C O M M U N I T Y E NG AG E M E NT
The success of the Carlos Rosario School’s education model lies in large part
with the strength of our ties to the community. In developing our programs
we first assess the needs and aspirations of the community and of individual
students. Then through our adult education programs and services we provide
students with the resources and tools to become more informed, invested
members of society, which in turn positively impacts the larger community.
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During the 2015-16 school year the school held many community engagement
events. During Hispanic Heritage Month local Latina leaders shared advice
learned from their stories of success and community members were invited
to discuss issues around the Salvadoran diaspora in a roundtable moderated
by WAMU reporter Armando Trull. In the spring semester students and
community organization partners educated the school community on civic
engagement and voting. Additionally, the first ever school community bike
ride was held, visiting local businesses owned and managed by students
and alumni. Fifty students, teachers, and staff marched in the Capital Pride
Parade. And on a wintery MLK Day more than 40 students, teachers and
staff joined together to clean up a section of the Metropolitan Branch Trail
in partnership with the Washington Area Bicycle Association. The school also
opened its doors for city-wide healthcare signup events and legal clinics.
Pictured to the right is a group of Carlos Rosario School students with Mayor
Muriel Bowser during a city-organized community clean up day.
2 015- 16 STATS:
40 +
Students participated in the
MLK Day of Service community
cleanup day
450
Community members received
information about the Affordable
Care Act and cost-effective
healthcare options
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Giving back is a fundamental part of the Carlos Rosario School mission, and
here at the School a sense of community pride is continuously fostered. We
have a robust volunteer program that brings together students, alumni,
staff, and community members. This year students and community
members donated 1,869 hours of volunteer time! Thanks to their efforts
local community based organizations had more funds, Carlos Rosario School
students received more individualized attention in the classroom, and a local
soup kitchen had more food to serve those less fortunate during the holidays.