Empowering Students & Families, Strengthening Communities

The California Community Schools Partnership is a state-funded program that assists schools' efforts in aligning with community partners and resources to enhance student outcomes via a "whole-child," approach. These resource partnerships create holistic supports that integrates academics, health and social services, youth development, and community engagement.

A Community School is a hub that connects students, families, and the community with essential services, resources, and opportunities to support academic success and overall well-being. It is a movement that transforms schools into more than just a place to learn—it’s a partnership between educators, families, and local organizations that provides wraparound services, after-school programs, resources, and more to support the needs of every student and their success.

Community schools typically incorporate four evidence-based programmatic features, integrated into high-quality teaching and learning environments:

• Integrated Support Services

• Family and Community Engagement

• Collaborative Leadership and Practices for Educators and Administrators

• Extended Learning Time and Enrichment Opportunities

For more in-depth features see the Community Schools Framework.

Schools that implement a community school model see improved attendance, higher student engagement, and stronger family involvement.

With family involvement for instance, the Share Your Extras Clothing Drive at MSUSD (a community school) we saw over 600 articles of clothing donated and helped 20 local families stock up for the winter months! ❄️

Community Schools also report a higher graduation rate, and college enrollment rate, and 2/3 are reported to be "happier at school."

Mt. Shasta Union School District was awarded the CCSPP Planning Grant for the SY of 23-24 and 24-25. This funding was utilized for a Community Schools Coordinator role. During the 24-25 SY, another round of applications for the CCSPP Implementation Grant was released which we applied to and shall hear about awardees from the California Department of Education in late April 2025 or early May.

The following are list of actions MSUSD has taken for family engagement and collaborative leadership:

• Beginning of the 24-25 SY Presentation

• Site Councils, Community Schools Team/Committee Merge = District Site Council

• Submit 25-26 Implementation Plan (Subject to Change based on Feedback!

• Clothing Drive

• Lunch on the Lawn, Cocoa on the Curb

• Partners in Education (PIE - parent & staff-led event fundraising)

• Sisson, MSE Surveys

• First 5 - Family Nights, Childcare

• Student Focus Group - (Scheduled: 3/7/2025)

• "LCAP" Community Listening Sessions (Scheduled: 3/6/2025, 3/13/2025)

• English as a Second Language (ESL) Adult Night Classes with Siskiyou Union Adult Education (Anticipated)

• Volunteer for Partners in Education (PIE)

• Attend District Site Council Meetings, Community Listening Sessions, & Board Meetings

• Donate Clothing to Your School Closet

• Submit Your Feedback

Contact for more information: kacuna@msusd.org (Kelsey Acuña, Community Schools Coordinator)