MILWAUKEE (September 23, 2022) – Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS), the Milwaukee Teachers’ Education Association (MTEA), and United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County are proud to announce the addition of Oliver Wendell Holmes School (O. W. Holmes) to the Milwaukee Community Schools Partnership (MCSP) for the 2022–23 school year.
“We are grateful for the opportunities that will be provided to our students and families through our partnership with the United Way and the Community Schools Partnership,” said MPS Superintendent Dr. Keith P. Posley. “Community schools help students feel connected to their school community and enhance their academic focus.”
In addition to O. W. Holmes School’s adoption of the Community Schools strategy this school year, three schools — Alexander Mitchell Integrated Arts School (Mitchell), Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. School (King), and Grantosa Drive School (Grantosa) — were added to the Community School Partnership during the 2021–22 school year. Sixteen MPS schools, about 10 percent of the district, have now adopted the transformational MCSP strategy.
Each Community School is supported by a local community partner agency and a community school coordinator. Westcare Wisconsin has joined the partnership as the lead nonprofit community partner agency for MLK. Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee has also joined as a lead community partner to support both Mitchell and Grantosa. O.W Holmes is currently in a search for a Milwaukee business or organization to serve as a champion for the school’s students and families.
“A Community School is a public school that provides services and supports that fit each neighborhood’s needs and is created and run by the people who know our children best—all working together,” said O. W. Holmes Principal Tayotis Caldwell.
“Being a Community School in the 53212 ZIP code will allow Holmes to be the hub in the community that we all need. All voices will be heard and valued here! There is no place like Holmes, and now our whole ZIP code will know what that means! Thank you, Community Schools!”
“Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. School is excited to become a full implementation Community School,” said MLK Principal Anesia Hayes. “We know that with this partnership, our families, our scholars, and our school will have more opportunities within the community to ultimately accelerate student success.”
“We believe that this new opportunity of becoming a Community School will help us leverage current systems of collaboration and resources,” said Mitchell Principal Kim Malacara. “Being a Community School will strengthen ties between Mitchell and its surrounding community to allow a more comprehensive approach to educating the whole child.”
“As a Community School, Grantosa, along with our lead agency partner, will focus on the whole child, providing academic supports, social and emotional learning, health and wellness, and family and community engagement,” said Grantosa Principal Thaddeus Hilliard.
“The Milwaukee Teachers’ Education Association is proud of the continuing growth of the Milwaukee Community School Partnership and its role in supporting the students, staff, and families of our 16 Community Schools throughout MPS,” said Dr. Amy Mizialko, MTEA President. “Welcome to MCSP, O. W. Holmes students, staff, and families.”
“United Way and the Milwaukee Community Schools Partnership are excited to welcome O. W. Holmes,” said Glenn Carson, Community Schools Director. “Adding them brings our total number of Community Schools to 16 MPS schools within our partnership, making up about 10 percent of the district. We are not only excited for their partnership, but excited to be able to position O. W. Holmes to be a hub of their community and provide multiple resources and opportunities for their students and families right at their school. Through this partnership we are looking forward to working with staff, students, community partners, parents, and residents to add capacity through shared leadership, equity, and cultural relevance within the school.”
Learn more about the Milwaukee Community Schools Partnership by visiting https://unitedwaygmwc.org/Education/Community-Schools
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About Milwaukee Public Schools: As the largest school district in Wisconsin, Milwaukee Public Schools is committed to accelerating student achievement, cultivating leadership, and building stronger, more positive relationships between the city’s youth and adults who can display the path to success. Learn more at: https://mps.milwaukee.k12.wi.us/
About the Milwaukee Teachers’ Education Association: The Milwaukee Teachers’ Education Association (MTEA) represents more than 5,100 staff in Milwaukee Public Schools. As a partner in the Milwaukee Community Schools Partnership, MTEA remains committed to ensuring that Milwaukee’s public schools provide every student with academic and enrichment experiences that are safe, equitable, and supportive to students, staff, and families. Learn more at: http://www.mtea.org
About United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County: United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County fights for the health, education, and financial stability of every person in our local community. Learn more at: http://www.unitedwayGMWC.org
