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In my school in Brooklyn, parents organized a WhatsApp thread that became a source of support (and memes!) during the pandemic

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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!

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Apr 12, 2022·edited Apr 12, 2022Author

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

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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

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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.

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