Orange County NC Website
Browse       Search
<br /> <br />Guest column: It’s time to close the achievement gap <br />Jun. 13, 2015 @ 03:27 PM <br />BY SHELDON LANIER and JAKE HENRY, Family Success Alliance <br /> <br />Jake Henry Sheldon Lanier <br /> <br />CHAPEL HILL — <br />Ensuring that all students in Orange County have the opportunity to learn, so they may achieve academic <br />and individual success in life is a major goal of both Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools and Orange <br />County Schools. <br />However, it is a goal that our school districts cannot achieve on our own. <br />In Orange County, some of our families are struggling to pay their bills, put fo od on the table and provide <br />their children with adequate health care. We all know that what happens to our children outside of the <br />classroom, like their neighborhoods, homes and nutrition, has a major impact on what happens inside the <br />classroom. And ultimately, the future of our community depends on whether our children reach their full <br />potential. <br />That’s why we are so excited to be a part of a new initiative in our county that aims to bring a diverse <br />group of elected officials, community organizations, non-profits and government partners together to <br />provide our families and children with the support and resources they need to overcome any obstacles on <br />their road to success, learn, and grow successfully. <br />The Family Success Alliance will adapt lessons from suc cessful models such as the Harlem Children’s <br />Zone to improve our children’s chances for educational and economic opportunities. These models serve