People: Jane Shumacher

A MODEL PRINCIPAL

When the National Governors Association met in December to consider how America can best support children in public schools, they selected eight 'model' sites across the nation. One was the Dorothy deLacey Family Education Center in Carpentersville, IL, a place that has taken off since Jane (Rudman) Schumacher, '75, became principal three years ago.

Working with children under 9, covering the entire socio-economic and ethnic spectrum, Schumacher, who boasts plenty of experience in early childhood and family education, focused on making sure that children--and their families--get involved in the process. 'We have become a community center rather than a neighborhood school,' explains Jane, a native of Okemos who returns to MSU every year. 'We started from the premise that schools have to operate differently than the traditional model.'

To make them more family- friendly, she hired a more outgoing and multi-lingual staff. She expanded school hours, including weekends. After surveying parents to find out what would bring them to the school, she worked hard to shift municipal services to the school. 'Right now we have 68 collaborative agencies in our building,' she notes. 'They provide family services in immunization, health, housing services, drug and alcohol programs. You name it, they're found here.' As a result, she notes, 'Families don't have a reason not to be here any more.'

What about the cost? In most cases, says Jane, 'There was no cost. For example, by moving the immunization services here, all you changed was the location.' The key word is 'collaboration,' she explains. 'I work hard, but I don't make unilateral decisions. My job is to be a cheerleader and a resources person. We've built a spider-web of collaboration, and we've built trust.'

Herself a family person--her husband and three children are regulars at the school--Jane says her biggest thrill was when a girl recently gave her a hug and said, 'Can I come home with you this weekend? I promise to behave.'