 The common goal of community action
and civic responsibility was the catalyst
for a partnership between Begich Middle
School and First CME-CDC, a local nonprofit
organization. The mission of the partnership
is clear: to strengthen relationships
in our community by creating meaningful
connections.
Pastor Everett of the First Christian
Methodist Episcopal Church (commonly
known as First CME) started the
Community Development Center, Inc. The
purpose of the First CME-CDC, Inc. was
to create an outreach that stands separate
from the church to support the community.
The CDC board is a diverse group of
people with a common focus, and Begich
Middle School educates an equally diverse
group of young adults.
Cathy Lee, Executive Director of First
CME-CDC, Inc. took the opportunity to
tour Begich Middle School in the fall of
2007. It was then that she met Debbie
Whitehouse, School Business Partnership
Class teacher, and within ten minutes the
women knew that a collaboration would
be formed. Since then members of the
First CME-CDC board and students at
Begich have become inseparable. In fact,
board members are considered integral
participants of the class rather than guests
to the school.
One exciting result of this collaboration
occurred during fall parent-teacher
conferences. Anchorage middle schools
now use a student-led conference model
(as opposed to traditional teacher-led
conferences). Students prepare portfolios
in advance to share with family members
who attend the conferences. Inevitably,
there are some students whose family
members cannot attend conferences,
thus leaving the students unable to receive
valuable feedback about their coursework.
This is where First CME-CDC was
asked to help. They created a program
called SLED DOGS, which stands for
Student Led Conferences – Designated
Opportunity Guides. These Designated
Opportunity Guides stepped in when parents
could not – to listen, encourage, and
challenge students who shared their portfolios.
The First CME-CDC board trained
15 different mentors. |
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Student feedback to the SLED DOG
program has been powerful. “Thank you
for spending your time, for just coming,”
said one student. “Anyone who has you
for a mentor should be very thankful.” In
all, 50 students were helped by the DOGS
(mentors) and the looks on their faces after
the portfolio interviews was truly magical.
First CME-CDC, Inc. holds some of
its committee meetings at Begich Middle
School during the School Business
Partnership class. This allows students
to observe and act as student advisors
in a real-world situation. They later hold
their own classroom committee meetings,
using Robert’s Rules of Order, keeping
minutes, and filing committee reports.
The partnership is school-wide, with
administrators, food service workers,
librarians, counselors, and custodians all
supporting its endeavors. Clearly, this partnership
is a model example of creative collaboration
and community change!
In January, students and mentors took the opportunity to work side-by-side on a service project for Volunteers of America. They sorted books and toys for underprivileged children; the partnership believes that helping students give back to the community will lift them up in their own lives and relationships. |
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