GRADUATE MARIETTA STUDENT SUCCESS CENTER
[a year in review]
G R A D U AT E M A R I E T TA S T U D E N T S U C C E S S C E N T E R
GRADUATE MARIETTA STUDENT SUCCESS CENTER
starting strong
HIGHLIGHTS AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS • Housed within Marietta High School, the Graduate Marietta Student Success Center (GMSSC) houses 15 staff members, 10 of whom are being provided by agencies such as the Juvenile Court of Cobb County, the Department of Human Services, Georgia Council on Substance Abuse, Communities in Schools, four mental health providers, and LiveSAFE (formerly known as the YWCA of northwest Georgia). • The GMSSC earned the 2016 Charter Schools Foundation Innovator of the Year Award, and Lieutenant Governor Casey Cagle presented the center with a $10,000 award from Comcast. • The Center for Academic Services has provided more than 7,000 tutoring sessions during our first year. We provide tutoring, test preparation, and technology assistance after school three afternoons a week. Also, this fall we have hosted 262 students for college recruitment visits and assisted 35 students in meeting with military recruiters. • The Center for Behavior Support is decreasing the average number of days students spend suspended out of school. In the center, “suspended” students receive services related to the nature of their suspension and work on classwork with the teachers in the center to prevent the student from falling further behind. • The Center for Community Partnerships and Services boasts 37 partnerships with local and state agencies who have provided funding, resources, services, and staff valued in excess of one million dollars during our first year of operation.
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“Marietta City Schools could not be more deserving of this award (Innovator of the Year) as they actively remove barriers to success so that every student cannot only thrive, but graduate college and career ready.” GEORGIA LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR CASEY CAGLE
(FROM MARIETTA DAILY JOURNAL ARTICLE— MARY KATE MCGOWAN)
THE POWER OF COMMUNITY COLLABORATIONS
(to transform lives) Center for ACADEMIC SUPPORT
A one stop center for students to complete academic work, receive academic support, and explore career and college opportunities. Support is offered through a writing lab, test preparation, mentoring programs, tutoring, scholarship assistance, college search and application assistance and career shadowing/ internship/jobs.
PARTNERS & DONORS AT&T Chattahoochee Technical College Clarke Atlanta University Communities in Schools First United Methodist Church of Marietta Georgia Charter System Foundation Kennesaw State University Kiwanis Club of Marietta Informart Life University Marietta Schools Foundation (MSF) MSF Vaughan REACH Endowment North Metro Church Naviance Rotary Club of Marietta Simple Needs YouScience ZOE City Church and Individual Private Donors
Students develop a personal plan to change their own behavior and/or improve their academic performance, as well as, develop a personal plan for post high school success. From mentoring opportunities to yoga classes to assistance with bullying, wellness and nutrition and job skills assistance, services are available to ignite each student’s sense of hope and purpose.
Center for
COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS AND SERVICES Students learn coping and decision-making skills, and connect with community services and school staff who can assist with an individual’s identified barriers to learning and graduation. Through counseling and family support, our partners work to address basic needs with a food pantry and clothing closet, as well as mental health needs with support for a wide variety of concerns from eating disorders, sexual abuse, depression, grief, domestic violence, and much more.
PARTNERS & DONORS
PARTNERS & DONORS
Action for Healthy Kids
Cobb County Department of Family & Children’s Services Cobb County Juvenile Court Center for Family Resources Cobb Community Alliance to Prevent Substance Abuse Cobb Communities Collaborative Davis Direction Foundation, Inc. Friends & Family of Martha Griggs Webb Johnny Walker Photography Junior League of Cobb-Marietta Legal Aid of Cobb County Marietta Police Department MUST Ministries ONENEED Stonebridge Church SA White Oil Company United Way Walton Communities YoungLives
BOSS United, Inc. Center of Social Innovation Cobb and Douglas Public Health Communities in Schools Community Interventions Services Georgia Council on Substance Abuse Georgia SHAPE Grant Juvenile Court of Cobb County Marietta Mentoring for Leadership Marietta Police Department NorthStar Psychological Services Paula Matthews Ellis Endowment The Vaughan Foundation and Individual Private Donors
Thank you to our partners and donors
liveSAFE Resources, Inc.
