Thread by @IsabelSDieppa, One year ago today I packed all my things in 2 suit [...]

Isabel Sophia Dieppa from Themyscira (she/her) 🌺

One year ago today I packed all my things in 2 suit cases, tearfully bid all my close friends good bye & embarked on a new adventure in Fresno, as the Fresno Bee Ed Lab Engagement reporter--I am the first engagement reporter of the entire company

Here is how it's going ( #thread)

Over the last year I have had the privilege of connecting with parents, youths and community organizations such as @99_Rootz , @FresnoBarrios @LatinoCommFdn @LMercadoLopez and SO MANY more. https://www.fresnobee.com/news/local/education-lab/article247104657.html

How is distance learning affecting your child’s education in Fresno County? Let us know

We want to hear from you.

https://www.fresnobee.com/news/local/education-lab/article247104657.html

We've held over 20 listening sessions and almost 300 of you have responded to our surveys.

All of this has informed our reporting.

We started engaging with you before the pandemic hit and since then YOU have continued to help inform our reporting.

You guys told us about the shortage of laptops and tablets students faced at FUSD immediately after classes went remote. https://www.fresnobee.com/news/coronavirus/article241350186.html

Fresno Unified spent millions on tablets. Why doesn’t every student have one?

Advocates say those devices are critical during the coronavirus shutdown.

https://www.fresnobee.com/news/coronavirus/article241350186.html

Doing engagement journalism from my living room also meant hosting a couple of lives to help parents learn what resources are available for distance learning. https://www.fresnobee.com/news/local/education-lab/article241731811.html

Have questions about how to help your child with online learning? Ed Lab has you covered

Online instruction. Distance learning. Homeschooling.

https://www.fresnobee.com/news/local/education-lab/article241731811.html

It was through community engagement listening sessions that we heard how the class of 2020 felt about graduation, an important rite of passage for all students. https://www.fresnobee.com/news/local/education-lab/article242840226.html

‘Really sad.’ Clovis, Fresno high school graduates make the best of a tough situation

“I was supposed to be walking to a real stage with my friends.”

https://www.fresnobee.com/news/local/education-lab/article242840226.html

Our Spanish speaking listening sessions shined a light on the issues English Learner students are facing.

Their graduation rates are far lower than other students--a statistic elected school board members said they didn't know till we reported it. https://www.fresnobee.com/news/local/education-lab/article242655646.html

Are these Fresno students ‘falling through the cracks?’ Parents push for changes

“I think the biggest risk is that they drop out,” researcher says.

https://www.fresnobee.com/news/local/education-lab/article242655646.html

I was profoundly grateful to the students from Clovis and the NAACP who invited me to their listening session to learn more about the racism Black students in Clovis face. https://www.fresnobee.com/news/local/education-lab/article243577847.html

Clovis students faced ‘unchecked’ racism, NAACP says. Schools confront troubled history

“Our Black students cannot succeed where they don’t feel safe,” trustee says.

https://www.fresnobee.com/news/local/education-lab/article243577847.html

I was lucky to lead and organize a state-wide conversation on learning during the pandemic. https://www.fresnobee.com/news/local/education-lab/article245263165.html

Ed Lab: Join us for a ‘Learning Curve’ conversation about critical issues in education

Experts will examine issues related to childcare, mental health, and digital access in education.

https://www.fresnobee.com/news/local/education-lab/article245263165.html

We have launched an ongoing series about police on FUSD school campuses and mental health resources--all from the listening sessions and what you, the community, have told us. https://www.fresnobee.com/news/local/education-lab/article247021017.html

Will Fresno schools cut funding for police officers on campus? It’s up for discussion

“I really want to have a community engagement process,” Fresno school trustee says.

https://www.fresnobee.com/news/local/education-lab/article247021017.html

Those are just a few milestones we've reached this year!

We are still going! Last month we had an amazing listening session with Fresno Hmong youths and next week we will be holding listening sessions on distance learning! https://www.fresnobee.com/news/local/education-lab/article247104657.html

How is distance learning affecting your child’s education in Fresno County? Let us know

We want to hear from you.

https://www.fresnobee.com/news/local/education-lab/article247104657.html

The #FresnoEdLab is here for you and I am here for you too!

I am so grateful to be in this amazing position and proud of everything we have done and have yet to do!

Thank you for trusting us and me with your stories Fresno. https://www.fresnobee.com/news/local/education-lab/article247435940.html

Education Lab: Fresno students helping out in the community over the holidays

Here’s the latest from the Ed Lab!

https://www.fresnobee.com/news/local/education-lab/article247435940.html

You can follow @IsabelSDieppa.

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