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Community Schools Grant

Westminster School District
Finley Computer Science Magnet School
2025-2026  Community Schools Implementation Plan

 

Finley Elementary School is home to a vibrant learning community that serves and supports 315 students and families in Orange County, California. The vision of Finley Elementary is to provide the best possible learning environment for all students, driven by the Common Core standards and our District's goals in rigorous instruction, student engagement, and integrated technology. We are proud to offer both a Spanish Dual Language Immersion program and a Computer Science Magnet program to prepare students for a global future—equipping them with bilingualism, biliteracy, and the computational thinking skills necessary for success in a rapidly evolving world. It is our collective responsibility to educate and empower all students to persevere toward excellence through a distinctive, rigorous, and engaging academic experience. We aim to cultivate 21st-century skills and critical thinking so that all students reach their highest potential as effective citizens in a dynamic global economy, supported by exceptional and innovative learning experiences where every learner thrives.

 

This 2025–2026 Implementation Plan was developed in collaboration with Finley’s students, families, staff, and community partners. Input was gathered through a variety of engagement strategies, including family and staff surveys, student focus groups, and discussions held at SSC, ELAC, PTA, and Guiding Coalition meetings. The goals, strategies, and programs outlined in this plan reflect the shared priorities of our community and are grounded in the lived experiences and aspirations of those we serve.

 

INTEGRATED STUDENT SUPPORTS

Social Emotional/Mental Health Supports
At Finley Elementary, a holistic approach to social-emotional learning (SEL) is paramount in supporting student well-being. In Year 2, we will establish a dedicated Wellness Center to serve as a central space for Tier 2 and Tier 3 behavioral and emotional supports. This center will include calming spaces, sensory tools, and areas for small-group counseling, check-ins, and restorative circles. Staffed by a full-time school counselor, the Wellness Center will allow for data-driven support using MTSS and SST processes to monitor student needs and respond with proactive interventions.

Schoolwide, Tier 1 SEL instruction will continue through the Second Step curriculum, alongside MindUP and Zones of Regulation, with an emphasis on emotional regulation, empathy, problem-solving and restorative practices. The Wellness Center will also host quarterly family workshops focused on mental health, SEL strategies, and community resource access. 

Academic Intervention and Support
Finley Elementary School implements a comprehensive, multi-tiered approach to student learning and well-being. At the foundation of Tier 1 instruction, teachers deliver rigorous, standards-based instruction aligned with grade-level expectations to ensure equitable access to high-quality learning for all students. Core instruction integrates research-based strategies including AVID organizational and critical thinking tools, Cognitively Guided Instruction (CGI) in mathematics, Thinking Maps to support visual learning and academic writing, and GATE principles of depth, complexity, novelty, and acceleration to meet the diverse needs of learners. These practices ensure that all students are challenged and supported within the general education setting.

To personalize learning and support academic growth, teachers use conferring, small-group instruction, and formative assessments to meet students where they are and guide them forward. Instruction is differentiated to close gaps, extend learning, and build student agency.

Grade-level teacher teams also collaborate to plan and implement WIN (What I Need) Time, a daily designated block that provides targeted, timely intervention on essential standards. During WIN time, students receive support or enrichment based on current learning data, ensuring all students are given the opportunity to master foundational skills and accelerate where appropriate.

For students requiring additional academic support beyond the core, Tier 2 interventions are provided through small-group instruction focused on specific skill gaps in reading and mathematics. This includes targeted support in phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, and comprehension as well as number sense. Two full-time intervention support teachers provide this instruction, utilizing structured, multisensory strategies grounded in the Orton-Gillingham approach to support foundational literacy development and other evidence-based intervention practices in language arts and math.

This tiered academic support system ensures that all students have access to the instruction and intervention they need to succeed—whether through engaging, rigorous Tier 1 instruction or through data-driven Tier 2 interventions tailored to individual student needs.