(formerly known as the YWCA of Northwest Georgia)
and Individual Private Donors
G R A D U AT E M A R I E T TA S T U D E N T S U C C E S S C E N T E R
CobbWorks Literacy Council
Center for BEHAVIOR SUPPORT
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G R A D U AT E M A R I E T TA S T U D E N T S U C C E S S C E N T E R
GRADUATE MARIETTA STUDENT SUCCESS CENTER STAFF Marietta City Schools and GMSSC Director Leigh Colburn recognized a pressing need for new voices in local and national dialogues concerning school reform. These new voices are the voices of the young people in our public schools – students succeeding, students struggling academically and/or emotionally, and the ones that are falling through the cracks. Young people understand what’s working and what could be better at their schools, and students at Marietta High School are playing an active role in determining and developing the resources available in their school district. The innovative model of the Graduate Marietta Student Success Center is gaining state and national attention and has the potential to become a new model for educating today’s students.
Marietta City Schools Staff (l-r) Melody Shelton, Granville Freeman, Sheila Colquitt, Leigh Colburn, Gaspar Rodriguez
The Graduate Marietta Student Success Center in Marietta, Georgia is revolutionizing the way students and families are supported within the public education system.
[voices from students
I believe the Student Success Center deserves this recognition because it’s created a closer connection between the community and the school itself. People from the community and our school are taking the time to listen and show up and show an interest in us and our problems regarding school or life. This program has so many parts that no student should ever feel alone in the school or community for having a problem - especially a problem that is not their fault or that they cannot deal with by themselves. This program teaches us that we are not alone and that there are people in our community that can help us. I believe having the Marietta Student Success Center is making a profound difference in our school.—STUDENT
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I feel like the Student Success Center is playing an important role in my life and many other students in Marietta High School. In the Student Success Center, you really have people who want to help you, and also they do not judge. I feel that every school needs this! You will never know what challenges people are facing. In the Student Success Center, you have everything and everyone you need to be to successful, no matter what problems or disadvantages you have. This center is needed to help students make it to the next level. Also, to give them help and resources for those who need them and want to use them to the best of their ability. It provides solutions because kids come to school with problems and they leave with the same problems, and the Student Success Center tries to help with those problems we come and leave with. They have plenty of classes, tutoring, counseling, and even a food pantry for those that need food. This program has helped me. I was always defined as a problem child, but now I understand I’m not. Because of this center, I will graduate ON TIME. I will be successful in school, and if I need help, I know someone in the center will help me. Out of all the schools I went to, this one has helped me the most. I don’t feel alone or lost. Now, I feel as though I have a family. —STUDENT
STATEMENT OF VALUES • •
CHARTER MISSION STATEMENT
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The Graduate Marietta Student Success Center mobilizes staff members and partners within the community to equip our students to graduate prepared and optimistic for their life journey.
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September Adopted 22, 2015; Community Partner Strategic Planning Meeting
[voices from partners]
The GMSSC is a ground breaking and unique way to provide services to students in need who otherwise may be unable to access them. Schools are a cornerstone of their community, and this collaborative approach is innovative, but also makes sense. Other schools should follow the lead of Marietta City Schools and actively collaborate with other pro community advocates. It took courage and strength to begin this center, and it took a passionate and active belief that students need a holistic approach as it relates to them being successful. This partnership gives me a great deal of hope. PARTNER, LICENSED CLINICIAN
This program should be implemented in more schools. Kudos to the school district for taking the risk to create something so meaningful. You have demonstrated leadership, compassion, and courage to do what is right for students. I have watched the love for students and student success incarnate in just a few months into a center that is improving the lives of your students and families. The passion displayed through the constant laboring and collaborating with other entities is contagious. The referral process is super easy and services are offered immediately. Thank you MCS for creating this partnership. PARTNER, PROBATION SERVICES
The Georgia Council on Substance Abuse (GCSA) is a proud community partner within the GMSSC. So often, school districts want to “put out” and “put away” students who are struggling with substance use. From the beginning, we have appreciated the fact that the GMSSC is led by student voice and empowered by a school district that listens to their students about what gets in the way of academic achievement and graduation. These honest conversations with students take courage and acceptance on the part of the school district and the students. Engaging students about their choices around risky and harmful substance use has been both enlightening and encouraging.
