Number
161087
Version
SUBSTITUTE 2
Reference
Sponsor
ALD. ZIELINSKI, HAMILTON, BAUMAN AND JOHNSON
Title
Substitute resolution relating to establishing a Milwaukee Public Schools and City of Milwaukee Education Initiative incorporating features of the City’s “Be the Change” program.
Analysis
This resolution establishes a Milwaukee Public Schools and City of Milwaukee Education Initiative. In partnership with Milwaukee Public Schools and other civic organizations, this initiative will provide 75-100 at-risk youth and their families resources incorporating, but not limited to, the goals of the “Be the Change” program. The initiative will be housed at a school to be identified by Milwaukee Public Schools, with the eventual goal of expanding the initiative to other Milwaukee schools.
Body
Whereas, The Common Council is interested in promoting safe and resilient schools; and
Whereas, By its adoption of Common Council Resolution File Number 140602 on September 3, 2014, the City of Milwaukee established the Be the Change Literacy, Leadership and Life Skills program to improve the literacy, leadership, and life skills of Milwaukee’s young people; and
Whereas, Specific goals of the Be the Change Literacy, Leadership and Life Skills program include:
1. Improvement of reading comprehension and English composition skills.
2. Improvement of student confidence and attitudes toward learning.
3. Improvement of school attendance rates among program participants.
4. Lowering of the rates of disciplinary referral, detention and suspension among program participants.
5. Establishing, promoting, and enforcing positive social norms and behavioral standards among participating students through a culturally-relevant rites-of-passage program.
6. Providing opportunities for life-skill development in the areas of health, finance, character, leadership and career readiness.
7. Increasing the levels of community service and civic engagement among participating students.
; and
Whereas, The Common Council acknowledges the existing efforts of Milwaukee Public Schools to promote school safety, community partnerships, and behavioral health and wellness, including initiatives, programs and tools Milwaukee Public Schools has established to improve student health and learning, including social-emotional learning, restorative practices, trauma-sensitive schools, mental health and culturally-responsive teaching; and
Whereas, Milwaukee Public Schools and the City of Milwaukee desire to provide at-risk youth and their families resources targeted to the goals of the “Be the Change” program, at a school to be identified by Milwaukee Public Schools, with the eventual goal of expanding the program to other Milwaukee schools; and
Whereas, Additional strategies for promoting safe and resilient schools may emerge from the Comprehensive Violence Prevention Action Planning Process currently underway; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, By the Common Council of the City of Milwaukee, that the City is committed to working with Milwaukee Public Schools to address student needs relating to safe and resilient schools and behavioral health and wellness; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the appropriate City officials are directed to enter into an agreement with Milwaukee Public Schools for establishing a Milwaukee Public Schools and City of Milwaukee Education Initiative (the “Education Initiative”); and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Education Initiative, in partnership with Milwaukee Public Schools, shall provide services to 75-100 at-risk youth and their families and will provide both with resources incorporating, but not limited to, features of the Be the Change program, including:
1. Improvement of reading comprehension and English composition skills.
2. Improvement of student confidence and attitudes toward learning.
3. Improvement of school attendance rates among program participants.
4. Lowering of the rates of disciplinary referral, detention and suspension among program participants.
5. Establishing, promoting, and enforcing positive social norms and behavioral standards among participating students through a culturally-relevant rites-of-passage program.
6. Providing opportunities for life-skill development in the areas of health, finance, character, leadership and career readiness.
7. Increasing the levels of community service and civic engagement among participating students.
; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Education Initiative may encompass other strategies that may emerge from the Comprehensive Violence Prevention Action Planning Process currently underway; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Education Initiative will work to identify funding sources from public, private, community, non-profit and other civic organizations; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the appropriate City officials are directed to complete the Milwaukee Public Schools’ Partnership Intent Form relating to the creation of the Education Initiative, a copy of which is attached to this file, and submit the form to Milwaukee Public Schools.
Requestor
Drafter
LRB167120-3
Dana J. Zelazny
January 9, 2017