USF Institute for School-Community Partnerships

Edison Elementary Community School recently had a community market, selling produce students grew at their afterschool garden experience. Learn more about this unique opportunity here with this article from the Tampa Bay Times!
https://www.tampabay.com/news/education/2026/04/10/tampas-edison-elementary-its-harvest-season-school-garden/
https://www.hillsboroughschools.org/o/edison

Congratulations to Dr. Marquis Holley, Assistant Research Professor with the Institute! His article has just been published in the most recent edition of the journal International Forum of Teaching and Studies. Soul Sista, Bold Sista: An Exploration & Celebration of Black Joy Using Arts Based Research Methods

https://americanscholarspress.us/journals/IFST/pdf/IFOTS-1-2026/IFOTSv22n1-art3.pdf

WCAG is here!
The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) -- https://www.w3.org/WAI/standards-guidelines/wcag/-- provide the national standards for designing digital content so all learners can use it. These guidelines apply not only to major platforms but also to the everyday materials teachers share. New Department of Justice rules strengthen this expectation under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Public schools and universities will be required to meet WCAG 2.2 Level AA accessibility standards beginning in APRIL 2026, ensuring students with disabilities have full access to instructional materials. The encouraging news is that many accessibility tools are already built into the platforms educators use every day, making it easier than ever to design materials that work for everyone from the start.

Check out the latest news with the AT & UDL Newsletter! The current issue is designed to make accessibility simple, doable, and classroom-friendly. Sign up for FREE Quarterly Issues at https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/sl/4JBorNP/signupatudlnewsletter!

You can view previous editions at https://www.tlc-mtss.com/resources, and click on Newsletters.

Explore the PS/RtI Technology & Learning Connections (TLC) website for tools and resources to help prepare ALL students for college, career, and life. TLC is one of the institute's evidence-based practice projects. https://www.tlc-mtss.com/

It was great being at West Tampa Elementary (WTE) last week for their Community School Cabinet Meeting and Community Fair! WTE officially became a Community School this year, and we’re excited to strengthen our partnership to support students and families. A special shoutout to Dr. Kahlila Lawrence, USF School Psychology faculty, and her graduate students for their on-site work with WTE students.

Fun fact: This isn’t USF’s first collaboration with WTE. Three years ago, Adjunct Instructor Kim Bryant from USF St. Petersburg worked with Principal Kastner to design the vibrant school logo used today! 👉https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dxyh7DJPPek

Proud to represent our work last week at the Education in Action annual event with the USF College of Education! It was a great opportunity to share our mission, connect with community leaders, and highlight the impactful work happening across our initiatives.

We are proud to announce that Whitney "JP" Jean-Pierre, MEd, and Dustin Krein, EdD, of our University-Assisted Community School initiative have been invited to present this year at the 2026 National Community Schools and Family Engagement Conference in Long Beach, California! The title of their presentation is "From Campus to Community: How Universities Support Community Schools." It will be a 90-minute interactive workshop that explores how USF serves as a strategic partner and anchors the institution with community schools in Tampa Bay and Hillsborough County Public Schools.

We are so grateful for our partnership with Dr. Adriana Jacob Carneiro and her Integrated Public Relations & Advertising course at the USF Zimmerman School of Advertising & Mass Communications! 🤝

This semester, her talented students will be working alongside Temple Terrace Elementary, A Community School, developing fresh communication strategies and recommendations to strengthen their community connections.

We can't wait to see the creativity and insight they bring! 💛💚🤘

At Sulphur Springs PK-8 Community Partnership School, USF School Psychology doctoral students Reagan Boera and Anh-Linh Duong provide support to students and families with food pantry go‑bags weekly on Fridays. Huge thanks to Reagan and Anh-Linh for their continued engagement with our local community! 👏👏👏

A+ Teacher supports students and their families!

Learn about Jennifer Rodriguez, Community Resource Teacher at Marshall Middle Magnet IB World Community School a partner school with the institute. https://baynews9.com/fl/tampa/news/2025/12/02/a--teacher-supports-students-and-their-families-