2014 -- S 2836

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LC004742

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2014

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S E N A T E   R E S O L U T I O N

CONGRATULATING THE CHILD OPPORTUNITY ZONE NETWORK ON THE

OCCASION OF ITS 20TH ANNIVERSARY

     Introduced By: Senators Gallo, Felag, Lombardi, Paiva Weed, and Metts

     Date Introduced: March 27, 2014

     Referred To: Recommended for Immediate Consideration

     WHEREAS, The Child Opportunity Zones (COZ), Rhode Island's community school

initiative, have been serving the children of the State of Rhode Island in ten districts across the

state: Bristol Warren, Central Falls, Cranston, Middletown, Newport, North Kingstown,

Pawtucket, Providence, Westerly and Woonsocket, for 20 years, supporting the whole child, their

families and teachers for the common goal of improving the academic success of our young

people; and

     WHEREAS, Annually, the COZ network impacts the lives of more than 36,000 students

through after-school, summer and youth development programs; expanded learning opportunities;

parent and family involvement; community engagement; early childhood initiatives; adult and

family literacy; health and mental health wellness, and outreach and referral for basic needs; and

     WHEREAS, Applying the national community school model, while uniquely designed to

respond to the needs of their individual students, the COZ network creates partnerships among

families, schools and the community to coordinate comprehensive academic, social and health

services for students and their families that result in improved educational outcomes for children;

and

     WHEREAS, Studies continue to show that student attendance is consistently better in a

community school environment; and further, research finds that community schools are a

promising strategy for improving student outcomes by leveraging community partnerships and

creating supportive environments at school, which is critical to developing academic motivation,

confidence, overall well-being and life-long success; and

     WHEREAS, As a result of the last two decades of success, the COZ network has

established a statewide partnership, the Rhode Island Partnership for Community Schools

(www.RIPCS.org), only the second statewide network in the nation, to support best practices and

encourage the use of the community school model for all students across our state; and

     WHEREAS, In supporting the work of the COZ network, the General Assembly assures

the growth of a stronger, healthier generation who will be ready to meet the demands of a rapidly

changing world and contribute in a positive way to our society; now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations

hereby recognizes and congratulates the Child Opportunity Zone network and its partners for the

past 20 years of unprecedented success for our children; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That this Senate hereby encourages superintendents and principals across

the state to promote the continued growth of the community school model for the benefit of all

Rhode Island students; and be it further

      RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to members of the Rhode Island Congressional

Delegation.

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