This year, the last week of September was full of love and appreciation for our Community School Coordinators. That’s because September 24-28 was National Coordinator Appreciation Week, when communities across the country get together to highlight the accomplishments, dedication, and contributions of their Community School Coordinators.

Coordinators are integral to the Community Schools model, and play many roles in the school and surrounding community. They ensure that all students have access to quality education and resources. They also identify the needs of their individual school community. They increase access to job opportunities, healthy foods, clothing, and emotional health services.

Since 2016, Philadelphia’s Community School Coordinators have sent students and their families home with 73,000 pounds of fresh produce, connected 267 students to summer jobs, and helped more than 200 adults enroll in free Adult Education classes. And they’re just getting started!

Check out some other ways, and reasons, Philly took the time to show how much our #CoordinatorsRock:

1. Our Coordinators work closely with all of Philly — both with the Philadelphia School Board and City to ensure success for all! Chief Education Officer Otis Hackney and the Philadelphia School Board started the week off with some shoutouts to all the Coordinators working in Philadelphia’s 12 Community Schools!

2. South Philadelphia High School and George Washington High School showed Coordinators Janelle Harper and Caitlyn Boyle some love for all the amazing work that they do, for their schools, and so many others!

3. Did you know? Alumni of Murrell Dobbins CTE High School are continuing to love Philly and its schools by working as Coordinators. Pam Evans is the Alain Locke School Coordinator and Charles Reyes is the Murrell Dobbins CTE High School Coordinator!

4. The Free Library of Philadelphia reminded us of the delicious field trip some Gideon Elementary students went on to learn how to cook — one of many amazing things made possible by Coordinators like Gregory Wright, of course!

5. It wouldn’t be a week of celebrating hard work without Coordinators supporting fellow Coordinators! Look at how our team cheers each other on with shoutouts to Beth Dougherty at Southwark School, Rennie Parker at Samuel Gomper School, plus the whole team!

6. STEMCityPHL shouted out our amazing group of Coordinators with an awesome selfie!

7. PHENND celebrated by shouting out their former VISTA, William Reed – who now works as a Coordinator at William Cramp Elementary School!

8. We celebrated the incredible services provided by coordinators – here’s a sample of what Robin Torrence provides at F.S. Edmonds Elementary School!

9. We also shouted out how Community Schools are able to distribute free produce to families because Coordinators like Regina Young at William T. Tilden Middle School rock!

10. We couldn’t forget Richard Washington, former Coordinator, still working hard to serve James Logan Elementary students!

11. We also celebrated “IRL” with notes of appreciation hanging on our office wall for all to see!

Thank you to our Community Schools Coordinators for being amazing each and every day! Keep sharing your appreciation by showing us how you think #CoordinatorsRock!

#CoordinatorsRock is hosted by the Coalition for Community Schools, Communities In Schools, the National Center for Community Schools at the Children’s Aid Society, the Beacon National Network, and the Netter Center for Community Partnerships at the University of Pennsylvania.