Buffalo City School District Community Resource
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Buffalo City School District Community Resource Guide Multilingual Education Department BUFFALO PUBLIC SCHOOLS 2016 - 2017 BOARD OF EDUCATION Dr. Barbara A. Seals Nevergold President and Member-at-Large Sharon Belton-Cottman VP of Executive Affairs and Ferry District Member Dr. Theresa A. Harris-Tigg Vice President Student Achievement and East District Member Patricia Pierce Member-at-Large Lawrence Quinn Member-at-Large Hope Jay North District Member Jennifer L. Mecozzi West District Member Vacant Park District Paulette Woods Central District Member Dr. Kriner Cash Superintendent Anne Botticelli Chief Academic Officer Nadia Nashir Assistant Superintendent of Multilingual Education Department Jenna Colerick Supervisor of English Language Learner Services Purpose: The purpose of this publication is to provide educators within the Buffalo Public Schools the knowledge of resources within our community in order to best support and inform our students and families. Considerations: This is a working document. If you have additional information that should be included please contact Jenna Colerick @ [email protected] or 716-816-3712. Similarly, if you notice any inaccuracies we would appreciate the sharing of that information as well. TABLE OF CONTENTS I. BCSD Services – Internal Resources II. After School Resources III. Crisis Services IV. Daily Living V. Dental VI. Education VII. Grief & Loss VIII. Housing IX. Legal Support X. LGBTQ Community XI. Medical XII. Mental Health Issues XIII. Mentoring Programs XIV. Parenting XV. Refugee Resettlement XVI. Substance Abuse XVII. Violence I. Internal Resources We recognize that there are many services within the Buffalo Public Schools, and those resources will continue to expand. We will update this list periodically. Please visit our department webpage for the most up-to-date version. Central Registration Address: 33 Ash Street Buffalo, NY 14204 Phone: 816-3717 Office of Family Engagement Phone: 816-3170 or 816-4751 Transportation Address: 105 Bailey Ave. Buffalo, NY Phone: 816-4895 Food Services Address: 1055 E. Delevan Ave. Phone: 716.816.3688 Crisis Support & Response Team (BCSD) The Crisis Prevention and Response Team (CPRT) is available to assist schools in creating safe environments. The role of the CPRT is to provide both prevention and intervention services that meet the social, emotional, and mental health needs of the students and their families, while supporting schools and communities in the process. Their office is located at OTC #42. Prevention services include: Mental health education and suicide prevention. Intervention services include crisis intervention, lethality assessments and grief counseling. Assistance is also available for mental health and behavioral concerns with students. A variety of resources on these topics are available from the CPRT office as well as linkages and referrals to community agencies. Address: TBD. Phone: TBD Say Yes Support ● Every school within the BCSD has access to Say Yes student and family support services. A majority of these services are directly in the school buildings. College and Financial Aid Application Supports ● Free services are available to students who are interested in applying to college and financial aid. Services are available in every public high school building. Contact the building’s Family Support Specialist for more information or call the Say Yes Scholarship Office at 716-247-5310 Health Care ● Some schools have in-school health clinics operated by Kaleida or Catholic Health that provide students with basic health care needs. A new Mobile Health Clinic will be available to other schools who do not have an on-site clinic. Legal Advice ● Free legal advice is available to all Buffalo Public School students and families on all non- criminal legal matters year-round. Clinics are open 3:30-5:30 on Mondays at school #18, Tuesdays at school #206, Wednesdays at school #54, and Thursdays at school #307 when school is in session. Additionally legal services are available at the BPS Adult Education Center (389 Virginia Street) on Wednesdays from 12:00-2:00p.m. on days when school is in session. Mental Health Services ● Mental health counseling is available to students within their school buildings to address those issues preventing them from being successful at school. Services are provided by licensed clinical mental health professionals and are billed to the students’ health insurance. Social Services ● Say Yes Buffalo school-based staff, called Family Support Specialists are located at every Buffalo School. To learn more about BPS offerings visit the district’s webpage at www.buffaloschools.org I. Afterschool Programs: There are many after school programs/extended learning