Who : Jeanette Carpenter
Job : Educational Services Assistant
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2 EDCAL October 1 , 2018
District makes a difference with foster youth A . R . T . club
The following article was provided by Assistant Superintendent April Gregerson from Delano Union School District .
The Delano Union School District is making a difference in the lives of its Amazingly Resilient and Talented foster youth . The A . R . T . Club was established in August 2017 by the district .
The planning for the A . R . T . Club began in 2016 , following a relationship with Foster Youth Services and the Kern County Superintendent of Schools . After attending many meetings and learning the challenges and fears foster youth face , district staff knew the importance of doing something to serve the elementary and middle school students the way Kern County was serving their high school foster youth . The club has been designed with the best interests of these students in mind .
The A . R . T . Club is the only club like this in California that serves elementary and middle school students and their foster families . Because of the work the district has done , a group of students were presenters at the Youth Empowering Success Foster Youth Conference in Bakersfield where they sat on a panel and shared how they got
started . They were highly celebrated for the work they are doing .
They were also recently featured at the Foster Youth State Conference in Pomona , where district Director of Student Services and Foster Youth Liaison Tina Tyler Smith represented DUSD as a presenter to discuss the work that is being done in Delano .
“ The A . R . T . Club is a beacon to our children ’ s bright future ,” said DUSD Superintendent Rosalina Rivera .
As a part of serving this population , according to Smith , the practice is to meet with every foster parent to see how the district can support them when they enter the district .
“ Our intention is to connect with the parents to discuss our services and provide resources that will help the entire family ,” Smith said .
During the parent meetings , staff members learn about the family ’ s needs and the student ’ s needs . Following parent meetings , Smith and her staff notify the school of their new student to help them transition smoothly , and schedule a Student Assistance Team meeting to begin supporting the student at the site level .
Smith connects with each foster child
Coordinator Tina Tyler Smith , the “ Fairy Godmother ” of Delano Union SD foster youth , shows off student art work .
when they arrive at their school , and asks if they are interested in coming together with other foster youth in the district .
“ There is always an overwhelming response ,” Smith said . “ It is clear that the students at the elementary and middle school levels want to connect . They are very excited to know that there are other students like them in a similar situation .”
The club is also discussed with the parents . The district feels that it would be a great opportunity to bring foster youth and their foster parents together .
After establishing a need for the club , the district started planning meetings at the elementary and middle school that had the highest concentration of foster youth . Meetings were held with the elementary students at recess and with middle schools students after school . As relationships were built with each other , the students came up with their name and developed their purpose . They decided to call themselves the A . R . T . Club ( Amazingly Resilient and Talented ). The purpose is to support foster youth , celebrate successes , provide a sense of belonging , build self-esteem , worth and confidence , and work together to make the Delano community better .
One of the district ’ s eighth grade foster youth has been named to the Top 20 at their middle school . The student ’ s grades were all A ’ s , and were noted during the school ’ s graduation . The student has been very active with the A . R . T . Club . He was asked to what he attributes his success .
“ I don ’ t see myself as different as a foster child ,” the student said . “ I have a supportive foster family . My [ biological ] family did not have much , so I want to be the one to bring my family out of this .
“ When I went into foster care , I didn ’ t know that people could live like that . I didn ’ t want to live like I lived .”
The student felt alone as a fifth grader and sixth grader , but got involved in activities such as band , where you can still participate with or without friends . Competitiveness in activities like band help students thrive . The involvement made the student realize that having your friends or your family is important .
“ In the realm of academic success , competitiveness is important ,” the student said . “ Competition helps you to want to be better .”
The student attributes success to tasks that include staying connected to teachers . The student stated that they are your “ third parents , besides your foster and biological parents .”
The student is looking forward to high school . Personal success for the student will begin with ensuring academic subjects are kept up . That will begin with high school Summer School starting in June . The student also wants to take AP classes during high school , make connections with teachers , and “ find students who understand me .”
The principal of the student ’ s school is impressed with the drive and dedication seen in the student , and all foster youth in the district .
“ It is cool to see that they see the school as an opportunity to succeed and an extension of their family ,” the principal said .
The people involved in this work include the school psychologists , school Social Workers , Americorps Mentors , any foster youth from middle schools and elementary schools , and Smith , who is affectionately known as the Foster Youth Fairy Godmother .
“ We are so excited to be a part of this wonderful work ,” she said . “ The meetings are fun , informative and student driven , and they help bring positive changes to students ’ lives .” The meetings are held weekly or biweekly depending on each student ’ s interest .
Special events have been held during the year that brought most all of the foster youth and their families across the district together . During these events , according to Smith , it is a time to showcase the gifts and talents of foster youth , participate in relationship-building activities through crafts , give parents vital information , and have lots of fun and food .
One student noted that they get to see similar kids in foster care . At first the meetings made were viewed with trepidation , but meeting others in similar circumstances made it better .
“ It is a benefit to both , child and parent ,” said parent Teresa Viramontes . “ The children feel special . Parents get to meet other parents . Kids get to interact with other foster kids . Some of them feel like it ’ s just them and they can see there are other foster kids just like them . It ’ s special for them . We enjoy all the activities . I would like to see more of the foster parents involved in this . The kids feel like a part of a family . When we are there , they feel proud . I would love a support group for the kids to talk . The children need to have a voice . The parents need to have a support group as well to share ideas and to let out some of the stress that they have .”
“ This year , the voices of the students were represented ,” Smith said . “ We have received an overwhelming response from other districts reaching out to us to discuss how they can duplicate the work we are doing here in the Delano Union School District .”
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Who : Jeanette Carpenter
Job : Educational Services Assistant
Jeanette provides support to Senior Director Margaret Arthofer , departmental support , and program support for Leadership Institute .
Favorite hobby :
Jeanette enjoys collecting keychains from cities , states and international locations . She also like scrapbooking her various adventures .
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