CS² Mission - During the past ten years, CS² - Communities and Schools for Success Educational Initiative continues to be a powerful and creative force behind school-based initiatives and stronger linkages to the community. Our mission is to help raise students’ academic achievement while providing access to work experiences and other real-world activities, especially for those students who are disengaged and underserved. We continue to create innovative programs and collaborations between our community and schools to achieve this mission.

Current activities include:

• Grants research and writing – Each year, we have consistently secured at least $100,000 in grant funds and resources for programs and professional development opportunities that directly benefit students and teachers in our district.

• Pathways One Stop Initiative and Summer Work and Learning programs. The Pathways initiative provides extended services to high school seniors who have not yet passed MCAS but have completed their local high school credit requirements. CS² continues to design curriculum and implement innovative Summer Work and Learning programs for vulnerable youth which have included an entrepreneurial program, projects that promote civic engagement and good character, and, most recently, a science program at the OceanExplorium and English/Art/CSL park stewards program at the New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park to help students achieve the MCAS standards. 

• School to Career - CS² has assumed the position as year-round mentors and follows up with the 70 Career Majors high school students. In addition, we will facilitate and monitor NBHS School to Career students each semester.

• College Mentors/Tutors - In a partnership with UMass Dartmouth, the CS² team has facilitated the placement of college tutors from SIFE – Students In Free Enterprise in the high school’s entrepreneurship courses and college mentors in several freshmen classes.   

• Dropout Prevention– Collaborate closely with the district’s dropout prevention specialists to increase outreach and community resources for underserved youth.  CS² staff also serves on the district’s Dropout Prevention and Recovery team to assess’ current programs, gaps in service, and alternative education options for the district.

• Community Service Learning (CSL) – The CS² teamencourages the practice of service-learning as a teaching methodology and dropout prevention strategy in the district by pursuing grant funding, offering professional development opportunities, and providing resources and assistance to teachers for CSL projects. The team works closely with the UMass Dartmouth’s Center for Civic Engagement both on their Advisory Board and as members of SouthCoast Serves - a new regional collaborative focused on increasing service and service-learning in our region.

• LEADS Program (Leadership for Educational Attainment Developed Through Service): CS2 assists with the development and implementation of the LEADS program in NBHS. LEADS is a collaboration between the Center for Civic Engagement at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth and NBPS. The program is designed such that University students teach leadership skills through service-learning projects. LEADS is designed to empower students to believe in themselves while they actively work to make our community a better place to live.

• Entrepreneurship – CS2 developed and continues to manage the Entrepreneurship Program at New Bedford High School and during the Summer Work and Learning program. With CS2 assistance and letters of recommendation, two NBHS Business teachers received the distinctive honor as the 2008-2009 and 2009-2010 “NFTE Regional Entrepreneurship Teacher of the Year” awards. Also in 2009, Scott Paiva, a NBHS student, won 3rd place in the National Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge and had the opportunity to meet President Obama in the White House.

Contact: Cynthia Wallquist, Director, Department of Community Services
Phone: 508.979.4893
E-Mail: cynthia.wallquist@newbedford-ma.gov

Contact: Jane Jacobsen, NBHS Room B-279
Phone: 508.997.4511 X 2469
E-Mail: jjacobsen@newbedfordschools.org

Contact: Lynne LaBerge, NBHS Room B-281
Phone: 508.997.4511 X 2361
E-Mail: llaberge@newbedfordschools.org