Community Schools - Rochester School District 535

What is a Community School?

A community school is both a place and set of collective partnerships between Rochester Public Schools, United Way of Olmsted County, the individual school site, and other community resources. Its integrated focus on academics, health, social services, youth and community development, and community engagement leads to improved student learning, stronger families, and healthier communities. A full-service community school has components engaging instructions, expanded learning opportunities; college, career, and citizenship; health and social support; community engagement; early childhood development; family engagement; and youth development.

Meet Our Team:

Nahida Nworen

About Nahida:

Nahida Nworen is our Community Data Manager. She creates and analyzes the Community School database and then delivers those data reports to the district as well as to our community partners. Nahida moved to the United States from Bangladesh in 2015 to study at St. Cloud State University. She received her degree in Political Science and International Studies. Nahida is very passionate about working with numbers and co-relating them with other metrics. “Even though I don’t work directly with students, it makes me happy when I see my data have been used to build something that help students”. Facetiming her family is her favorite thing to do in her spare time along with enjoying a cup of coffee or tea.

Community Data Manager
District-wide | Email

Julie McLaren

About Julie:

The Site Facilitator at Gage Elementary School is Julie McLaren. Julie believes that our students are changing the world for the better. She feels community schools can empower students by providing a strong academic foundation, developing global and community connections, and clearing barriers. Julie has been with Rochester Public Schools since 2008 as a teacher, implementation associate, and instructional coach. When she isn’t working, you can find her exploring town with her children, drinking coffee and reading, or hiking in the wilderness.

Community School Site Facilitator
Gage Elementary | Email

Lida Casper

About Lida:

Lida is the Site Facilitator at Riverside Central Elementary. She has taught in schools across the country, from New York City to rural Alaska and finally, here in Rochester. She became a teacher because she believes that every child, regardless of race, gender or socioeconomic status deserves the right to an excellent education. Her current role as Community Schools Site Facilitator allows her to work toward this mission by engaging families and community, providing excellent instruction, enriching opportunities and pathways toward a bright future.

Community School Site Facilitator
Riverside Central Elementary | Email

Nicole Wibstad

About Nicole:

Nicole is the site facilitator at Rochester Alternative Learning Center. She enjoys connecting students with the community; a great day at work means a student made a connection that caused a newfound confidence and a hope for the future. Outside of her role at RALC, Nicole enjoys her family, friends, learning to belly dance, and hiking.

Community School Site Facilitator
Rochester ALC | Email

Erin Vasquez

About Erin:

Erin Vasquez is John Marshall High School’s Community School Site Facilitator. Erin is motivated by her students’ innate curiosity to learn, the desire to continue to learn ways to better serve students and families and the excitement that continuously fills the air in every school building. When Erin is not at work, you may find her hitting the bike trails with her children, delving into a good book, or planning her next travel adventure.

Community School Site Facilitator
John Marshall High School | Email

Jasmine Bissell

About Jasmine:

Jasmine Bissell is Phoenix Academy’s Community School site facilitator. She is originally from North Carolina and lived in Texas before moving to Rochester in March 2018. Jasmine graduated from Winona State University’s Social Work program and, like most people in the field, felt most fulfilled when being of service and helping others. She has a passion for equity, advocacy and accessibility and loves that she has the opportunity to mesh these callings together into truly meaningful work. In her free time, Jasmine enjoys painting, listening to podcasts, and spending time with loved ones.

Community School Site Facilitator
Phoenix Academy | Email

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Community Schools in the News

Full-Service Community Schools highlighted for modeling supports for all students and families

In Rochester Public Schools, we have implemented the community schools model at four of our sites: Gage Elementary, Riverside Central Elementary, the Rochester Alternative Learning Center and John Marshall High School.

JM High School Becomes 4th Full-Service Community School

John Marshall is now the fourth RPS full-service community school.

Community schools help students get access to basic needs and expanded learning opportunities.

High School Students reading to elementary students

New program at John Marshall aims to help students in need

Distractions take away from learning opportunities for students. Getting rid of them is the goal behind John Marshall High School becoming the fourth full-service community school in the Rochester Public Schools district.

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