley
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Getting Started…
Four main areas to consider:
Identifying the right outcomes
Building the right knowledge base
Identifying the right structure
Building the right energy and support
…A Community Building Partnership of United Way of the Lehigh Valley
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Identifying the Right Outcomes
Assess current district, school, and community
priorities for students, families, and the
neighborhood through data-driven discussion
Assess priorities and desired outcomes for systems
Agree on results-framework (school
accountability/improvement plan, resultsaccountability models) that works
…A Community Building Partnership of United Way of the Lehigh Valley
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Building the Right Knowledge Base
Map school and community assets (programs,
services, partners)
Gather information from peers through site visits,
webinars, other Community School events,
conferences, publications
Improve familiarity with the “language” and
priorities of education
Improve familiarity with the processes, advantages
and challenges of community-based organizations
…A Community Building Partnership of United Way of the Lehigh Valley
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Identifying the Right Structure
Key characteristics of Community Schools included
extended hours, extended relationships, extended
services… assess capacity of key players
Articulate clear roles and expectations for all partners
through collaborative agreements/contracts/MOU re:
staffing, access to data, facility usage/space, resources
(including in-kind)
Insist on right “skill set” and qualifications (education,
experience) for coordinator roles (bi-lingual, systems thinker,
communicator)
…A Community Building Partnership of United Way of the Lehigh Valley
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Building Energy and Support
Build transparent relationships with critical
alliances
Establish clear path to resource development
(know what you want to fund/raise funds to
support)
Develop compelling student-centered message to
share with multiple constituents
Offer plenty of opportunities for engagement at
all levels
…A Community Building Partnership of United Way of the Lehigh Valley
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COMPASS Community School Organizational Model
United Way of the
Greater Lehigh Valley
Community Partners for
Student Success (COMPASS)
Bangor Area
School District
Bethlehem Area
School District
Allentown School District
Broughal
Middle
School
Slater Family Network
Calypso
ES
Communities In
Schools of the
Lehigh Valley
Fountain
Hill ES
Northampton
Community
College
Lincoln ES
East
Stroudsburg
University
Boys
&
Lehigh
GirlsUniversity
Club
of
Allentown
Central
ES
Boys &
Girls Club
of
Allentown
South
Mountain
MS
Communities In
Schools of the
Lehigh Valley
Roosevelt
ES
Boys &
Girls Club
of
Allentown
Director of Training & Support
COMPASS
…A Community Building Partnership of United Way of the Lehigh Valley
Acting Director of COMPASS
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2009-2010 RBA Highlights:
Students and Families
Central:
1st Grade Read Along in March brought 40 parents together with their children to practice
reading RIF books, which were then given to the students to take home and continue reading with
their parents.
Calypso:
Nearly 85% of students participated in some form of afterschool programs during 2009-2010.
Five Calypso parents organized and ran afterschool enrichment programs for students throughout
the year.
Roosevelt:
Twelve parents attended an 8 week STEP parenting program that introduced strategies for
interacting with difficult youth. 100% of the parents reported feeling more prepared to positively
discipline their children and stated they would implement the strategies.
SMMS:
After attending Bring Your Parents to School Day, one parent commented: “I have a new and
more personal respect for public and private educators after two periods in the 6th grade.”
…A Community Building Partnership of United Way of the Lehigh Valley
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2009-2010 RBA Highlights
School Improvements
SMMS:
SMMS awarded $5000 Lowes ToolBox for Education Grant to support creation of a Clothing
Closet, Food Bank, and School Supplies Bank.
Lincoln:
91% of students did not receive any Code of Conduct warnings throughout the year
Fountain Hill:
Fountain Hill Police Department hired a Community Police officer who has worked closely with
the school. He has talked to students about appropriate bus behavior, bullying and sponsored
prizes for school wide Reading Challenge.
Roosevelt:
There was a 20 % reduction in the number of discipline referrals 08-09 and a nearly 36% decrease
since 07-08 school year.
Central:
Community School Director has been granted access to the School Messenger System and School
Max Data System, enabling her to better maintain communication with families and to track
individual student information and progress
…A Community Building Partnership of United Way of the Lehigh Valley
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