Over the next few days we are spotlighting our focus areas for connecting our schools to our thriving Edgewater community. Read the intro from yesterday here. Today we are focusing on our idea for raising up School Champions in our neighborhoods.

As we have talked to community members, Edgewater area schools have suffered from negative stereotypes for almost thirty years. The negative narrative is that Edgewater Elementary, Lumberg Elementary and Jefferson Junior/Senior High are struggling schools and not the best place for children to learn. In reality, a majority of students at these schools struggle against the roadblocks of poverty but this does not mean that they are not excellent schools with great teachers. Neighborhood children attend each of these schools and are experiencing the excellent education available in Edgewater schools.

We are looking for School Champions that can help change the negative narrative about Edgewater schools. Maybe your children went to the local schools in the past and you have a deep connection to Edgewater, Lumberg or Jefferson. Or maybe your child currently attends one of these schools and you have been impressed by the teachers and staff.

Our goal in 2017 is to find a School Champion on each street in Edgewater that can help promote and tell great stories about our local Edgewater schools. We’ll provide you with the stories, resources and information to champion our local schools.

Let us know if you are interested in learning more about what is involved with being a School Champion. We are planning an information meeting in January for interested community members.

It will take a movement of committed community members to change the narrative about our neighborhood schools. Join us!