May 2016
Building Capacity and Community through Sustaining Partnerships Convening
On April 1st and 2nd leaders in business, government, higher education, and other industries throughout the greater Harrisburg community gathered together for a convening to explore promising practices that are capable of strengthening partnerships between institutions of higher education and public schools for improved student achievement.
Federal, state, and local leaders shared results from tested initiatives, successful collaborations, as well as opportunities and challenges for improving student achievement. The event brought together several co-sponsors including the White House Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships at the U.S. Department of Education, Messiah College, the City of Harrisburg, Harrisburg School District, The World Affairs Council of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania Campus Compact, and the United Way of the Capital Region.
The event started with a warm welcome by Secretary Pedro Rivera of the PA Department of Education and Harrisburg Mayor Eric Papenfuse. Both speakers set the tone for the convening and shared both personal anecdotes and important context detailing the progress that has been made through Together for Tomorrow and other community partnerships while recognizing areas for continued growth and development.
Participants then proceeded to a plenary session hosted by Ken Bedell, Senior Advisor at the Center for Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships at the Department of Education; and Max Finberg, Director of AmeriCorps VISTA. Mr. Bedell and Mr. Finberg both discussed the importance of community partnerships and the role of national service programs in helping to build local capacity to solve important issues ranging from improving educational outcomes to ensuring access to important health and nutritional information.
The plenary session set the stage for a vibrant and far ranging panel discussion that included school district staff, Messiah College faculty, and community leaders including a representative from the United Way of the Capital Region, and a Downey parent representative. The panel spoke about the history of Together for Tomorrow and how the initiative has helped to facilitate a dramatic cultural shift at the school over the past three years. Audience members learned more about how Downey’s teachers, parents, and community partners have joined together to make measurable progress improving student attendance, behavior, course completion, college access, and employability.
Participants of the convening then had the choice to attend one of a variety of breakout sessions including sessions hosted by Mayor Papenfuse, the United Way, Harrisburg Schools “Maker Fellows” and representatives from the Holleran Center for Community Engagement at Alvernia University. Some participants chose to go on a site visit directly to Downey where they received a tour of the building, heard from a diverse range of parents, and were able to dig deeper into what makes Downey a special community. The site-visit along with each additional breakout session served as powerful moments to reflect on the progress that Together for Tomorrow and other community partnerships have facilitated while recognizing developmental opportunities.
After a roundtable lunch with a presentation by Bill Isler of the Fred Rogers Company and Chad Frey of the Agape Center for Service and learning at Messiah College, attendees participated in a hands on activity using the Collective Impact model as a guide to generate new ideas for partnerships.
The activity led into a concluding conversation for the day hosted by Caroline Mauer, Dean of the School of Business, Education, and Social Sciences at Messiah College and Kara Eppley, Vice President of Talent Development at Harsco Corporation. The presentation helped to connect the previous discussions from earlier in the day while setting the stage for Day Two of the convening where participants were able to hear from local business and economic development experts from the greater Harrisburg region and a variety of local college presidents about the role of institutions of higher education in the community and how these institutions are helping to fulfill a significant need in the community through partnerships and economic development opportunities.
Thank you to Eric Darr, President of Harrisburg University, Karen Scolforo, President of Central Penn College, Carl Strikwerda, President of Elizabethtown College, and John “Ski” Sygielski, President of Harrisburg Area Community College for your contributions and valuable insights.
Ultimately, the vision of Together for Tomorrow centers around maximizing the potential of the local community through partnerships. The Building Capacity and Community through Sustaining Partnerships Convening offered a platform where leaders in a variety of fields could come together to meaningfully reflect on the needs of citizens in Harrisburg. The convening also helped to highlight the impact of community partnerships through Together for Tomorrow while reinforcing the value of consistent community engagement to help address important issues in the greater Harrisburg community.
Thank you to all who helped to plan the convening, participants, and speakers for sharing your insights. We look forward to continuing this important dialogue and taking important actions to help ensure opportunities that will allow every student to maximize his or her potential.
Block Party
As the cold air of winter turns into the warm sunshine of spring, it means the time has come for the 4th Annual Together We lead Block Party! The 2016 event held on April 23rd brought nearly 615 parents, family members, community members, students, and volunteers to Downey for a fun filled gathering!
The Block Party started off with an exciting performance by the Harrisburg High School Band. The performance helped to welcome guests to Downey and energized participants. Students and family members had the opportunity to explore different parts of a firetruck and could play a variety of carnival style games including corn hole, ping pong toss, and tic tac toe all while enjoying a variety of baked goods, hot dogs, chips, and beverages!
The Salvation Army facilitated a nutritional activity that helped to give parents healthy cooking and eating tips. Families had the opportunity to receive free summer enrichment workbooks for children while students enjoyed face painting and heard a variety of stories told by volunteers.
The Block Party also brought together over 30 community organizations including the Bethesda Mission, the Boys and Girls Club, local colleges, and many other community agencies. Each organization offered important information to families about summer and other educational enrichment opportunities, health and wellness resources, and information about assistance available through local and state offices.
We are excited for the next Block Party in April 2017!
PSSA Tests
After several weeks of testing, Downey’s students have completed all PSSA testing for the 2015-2016 school year! The tests represented an important opportunity for students to demonstrate all the new knowledge they have gained over the course of the school year. The exams also offered Downey’s students, teachers, families, and partners the opportunity to reflect as the school year begins to conclude.
At the end of the testing period, the hard work of Downey’s 3rd and 4th grade students was recognized through a fun-filled celebration at Get Air Trampoline Park. Great work, Downey students!
Upcoming Events
May 4—Downey students will perform at the Messiah College Commissioning Ceremony for all new Education graduates
May 13—Downey students will sing at the Forum with the Harrisburg Youth Symphony
May 23—Kindergarten/1st Grade Moving Up Ceremony
May 26—2nd/3rd grade Moving Up Ceremony
May 27—4th Grade Graduation Ceremony with Senator Rob Teplitz
Do You Want to Learn More?
“Like” our Facebook page for constant updates and pictures!
www.facebook.com/tft.downey.messiah
School District website
http://www.hbgsd.k12.pa.us
Agape Center at Messiah College website
http://www.messiah.edu/info/21015/agap%C3%A9_center
We are always open and listening to suggestions for new ways to connect you with information.
Any questions, comments, or suggestions please contact: Andy Dessel, Together for Tomorrow Coordinator at: tftcoord@messiah.edu