Hallman Elementary Alum Comes Back as Outreach Coordinator
Written by Tim Buckley, April 2023
“As they say, ‘It takes a village’ to raise children in a healthy way. The same goes for creating a healthy community.”
“As fifth-grade students, me and my classmates each made a print of one of our hands into a ceramic tile,” Leslie Caudillo recalled. “Those tiles are still hanging in the hallway at Hallman Elementary, and it amazes me that I’m back here, with the opportunity to work in the school where I attended and the neighborhood where I grew up.”
Leslie’s family lived on Abrams Avenue when she entered the 5th grade at the brand-new Hallman Elementary. In 2017, she was hired as the school’s first Community School Outreach Coordinator (CSOC), after working at Miller Elementary as a CSOC the prior year.
“I remember wanting to become a teacher when I was a student there,” Leslie continued, “and part of that desire was because the staff was so dedicated and loving. I remember them daily as I try to provide that same dedication and care.”
These days, she works full-time each week helping students and their families navigate the sometimes difficult path between home and school. She is also a mother, raising two boys and a girl, age 11, six, and five months. At night, she is pursuing a university degree online.
“Community School Outreach Coordinators work to eliminate barriers,” says the School District website. They build “enabling relationships” between schools, families, and the community.
“Each school is different, and so the work I do is customized to meet the needs of our students and parents” Leslie said,. “As they say, ‘It takes a village’ to raise children in a healthy way. The same goes for creating a healthy community.”
Leslie’s job overlays perfectly with the work being done by the Hallman Neighborhood Family Council, supported by CBEL with funding from Mountain West Investment Corporation. “In fact, three of the moms who have been part of our parenting group are now members of the Neighborhood Family Council,” Leslie said. “The Council has been fantastic, helping to bring the school and community together. They’ve been able to get people to come to events here who are super-difficult to get ahold of. It’s because the Council has persistence, they listen, and they really care. Hallman is no longer an intimidating place for parents to go, because the Council holds meetings here and has used the school for community events.”
Leslie, pictured on the right adjusting her mask, teaches a class of parents in the local Northgate Park
Partnering with the Council, and winning $2000 in grant funding, Leslie and other parents laid out “safe routes” for students to walk to school. That program helped make the park safer, too, because parents would be there before and after school during their children’s transit.
The Council and New Harvest Church also provided funds to bolster the popular “Backpack Buddy” program, something Leslie initiated with the help of another grant from Blessings in a Backpack. Each Friday, the school gives backpacks filled with healthy snacks to kids in need, to help the family through a food-scarce weekend. New Harvest also organizes a food bank, and a resource cabinet that supplies childcare necessities like diapers and clean wipes. They also sponsor a local soccer club with uniforms.
Here are some other ways Leslie’s work as a CSOC are realized each week.
Supporting attendance in school
Home visits with parents and students
Building trust relationships with students
Connecting parents and teachers
Referring students and families to additional local resources
Supporting families with financial challenges
Connection with organizations who can assist will bill paying
Helping with acquisition of food stamps and extra food
Arranging transportation and providing bus passes
Listening, and making further resource connections with them
Bridging School and Home life
Hosting events like Community Cafes and seasonal festivals
Creating Partnerships with Community Partner Organizations like:
CBEL. the Hallman NFC and Hallman Parent Group
New Harvest Church
Boys & Girls Club
Marion County Health and Human Services
Green Acres Landscape
Salem Leadership Foundation – CaPES
Fostering Hope Initiative
Assistance League of Salem
United Way of the Mid-Willamette Valley
Kroc Center
Building Confidence and Leadership among Parents
A former student is now an instructor in the Parenting Class
“Having a similar life to others in this neighborhood, it’s easy to empathize and relate, since I also grew up here,” Leslie added. “It’s important for me to recognize our community partners. They’re crucial in supporting and guiding our community. Thanks you for the unconditional support you’ve given. It’s been an honor to work alongside you all.”