At Maree G. Farring Elementary/Middle School, Community School Coordinator Ms. Kendra Summers is making a big impact. By supporting families with health and wellness needs, she has helped reduce student absenteeism by 18% in just one year.
Ms. Summers goes beyond her role in the school building. She has organized asthma education sessions, given out inhaler spacers, and even hosted a back-to-school immunization clinic. These efforts made it possible for dozens of students to stay healthy and ready to learn instead of missing class.
Her work shows the power of strong school–family partnerships. By connecting families to the care and resources they need, Ms. Summers makes sure that students can focus on what’s most important—learning, growing, and achieving their goals.
As part of a citywide effort, Ms. Summers and other coordinators are now training as community health workers to bring even more support directly into schools. Thanks to her dedication, Maree G. Farring students and families know they are not alone on their journey to success.