Community Schools
Access to constructive and intellectually stimulating learning environments is essential for all students. The right educational setting guides and motivates students to reach their potential. Downey Unified School District exemplifies this through its positive academic atmosphere, secure facilities, and dedicated faculty. By enhancing academic standards and educational programs, we strive to provide exceptional learning experiences, recognizing that Our Kids Deserve the Best!
Community Schools emphasize a Whole Child approach, enhancing parent engagement, providing academic support, and strengthening connections between families, schools, and communities. This initiative aims to improve family health and build resilient communities.
Our Goals
The goal of the Community Schools initiative is to benefit every student and their family across a variety of areas, including academic performance, social and emotional well-being, mental health, basic needs, economic prosperity, and general well-being. The Community Schools initiative aims to support every student and their family in various areas, including academic performance, social and emotional well-being, mental health, basic needs, economic prosperity, and overall well-being.
Our mission is to:
- Enhance school-community relationships to improve attendance and behavior.
- Strengthen school-home connections to ensure student success.
- Boost communication, collaboration, and connection among school administration, staff, and district.
- Provide consultation, capacity building, and translation/interpretation services.
- Forge partnerships to enhance academics and extracurricular activities.
- Ensure on-site access to essential services and support for all.
- Expand access to community resources, including adult ESL classes, health and social services, financial literacy, housing, employment assistance, and more!
Would you like to participate?
Learn how you can be a part of the advisory council and sign up to be part of our community.
School Site Implementation Plans
Setting Our Students Up for Success Academically and Mentally
Our Wellness Centers offer students a mental health one-stop-shop where they have access to counseling, clinical therapy, community resource referrals and more. Our professionals provide a wide variety of services and programs to address overcoming life’s obstacles.
All students are encouraged to utilize the Wellness Centers. Students can access its resources by visiting a center and scheduling an appointment. Our Trained Academic Counselors will also help identify students who may benefit from our services.
The FACE of Our Program
A variety of participants must collaborate to ensure the success of this model. Key contributors include school administrators, teachers, support staff, counselors, community partners and agencies, parents and caregivers, students, and others who play essential roles in promoting student success and overall well-being. To implement the Community Schools model, each school will be assigned a shared Family and Community Engagement (FACE) Specialist as well as a dedicated Liaison.
Jessenia Velasco
Family & Community Engagement Specialist
Serving Alameda, Gauldin, Columbus/Woodruff
(562) 469-6614
jevelasco@dusd.net
Valerie Castellanos
Family & Community Engagement Specialist
Serving Sussman, Ward, and Williams
(562) 469–6611
vcastellanos@dusd.net
Meet Your FACE Liaison Community:
Upcoming Events
Program News & Announcements
Free and Reduced-Price School Meals: Apply Now!
Your child could qualify for free or reduced-price school meals. Applications are now open, find out how to apply.
Food Distribution for DUSD Students
Meal Distribution for the 2020-2021 school year begins on Wednesday, August 12. Please read through the information for our fall distribution as it differs from the spring/summer information. There are a total of 15 sites that will be participating in...
FBI Safety Tips
Each year parents are encouraged to remind their students about safety for walking to and from school. These tips were provided by the FBI.
Wellness Resources
For Students
For Parents
