This resolution designates the week of September 14 through September 20, 2025, as "Community School Coordinators Appreciation Week" to recognize the essential role these individuals play in student and community success.
Chris Van Hollen
Senator
MD
This resolution officially designates the week of September 14 through September 20, 2025, as "Community School Coordinators Appreciation Week." It recognizes the vital role community school coordinators play in linking school and community resources to improve student outcomes and neighborhood success. The designation aims to celebrate these essential professionals and raise public awareness of their critical contributions.
New Resolution Designates September 14–20, 2025, as 'Community School Coordinators Appreciation Week'
This resolution is short, sweet, and focused on giving credit where credit is due. It officially designates the week of September 14 through September 20, 2025, as "Community School Coordinators Appreciation Week." The core purpose is to formally recognize the critical role these coordinators play in making community schools work, highlighting their impact on students and the wider neighborhood.
The People Who Make Schools Work
If you’ve ever heard of a "community school," you know it’s not just about textbooks and homework. It’s the school acting as a hub, connecting students and families with health services, tutoring, mental health support, and even job training. This resolution points out that these comprehensive models are already recognized in federal law (Section 4625 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965) because they actually deliver results: better attendance, higher graduation rates, and a real shot at closing achievement gaps.
The ROI on Coordination
Who is the secret sauce in this model? The community school coordinator. Think of them as the project manager, social worker, and partnership broker rolled into one. They are the person who builds the bridge between the school building and the local food bank, the health clinic, or the after-school program. The resolution specifically cites studies showing that for every dollar invested in these community school efforts, the social return can be significant—sometimes $10 to $15 back over three years. For regular folks, this means fewer kids falling through the cracks, less stress on working parents who need accessible services, and a stronger local support network.
Why the Formal Shout-Out Matters
While this resolution is purely ceremonial—it doesn't allocate funding or change regulations—it serves an important purpose: awareness. By setting aside the week in September 2025, the Senate encourages students, parents, school administrators, and public officials to participate in events celebrating these coordinators. For the average parent, this is a chance to learn exactly who is providing those extra supports that keep their kid healthy and focused, and maybe give them a much-deserved thank you. It’s a formal nod to the essential, often invisible, work that keeps our neighborhood schools functioning as true community centers.