1. Clinton's Kids, Their Futures; How Should We Educate and Support Them? Saturday, March 10, 2012 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Eliot Middle School

2. Purpose of Community Conversation To produce an open, unbiased and non-threatening conversation that examines public views to identify common ground for action on important issues in education.

3. Community Conversations about education provide opportunities:  For people from diverse backgrounds to speak openly in a safe environment  To clarify personal views on important educational issues through dialog and discussion  To help find common ground for action amongst participants who may approach issues with different perspectives  To support participants as they explore differences in opinions

4. Today’s Agenda 9:00 Registration and Breakfast 9:30 Introduction and Explanation of Process 10:00 Small Group Discussions 11:45 Return to WHOLE Group 12:45 Wrap-Up

5. Overarching GOAL of Community Conversation:  Promote rich and productive discussion

6. APPROACHES  Are conversation starters  Stimulate participants to sort through what is most important to them  Enhance the quality of the discussion

7. Our Question Clinton's Kids, Their Futures; How Should We Educate and Support Them?

8. Approaches 1. Schools provide a quality education that prepares all of our students for success in the future. 2. Parents support their children’s education and learning. 3. The community provides a foundation in supporting our children’s preparation for the future.

9. Approach 1: Schools provide a quality education that prepares all of our students for success in the future  A rigorous and challenging curriculum for all  Ready for college and career  Develop skills that will help students to be independent and collaborative learners  Provide technology opportunities

10. Approach 2: Parents support their children’s education and learning  Parents provide resources for their children.  Parents monitor their children’s homework and performance.  Parents are involved as members of parent-school support groups.  Parents extend learning experiences.

11. Approach 3: The community provides a foundation in supporting our children’s preparation for the future.  Financial support  Mentoring/internship experiences  Community-sponsored activities  Connected experiences

12. THANK YOU  Early Childhood Council  Best Beginnings  Middlesex United Way  Henry Carter Hull Library  Clinton Public Schools  William Caspar Graustein Memorial Fund  Community Mediation, Inc.