Like libraries, local schools act as social infrastructure, whether offering a warm welcome to a family, acting as a connection point to community-resources, or offering a space for families to connect and act together. Sometimes, these connections are organized (like in PTA meetings), and other times they happen in school drop-offs or WhatsApp groups.
In our first Community Lab design sprint, we’re exploring what it takes to build healthy communities of parents, families, and caregivers online and off. When, where, and how does that happen? What makes it possible? We’re curious to learn from you what a flourishing community looks like outside of the classroom, whether you’re a parent, teacher, student, or neighbor.
How have you built a community around your school?
How do you...
Connect with other families?
Seek advice or support?
Share resources?
Act together and shape your school?
Celebrate learning?
We’re still seeking parents and caregivers, as well as design experts, technologists, and researchers, for our sprint in Oakland at the end of April. Find more information here. This first sprint is in collaboration with Courtney Martin (📘 Learning in Public), Reboot, and the Siegel Family Endowment. Let us know if you’d like to learn more.
We are assuming that you, like us, are looking for more flourishing places on the internet. We want this to be one of those places! Please treat others with openness, generosity and respect.
I don't have kids, but I think we desperately need a better system than email listservs and all caps emails begging parents to respond. We deserve better!
I love that the school in my community serves as a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) distribution location. It serves to bring people together (kids, adults, dogs, everyone!) around healthy, local food. That little table surrounded by boxes fresh produce in front of an institution for public education represents nutrition, education, and community all at once and in such a special way. - Joi
One physical way schools build community in Brooklyn that always inspires me are through murals. It invites the community in, beautifies the neighborhood, celebrates culture, and showcases the creativity of kids and artists. As a non-parent (not yet!), I find that this is a way that I feel more engaged with the school community. Art is really wonderful for this and urban schools do such a nice job.
I wonder how the walls between school and neighborhood can be made more transparent. During COVID, I really wanted a way to contribute to local schools, but the communications were often limited between between schools and exisiting families—— where there were tons of young professionals like myself that may have been in a position to share resources and support.
For example,
... a new friend in Oakland acted as a "zoom facilitator" for the public schools during the pandemic and act as a volunteer for a home-school community that brings equitable exploration to young children http://www.eastbaysolidarityschool.org
We often build community through working on projects together -- whether it's the school site council, weeding and planting in the school garden, or maintaining our little free library. Sometimes we cheer for sports together. Sometimes we celebrate our kids together (like our slammin' annual Black History Month Showcase). Sometimes we just chat on drop off and pick up.
In my school in Brooklyn, parents organized a WhatsApp thread that became a source of support (and memes!) during the pandemic
I don't have kids, but I think we desperately need a better system than email listservs and all caps emails begging parents to respond. We deserve better!
I love that the school in my community serves as a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) distribution location. It serves to bring people together (kids, adults, dogs, everyone!) around healthy, local food. That little table surrounded by boxes fresh produce in front of an institution for public education represents nutrition, education, and community all at once and in such a special way. - Joi
One physical way schools build community in Brooklyn that always inspires me are through murals. It invites the community in, beautifies the neighborhood, celebrates culture, and showcases the creativity of kids and artists. As a non-parent (not yet!), I find that this is a way that I feel more engaged with the school community. Art is really wonderful for this and urban schools do such a nice job.
I wonder how the walls between school and neighborhood can be made more transparent. During COVID, I really wanted a way to contribute to local schools, but the communications were often limited between between schools and exisiting families—— where there were tons of young professionals like myself that may have been in a position to share resources and support.
For example,
... a new friend in Oakland acted as a "zoom facilitator" for the public schools during the pandemic and act as a volunteer for a home-school community that brings equitable exploration to young children http://www.eastbaysolidarityschool.org
We often build community through working on projects together -- whether it's the school site council, weeding and planting in the school garden, or maintaining our little free library. Sometimes we cheer for sports together. Sometimes we celebrate our kids together (like our slammin' annual Black History Month Showcase). Sometimes we just chat on drop off and pick up.