 

Physical Supports
Finley Elementary continues to provide essential physical and wraparound supports to address the comprehensive needs of our students and families. In Year 1 of our Community Schools implementation, we increased the hours of our bilingual Community Liaisons, which has significantly enhanced our capacity to connect families with critical resources and deepen school-home partnerships.

With this additional capacity, we are launching a dedicated Parent Center—a welcoming and inclusive space where families can access support, participate in workshops, and engage in leadership opportunities. The Parent Center is designed to reflect the cultures and languages of our Finley community and will serve as a daily point of connection for families seeking assistance or wishing to become more involved in their child’s education.

Our Community Liaisons now have a more consistent and visible presence on campus, allowing them to build stronger relationships with families and respond more immediately to needs. They will partner with our now full time counselor to co-host family mental health workshops, help coordinate services, and ensure follow-up care is in place for families accessing supports.

Finley families continue to benefit from trusted community partnerships with agencies such as:

  • CalOptima for enrollment in health coverage and public benefits,
  • Second Harvest Food Bank for food distribution,
  • The WSD Boutique for access to free clothing, hygiene items, backpacks, and supplies,
  • Operation School Bell and Operation New Beginnings for emergency clothing and school essentials,
  • FOCUS O.C., which provides monthly food boxes to support family nutrition, and
  • The City of Westminster, which supports programs such as "Shop with a Cop" and home visits for families in crisis.

These services are regularly promoted through parent newsletters, school marquee, ParentSquare posts, and flyers in multiple languages to ensure families are aware of available resources. In addition, Community Liaisons organize and promote parent workshops on topics such as navigating school systems, parenting strategies, health access, and academic support—many of which are held in the new Parent Center.

Our ongoing vision is to make Finley not only a place of academic excellence but a trusted hub where families feel supported, connected, and empowered—ensuring students have everything they need, both inside and outside the classroom, to thrive.

Attendance
Improving student attendance remains a top priority at Finley Elementary School. In 2024–2025, we established a strong foundation through a coordinated system involving the Principal, Counselor, Attendance Clerk, Community Liaisons, and the WSD School Resource Officer. Together, this team implemented proactive strategies such as home visits, personalized phone calls, restorative conversations with families, and Saturday School opportunities to address learning loss. Parent education around the impact of chronic absenteeism was supported through School Attendance Review Teams (SART), District Attorney meetings, and School Attendance Review Board (SARB) processes.

In 2025–2026, we will continue and strengthen these systems by expanding our capacity to respond to attendance concerns earlier and more comprehensively. A full-time school counselor will now support attendance efforts by meeting regularly with students identified as chronically absent to uncover underlying barriers, provide Tier 2 emotional and behavioral supports, and develop individualized attendance goals. This integration with our newly established Wellness Center allows us to address attendance as both an academic and social-emotional priority.

In addition, students in grades 4 and 5 with ongoing attendance challenges may be referred to OC GRIP (Gang Reduction Intervention Partnership), which provides mentoring, home visits, and additional wraparound supports to promote engagement and school connectedness.

Families of students with attendance challenges will also receive enhanced support through our Community Liaisons, who will now connect them more systematically to community-based resources such as food assistance, mental health services, transportation aid, and parenting workshops. These referrals aim to address the root causes of absenteeism and strengthen the partnership between home and school.

Our student recognition system will continue to promote positive attendance habits through monthly class incentives, trimester celebrations, and attendance competitions, which includes banners, classroom celebration budgets, and other rewards that make coming to school something students look forward to.

Together, these layered supports reflect Finley’s commitment to removing barriers, strengthening relationships, and ensuring that every student is present, supported, and ready to learn each day.

FAMILY AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Family engagement is a collaborative and strengths-based process through which teachers, school staff, families, and community members build positive relationships and set goals to ensure the success of all students. This shared responsibility and respect for the unique strengths each stakeholder brings is the cornerstone of our family and community engagement work at Finley.

In 2025–2026, Finley will open a dedicated Parent Center to serve as a hub for connection, resources, and leadership. The Parent Center will offer a welcoming space for families to receive support, attend workshops, and become more involved in school life.

