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Our Vision

We partner to create an environment where all voices come together as a community school, where students are excited to learn and everyone is engaged and belongs.

About Community Schools

A community school is a public school where educators, local community members, families, and students work together to strengthen conditions for student learning, whole-child engagement, and healthy development. Collaborative leadership coordinates in- and out-of-school resources, supports, and opportunities so that all young people thrive. 

In 2022, we started the planning process to become a “Community School” through a grant from the State of California.

Aspen actively partners with the State and Regional Technical Assistance Centers, working closely with Community Schools within the Fresno County Office of Education. Our Community School Advisory Council consists of family members, students, school staff, and community partners/residents. Each of our three community school Advisory Councils help guide our process and direct resources strategically to make the most impact.

Student at the Center

  • As a Community School, we elevate the voices of our students and lead with them, with the goal of learning from and celebrating the diversity among us.  We have Community School student teams learning, imagining, and creating together. We don’t just listen to students - we work WITH them to build the future we all want to be part of.

Aspen Community Garden

We are launching the Aspen Community Garden! Located directly across the street from Aspen Meadow, we are turning this into a beautiful space for both the school and the neighborhood. This is a whole community effort; we need your help! 

View our video, and Sign up to get involved!

The Four Pillars 

Our efforts are aligned with the four pillars of community schools as established by the California Department of Education. 

  • Pillar One is Integrated Student Support. “Students must be well-known so they can be well served.”

  • Pillar Two is Family and Community Engagement. “If it is not developed with us, it is not for us.”

  • Pillar Three is Collaborative Leadership Practices. This supports “culture of professional learning, collective trust, and shared responsibility for outcomes.”

  • Pillar Four is Extended Learning Time and Opportunities. This includes our Expanded Learning programs at Aspen Meadow and Aspen Valley, as well as more learning experiences for families, partners, and community members at all three schools. 

To learn more, view the Community Schools Brochure in English or Spanish.

Community Engagement Initiative

Aspen has a team from all three schools who are part of this Peer Leading and Learning Network that travels together with schools all across the state of California!  These experiences help shape our community schools and they are SO fun.

Get Involved

Community schools are full of LIFE! We believe learning should be fun and enhance our relationships and experiences. Email communityschools@aspenps.org to connect

Sign Up

We are launching the Aspen Community Garden! Our vision is unique: we will be a thriving space for both the community and the school to grow food, learn, create, and explore the outdoors.

As a community school, we will use this as a gathering place and outdoor classroom. We'll be part of economic, ecological, and community development. Let's grow!

We are at the early stages of several projects (such as an Aspen Community Garden), so be looking for updates soon! For info on the Aspen Community Garden or to volunteer, fill out our Garden FORM. 

Learn More

Meet Jessica Pittman

Community Schools Coordinator

  • Hi, I’m Jessica Pittman, Community Schools Coordinator. I love to gather people to find creative solutions to the deep challenges facing people in my community. Over the years, I have done work in the areas of community development, faith-based ministry and pastoral care, youth services and advocacy, nonprofit launching and leadership, the anti-trafficking movement, and community-based education in the Fresno area and statewide.  Right out of college, I convinced a lead Pastor to create a new role for me at a church in Central Fresno focused on local and global community engagement.

  • From that space, I guided a team of leaders and activists in establishing the Central Valley Justice Coalition, one of the first community-based networks in the Central Valley to prevent human trafficking through education, partnership, and outreach.  From there, I spent two years on a team with the Child and Family Policy Institute of California, establishing a statewide system of support for social services and community partners working with child trafficking victims and their families. 

  • In 2022, I missed my local work in the community too much! I joined the Aspen team as Community Schools Coordinator. My first year with Aspen, I also redesigned and launched the after-school and expanded learning programs. I love being able to connect Aspen to the incredible community partners I work with and find new ways and innovative leaders who have a shared vision to transform our world.  I have a Masters of Arts in Civic and Social Entrepreneurship. My favorite things include the ocean, hiking, music, fun food adventures with friends, and exploring new places with my husband and two kids - or anyone up for the ride!