DIRECTOR, GEORGIA COUNCIL ON SUBSTANCE ABUSE
G R A D U AT E M A R I E T TA S T U D E N T S U C C E S S C E N T E R
By matching the skills and resources of our stakeholders with the needs and desires of each student, we ignite hope and illuminate a positive path for life success.
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We believe in the power and truth of student voice. We believe academic and life success begins by understanding “the why and the who” of the whole child. We believe every student deserves the opportunity to fulfill his or her potential. We believe our students and families can overcome negative life circumstances to create a better future. We believe in the power of community collaboration to transform lives.
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G R A D U AT E M A R I E T TA S T U D E N T S U C C E S S C E N T E R
GRADUATE MARIETTA STUDENT SUCCESS CENTER
how our story began The students of Marietta High School (MHS) collaborated with school administration to design and create the Graduate Marietta Student Success Center (GMSSC) which opened on October 22, 2015.
BARRIERS TO ACHIEVEMENT AND GRADUATION During the two year research and planning phase, thousands of surveys and interviews were conducted with MCS students, parents, and staff. Because of this research, students identified the following conditions as significant barriers to their achievement and graduation:
Students also identified academic challenges and truancy as barriers to graduation, but overwhelmingly described these conditions as by-products of the six adverse conditions above.
ACADEMIC CHALLENGES—
lack of readiness and/or basic skills, need for tutoring and/ or academic services, test preparation, need for financial vouchers for testing, need for strategic scheduling, credit recovery, dual enrollment, GED counseling
TRUANCY—missing classes, missing days, a significant
TRANSIENCY—loss of credits, lack of connection to a
and prolonged interrupted enrollment
school setting, academic gaps, lack of services for identified and non-identified disabilities, minimized involvement in school activities
RESILIENCY MAKES THE DIFFERENCE
FAMILY CHANGES—grief/loss of parent or sibling, divorce, family expansion, pregnancy
POVERTY—homelessness, mobility, lack of transportation, need to work may make graduation an unrealistic goal
IMMIGRATION—lack of sense of belonging, lack of hope, lack of assimilation of family members, communication concerns, a familial lack of knowledge of resources, support, and processes, and a lack of understanding or experience with the culture of the American teenager or an American high school
During the research phase, we interviewed current students and recent graduates, as well as, those who dropped out of high school. We also conducted book studies, visited other school districts, and extensively talked to our district’s students, families, staff, and stakeholders. We learned a primary difference between those who graduated and those who dropped out was resilience. Armed with this new knowledge, we developed a center to marshal community services to address barriers to learning while also building each student’s resilience. As a ‘full-service’ school, we supplement our extensive instructional efforts with community partnerships to provide services and build a place that offers each student a sense of hope and optimism, belonging, worth, and purpose.
ADDICTION—drug and/or alcohol, pornography, a lack of access to support and recovery services
MENTAL AND EMOTIONAL HEALTH AND SOCIAL NEEDS —depression, bipolar, gender and sexual identity, self-harm, eating disorders, promiscuity, bullying, recovery services related sexual abuse, domestic violence etc.
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THANK YOU TO OUR GOVERNING BOARDS: Marietta City Schools Board of Education Marietta Schools Foundation Board of Directors Agency Directors for our community partners and most importantly our MHS Students and families
Marietta City Schools determined we must go beyond academic interventions to offer ALL of our students and families a “one-stop shop” of support by providing and coordinating requested essential services.
The following individual, Support Group, and Family Counseling/ Services are available:
ON-SITE STAFF PARTNERSHIPS The partners of the GMSSC provide wraparound support services for our students in an effort to increase their ability to learn and graduate on time.
The following agencies and/or organizations are accessible for students as needs arise:
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BOSS United Cobb/Douglas Community Services Board Cobb County Juvenile Court Communities in Schools Department of Human Services (DFCS) Georgia Council on Substance Abuse liveSAFE Resources, Inc.
• • •
MUST Ministries NorthStar Psychological Services ONENEED
We believe every person deserves the opportunity (formerly known as the YWCA of Northwest Georgia) to fulfill his or her • Marietta Mentoring for Leadership full potential.
