Hubs supporting WUSD kids will be located at Elkhorn Village School, Riverbank School, Westfield Village School, and River City High School. Photo courtesy Mozaic Media & Communications

OPINION

As the education landscape continues to evolve, school districts must adapt to meet the diverse needs of their students and unique communities. The Washington Unified School District’s (WUSD) innovative community schools model, in partnership with the United Way California Capital Region, offers a beacon of hope for transforming education and empowering our residents.

At the core of the community schools model is the recognition that education does not exist in a vacuum. A child’s success in the classroom is influenced by many factors, including their home environment, access to healthcare, food security, and community support. By integrating essential services and resources such as mentoring, expanded learning programs, and adult guidance into the school setting, the community schools model creates an inclusive and nurturing environment that fosters academic achievement and overall well-being.

The school district has seen a steady increase in graduation rates and reading score proficiency in recent years, which gives us hope and marks admirable progress. However, this is simply not enough progress by itself and we understand that individual schools can only do so much. But that is why one of the most significant advantages of the community schools model is its focus on addressing systemic barriers to learning. This novel approach is rooted in the belief that schools, and the services they can and should provide, be at the center of the community’s needs.

By partnering with organizations like the United Way California Capital Region, WUSD is ensuring that students receive access to critical services, such as medical and dental care, mental health support, and nutritious meals. These resources enable children to arrive at school ready to learn and better equipped to thrive academically. WUSD has launched four full-service community schools this fall. These schools will serve as neighborhood hubs that provide access to a variety of no-cost services that support children, strengthen families and improve community health. Hubs will be located at Elkhorn Village School, Riverbank School, Westfield Village School, and River City High School.

District 3 West Sacramento Councilmember Dawnté Early helps launch WUSD’s innovative community schools model which takes into account the many factors influencing district students. Photo courtesy Mozaic Media & Communications

This new approach is rooted in the belief that schools, and the services they can and should provide, be at the center of the community’s needs. Some of the services that will be available include: Food and Nutrition Access, Mental Health Support and Therapy, School and Basic Necessity Supply Closets, Medical, Dental, and Vision Resources, and College Application Support. These hubs will be located at Elkhorn Village School, Riverbank School, Westfield Village School, and River City High School.

With WUSD being awarded nearly $6.5 million over the next five years in grant funding through the California Community Schools Partnership Program, we believe the long-term benefits are unparalleled for our schools. By investing in this model, WUSD is not only supporting its students but also investing in the future prosperity of the entire community. We are excited to see what the future can hold for the broader West Sacramento community and the students and families that call this community home.

Providing every student optimal opportunity to succeed should be at the front of anything schools are trying to accomplish. We are pleased to participate in this step towards progress. Let’s start this school year right, by rallying behind this innovative initiative and shaping a future where every child thrives and community flourishes.

We invite you to please visit bit.ly/WUSDCommunitySchools for more information, and to access free resources for your family and students.

Monica Valadez and Ashraf Popalzai are two of the four Community Schools Site Facilitators for the Washington Unified School District.