Real Partnerships, Real Change!

On November 21st, in a unique partnership, School & Main Institute joined with the Massachusetts Executive Office of Education Child and Youth Readiness Cabinet, the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Wraparound Zone Initiative, the Coalition for Community Schools, and the Massachusetts Full Service Schools Roundtable, to present ”Real Partnerships - Real Change.” This one day training event, with over 200 participants, focused on the critical need and challenges we all have in working collaboratively to support the needs of our young people today. Participants represented a diverse cross-section of civic, community, education, and youth organizations.

Andy Beck, SMI’s Executive Director helped frame the day with his presentation on ”Developing Powerful Partnerships” .  SMI staff facilitated additional workshops on “Partnership 101”, “Collaborator Confessions - What Works, What Doesn’t and Why” and “Partners and Parent Engagement.”

Other Featured topics included:

• Systemic Partnership Efforts
• Targeting Resources to Support Student Success
• Tackling Chronic Absenteeism Issues

Special guests included Hedy Chang, from Attendance Works, and Massachusetts Secretaries of Education, Matthew Malone, and Health and Human Services, John Polanowicz.