Education and Workforce Training Focus Group
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Education and Workforce Training Focus Group
Date of focus group : January 5 , 2021 Facilitator : Cameron Cure
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Summary & Quote Highlights : What has been your experience as a member of your community in Arlington ?
• “ Understanding the importance of having families engaged in the educational process of their students is important to success . The insight and provided supports for the families here in Arlington are positive and so I ’ m excited about what we ’ re doing and going to do .”
• “ This is the type of community that is all in on their kids . It ’ s all in on the wellbeing of their students . You know that they get behind what we as a school are trying to accomplish and that ’ s what it ’ s all about . You want to be at a place where you know you ’ re appreciated and supported . If you don ’ t , you don ’ t get the opportunity to have an impact , not just within the walls of our school , but outside of it as well .”
What do you see as an important part of dealing with key challenges or problems facing your community in Arlington ?
• “ I think we ’ ve come up with some very creative and innovative ways of working with our community and our students . A common problem that I see is regarding resources . There are many available in our community for students , families , but I think the challenge is finding these resources . I think it is important to make sure that there is some type of way of connecting everyone with these resources , whether they ’ re in Mansfield or Arlington .”
• “ The parents in our community always have that level of trust . They may not have the same credentials as the teachers that are teaching our kids , and so sometimes the trust is not there . So , building a relationship can kind of also build that trust . Teaching parents how to do school in a sense of providing opportunities for them to participate and learn how to help their kids read at night or math problems so that they are helping kids at home because we know that home and school working together is always going to get the best from the students .”
Please provide some suggestions or recommendations for addressing challenges facing your community in Arlington .
• “ It would be great if there were more employment internship training opportunities for students where they are not just earning a paycheck , but they are learning skills . Something that is not taxing or burdensome but helps to educate and works with their school schedule would be great .”
• “ We need to have the administration sit down with the community colleges to do more to help the schools and the families , such as food banks , transportation , or other initiatives .”
To what degree have you seen or experienced discrimination ?
• “ I am half Japanese and Caucasian . While I lived in Japan , I did receive some discrimination , but as soon as they knew I could speak the language and that I was half Japanese they were nicer to me . I have had co-workers make rude comments about food that I would bring to lunch , so I am mindful of things I am willing to bring to work .”
Unity Council Report 116