The Advisory Board of Bright Futures Trenton recently met to make plans for their community kickoff event being held in late October.
Bright Futures is a framework of support and communication that allows communities and schools to identify student needs and match those needs with resources in the community. When students’ basic needs are met, they are better able to focus on education and achievement. When kids succeed, communities flourish.
In addition to matching needs to existing resources, Bright Futures promotes service learning through relationships it builds with the community. Students and families learn through positive role models how and why they should give back, creating better neighbors, employees, and future community leaders. The beliefs and goals of Bright Futures line up well with the Trenton R-9 School District’s mission statement–Developing Capable, Contributing, Caring Citizens.
Bright Futures 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. Many great resources already exist to meet student needs in Trenton. The Bright Futures framework will help us be smarter with what we have. It will bring together businesses, human service agencies, faith-based organizations and parent groups to partner with the schools to meet needs and help students achieve success.
A local steering committee made a proposal for affiliation with Bright Futures USA to the Trenton R-9 Board of Education at their April 2017 board meeting. The affiliation was approved. Steering committee members are Brooklyn Stevens, Terri Critten, Doug Franklin, Leslie Woodard, Jennie Boon, and Dan Wiebers.
Advisory Board members are Doug Franklin-Chair, Shana Norris–Vice-Chair, Dan Wiebers-Treasurer, Chasidy Boman-Secretary, John Holcomb, Chris Hoffman, Leslie Woodard, Lucinda Dolan, Cara McClellan, Josie Baugher, Del Weyer, Alicia Kidd, and Joe Brinser.
Terri Critten, elementary counselor, is serving as coordinator and Kay Moore, retired high school counselor, is serving as assistant coordinator. District principals, Jennie Boon, Daniel Gott, and Ron Franklin have been active in planning and implementing Bright Futures Trenton.
A website and Facebook page are being developed at Trenton.brightfuturesusa.org to take a look at the new website. Like us on Facebook at Bright Futures Trenton.
