Students, families, teachers, and staff naturally come to mind when you think of a school’s community. At Distinctive Schools and the eight Chicago International Charter School (CICS) campuses we manage, our definition of community extends far beyond our school walls. Our campuses operate as Community Hubs, building partnerships with families and local organizations in order to connect our communities with the kind of deep care and resources necessary to fulfill the whole child. From elected officials and faith-based organizations to community leaders and local businesses, we know that true collaboration drives tangible, positive outcomes for our students. Thank you to Chicago International Charter School (CICS) CEO Beth Purvis and others for joining us, as well!
This past September, CICS Lloyd Bond, CICS Loomis, CICS Longwood Elementary, CICS Longwood High School, and CICS Prairie gathered for our South Side Faith & Community Leaders Breakfast. This morning was dedicated to deepening existing partnerships and sparking new ones. As Distinctive Schools board member Jim Flavin shared in his opening remarks, “Educating a child requires nurturing their whole well-being: academically, emotionally, and socially. When we come together in genuine connection, every student can be seen, heard, and supported.”
That spirit of connection was established from the moment guests arrived on campus. Welcomed warmly by CICS Longwood Elementary students, guests were guided to the library while engaging in conversations with our students along the way. The gathering offered school and community leaders space to highlight their ongoing work and uncover new means of collaboration. Most meaningfully, CICS Longwood High School students took center stage during a panel moderated by 11th-grader Kai’lel, sharing their perspectives on what community means to them as CICS Longwood High School Panthers.
During the panel, our students defined community as an immediate sense of belonging and familial support, where Panther Pride means mutual investment in each other's success. As 10th-grader Atavia eloquently shared: "Panther Pride and community means knowing that you are there for somebody because you want them to succeed in life." Building on this sense of care, 10th-grader Daniel highlighted the need for mentorship and dedicated emotional support spaces for students navigating challenges outside of school. Looking toward their futures, 9th-grader Sirrus, Kai'lel, and 12th-grader Alaina emphasized how local partnerships can expand horizons through internships and specialized electives. "I want to learn more about psychology but we don't have a class for that yet. That's where internships and partnerships can really help," explained Alaina. Together, their reflections demonstrate how community partners can step up to provide both holistic support and real-world opportunities for young learners.
Our school Community Hubs are built to remove out-of-school barriers to learning, fostering safe spaces and trusting relationships for students and families alike. Achieving this requires active partnership with our neighbors. By welcoming parents and community members to read with students, mentor youth, or support school programming, we cultivate lasting bonds of trust and shared investment. Surrounding our students with positive guidance and care creates a strong foundation where every student can flourish.
If you’re interested in becoming a community partner, reach out to Karin Breo, Director of Partnerships & Community Hubs, today!