We provide multiple entry points for parent and caregiver engagement, including:

  • Participation in shared decision-making bodies such as the School Site Council (SSC), English Learner Advisory Committee (ELAC), and District English Learner Advisory Committee (DELAC).
  • Opportunities to join and support the PTA, attend family events, and contribute to fundraisers and community drives.
  • Parent workshops held in multiple languages throughout the year on topics including literacy at home, behavior strategies, navigating school systems, and student well-being.
  • OC GRIP Greeters, field trip volunteers, Picture Day helpers, and support for schoolwide events like Fall Festival, McTeacher Night, and Lunch on the Lawn.
  • Parents can also work in the Parent Center to assist teachers by preparing classroom materials, organizing supplies, or volunteering in classrooms—creating meaningful connections with staff and enhancing the instructional program.
  • Regular communication via ParentSquare, a weekly principal newsletter sent in the family’s home language, social media posts, the school marquee, and printed flyers ensure that all families are informed and included.

Our goal is to create a culture of partnership where families feel seen, valued, and empowered to contribute to the success of the school—and where every family has a role in shaping our school community.

 

EXTENDED LEARNING TIME AND OPPORTUNITIES
Finley Elementary offers a wide range of extended learning opportunities designed to enrich students’ academic experience and support the whole child beyond the school day. These programs are aligned with our goal of preparing students for a global future and reflect the values of equity, inclusion, and opportunity for all.

In 2025–2026, we will expand our Extended Learning offerings to include Spanish language classes for students in grades 1–5. These students, while not part of the core Dual Language Immersion track, will now have the opportunity to develop Spanish language skills and cultural awareness, helping them feel connected to our school’s biliteracy mission. These classes will support language development, build student confidence, and strengthen the bridge between the transitional and dual language programs.

Finley continues to offer a robust menu of additional enrichment programs outside the regular school day, developed in collaboration with community partners and site staff. These include:

  • Musical Theater
  • Esports Club
  • English Language Arts and Mathematics Power Clubs
  • Robotics

Our campus also hosts two extended day care programs—ASES Pride and the Extended School Program (ESP). These programs offer:

  • Daily care and supervision
  • Homework support
  • Healthy snacks and meals
  • Recreational and team-building activities
  • Creative arts and STEM opportunities
  • Social-emotional learning experiences that build relationships and student leadership

Students participating in summer and after-school programs benefit from additional academic reinforcement, accelerated enrichment opportunities, and a strong sense of belonging in a safe and engaging environment.

Our expanded learning efforts reflect our commitment to meeting the needs of all learners, especially those who benefit from additional time, personalized instruction, or enrichment experiences. By extending learning beyond the traditional school day, we provide a foundation where every child has the opportunity to explore, grow, and thrive.

 

COLLABORATIVE LEADERSHIP PRACTICES FOR EDUCATORS & ADMINISTRATORS
In Year 2, Finley will expand Teacher, Parent, and Student Leadership Development to foster voice and shared responsibility. This goal will be accomplished through:

  • Transforming Student Council and Junior Coaches into leadership development programs with training in communication, peer conflict resolution, and service.
  • Partnering with organizations such as CABE and PTA to offer structured leadership training for parents.
  • Continuing to build teacher leadership through PLCs, the Guiding Coalition, and targeted PD.
  • Providing dedicated time for leadership teams to reflect on school data and community feedback as part of shared decision-making.

These efforts will ensure that all stakeholder groups—students, families, and staff—are not only engaged but empowered as decision-makers and co-creators of our school’s vision.

MOVING FORWARD
As we enter Year 2 of our Community Schools implementation, Finley Elementary is deepening its commitment to whole-child education by launching a Wellness Center, a Parent Engagement Center, and expanding leadership development across all stakeholder groups. These new initiatives—developed in partnership with students, families, staff, and community members—represent our shared commitment to equity, voice, and integrated support systems.

Together, we are building a school where every student and family is seen, supported, and prepared to thrive.