About Community Schools
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In 2020, the Poughkeepsie City School District (PCSD) designated all seven of its schools as Community Schools. The decision behind the designation was to create schools that serve as community beacons, bringing together school and community resources to improve student success and create stronger families and healthier communities. Given the fact that a child’s waking hours between kindergarten and high school amounts to 20 percent in the school environment and 80 percent in the community, it is imperative that a school, home and community approach is employed to holistically address the evolving and emerging needs of children. Across the country, community schools build bridges between school, home, and community to facilitate a holistic approach that will better guarantee that children find success in and out of school.
PCSD Community Schools provide:
- Partnerships with an array of community organizations and stakeholders interested in the positive youth development of PCSD students
- Arts and Music programming in every school
- Full-time School Librarians
- Social Workers in every school
- Crisis Intervention Specialist in every school
- Mental Health Clinics (PMS and PHS)
- Funding to increase the number of school fieldtrips
- Extended learning opportunities
- 1:1 Instructional devices to students and instructional staff
- Liaisons to increase new and cultivate existing community partnerships and parental engagement
- Parent supports and Free Workshops and Credentialing classes
- Online age and developmentally appropriate literacy resources
- And much more…..
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PCSD Community Schools May Family Spring Festival 2025
It’s that time of year again! The PCSD Community Schools Spring Family Festival is happening on May 17, 2025!
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PCSD Community Closet Food Pantry
We are thrilled to announce that the PCSD Community Schools now offers a food pantry to support our families!
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PCSD Girl Scouts
Please join the PCSD Girl Scout Troop as a Troop Leader and/ or Scout. Please note, in order to be a Troop Leader you have to be 18 years old and above.
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Parent Teacher Association - PTA
Please consider joining your child's school PTA. PTAs encourage parents to be actively engaged in their children's education. They provide opportunities for parents to take part in school activities, attend meetings, and collaborate with teachers and administrators.
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Learn English Crossword Club or Learn Spanish
Community Schools is hosting workshops to learn English or to learn Spanish! Your choice! This workshop is offered at the Parent Empowerment Center
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PCSD Family Needs Assessment
As a collaborative effort, Community Schools will be continuing to gather information for our Family Needs Assessment.
CS News
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PCSD Community Schools Friday Night Lights Program
Friday Night Lights is bringing the fun with an exciting lineup of activities for students in grades 5-9 from March to June!
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Community Schools talks to lawmakers to increase funding
Members of the Poughkeepsie City School District’s Community Schools Department joined representatives from districts across New York and other supporters in Albany late last month for the 10th annual Community Schools Advocacy Day.
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Meet the staff
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The Community Schools Office is comprised of eight full-time staff members.
Natasha Brown, Executive Director
Jessica Ortiz, Interim Community Schools Administrator
Gilbert Colon, Community Schools Liaison (PMS / PHS)
Justinne Rodriguez, Community Schools Liaison (Morse)
Lorraine Boughton, Community School Liaison (Krieger)
TBD, Community Schools Liaison (Warring)
TBD, Community Schools Liaison ( Clinton)
TBD, Community Schools Liaison (ELC)
Helen Purnell, Parent Empowerment Center Manager
Raquel Gonzalez, Community Schools Department Secretary
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