Division of Family & Community Partnerships → Study Circles → Stories → Highlights and Appreciations
Highlights and Appreciations
Newest Study Circles Evaluation Now Available
The MCPS Department of Shared Accountability's latest assessment of the Study Circles Program is available here. The findings from surveys and interviews confirm that the Study Circles Program is having a positive impact on both the participants and the school communities and is providing opportunities for school community members to discuss racial/ethnic issues.
AmeriCorps and Study Circles
Many of the accomplishments of the past two years are due to the program's AmeriCorps Volunteers and our relationship with the Montgomery County Business Roundtable's Project Change. Project Change's director, Judy Lapping, has helped recruit, train, and support three wonderful AmeriCorps members who each commit to at least a year of service. This year's members are Terri Evans, Shelia Jenkins and Marta Medina.
Post-Katrina Dialogue
After a CNN/USA Today/Gallup poll found that six in 10 Blacks interviewed believed race played a role in the federal government's response to Hurricane Katrina compared to one in eight White respondents, a group of Silver Spring residents saw the need to address how this division of perception impacts services and collaboration in their community. A racially and politically diverse group of 18 residents participated in a six-week study circle organized by members of Christ Congregational Church, Montgomery Missionary Community Church, and Impact Silver Spring. The group has continued to meet monthly for further discussion and action steps.
Collaborations
Thank you to the MCPS Diversity Training Team, the Office of School Performance, the Division of Family and Community Partnerships, YMCA Youth and Family Services, Impact Silver Spring, and the Study Circles Resource Center.
Beyond MCPS
- Read the article about the MCPS Study Circles program in the Illinois School Board Journal, published by the Illinois Association of School Boards
- Our own Gladis Martinez was profiled in Telling the Stories of Democracy.
- Staff presented at two national conferences: the Coalition of Essential Schools and the Study Circles Resource Center
Thank You!
..to the Universities at Shady Grove and to Don Pollo Restaurant for a great location and scrumptious food for our January facilitator training.