Building and Enhancing a Culture of Education in Mississippi
Schools must have support from the community and local businesses if they are going to be exceptional. Communities and schools must work together for the betterment of both. CEI will coordinate the discussion between schools and communities with the improvement of both as the objective.
Goal
The goals of the Community Engagement program area are to: (1) increase parent/family participation in education within and outside of school, and (2) reduce the level of risk facing vulnerable children and families across Center communities.
Highlights
DASH (Duncan, Alligator, Shelby & Hope):
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Parents for Public Schools Jackson
Conducts workshops in North Bolivar, West Bolivar, Benoit, West Tallahatchie, and Humphreys County on behalf of the Center that help build a learning community of parents, teachers, administrators, and students that can help support and enhance education in their districts. (http://www.ppsjackson.org/)
Excel by 5
Excel by 5 is a certification process whereby communities are certified as child friendly after meeting specific requirements related to improving the environment for children ages 0-5 years old. (http://excelby5.com/)
Healthy Delta Communities
Healthy Delta Communities is a program that works directly with local community health councils and school health councils to improve the health and safety of all community members so that all children are healthy and ready for school.
SPARK
SPARK is an early education initiative that brings together parents, schools, child care and early education providers, child advocacy groups, Head Start providers, state and local government agencies, and businesses for the purpose of ensuring school readiness and academic success for Mississippi children ages 3 to 8. SPARK MS currently serves students residing in the catchment areas of 10 Mississippi school districts – Cleveland, Hollandale, North Bolivar, Pearl, and Mound Bayou, West Bolivar, West Tallahatchie, Humphreys County, East Jasper and Clarksdale.
SPARK MS seeks to help children master the skills and receive the cognitive, physical, family, and community supports necessary for school success. SPARK MS strategies for supporting ready kids and ready schools include: Early Education Classroom Improvement Plans, Individual Learning Plans, Early Education / School Curriculum Alignment, Support for Basic and Special Needs, Learning Advocates, Local Children’s Partnerships, and Parent Education. (http://www.spark-ms.com/)