Volume 2, Issue 6 | March 6, 2024

If you have suggestions for the next issue of Hub Happenings, email Mary-Beth Matthews at mmathew1@tps.org. If you see three dots, make sure you click on them to see the expanded copy.

HUB HAPPENINGS

The Schools as Community Hubs strategy at Toledo Public Schools aims to promote academic success, facilitate family and community engagement, and foster health and well-being in our students, families, staff, and the residents in the neighborhoods surrounding our Hubs. In this issue, you'll see celebration of academic excellence, beautiful examples of family engagement, and creative ways we promote wellness. Hub leaders are continually aligning resources to advance each of these priority areas. Learn more here

NEWS FROM THE JONES LEADERSHIP ACADEMY

OF BUSINESS HUB

Heidy Eckel, Hub Director

The Art Tatum Zone, Lead Partner

Jones Leadership Academy of Business held its National Honor Society Induction Ceremony last week. "Ms. Robison led the efforts to hold this event and celebrate our students alongside their families," Hub Director Heidy Eckel proudly shares. Four students were recognized as having a 3.5 GPA or above, with two of those students also being members of the Ohio State Young Scholars Program. National Honor Society is the nation's largest, oldest, and most prestigious student recognition program.

Mrs. Eckel also shares that the school celebrated Black History Month with a Spirit Week, "which included a door decorating contest to honor the contributions and sacrifices of African Americans and celebrate their history and culture!"

NEWS FROM THE PICKETT ACADEMY HUB

Aloee Jackson, Hub Director

The Art Tatum Zone, Lead Partner

Students at Pickett Academy who had perfect attendance, made the honor roll, or showed the most improvement were given a sweet treat from the Art Tatum Zone last month, reports Hub Director Aloee Jackson. You can tell by their smiles that the students enjoyed their ice cream and special treats from Dairy Queen!

NEWS FROM THE REYNOLDS ELEMENTARY HUB

Zahra Collins, Hub Director

Pathway 4 Successful Leadership, Lead Partner

The Black History Month celebrations in February at Reynolds Elementary highlighted well-known African Americans - and featured a special Harlem Renaissance dance for girls and their special adults, reports Hub Director Zahra Collins. Take a look:

NEWS FROM THE RIVERSIDE ELEMENTARY HUB

Jazzma Chandler, Hub Director

The YMCA of Greater Toledo, Lead Partner

The Riverside Hub held a Black History Month event in February called Black Excellence and it was a great time, shares Hub Director Jazzma Chandler. "The gym was filled with successful African Americans in our very own community!" Ms. Chandler proudly relates. Students were able to see and talk to individuals in more than 17 different careers, take a tour of a real fire truck, and even see how a podcast is created. "The presenters created some kind of visual content to show [so] the kids could see their career journey and what they do. The children also completed a scavenger hunt during the event that helped with sparking tons of conversation with our guests." 

Also in February, the Riverside Hub partnered with Scott High School's Med Tech class for hygiene classes for middle school students. Scott Med Tech upperclassmen came to Riverside to teach two sessions of hygiene classes. Scott students created a PowerPoint for classes and gave live demonstrations of proper handwashing, how to brush your teeth properly, and more. Students at Riverside were able to complete a Google form prior to the classes to ask any questions they wanted answered during the classes. "The turnout for the classes was amazing and both sets of students had a great time," shares Riverside Hub Director Jazzma Chandler.

NEWS FROM THE ROGERS HIGH SCHOOL HUB

Mark Ferrell, Hub Director

Junior Achievement of Northwestern Ohio (JA),

Lead Partner

The Hub at Rogers High School was busy during the month of February, reports Hub Director Mark Ferrell. Here are just some of the highlights:

• A Black History celebration recognized local contributors to African American history at home in Toledo, highlighting Rogers alumnus Darryl Brown, a fashion entrepreneur who has worked with Jim Jackson, Anita Baker, Rance Allen, and others
• A support group has been started with facilitators from Good Grief of Northwest Ohio, aimed at helping a group of students cope with the losses of loved ones
•  A Brown Bag lunch with our Ram partners to develop goals for moving forward and developing a resource book of partners for the community, families, and students
•  Worked with Junior Achievement of Northwestern Ohio (JA), the lead partner for the Rogers Hub, to participate in the Business of Life event that took place at Bowling Green State University. "This allows for our students to interact with many different businesses in our community to develop problem solving, critical thinking, and pitching themselves,"  writes Mr. Ferrell.

Lastly, the Rogers Hub extends congratulations to the school's Lady Rams for winning the City League Championship!

NEWS FROM THE SCOTT HIGH SCHOOL HUB

Joe Peterson, Hub Director

New Concepts, Lead Partner

The Hungry Black Man

Scott High School recently welcomed Starex Smith, also known as The Hungry Black Man, a prominent Miami food critic. In an engaging cafeteria presentation, students delved into food criticism, explored diverse culinary traditions, and discussed the cultural impact of food, reports Hub Director Joe Peterson. The interactive session included Q&A and dynamic discussions, with Mr. Smith surprising three students with awards for creating outstanding business plans. "The event left an indelible mark on students, combining education and inspiration in a unique learning experience," Mr. Peterson writes.

Sip, Set, and Achieve

Scott High students and staff members embraced the power of vision and warmth at the Vision Board Workshop & Hot Chocolate Bar on Wednesday, February 21. Attendees crafted their 2024 goals, connected with friends, and savored delicious hot chocolate.The event successfully blended creativity and coziness, inspiring the Scott Bulldogs community to chase their dreams enthusiastically, reports Mr. Peterson.

DID YOU KNOW...

Hubs seek to avoid random acts of partnership and aspire to be partner right, not partner rich. So far, 25 new partnerships have been formed in this school year alone, all intentionally developed to meet priorities established within each Hub community. For more information on the progress in our Hubs, check out this report: Hubs Mid-Year Summary

UPCOMING EVENTS

Our final Town Halls have been scheduled for spring. Please join us for one or all! See registration information on the flyer to the right or visit our Hubs website for information on each Town Hall.

• Scott Town Hall (2400 Collingwood), Wednesday, March 20 at 5 p.m.
• Rogers Town Hall (222 McTigue), Wednesday, April 17, 6 p.m.
• Reynolds Town Hall (5000 Norwich), Wednesday, May 1, 3:30 p.m.

MORE UPCOMING EVENTS

Rogers High School

• "Cents" It All Counts (A joint discussion between the Rogers Community Hub and Junior Achievement and Timothy Clark, a New York Life representative)
• When: Wednesday, March 20 (6 to 7 p.m.)
• Where: Rogers, 222 McTigue Dr.
• Who: All community members

TPS Partner Showcase

• When: Thursday, March 21, 3 to 5 p.m. (open house format)
• Where: Woodward High School, 701 E Central Ave.
• Who: Anyone interested in exploring or celebrating TPS community partners!

Schools as Community Hubs launched in Toledo in 2012 as a way of organizing resources to meet the needs of students, families, and residents in the neighborhoods surrounding our schools. Currently, TPS has six full-service community schools that promote academic success, foster health and well-being, and facilitate family and community engagement - and we're exploring two more. To learn more, visit our website to explore our FAQs and other helpful resources. Schools as Community Hubs is funded in part by Toledo Public Schools, and its lead partners: New Concepts, Pathway 4 Successful Leadership, The Art Tatum Zone, and YMCA/JCC of Greater Toledo.

For more information on Schools as Community Hubs, contact Gayle Lake at glake@tps.org.