At Gossler Park Elementary School, the 2024-2025 school year has kicked off with enthusiasm, thanks to the tireless efforts of Community Schools Facilitator Angela Leach. Leach has been pivotal in creating a welcoming and supportive environment for students, teachers, and families alike. From coordinating with local organizations to enhancing family engagement, she has focused on fostering a community-driven atmosphere.
One of the exciting highlights this year has been the ongoing partnership with the SEE Science Center, which has brought hands-on STEM demonstrations to students. This collaboration, integrated into the school’s STEM special, will continue throughout the year. Students are not only experiencing science in the classroom but have also taken field trips to the Science Center, expanding their exposure to interactive learning experiences.
As the school remains bustling with activity, Angela has stepped in to support wherever she’s needed. From assisting with dismissals, helping with lunch and teacher duties, and ensuring a smooth day-to-day flow, she is committed to making sure the school operates efficiently.
A cornerstone of her work has been positive family engagement, a key focus at Gossler Park. Angela has initiated coffee and doughnut sessions that provide a casual setting for parents to meet and discuss their children’s education. These gatherings have already proven successful, resulting in new volunteers joining the Parent-Teacher Association (PTA). Additionally, Angela created a survey to understand the best times for future family engagement events, which yielded a 74% interest in Positive Parenting sessions. In response, a series of sessions will be held in the coming months to meet the needs of the community.
Health and wellness are also top priorities for Angela, who is collaborating with Amoskeag Health to assist with student eye care. Referrals from nurse screenings have connected students with much-needed vision services. Another community partnership with the International Institute of New England is helping non-English-speaking parents by offering bilingual English classes, further strengthening ties with families of diverse backgrounds.
In addition to these initiatives, Angela has played a critical role in the operation of Gossler Park’s food pantry. The pantry serves an average of 32 families every two weeks, providing essential items such as meat, bread, milk, eggs, and produce. Angela is currently overseeing the acquisition of a new refrigerator to improve the pantry’s services, ensuring more families have access to nutritious food. She is also addressing a common challenge many teachers face: students coming to school without snacks. By coordinating donations and purchases, Angela is helping to alleviate the burden often placed on teachers to provide snacks for their classrooms. “You don’t realize how much a pack of snacks impacts our school,” she explained.
Looking ahead, Angela is already preparing for the holiday season by organizing the school’s annual Giving Tree initiative. With many families experiencing financial strain this year, this effort will help provide gifts and support to those in need during the holidays.
Angela’s focus on attendance has also been paying off, with the school maintaining an impressive 95% or higher attendance rate so far this year. She recently introduced Attendance Awards, and 10 students have been recognized for their significant improvement compared to last year. These awards not only acknowledge individual efforts but also reinforce the importance of regular attendance in academic success.
As Angela Leach reflects on the school year’s promising start, she expresses her excitement about engaging more parents in the school community. “I am excited about parent engagement and getting parents involved in the school,” she said. Her dedication and holistic approach continue to make a positive impact, ensuring that Gossler Park Elementary is not only a place of learning but also a hub for community connection and support.
