Bret Apthorpe

Jamestown Public Schools ranks No. 1 in Chautauqua County and No. 17 in New York State in terms of school-aged children living in poverty, but Superintendent Bret Apthorpe believes the reality is much worse.

“In the Jamestown Schools, approximately 70 percent of students may be identified as economically disadvantaged,” Apthorpe said. “The need within our community is even greater than the U.S. Census Report suggests.”

The Census Bureau numbers reveal Jamestown has a poverty rate of 40.2 percent for school-aged children. The district has a total poverty rate among all people of 28.5.

Despite the disadvantages facing the district, Apthorpe remained adamant that teachers, administrators and other staff members provide important services to its students regardless.

“Reports are helpful, however, Jamestown Public Schools recognizes that it is our job to educate and provide quality instruction and services to all of our children regardless of their circumstances,” Apthorpe said.

Apthorpe has previously been vocal about trauma among students in the district and how it impacts their ability to learn.

He led on that the presence of trauma-related incidents are more prevalent in households living in poverty.

In response to those trauma inflicted students, the district has created several institutions and policies to address the issue.

Apthorpe announced a plan in March focusing around student’s dealing with Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE). ACE accounts for children who experience trauma at home that includes violence, drug use, living in poverty among many other aspects. Apthorpe noted that with 70 percent of Jamestown students impacted by economical disadvantages, those students are all already dealing with at least one ACE.

In the fall, a new school will be opened in the former Rogers Elementary Building known as the Success Academy. The academy as being like a shopping mall, but instead of stores lined on either side of a hallway, there will be resources for students to utilize, Apthorpe said. Agencies like social services, mental health providers, counselors, job training, mentors and clergy would be involved in offering help to students who are falling behind in school due to traumatic events. The programs would be offered to students in grades five through 12 as an additional pathway to address chronic absenteeism in the district.

The child support agencies in the building to address trauma and absenteeism are only one facet of a much larger project. Another aspect of the Success Academy is the ability to offer additional career and technical education (CTE) courses. Also, remnants of Rogers Elementary School will return as well with pre-kindergarten classes being offered next fall.

Apthorpe highlighted other ways the district is helping its students, especially those in poverty. In Jamestown, 3- and 4-year old universal pre-kindergarten programs invite local children into their corresponding schools early on to get a head start on education. Apthorpe said research shows all children benefit from an earlier starting point, but it also shows that economically disadvantaged kids benefit the most.

Jamestown also utilizes the Universal Free Meal Program through the U.S. and NYS Department of Education allowing all students to eat for free.

“This program supports child nutrition programs and increases breakfast and lunch participation while eliminating any barriers hindering a child’s ability to participate,” Apthorpe said.

The assistance in Jamestown schools does not end when the student leaves the facilities either, through the Jamestown Community Learning Council’s Parents at Teachers, additional learning opportunities are provided to students with in-home visits by professionals allowing early intervention. The district also offers after school programs to further improve on education especially for children living and learning in poverty. The district also is implementing an expanded Summer Literacy Program this year that targeted to impact 600 to 700 students.

Apthorpe said the additional programming allows the district “to provide research-based literacy programs and enrichment opportunities for our students to address the summer slide that often occurs within under resourced communities.”