Marge Kellogg Stacy Newkirk Terrance Duke Barry Frazier Nicole Osti Tarvin Jones GMSSC Tutors
Marietta Mentoring for Leadership Communities in Schools Instructional Assistance BOSS United liveSAFE Resources, Inc. Department of Human Services Tom Lewis, Melanie Turner, Chris Lund
Jessica Packman NorthStar Psychological Service Grachelle Sherburne Cobb/Douglas Community Services Board Taneris Hil Cobb County Juvenile Court MARIETTA CITY SCHOOLS SOCIAL WORKERS Valarie Kahiha Kristin Hanfland Adrienne McGahee-Jackson Milena Skollar
Nutrition & Wellness Stress Management Anger Management Self-Esteem/Empowerment Eating Disorders Homelessness Grief Recovery Sexual Abuse Sexual Identity College & Career Services Tutoring & Test Preparation Depression Divorce Issues Family Changes/Divorce Teen Parenting Mental Health Individual & Family Counseling Self-Esteem Issues Gang Resistance Self Harm Addiction Suicide Prevention Food Pantry Clothing Closet/Laundry School Supplies Meditation Managing Social Media Yoga Domestic Violence Probation Services Healthy Relationships
FOCUSING ON SUCCESS
G R A D U AT E M A R I E T TA S T U D E N T S U C C E S S C E N T E R
Jasmine Fontenot-Harrell NorthStar Psychological Service
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[Minimizing the barriers and eliminating excuses]
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G R A D U AT E M A R I E T TA S T U D E N T S U C C E S S C E N T E R
156
families received holiday gifts/support through the generosity of Simple Needs and other individual donors
1150
students have completed the YouScience College and Career Inventory assessing aptitudes, abilities, and interests.
423
During fall 2016, the Center for Behavior Support helped
116 324 students recover
Instructional Days
EVERY DAY
visit the clothes closet and laundry room to “shop� for toiletries and clothing donated by United Way and individual donors
students received school supplies and book bags donated by North Metro Church, Marietta First United Methodist Church, Infomart, and Simple Needs
15-20 156 233 100 180 834 250 262
College recruitment visits
STUDENTS
students attending SAT/ACT prep courses
schools and organizations have toured the GMSSC
students are receiving ongoing mentoring services through Marietta Mentoring for Leadership and Communities in Schools
family visits to the food pantry provided by MUST Ministries
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PARENTS have attended a 26 week English course
MORE THAN
students and families have received clinical counseling services
FEATURES The Graduate Marietta Student Success Center (GMSSC) is located on the campus of Marietta High School, and includes a College and Career Center, a cafe, and a “chill room” used for individual and group counseling sessions for students in need of a quiet place to decompress. The GMSSC has a food pantry, clothes closet, laundry room, a school supply closet, and a closet with baby clothes and supplies for teen parents. Students have access to a wide range of technology tools. Outreach also extends to families with educational classes for parents.
GOOD VIBES CAFE ESOL CLASSES FOR PARENTS
The center hosts extended daily hours and utilizes a second tier of buses to ensure that all students have access to transportation home if they stay after school for programming, services, or tutoring.
COMPUTER LABS
CLOTHING CLOSET & LAUNDRY
FOOD PANTRY
G R A D U AT E M A R I E T TA S T U D E N T S U C C E S S C E N T E R
CHILL ROOM
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G R A D U AT E M A R I E T TA S T U D E N T S U C C E S S C E N T E R
MARIETTA MENTORING FOR LEADERSHIP One especially successful program in the GMSSC is the Marietta Mentoring for Leadership. This mentoring program is a 501(c)(3) organization that matches students with demonstrated potential but limited opportunities (6th through 12th grade) with community mentors who encourage and support students to reach their full potential. Students and mentors participate in collegial experiences to expose them to the greater community, college, and career opportunities.
