El Paso School District looks to expand “community schools”

Making sure kids are taken care of, even after the bell rings. It’s an initiative called community schools. It’s already taken over four schools in the borderland, and soon more could be coming.

El Paso School District Superintendent Juan Cabrera says the initiative is so children can concentrate once class is in session.

He says the district is teaming up with non-profit organizations and allowing them to help children inside their doors, after school.

“You know many non-profits have offices all over the city,” Cabrera said. “We’ll give them free space in our under-capacity schools so that parents have access to non-profits that can help them and our families.”

President of American Federation of Teachers Randi Weingarten spoke about the importance of the schools at a news conference Saturday.

“People of goodwill and good intentions and good ideas are working together to help kids in making a difference and that is what community schools is all about.”

Right now Bowie High School, Guillen Middle School, Hart Elementary and Zavala Elementary School are are considered community schools.

Cabrera says he’s looking to expand the initiative to the east side.

He says right now the cost is minimal because they don’t have to pay for the non-profits to set up shop. He says the district did pay for a few employees to run the program and train teachers.