Below are upcoming opportunities to explore.

September

After the School Bell Webinar Series: The Community Organizers  Join Jitu Brown, National Director, for Journey for Justice Alliance in Chicago, Illinois and Monique Mills a parent who now serves as a community school coordinator on September 19, from 6:00 PM to 6:30 PM EST.  Mr. Brown has consistently used his influence and dedication to equity to advocate for community schools as the vehicle for change. During this webinar, learn how to organize grassroots community-driven movements for community schools. Ms. Mills is a parent who was in an abusive relationship and realized her way out was through her children’s community school. She will provide steps parents can take to become more involved in their school and community.

The Big Idea: Cracking the Code on Chronic Absence   (Monday, September 24, 2018, noon–1 p.m.)  More than seven million U.S. students are chronically absent each year—meaning they have missed a month or more of school. This webinar explores the pernicious effects of chronic absence and the “Every Student, Every Day Toolkit” developed through Facebook and the New York City Community School Initiative.

After the School Bell Webinar Series: The Superheroes  Join Community School Coordinator Leadership Award winner, Hallie J. Atwater of Renaissance Academy High School on September 26, from 6:00 PM to 6:30 PM EST. Community School Coordinators are the superheroes who push forward the community schools strategy and are the key to successful implementation. Without our community school coordinators, the bridge between the school and the community would not be nearly as strong. As we celebrate Coordinators Appreciation Week, hear from Ms. Atwater as she shares how she kept her school open and ways to build powerful relationships with students.

October

2018 National Forum to Advance Rural Education and 110th NREA Convention and Research Symposium   October 11–13, 2018, in Denver, Colorado. In the spirit of collaboration, Battelle for Kids and the National Rural Education Association (NREA) will host the 2018 National Forum to Advance Rural Education and 110th NREA Convention and Research Symposium. This annual event is designed to create an environment for collaboration and innovation with a diverse community—national experts, K–12 and higher education practitioners, leading researchers, policymakers, and philanthropic leaders—to learn and share ideas around the topics at the forefront of rural education and to ensure 21st century learning is a reality for all rural students.