Community Schools
The Southeast CDC manages the Community School initiative at:
- Highlandtown Elementary/Middle School #215 (Highlandtown)
- Highlandtown Elementary/Middle School #237 (Highlandtown)
- John Ruhrah Elementary/Middle School #228 (Greektown)
- Tench Tilghman Elementary/Middle School (CARE/McElderry Park)
- William Paca Elementary (McElderry Park, Ellwood Park)
What is a Community School? Public schools are the heart of communities, essential to healthy, equitable neighborhoods. Community Schools have dedicated funding to be resource hubs, providing extra support to students, families and communities to reduce barriers to student success. If a family is experiencing poverty, housing instability or other challenges, this can affect a child’s attendance and academic success.
The Southeast CDC partners with Baltimore City Schools to employ a full-time Community School Coordinator at each school, who is responsible for aligning resources, services and partnerships to meet the expressed needs of students, families, school staff and community members. We partner with many organizations to provide resources, services, and enrichment for our children and families. Resources include access to basic services such as food banks, uniforms and coats, diapers and baby supplies, dental and vision exams and eyeglasses for children. Community School Coordinators work closely with school teams to boost attendance, family connections, community volunteerism and bring academic and enrichment programs to the schools.
By working with school leaders, community, public and private partners, Southeast CDC has also leveraged school campus and building improvements. This includes school greening projects, new playgrounds and other enhancements that support the school, the whole child and make school buildings more welcoming and beautiful for everyone.
Southeast CDC partnered closely with the principal of Tench Tilghman EMS to leverage funds to rebuild the school-community playground and turn a neglected asphalt lot at the rear of Tench Tilghman into a native rain garden and a fenced in Pre-Kindergarten play yard.
Interested in partnering with one of our Community Schools?
Please reach out to:
Andrea Reneau, Highlandtown EMS #237 – andrea@southeastcdc.org
Fernanda Caballero, John Ruhrah EMS – fernanda@southeastcdc.org
Kaylah Blake, Tench Tilghman EMS – kaylah@southeastcdc.org
Dana Fleming, William Paca Elementary – dana@southeastcdc.org
Brenda Ortiz, Highlandtown #215 EMS – brenda@southeastcdc.org