How Your Schools Can Benefit From The Bright Futures Framework Presenters: Carrie Booker, Poplar Bluff, MO Mindy Hicks, Berryville, AR Barb Lake, Neosho, MO Tracie Skaggs, Carl Junction, MO

What do we do? Students have a need…what is the natural response for educators? Open discussion, turn and talk to your neighbor

Why do educators do it? Because it’s what we do… Educators are natural

Why utilize Bright Futures? Our vision is to inspire community partnerships that open a way for all children to learn, lead and serve to their full potential now and in the future. 

Why utilize Bright Futures? Our framework brings together businesses, human service agencies, faith-based organizations, parent groups and individuals in an effort to create lasting connections to help all kids succeed.

Bright Futures Framework Synergy - the interaction or cooperation of two or more organizations, substances, or other agents to produce a combined effect greater than the sum of their separate effects.

Educators Can (and will) Do It! Educators will: provide a snack “pass the hat” to collect for a student’s need buy a pair of shoes or other clothing item They find ways to triage their students to ensure that they are taken care of, every day. Barb, can you send me a picture for this slide? Like the duct taped shoe?

Bright Futures Framework By engaging the community, we can create a learning atmosphere that enables students and teachers to focus on education and achieving success.

Bright Futures Framework Bright Futures USA operates under the belief that when communities invest their time, talent, and treasure in their schools, students are more likely to stay in school through graduation, have a higher degree of self-worth and confidence, and set and reach goals for the future. In turn, these students grow up to be better neighbors, quality employees, and impactful leaders in their communities.

Helping Educators to Help Students When teachers know there are resources that can be used and know where to go for those resources, the teacher can get back to the business of teaching.

How Your School Can Benefit… What needs do you have in your schools? Who is the Bright Futures contact in your school? Stay in contact with them Submit needs through your contact Most coordinators have access to resources or to the people who have them.

How Your School Can Benefit… Most Likely your needs can be addressed through Bright Futures. What resources exist? What is the process to access the resources or to meet a student’s needs? If the work is spread around, the tasks become much smaller. Tracie’s Story: I have a story about how a family with 8 children was displaced due to a flood. The children were in different schools and they had lost everything, including 5 school-owned Chromebooks. One report to BF and all of the children and parents were hooked up with resources to meet their needs rather than 3 different schools working independently to help the family.

Recognizing Resources Don’t limit yourself! Ask… Most likely your community already has what you need, or is willing to get it for you. Again, many needs can be filled with resources already made available. Your coordinator likely has a set approach to reach out for additional needs. Let the Bright Futures program work for you and with you. Most of the work and the research is already complete.

Know Your DNA Relationships Leadership Culture Traditions Local Economy Workforce Demands Values Needs Resources History Politics etcetera

Bright Futures Framework comes Full Circle Work with your community’s Time, Talents and Treasures for a positive change in your schools. If we have time, I would be happy to talk about Service Learning and teaching our students to give to their community. That is how it comes full circle. Time, Talent & Treasure = Explosive Engagement

Questions? How can we help you benefit from your Bright Futures resources?