Wednesday, September 28, 2022
Oliver Wendell Holmes School (O. W. Holmes) is proud to join the Milwaukee Community Schools Partnership (MCSP) this school year. MCSP is a collaboration among Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS), the Milwaukee Teachers’ Education Association (MTEA), and United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County that expands family and community engagement in member schools.
“We are grateful for the opportunities that will be provided to our students and families through our partnership with the United Way and the Community Schools Partnership,” said MPS Superintendent Dr. Keith P. Posley. “Community schools help students feel connected to their school community and enhance their academic focus.”
In addition to O. W. Holmes School’s adoption of the Community Schools strategy this school year, three schools — Alexander Mitchell Integrated Arts School (Mitchell), Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. School (King), and Grantosa Drive School (Grantosa) — were added to the Community School Partnership during the 2021–22 school year. Sixteen MPS schools, about 10 percent of the district, have now adopted the transformational MCSP strategy.
Each Community School is supported by a local community partner agency and a community school coordinator. Westcare Wisconsin has joined the partnership as the lead nonprofit community partner agency for MLK. Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee has also joined as a lead community partner to support both Mitchell and Grantosa. O.W Holmes is currently in the process of selecting a Milwaukee business or organization to serve as a champion for the school’s students and families.
“A Community School is a public school that provides services and supports that fit each neighborhood’s needs and is created and run by the people who know our children best—all working together,” said O. W. Holmes Principal Tayotis Caldwell.
"The Milwaukee Teachers’ Education Association is proud of the continuing growth of the Milwaukee Community School Partnership and its role in supporting the students, staff, and families of our 16 Community Schools throughout MPS,” said Dr. Amy Mizialko, MTEA President. “Welcome to MCSP, O. W. Holmes students, staff, and families."
“United Way and the Milwaukee Community Schools Partnership are excited to welcome O. W. Holmes,” said Glenn Carson, Community Schools Director. “Adding them brings our total number of Community Schools to 16 MPS schools within our partnership, making up about 10 percent of the district. We are not only excited for their partnership, but excited to be able to position O. W. Holmes to be a hub of their community and provide multiple resources and opportunities for their students and families right at their school. Through this partnership we are looking forward to working with staff, students, community partners, parents, and residents to add capacity through shared leadership, equity, and cultural relevance within the school.”
Learn more about the Milwaukee Community Schools Partnership by visiting https://unitedwaygmwc.org/Education/Community-Schools