If not a village, why not a neighborhood to raise a child?

Students from Xavier University spend time tutoring at Burton Elementary School. In foreground, Maggie Dietsch, 18, reads with J-Voni Freeman, 9. Rachel McCann, 19, works with Eric Cash, 10. Both children are fourth-graders. (Glenn Hartong photos) | ZOOM |

        That is the attitude around Burton Elementary School, 876 Glenwood Ave., Avondale, where education is a combination of staff, students, parents and neighborhood.

        The neighborhood initiative includes the Strong Family, Strong Children program at the Greater Cincinnati Urban League, which blends at the school with the Comer Model, which mobilizes adults to support student learning and overall development.

        “The Comer Model looks at the total child development,” said Burton Principal Phillip Wyly. “The basic components are academic achievement, attitudes and behaviors, and psychological adjustments.”

        The Urban League's program complements that model by bringing community resource coordinators to increase parental involvement in the school.

        Khalilah Slater Harrington, community resource coordinator for the Urban League, arranges for parent volunteers to sit with students and help with class work and talk about life skills.

        “I emphasize to them how important it is not to waste time,” said volunteer parent Patricia Snodgrass. “I let them know how important it is to get their education. Sometimes they relate personal problems to me. Being a part of this is helping me to deal more effectively with my own children.”

Community resource coordinator Khalilah Slater Harrington visits an eighth-grade math class last month at Burton. | ZOOM |

        Mrs. Snodgrass, of Avondale, is the mother of children ages 17, 16, 12, and 10.

        Several Xavier University students are also involved.

        Rachel McCann, 19, a special education major, said she is enjoying the program for the experience and the feeling that she is contributing.

        “I work specifically with the students on reading vocabulary and writing,” she said. “This is giving me experience, plus I feel I am contributing something to the children.”

        Massie Dietsch, 18, a biology major with a minor in education, said she sees much energy among the students.

        “It is really something to see their eyes light up when they get the right answer to a question,” she said.

        Meal time is also special. A parent sits at each table in the dining room. Table manners are stressed and conversation goes on between the adult and children.

        The league's Strong Family, Strong Children initiative was started in September. It also partners with Rockdale and South Avondale elementary schools.

        The Comer Model was developed by Yale professor James Comer and is directed at low-income children. He said low-income students usually start behind and fall further behind, and that it is impossible to separate children's home lives from their academic problems.

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