Mayor Elorza Announces Second All In: Providence Education Summit
Educators and community leaders Carlon Howard & Karla Vigil named coordinators for 2018 Summit that continues robust community engagement for youth and education priorities
PROVIDENCE, RI – Mayor Jorge O. Elorza today announced that the second All In: Providence Education Summit will be held at the Juanita Sanchez Educational Complex (JSEC) located at 182 Thurbers Avenue on Saturday, May 12, from 9:30AM to 3:00PM. The 2018 Summit continues robust engagement of Providence stakeholders including families, educators, and community and business leaders, and will consist of workshops and breakout sessions that will solicit feedback aimed to shape policies, programs and initiatives to improve youth outcomes in Providence.
“The All In Summit allows the voice of the community to be at the core of our decisions for the future of education in Providence,” said Mayor Jorge O. Elorza. “We’re continuing to engage students, parents, educators and so many others, because their experiences and insights are powerful catalysts for progress in our schools. You’re invited to join us for an important discussion that will shape the strategies that will help unlock the full potential of our students.”
In April 2017, the first All In Summit drew over 400 participants and served as the basis for the All In: Providence Education Summit report, which outlines ideas, suggestions and feedback to build and support a cohesive vision for education in Providence. Past summit sessions focused on improving facilities district wide; cultivating culturally responsive learning; strengthening diversity and inclusion; improving outcomes for English Language Learners; and leveraging community partnerships in schools.
Input provided in 2017 was fundamental in the hiring of seven Middle School Culture Coordinators for Providence this past December, in addition to initiatives at the District ranging from providing social-emotional supports and access to expanded mental and behavioral health clinicians in schools; to embedding culturally responsive practices into teaching and learning District-wide; to policy changes including the Racial and Ethnic Equity Policy, Transgender Student Policy, Revised Code of Conduct, District Keys to Learning and more. The Summit also set in motion the engagement of youth and community based organizations as equity partners to support a year-long community-led school facilities capital planning process. The City recently launched allinpvd.com, a website that outlines initiatives supporting young people from “Cradle to Career,” the frame by which the City has sought to provide high-quality services and programs for every single young person in Providence, both in and out of school.
The 2018 Summit will seek additional feedback on priorities identified last year, sharing a draft master plan of school facilities for review; garnering feedback on initiatives spearheaded by the District’s new Middle School Culture Coordinators; workshopping partnerships and tools for community partnerships; and centering student voice and culturally responsive curricula in teaching and learning.
Carlon Howard, Executive Director of Breakthrough Providence and Karla E. Vigil, Essential Personalized Learning Senior Associate at the Center for Collaborative Education, have been named coordinators for the 2018 Summit. Howard and Vigil are the co-founders of EduLeaders of Color RI. Howard is a former Impact Manager for City Year Providence, 5th-grade math teacher, and an Urban Leaders Fellow under Colorado State Senator Mike Johnston. He graduated from the University of Georgia with undergraduate degrees in Criminal Justice and Political Science, and completed a graduate degree in education from Rhode Island College. Vigil is a former Education Strategies Specialist with the Highlander Institute, 4th-grade classroom teacher, and Deeper Learning Equity Fellow. She earned her Bachelor’s from the University of Rhode Island and a Masters of Arts in Teaching from Roger Williams University.
“We are excited to be part of the work that Providence is doing to place the needs and priorities of young people, families and community members at the heart of decision-making around education,” stated All In Summit Coordinators Carlon and Karla. “Working together, we can ensure that Providence students receive high-quality supports and opportunities that will open doors for them far beyond the classroom. We are All In for education, and invite residents across the city to participate in this meaningful conversation.”
The Summit builds upon the City’s work as part of the “By All Means” initiative based at the Harvard Education Redesign Lab, which focuses on ensuring that all students have the tools and resources they need to achieve success. The Summit is possible through support from the Nellie Mae Education Foundation.
Translation services, childcare and refreshments will be available for participants, at the Juanita Sanchez Educational Complex on May 12. Those interested in attending are asked to register athttp://events.eventzilla.net/e/all-in-providence-education-summit-2138931756.
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