opportunities happening directly within Buffalo Public Schools. For additional information on offerings, please contact the administrator of the specific school or the Director of Extended Learning, Ms. Kai Lewis, at 816. A. Focused Learning for Youth Program (FLY) FLY (Focused Learning for Youth) Program was designed to meet the specific needs of refugee middle and high school students on the West Side of Buffalo. FLY students are from various African and Asian countries, including Somalia, Rwanda, Burundi, Ethiopia, Iraq, Nepal, and Burma. As Students with Interrupted Formal Education (SIFE) and English Language Learners (ELLs), refugee students play an endless game of academic catch-up. Without outside assistance, many would be lost in a new school system, in a language that is unfamiliar to them, and with new ‘cultural rules.’ With a low student to staff ratio, academic support is provided that helps students overcome many of the barriers that they face. The program is conducted in English, allowing our kids to grow in their ability to converse, write and read in this language. One-on-one homework help is provided for all academic subjects. There are also book clubs that work at the level of each student to increase their comfort and love of reading. It is a structured atmosphere that provides age appropriate rewards for pro-social behaviors. Volunteers are welcome! Location: Program located at Lafayette High School Hours: Monday-Thursday 2:30-5:45, October-June Phone: 716-828-8692 Website: (www.jrchc.org B. Buffalo Center for Arts and Technology They are honored to serve Buffalo Public School teens currently attending Bennett, Burgard, East High Schools and the Health Sciences Charter School. At BCAT, students will make new friends and learn new music, art and design skills. The students stay engaged throughout their academic journey and, inspired by their experiences, remain in school and build expectations for a future beyond high school. They collaborate with renowned artists and top arts organizations to ensure their students have access to the best design and media training to prepare them for the many pathways that await them after high school. Their Digital Media Studio, Fine Arts Studio and Music Studio offer cutting-edge courses in digital photography, musical arts, poetry, spoken word, mural art, portraiture, collage, still-life painting, audio/video production and more. Classes meet twice a week from school dismissal to 6:00 p.m., with a nutritious meal provided upon arrival. Students who attend our four core programs will receive bus transportation to the BCAT facility as needed. In addition to learning the latest in media technology, music and design, students will have the opportunity to participate in student exhibitions, festivals and field trips, and can receive tutoring, homework and college prep assistance when needed. For more information about our Youth Arts Program or to schedule a tour, please call them at 716/259-1680 or visit their website at www.buffaloartstechcenter.org Location: 1221 Main Street (located in the Artspace Building), Buffalo, N.Y. 14209 Hours of Operation Monday: 9:00 am – 6:00 pm Tuesday – Thursday: 9:00 am – 7:00 pm Friday: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm Saturday: By Appointment Only C. Community Academic Organization NURTURE Academy (Neighborhoods United for Restoration Upliftment Recreation and Education) The goal of this afterschool program is to improve the academic performance of school aged youth. The program's foundation is centered on four key clubs: Reading, Culture, Debate and Drama. Students are also provided with character education, arts & crafts, and recreational activities that assist in their social development. Serves youth in grades K-8. http://www.caoec.org/html/youth.html Please apply at the location of your choice. Free. 3 Locations: Edward Saunders Community Center 2777 Bailey Avenue Buffalo, NY 14215 Phone: (716) 332-4381 Pratt Willert Community Center 422 Pratt St. Buffalo, NY 14204 Phone: (716) 852-1671 JFK Community Center 422 Pratt St Buffalo, NY 14204 Phone: (716) 332-4554 Hours: Dismissal from School until 6:30 September-June D. Energy After school Literacy Program for Refugees and ESL students A typical day begins when students are bused from their homes to Westminster Church. They gather in the dining room and are served a warm, family style meal which is prepared by volunteer cooks. After the meal, 20-30 minutes are dedicated to reading before homework begins. Reading stories to or with the children guarantees that they are intentionally immersed in language. Homework support comes in many forms at ENERGY. The volunteer to student ratio is on a one- to-one basis or one-to-two basis. Computers and tablets are also available, to enhance and reinforce student learning. ENERGY