Few studies have investigated school connectedness from the perspectives of the adults working in the school. Using qualitative methods, the present study examined three dimensions of school connectedness in one urban, low-income middle school. Analyses revealed that school personnel cared for students' needs, sometimes at the expense of holding them accountable to rigorous standards. Some respondents assumed that families did not care about their children, and were unable to support them academically or instill in them pro-social values and behaviors. These deficit assumptions influenced how the school disciplined students and engaged with families. Results are discussed with practice and policy implications.

Teachers and school nurses partner together to help ensure students stay healthy and engaged in school. The purpose of this study is to generate a deeper understanding of teachers' perceptions on the benefits and challenges of working with full- or part-time school nurses. We conducted a qualitative analysis of open-ended survey responses from 129 teachers in nine low-income, ethnically diverse urban schools. These schools were part of a multiyear project that placed full-time nurses in four schools, while five schools with part-time nurses were used as a comparison group. Findings indicate that teachers had strong appreciation for the wide range of responsibilities undertaken by the school nurse. Teachers' level of satisfaction was linked to the number of hours the nurse is on-site, where teachers reported greater satisfaction with nurses who worked on campus full time. Results point to factors that may improve working relations between teachers and nurses.

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Full-service community schools are designed to increase students and families' access to comprehensive and coordinated supports, services, and programs such as medical care, food aid, and enrichment activities. Despite widespread support, the research base documenting the efficacy of community schools is still emerging. Analyzing longitudinal data from 6 lowincome, predominantly Latino community schools, this case study investigated whether students' participation in community-school programming influenced their attendance and achievement. Multilevel models indicated that youth who participated in extended learning programs or whose families were involved in family engagement opportunities exhibited greater attendance rates and achievement in math and English language arts, when compared to their nonparticipating peers. Findings provide promising evidence on the value of a comprehensive and integrated system of school supports that address the myriad needs of vulnerable student populations.