Mrs. Riveria was talking about Max Martin, who along with Carmen Perez, are community navigators in the district appointed this year by the Jamestown Board of Education. Mr. Martin and Mrs. Perez are bilingual educators who work with the entire JPS community, including the Hispanic/Latino and African American community, to foster a strong connection between JPS and families to help guide students to educational and career success. Coordinator of Student Services, Tamu Reinhardt, helps the navigators in achieving their goals.

“We are just in the beginning stages but we are already seeing such a positive response to our positions, especially with the Hispanic and African American communities,” said Mr. Martin. “Our main goal is to build positive connections with students and families. We want our local communities to know, and see firsthand, that JPS cares about them.”

The JPS Community Navigators work closely with college and high school personnel to increase success of students from all demographics, with particular emphasis on under-served populations including Hispanic/Latino students. They will work with the Hispanic/Latino student population at JPS to create connections with students and parents to assist students in pursuing higher education or career opportunities as well as to serve as liaisons between families, community partners and the schools.

“Mrs. Perez has been a tremendous help to not only me but other students as well by helping us stay on our path to greatness by helping us stay focused on our grades and catching up in classes if we need to,” said JHS student Soralis Rosa. “She has also provided a safe space for all students to come and talk about either things going on in school or even at home. But these are just a few things she has done for us. She’s also provided us insight on colleges that can help us reach our goals for our future careers.”

JPS Community Navigator, Carmen Perez, talks with JHS students, Ezequiel Alejandro Lopez and Yunyu Zhao, about college scholarship opportunities.

The community navigators have already made connections with Jamestown Business College, Jamestown Community College and the Cassadaga Job Corp and plan to initiate connections with SUNY Fredonia and other resources.

“Carmen Perez has been a valuable employee with JPS for a long time, and at JHS especially,” said JHS Principal Dana Williams. “We have always been very fortunate to have her at JHS, and her new role as Community Navigator is a perfect one for her to develop and grow into. Ms. Perez is always looking to help and assist with the needs of our Hispanic/Latino community, and she will help make these families feel more connected and involved with the school. Carmen knows the people and can help bridge any potential barriers to developing understandings and relationships between school, students, home and the community in general.”

Mr. Martin and Ms. Perez are also promoting the many opportunities available to JPS students, with particular emphasis toward the Hispanic/Latino community and related organizations. Mr. Martin created a brochure in Spanish, which details many school and community resources and contact information that JPS families can access. The navigators will also assist with the development of intercultural community/school partnerships and events hosted at the school and off campus. The navigators, with the help of JPS Superintendent Dr. Kevin Whitaker and Mrs. Reinhardt, have already started to make connections with local organizations and churches.

“Dr. Whitaker has shown that he cares for our Latino students,” said Pastor Yamil Melendez from Iglesia Pentecostal Casa Restauradora. “Dr. Whitaker has opened the door by inviting the Latino Pastors into conversations and listening to our concerns. Dr. Whitaker understands that Latino families are the fastest growing population in the school district and we need to be partners in the education of our students. I also want to thank the School Board for their support to our students and Dr. Whitaker.”

The navigators are a place where students and families can go to get help or just to have someone to hear their concerns. It is a safe place to be heard whether that is home, academic, attendance or behavior issues. Their job goal is to build relationships with students and families but also with the schools. The navigators also sit on the school’s equity teams. JPS principals are thrilled with the work the navigators are doing for their schools.

“Max has assisted with restorative talks with students and has been instrumental in making connections between school and our families,” said Jefferson Middle School Principal Leslie Melquist. “He doesn’t hesitate to drop whatever he is doing to assist our kids. Max is a tremendous asset to our school.”

“Max has been instrumental with several of our students,” said Washington Middle School Principal Melissa Emerson. “He has helped to mediate situations with students. He has made strong connections with parents and helped to set up, and be part of, parent meetings with school staff and administration. He goes out of his way to greet students in the morning. He will stop into our Planning Center throughout the day to work with students and is a strong male positive role model for all students, especially for our young men. He is always on the move and willing to jump in where ever necessary. We are extremely lucky to have Max in our building.”

The students and families know the navigators are there to advocate for them and appreciate the district adding this service to help them.

“Ms. Perez is a wonderful person to talk to about your problems when needed. You can also trust her a lot,” said JHS student Alanna Peterson. “I have been going to her since I was in seventh grade and I am now in 11th grade and she is still here for me when I need her.”

If anyone in the community has a resource that they feel would be helpful to JPS students and families, please contact Mr. Martin at 488-6769 or max.j.martin@jpsny.org and Ms. Perez at 488-6770 or carmen.m.perez@jpsny.org.