As we note in Shift Ed, schools more often than not are isolated structures that stand apart from the community. They sit empty most evenings and weekends, and don’t allow for much interactions between kids and the communities in which they live. A number of groups are trying to change that by promoting schools that – as the Coalition for Community Schools Web site puts it – “are centers of the community and are open to everyone – all day, every day, evenings and weekends.” We encourage you to visit the coalition’s site and explore the links to community schools across the country.