• Community School Council Meetings
• Afterschool Program
  • This is your regular, daily after school program/partner 
  • Contributions include in-kind resources (cost of the services provided), and might include volunteer hours on some occasions 
• Afterschool clubs
  • This might be in addition to your afterschool programming. Clubs might include science/STEM club, gardening club, photography club, etc. 
  • Contributions likely include volunteer hours and in-kind resources, but also might be supported by a grant or donation 
• Family nights
  • These might be events or activities with a particular aim of engaging families in the academic lives of their children. Some examples might include Homework Diner where teachers, caregivers, and students meet at the school to engage in homework support and share a meal together. 
  • Contributions likely include volunteer hours, in-kind resources (food, supplies, school materials), and might be connected to a grant or donation for general support.
    • Be sure to remember to include planning efforts! 
    • If there are additional supports available to families, such as counsel from the local immigration law clinic, you can include those hours as in-kind resources and include the full rate of legal services (hourly rate x number of hours). 
• School Garden (or other school beautification efforts)
  • Spaces such as these intend to make the community school itself more welcoming and inclusive of students, families, and community members. Besides a garden, beautification efforts might be murals, rock gardens, picnic areas, etc. 
  • Contributions likely include volunteer hours, in-kind resources (supplies donated to make these spaces possible), or might be supported from a grant or donation.
    • Be sure to remember to include planning efforts! 
• Parent Workshops
  • These might be ongoing activities or occasional events at the school. Depending on the content, the benefit might vary in its total amount. Might also include adult GED classes, adult ESL classes, continuing education, etc. 
  • Contributions likely include volunteer hours (conducting the workshop or perhaps offering babysitting services), in-kind resources (the cost of these services normally delivered as well as food/supplies to make the event possible), and grants or donations to make this possible.
    • Be sure to remember to include planning efforts! 
• Food Pantry
  • These are large benefits to community schools, and by working with the local food pantry, you can enter the estimated cost of food/baskets that are provided. 
  • Contributions include in-kind resources (the cost of the food as well as other resources that make the distribution possible!), volunteer hours to staff the pantry, and might include grants/donations that further support this effort.
    • Be sure to remember to include planning efforts! 
• Holiday Events
  • Events related to important calendar/holidays for the school and community (such as winter holiday food drive)
  • Contributions likely include in-kind resources (cost of food and other items distributed, cost of transportation of items if relevant), volunteer hours to support the event and distribution of items, and grants and donations for general support
    • Be sure to remember to include planning efforts! 
• Clothing Bank
  • These are large benefits to community schools, and in working with the local partner, you can enter the cost of the clothes that are provided 
  • Contributions include in-kind resources (cost of the clothes, and other items if appropriate such as necessary supplies/materials to create the closet), volunteer hours to distribute the clothes, and other donations/grants for general support.
    • Be sure to remember to include planning efforts! 
• Tutoring/Academic Supports

• Salary: Full loaded salary to include benefits. This is typically an expense your administrator can provide for you to include in the App 
• Travel: Examples might include travel expenses related to National Community School Conference (CSxFE) but might also include travel to other conferences such as AVID or local events 
• Supplies: These are supplies directly related to the position of the coordinator, such as a computer or other necessary supplies used by a coordinator to support this role 
• Stipend: Stipends paid to coordinators to support professional development and training 
• Education: The cost of additional courses or professional development offered to coordinators that further/deepen their role (can request what the cost of the professional development would be if offered elsewhere)

The following types of stories might support you in thinking about various stories to enter into the ROI App:

• Nature of our challenge: This story type explains the core problem or obstacle that you or your school faces. It sets the stage by detailing the context, stakes, and the adversity that necessitated action. The narrative should make clear why the challenge matters and how it impacts your community.
  • Questions to Ask Yourself:
    • What is the specific challenge we are facing?
    • Why is this challenge significant to us and our audience?
    • What factors (external or internal) contribute to this challenge?
    • How does this obstacle create urgency or a need for change?
• How we got started: The “origin story” captures the inception of an idea, venture, or movement. It traces the beginnings, including the initial spark of inspiration, the motivations behind starting out, and the early struggles or successes that defined your path. This narrative builds connection by showing authenticity and passion at the outset.
  • Questions to Ask Yourself:
    • What inspired us to start this journey?
    • What were the initial challenges or opportunities we encountered?
    • How did our early experiences shape our community school strategy?
    • Who were the key people and partners involved in our beginnings, and what roles did they play?
• Performance: A performance story highlights achievements, measurable outcomes, and the effectiveness of your efforts. It’s a celebration of results—whether through data, testimonials, awards, or milestones—that demonstrates your competence and the value you deliver.
  • Questions to Ask Yourself:
    • What key achievements or milestones can we showcase?
    • Which performance metrics or success stories best illustrate our impact?
    • How do our results compare with our goals for our school, for our Hub Strategy, for our district?
    • What stories of individual or team excellence can we highlight?
• Where we’re going: This forward-looking narrative outlines your vision and the path ahead. It conveys ambition, future goals, and strategic plans while inspiring confidence and excitement about what’s coming next. It connects the present with a promising future for community schools.
  • Questions to Ask Yourself:
    • What is our vision for the future of our community school?
    • Which upcoming initiatives or projects demonstrate our forward momentum?
    • How will we overcome future challenges?
    • What milestones or goals will signal our progress along this path?
• Emblematic success: Emblematic success stories focus on standout moments or achievements that perfectly embody your values, mission, or the transformative impact your community school aims to have. These stories serve as powerful symbols of what’s possible for community schools and are often used to inspire and validate your overall narrative.
  • Questions to Ask Yourself:
    • What is one success story that truly encapsulates who we are?
    • How does this particular achievement reflect our core values and mission?
    • What made this success especially meaningful or symbolic?
    • How can this story inspire others to believe in our potential?
• Striving to improve: This type of story emphasizes growth, learning, and a commitment to continuous improvement of community schools. It’s an honest narrative that recognizes past shortcomings or challenges and outlines how these lessons are fueling future enhancements and innovation.