Bradley is taking the lead in integrating full service community schools with the Peoria community.
The full service community schools project, started in 2006, is an effort to enrich not only students’
education, but the welfare and stability of the families and neighborhoods.
This initiative centers on the school as a community hub that includes mental health services, health clinics, drama club, business classes and more.
Garfield Primary School, Trewyn Middle School, Manual Middle and High School and Harrison Community Learning Center all participate in the full service community program.
“We’re used to the school day being 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., but a community school allows for all of these outside activities,” Executive Senior Outreach Program Director Julie Schifeling said. “There is a program at Manual where students and members of the community can take free computer classes, a resume building course, apprenticeship programs and access job availability lists.”
Schifeling said the College of Education and Health Sciences and the Institute for Principled Leadership in Public Service have developed an advisory council which meets monthly and works closely with principals to bring in partners willing to help.
Dean of Education and Health Sciences Joan Sattler said Bradley’s role involves coordinating organizations to help support the schools.
“We want to turn schools around and help support student achievement,” she said. “So we bring in agencies, health care and business consulting for parents and others looking for jobs.”
Sattler said Bradley has been involved with these schools in various ways for many years, and this initiative allows students a greater opportunity for real-world experience.
“Schools are a living laboratory and we are learning from that,” she said. “Our students from nursing,
physical education, elementary education and even our faculty can be involved in helping.”
Sattler said full service community schools have proven successful in aiding student achievement all over the world.
