Centro Rendu Leads the Way

KEEP Partners with Kent School District Superintendent Dr. Calvin Watts.

We would like to recognize the tireless efforts of Centro Rendu to help build the emerging Kent Education and Equity Partnership (otherwise known as ‘KEEP’). Centro Rendu and its KEEP partners are committed to establishing a school-community model involving students and their families that can be replicated in different communities across the country.

This partnership encourages partners to ask tough questions in order to foster authentic collaboration. As the lead agency for the current Deep Dive 3 project funded by the U.S. Department of Education’s Race To The Top grant program, Centro Rendu will help to reduce inequities experienced by students and their families of color. Our community-based organization partners are shaping the dialogue about what is best for their students. These CBOs are equipped for advocating and serving the needs of their respective target populations. With their exclusive knowledge bases, CBOs have united together with Kent School District, King County Housing Authority, and City of Kent to narrow the opportunity gap facing ethnically diverse and high-need students who attend East Hill, Kent, and Park Orchard Elementary School. The scope of the DD3 project includes improving third grade reading scores through parent engagement and family supports. Ultimately, Centro Rendu and its partners want these changes to be integrated into a sustainable approach that will institute long-term changes. In addition, KEEP’s ongoing and future dialogues of education and equity will provide inclusion for communities which currently don’t have a strong voice in school district decision-making.

At this time, we are honored to be selected as an exhibitor to highlight KEEP’s successes thus far at the Celebration of Success event, co-hosted by The Road Map Region Race to the Top on Thursday, June 9.  The KEEP would not be have gotten this far without the hard work and sacrifices of Centro Rendu’s CBO partners: Coalition for Refugees from Burma, Community Network Council, Somali Youth & Family Club, Iraqi Community Center of Washington, and Communities in School of Kent. We look to the future with enthusiasm and optimism, knowing the KEEP is working together toward educational equity.