South Bend Empowerment Zone

THE EMPOWERMENT ZONE NURTURES THE MIND, BODY, AND SPIRIT OF EACH CHILD BY EMBRACING EQUITY, LEARNING, AND CHANGE FOR STUDENTS, STAFF, AND FAMILIES. WE HARNESS THE POWER OF COMMUNITY AND RELATIONSHIPS TO IGNITE TRANSFORMATION.

IN THE SPRING OF 2019, THE INDIANA STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION (SBOE) DEVELOPED AN AGREEMENT WITH THE SOUTH BEND COMMUNITY SCHOOL CORPORATION TO CREATE THE SOUTH BEND EMPOWERMENT ZONE. THE SOUTH BEND EMPOWERMENT ZONE IS COMPRISED OF WILSON, WARREN, HARRISON, AND COQUILLARD ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS, AND NAVARRE MIDDLE SCHOOL. OUR CHARGE FROM THE SBOE IS TO DRAMATICALLY TRANSFORM STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT AND GROWTH AT OUR SCHOOLS OVER THE COURSE OF A FIVE-YEAR INTERVENTION. IN MARCH 2020, THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC PROFOUNDLY INTERRUPTED EDUCATION FOR STUDENTS ACROSS THE NATION. AS LAID OUT IN OUR FIVE YEAR IMPROVEMENT FOCUS, SY20-21 WAS SPENT DEVELOPING COMMUNITY AND BUILDING SYSTEMS OF SUPPORT FOR STUDENTS, STAFF, AND FAMILIES. BUT, IN THE EMPOWERMENT ZONE, LIKE OTHER SCHOOL DISTRICTS, THE PANDEMIC MEANT THAT WE NEEDED TO MAKE ADJUSTMENTS TO ENSURE THAT OUR STUDENTS WERE RECEIVING HIGH QUALITY INSTRUCTION AND THAT OUR STAFF WERE PREPARED TO DELIVER HIGH QUALITY INSTRUCTION IN A POTENTIALLY VIRTUAL ENVIRONMENT. WE ALSO NEEDED TO ENSURE THAT WE PROVIDED FOR THE INCREASED SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL NEEDS OF OUR STUDENTS AS A RESULT OF THE PANDEMIC. THIS LOOKED LIKE: -INVESTING IN ADDITIONAL INTERVENTION STAFF TO ENSURE THAT STUDENTS ARE RECEIVING ADDITIONAL SUPPORTS AND THAT EACH SCHOOL HAS AT LEAST ONE INTERVENTIONIST. -INVESTING IN ADDITIONAL INSTRUCTIONAL SUPPORT TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF TIER ONE INSTRUCTION. THIS INCLUDED JOB-EMBEDDED PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT, ADDITIONAL INSTRUCTIONAL COACHES, AND STAFF TO SUPPORT REMOTE LEARNING DURING THE PANDEMICADOPTING A RIGOROUS MATH CURRICULUM ACROSS ALL SCHOOLS -LAUNCHING OUR PARENT ADVISORY COUNCIL (PAC) TO ENSURE THAT WE ARE AUTHENTICALLY ENGAGING PARENTS IN OUR DECISION MAKING AND CENTERING THEIR VOICE