www.mentoringforleadership.org
HOW YOU CAN CONTRIBUTE We are new to Georgia. It is lonely and scary starting over. I am struggling with finding work, and my daughter is getting adjusted to our life changes, a new school, and new friends. She started seeing one of the therapists at the center who has given her support and helped her motivation to do good in her classes. Since then I have felt so welcomed and at ease. We have received food, help with bills, and they are helping me find a job. I am still in crisis, but I am not facing my problems alone. This means the WORLD to me. —PARENT
The Graduate Marietta Student Success Center is focused on the Marietta community and your donations of time, services and funding have a direct positive impact on students and families. Are you interested in a tour, volunteering, or providing services for GMSSC? CONTACT: Leigh Colburn lcolburn@marietta-city.k12.ga.us or 678-919-4506
https://www.facebook.com/GraduateMarietta/ 9
[PERSONAL TESTIMONIES] The Center is a place I go for help, mentoring, and tutoring. It’s made a big difference in my life and without it, I don’t think I would be a senior. It helps me pursue the academic goals I have set for myself, and I believe other schools should have a center because sometimes kids need help mentally, as much as, they need help academically. Sometimes that’s the real issue. This program is the best thing going on in our school. Its helping students improve their grades, behavior, and just become the best they can be. Even when you miss days of school, you can go there and catch up on all your work in a nice, quiet, respectful, pleasant place that makes you feel better about yourself and your school.—STUDENT
From the very beginning, the Graduate Marietta Student Success Center showed the respect our school district has for us, the students. This program is designed to help us overcome battles we are facing. For example, we have a literature teacher who is there to help us in reviewing and editing our papers or helping us with essays when we apply for college. If a student is a victim of child abuse, the success center has a specially trained counselor to give support, insight, and advice on how to deal with the trauma associated with abuse. Our city has a homeless shelter and we have many homeless students in our school. Having a food pantry, book bags and school supplies, and a clothes closet and laundromat means our school can help our students with these kinds of needs. I think other schools should consider opening a student success center. This place is a conglomeration of all the possible resources a child might need during the 4 years of high school. —STUDENT
As a teacher, I have seen the Student Success Center provide academic, emotional and physical help to our students. Academically, it is a place where students can get caught up on classwork when they get behind. Tutoring is provided by teachers each day after school to help students comprehend difficult content or prepare for tests. Emotionally, my kids feel they have an open door to counselors who are willing and able to help them. Physically, kids receive food, clothing and just about anything a family might need. Compassion is the name of the game in the Center. It has fostered more open and honest relationships with my students. It is a special place for our kids and THEY know it! — TEACHER
After working with my counselor, I now RESPOND to the circumstances of my life rather than REACT to them.
G R A D U AT E M A R I E T TA S T U D E N T S U C C E S S C E N T E R
I don’t know what kids at our school did before the center, but I know we need it to help our students succeed. The center helps our students with personal problems and also if you have a problem and you need to go find a quiet place to collect yourself, you can always go there. Everyone is so nice. The center helps students cope with and overcome our problems. I really believe this is an effective program and other schools ought to have something like this. —STUDENT
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The main result of our center is that I am more motivated to strive for success within school and my life. I believe students are showing more interest in their future than in the years prior. —STUDENT
GRADUATION RATES ARE GOING UP 4 YEAR GRADUATION RATES
2016..........75.1 2015..........74.7 2014..........71.4 2013..........66.5 2012..........61.97 2011..........59.2 Up 26.9% since 2011
5 YEAR EXTENDED COHORT GRADUATION RATES
2016..........83.3 2015..........78 2014..........70.9 2013..........64.8 2012..........61.1 2011..........60.4 Up 37.9% since 2011
GRADUATE MARIETTA STUDENT SUCCESS CENTER [community collaboration transforming lives] From our Director
The creation of the Graduate Marietta Student Success Center has been a creative, fast-paced, and rewarding experience. Our students and families trusted us with their thoughts, experiences, and ideas, and our community listened and responded. I want to personally thank each of our donors and partners for your support and encouragement as we’ve built a “first of its kind” student and family resource center. As we work together with our partners to positively impact the life journey and achievement of our students, we are also charting a path for others to follow. School districts throughout the state and across the nation are coming to our center to see the power of community in action. If you have not visited the center, I hope you will call and schedule a tour. In appreciation, Leigh Colburn Director
LOCATED AT MARIETTA HIGH SCHOOL • 1171 Whitlock Ave SW Marietta, Georgia Main # (678)-919-4500 • https://www.facebook.com/GraduateMarietta/