As of December 31, 2025, the Full-Service Community School Strategy (FSCS) serving Abingdon-Avon District #276 has concluded following the indefinite loss of grant funding. The strategy was designed to invest up to $5 million over five years to strengthen student supports, school climate, and community partnerships. After nearly two years of implementation, the work has ended earlier than planned. Through this strategy, Abingdon-Avon Middle and High School became community hubs where students and families could access not only education, but also the supports needed to thrive at home, in school, and in the community.
Regional Office of Education #33 partnered with Act Now to implement the Full-Service Community School Strategy at Abingdon-Avon Middle School (AAMS) and Abingdon-Avon High School (AAHS). Through this partnership, ROE #33 hired two Full-Service Community School Coordinators within the School and Family Engagement Program and conducted a comprehensive, community-wide Asset and Needs Assessment (ANA). The assessment engaged students, families, staff, and community members to identify priorities and guide implementation.
The ANA revealed several key community priorities: strengthening school climate and culture, enhancing school safety, addressing food, clothing, and hygiene insecurity, expanding access to mental health supports and transportation, and increasing opportunities for students to explore career pathways. All FSCS initiatives were designed and implemented in direct response to this community feedback.
One of the most impactful outcomes of the FSCS work was the establishment of Food, Clothing, and Hygiene Pantries at both AAMS and AAHS. These pantries provided families with access to food, clothing, and essential hygiene items in ways that were dignified, flexible, and responsive to individual needs.
At AAMS, the pantry distributed weekend food bags, food boxes, and supplemental nutrition to hundreds of students and families throughout the year. The site partnered with Midwest Food Bank, River Bend Food Bank, local churches, and community members to provide ongoing food and “needs boxes,” serving hundreds of children and an average of more than 20 families per month.
At AAHS, the pantry opened in May, expanding to include in-school snacks, essential items, and discreet take-home bags. Between August and December, students accessed the pantry more than 1,500 times. Coordinators provided weekly communication with students and staff, regular home deliveries for families facing transportation barriers, and ongoing outreach to ensure families felt comfortable seeking support.
FSCS addressed barriers to learning by ensuring students and families had access to food, clothing, hygiene items, mental-health support, transportation, and referrals to community agencies. By meeting basic needs and providing wraparound supports, students were better able to attend school consistently, engage in learning, and feel supported both in and out of the classroom.
School safety and student attendance were also identified as top priorities through the Asset and Needs Assessment. In response, the Full-Service Community School Strategy supported efforts to strengthen safety, stability, and access for students across the district. This included supporting the continued presence of a School Resource Officer (SRO) at the high school to enhance relationship-building, preventative support, and overall school safety. FSCS also funded the use of two vehicles purchased by the District dedicated to student transportation and family outreach, helping reduce attendance barriers by providing reliable access to school, programs, and essential services when transportation challenges existed.
Student-driven clubs, enrichment programs, assemblies, and after-school activities created meaningful opportunities for students beyond the traditional school day. These initiatives helped increase student engagement, build confidence, and provide positive outlets, especially for students not involved in athletics. Guided by student and staff feedback, FSCS also funded a new school mascot to support school climate and engagement. “Tommy the Tornado”, the new mascot, was integrated into student events and games to help build connections and school pride.
FSCS strengthened connections between schools, families, and the community through direct outreach, resource fairs, partnerships with local organizations, and ongoing communication. Families were invited to share their voices, access supports, and engage more fully with the schools as trusted community hubs.
Students, families, staff, and community members worked together through Community School Teams, focus groups, and shared planning. Data from the Asset and Needs Assessment guided decision-making, ensuring initiatives reflected community priorities and encouraged shared ownership of outcomes.
Regional Superintendent of Schools Kathryn Jennings expressed gratitude for the work accomplished during the program’s operation:
“We are devastated by this sudden ending to the grant. It was intended to carry far into the 2028-2029 school year. We feel as though we were just getting started on the meaningful work to be done in supporting the ATOWN community. Although the grant has ended, we are hopeful that the work that was put into place will be carried on by the community and school district. The Full-Service Community Schools strategic plan, or implementation plan, can be a strong vehicle to move the district forward and can be utilized by the ATOWN district for years to come.”
While Regional Office of Education #33 is saddened by the conclusion of the Full-Service Community School Strategy, we remain committed to supporting Abingdon-Avon District #276 through our broader mission of serving schools and communities by providing educational resources, partnerships, and opportunities.
For questions, please contact Regional Superintendent Kathryn Jennings at kjennings@roe33.net.
FSCS Accomplishments Table
| Area | AAMS (Middle School) | AAHS (High School) |
| Pantry Model | Full-scale onsite pantry | Mini pantry |
| Pantry Features | Refrigerator, freezer, full wall shelving, hygiene cabinets, appliances | Snacks, clothing, hygiene items, family essentials |
| Pantry Access | Open after school hours, the 1st and 3rd Thursdays of the month, and on Saturday mornings, the 1st and 3rd Saturdays of the month. | In-school access plus “Take Home Bags.” |
| Pantry Impact | Average 23 families served monthly; 29 total distributions, 600+ children served; 700+ weekend snack packs distributed | 45 student/family requests fulfilled, 1,500+ pantry visits (August–December) |
| Mental Health Supports | Counslr App; student focus groups; Foster’s Voice Clubs and assemblies | Counslr App; student focus groups; Foster’s Voice Clubs and assemblies |
| Health Access | On-site Eagle View mobile dental clinic (cleanings, exams, fillings, extractions) | Available for connecting families to health services, connections made through pantry form assistance. |
| Transportation Support | Student and family transportation; outreach; supply transport, Grant-funded Chevy Traverse | Rides home for after-school club participants/to and from school, Grant-funded Chevy Traverse |
| Area | AAMS (Middle School) | AAHS (High School) |
| Student Clubs & Programs | Robotics Club; Fishing Club; vaping and substance abuse prevention assembly | Foster’s Voice, Tommy Tornado pep club |
| Facilities & Equipment | Washer and dryer; locker padlocks; weight room equipment; outdoor seating; soccer benches | Supported an additional business education teaching position, school pride signage |
| Family & Community Engagement | Resource Fair; home visits; Remodel Open House, community festivals, elementary school connections | Resource Fair; Tornado Take-Off Night; Homecoming; community festival; new family outreach, Signature Pathway Night |
| School Climate & Culture | Mascot & Pep Club; spirit wear; school signage | Mascot & Pep Club; spirit wear; classroom signage |
| Safety | Preliminary discussions with county police on SRO | Supported presence of Student Resource Officer (SRO) |
| Emergency & Basic Needs Support | Emergency housing assistance; appliances; furniture; household essentials | Food and essential support via pantry form and deliveries, school day visits |
| Community Partnerships | 60+ partners across events and services | 60+ partners across events and services |
***Courtesy of the Regional Office of Education #33***
