According to Tracy Power, Roberts Academy embraces an “organic” approach to community engagement. Tracy explained this organic approach by explaining how community outreach projects and programs through Roberts Academy are not always carefully planned ahead of time. Rather, Tracy often learns of ways to engage with the surrounding community while simply meeting and talking with other members of the community. Tracy emphasized the importance of building relationships with other members of the community. For example, Roberts Academy and Anthony Muñoz have developed a strong relationship that now enables the school to interact with the community in several ways. The Anthony Muñoz Foundation puts on special programs, events and camps for students at Roberts Academy. The Anthony Muñoz Foundation is able to provide basic necessities, such as new shoes, to students in need at Roberts Academy. In addition, the Anthony Muñoz Foundation has partnered up with the Whiz Kids program to partner students at Roberts Academy with older children in the community who serve as tutors. Tracy emphasized the fact that this kind of community engagement relies heavily on maintaining a strong, trustworthy relationship with the community (Tracy Power).
From the discussion with Tracy Power, I learned that the Roberts Academy school community and the surrounding Price Hill community are strongly multi-racial. Tracy mentioned that people are immigrating to the area from South American and African countries in large numbers. To accommodate this diverse population, Roberts Academy has developed an International Welcome Center (IWC) for both students and members of the community. The IWC offers four different levels of English classes for adults. Specialty programming is also provided through the IWC. Members of the community can come to the IWC for educational purposes – such as help with taxes and social services – or for recreational activities – such as knitting (Tracy Power). It is evident that Roberts Academy is making a concerted effort to help the members of both the school community and the larger Price Hill community.
Tracy Power mentioned the high number of English-learning students at Roberts Academy. This is due to the large population of immigrant families in the Price Hill area. Because many of the students are learning English as a second language, they likely face obstacles in their education. It is likely more difficult and time-consuming for these students to learn new topics because of this language barrier. Tracy Power also mentioned the fairly low college attendance rate of students who attend Roberts Academy. However, the staff of Roberts Academy is making an effort to familiarize students with the idea of attending college. They even offer college tour field trips to seventh and eighth grade students (Tracy Power).
From the discussion with Tracy Power, I learned that the Roberts Academy school community and the surrounding Price Hill community are strongly multi-racial. Tracy mentioned that people are immigrating to the area from South American and African countries in large numbers. To accommodate this diverse population, Roberts Academy has developed an International Welcome Center (IWC) for both students and members of the community. The IWC offers four different levels of English classes for adults. Specialty programming is also provided through the IWC. Members of the community can come to the IWC for educational purposes – such as help with taxes and social services – or for recreational activities – such as knitting (Tracy Power). It is evident that Roberts Academy is making a concerted effort to help the members of both the school community and the larger Price Hill community.
Tracy Power mentioned the high number of English-learning students at Roberts Academy. This is due to the large population of immigrant families in the Price Hill area. Because many of the students are learning English as a second language, they likely face obstacles in their education. It is likely more difficult and time-consuming for these students to learn new topics because of this language barrier. Tracy Power also mentioned the fairly low college attendance rate of students who attend Roberts Academy. However, the staff of Roberts Academy is making an effort to familiarize students with the idea of attending college. They even offer college tour field trips to seventh and eighth grade students (Tracy Power).