John Marshall designated a 'community school'
Rochester Public Schools is expanding its full-service community school model to John Marshall High School, the district announced Monday.
As a community school, JM will work with the United Way of Olmsted County and other local organizations to provide an expanded array of social services on-site. The school will begin its first year as a community school developing a more comprehensive resource room, the district said.
The resource room is a place where anyone can receive access to food, clothing and hygiene products (more on how to donate below).
“We know, as educators and parents, that all kids have unique abilities, talents, and dreams and our goal is to help all students have equitable access to foundations for building a strong educational platform to achieve those things,” said JM Principal Eric Johnson.
As JM begins to build up a program of its own, Johnson said the school will be looking to gather feedback from students, staff, parents/caregivers and community members about how to best address their needs.
JM is the fourth Rochester school — and the first high school — to be designated a full-service community school. Gage and Riverside Elementary Schools, along with Rochester Alternative Learning Center, already operate under the model.
By bringing together students, families, educators, and community partners, these full-service schools have been hailed as a way of addressing achievement gaps. Some evidence shows that the model can be effective in increasing enrollment and improving academic outcomes.
Items needed
JM is accepting donations of the following items as they build their resource room:
Non-perishable food items (i.e. pasta, sauce, beans, rice, cereal, peanut butter)
Schools supplies: notebooks, pencils, pens, highlighters, graph paper, folders, backpacks
John Marshall spirit clothing
Winter jackets, boots, hats and mittens
Youth (xs to plus sizes) shirts and pants (not jeans)
Shoes (tennis, casual)
Unworn socks and undergarments
All clothing should be in very good to new condition. Please no hangers. Can be bagged or boxed.
How to donate
Families — during Schedule Pickup on August 15th or 16th. Bins will be set-up for collection.
The week prior to school (August 26 — 30). Bins will be set up inside the Main Entrance at JM.
Anytime during the school year by contacting JM’s Full-Service Community Coordinator Erin Vasquez at (507) 328-5292 or via email: ervasquez@rochester.k12.mn.us
