OLD TOWN, Maine — Community School Coordinators Appreciation Week is a time to recognize leaders across Maine who provide services for children, families, and community members within a school network.
Coordinators connect students to outdoor learning opportunities, health services, and other community resources, like helping families navigate through hard times.
Jennifer Goodwin is a community school coordinator in Old Town Elementary School. She said helping students and families is the best part of her day.
“Just having a family be grateful and thankful for the support the school is able to get with our help,” Goodwin said.
According to the Maine Department of Education, it's one of four community schools across the state providing services through community-based organizations and partnerships.
Julie Smyth, director of the Office of School and Student Supports at the Maine Department of Education, highlighted the critical role these coordinators play in the school and beyond.
“Community school coordinators are so important because they are the glue that connects purposefully and intentionally community resources to the schools,” Smyth said.
Coordinators connect students to outdoor learning opportunities, health services, and other community resources like helping families navigate through hard times.
“They just come piled with all this stress," Goodwin said. "Having somebody that can sit down with them and say, 'I'm supporting you, I'm here for you, how can we best help you meet those needs' [helps]."
By helping families meet those needs, it also helps lift the weight off staff.
“There are some kids that don't have clean clothing. There are some kids who need a doctor’s appointment or dentist appointment. And having someone else besides a school counselor focus on those resources, it's just integral,” Smyth, said.
As Goodwin and other community school coordinators are celebrated around the state, they hope to continue to bring smiles to the faces of students and their families.
“When I connect students to resources, I feel validated. I feel like I’m doing my job,” Goodwin said.
This is Maine's third year celebrating community school coordinators week, and it's the eighth year it's being celebrated nationwide.