There is a huge sign in front of the school announcing its “sesquicentennial” celebration. That means this school has served the Oakland school children, families, and the community for over 150 years! The Prescott Elementary school was founded in 1869. Ida Louise Jackson, Oakland’s first African American teacher, taught at Prescott in 1925-- 13 years before any other school hired a black teacher. The school served the historic West Oakland community and for years, had an enrollment of predominantly African American students. The spirit of Black pride is woven into the make-up of the school. With the shifting times, the school has gone through transitions but remains firmly committed to serving the community through education and community building. During the 2005-2006 school year, the school was re-envisioned with a new name of PLACE @ Prescott (Preparatory Literary Academy of Cultural Excellence). Check out this video that captures the breadth and legacy of teachers and students at Prescott:
This is our first year in partnership with this notable school. Helmed by a seasoned principal who embodies the values of the school, we jumped into a busy school year with a full team made up of Danee Black (UE Coach), Kaycee Hasan (Clinical Intervention Specialist), Ronni Pelley (Mental Health Counselor, Associate), and Alithu Manrique (Mental Health Counselor) working along side the school with the Intensive Counseling Enriched Classroom (ICEC). Our Seneca representatives on the school campus also embody the values of the school, bringing a strong sense of pride in culture and education.
As with any new partnership, this Seneca team worked tirelessly to figure out systems, build alliances with the school, and flex the strengths of the Seneca All In models of inclusion. Through their tenacity and dedication this team has forged a strong relationship with the special education teacher within the ICEC class and has opened the pathways to connecting with the wider campus staff and leaders. Their creativity in managing challenges is unparalleled! From impromptu classroom activities to ongoing space issues to holding consistent expectations for their students amidst intense, daunting behaviors, the team perseveres towards living out a disconfirming stance that the students can and shall have access to the education they deserve. As one member said, “…this is a team where all members give 110%!” Team members have created inventive calming spaces on the campus, helped manage contentious meetings with families with the Department of Transportation, won over the families of our ICEC students with phone calls that convey respect and collaboration (with other agencies asking for tips on how this team did this!), and stepped into the community/client’s homes/school bus to provide the service where it is needed. They have given and received feedback with each other through this process. They have laughed, they have cried, and they have talked and talked and talked (this is a very talkative group).
Their students in the ICEC program have acknowledged the team’s care and importance in their young lives in subtle ways and in memorable overt ways, like the time the students made superlative awards for each Seneca team member in secret to surprise the group. The best teacher, the best counselor, the most nicest person – these are the attributes that the students could see in their classroom team. This simple expression can be uncomfortable for these students and it shows great trust that they were able to engage with the team in a vulnerably sweet way.
I’m proud of this team at Prescott. They are embodying the shared values of the school and laying the groundwork for an even stronger partnership in the years to come. Maybe for the next 150 years??
Their students in the ICEC program have acknowledged the team’s care and importance in their young lives in subtle ways and in memorable overt ways, like the time the students made superlative awards for each Seneca team member in secret to surprise the group. The best teacher, the best counselor, the most nicest person – these are the attributes that the students could see in their classroom team. This simple expression can be uncomfortable for these students and it shows great trust that they were able to engage with the team in a vulnerably sweet way.
I’m proud of this team at Prescott. They are embodying the shared values of the school and laying the groundwork for an even stronger partnership in the years to come. Maybe for the next 150 years??
Blog Post Written By: Julie Kim, Clinical Supervisor
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