Volume 4, Issue 4 | November 6, 2025

If you have suggestions for the next issue of Hub Happenings, email Mary-Beth Matthews at mmathew1@tps.org. If you see three dots, make sure you click on them to see the expanded copy.

HUB HAPPENINGS

As we enter this season of gratitude, many of us are planning menus and looking forward to gathering with loved ones for Thanksgiving. But this year, this holiday - centered around sharing abundance - starkly contrasts with the reality facing thousands in our community. An ongoing crisis with SNAP benefits is putting immense pressure on our neighbors - families, seniors, and children - who are now facing severe challenges in putting food on the table. This Thanksgiving, the gap between abundance and hunger is widening, but our community is working to help. Almost all of our Hubs host on-site pantries where students, staff, family members, and neighborhood residents can get their basic needs met. They also collaborate with many neighborhood-based partners to braid together a network of support for those in need. As we enter this season centered on sharing and connecting, we invite you to donate goods, supplies, or financial resources to our community Hubs so that they may better respond to the growing need in our community. For more information, please contact Gayle Lake at glake@tps.org.

NEWS FROM THE SMART HUB AT ESCUELA

Belinda Strode, Hub Director

Sofia Quintero Art & Cultural Center,

Lead Partner

ESCUELA STUDENTS AND FAMILIES ENJOY

SUPPORT OF COMMUNITY PARTNERS

 AT TRUNK OR TREE EVENT

"We’re closing out October with gratitude for an incredible month at the Hub," writes SMART Hub at Escuela Director Belinda Strode.

"Our Trunk or Treat event brought together families, staff, and community partners for a fun and safe afternoon of connection and celebration," Ms. Strode continues. "This year, we were proud to partner with Owens Corning and ProMedica, who joined us to help make the event possible. Their participation and support ensured that our students and families could enjoy a memorable day filled with creativity, candy, and community."

She adds: "Thank you to everyone who contributed - from decorating trunks and donating treats to volunteering your time. Your efforts made this event a success and showed what’s possible when our school and neighborhood come together."

Ms. Strode concludes by saying that details will be shared soon about Escuela's Family Potluck, as well as about outreach efforts for families in need of food resources and holiday support.

NEWS FROM THE JONES LEADERSHIP ACADEMY

OF BUSINESS HUB

Sarah Wack, Hub Director

The Art Tatum Zone, Lead Partner

DIA DE LOS MUERTOS ALTAR,

SCHOOL STORE TOP ACTIVITIES AT JLAB

"This month at Jones Leadership Academy of Business, we continued our celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month with a beautiful Día de los Muertos altar, where students were invited to honor and remember loved ones by bringing photos and mementos and have them on display," writes Hub Director Sarah Wack. "We also made exciting progress toward opening our new school store, which will offer uniform shirts and a variety of school spirit wear for students to show their Jones pride. Students will also learn about entrepreneurship and bookkeeping through their experiences."

NEWS FROM THE PICKETT ACADEMY HUB

Tia Thompson, Hub Director

The Art Tatum Zone, Lead Partner

PICKETT STUDENTS ENJOY

EPIC HALLOWEEN EVENT

Pickett Academy Hub Director Tia Thompson proudly shares, "Families, students, and staff came together for a fun-filled Trunk or Treat celebration. The parking lot was transformed with creative trunk designs, candy stations, and plenty of costumes that lit up the night. From superheroes to spooky skeletons, everyone joined in the Halloween spirit. A big thank-you to all our staff, families, and community partners who made this event possible. Your creativity and energy made it a night to remember!"

NEWS FROM THE REYNOLDS ELEMENTARY HUB

Pathway 4 Successful Leadership, Lead Partner

FUN EVENTS, RECOGNITION MARK

 BUSY MONTH

AT REYNOLDS

October kicked off with the Hub Partners Meeting, setting the stage for a month filled with connection, celebration, and community at Reynolds Elementary!

With Pathways for Successful Leadership serving as the Lead Hub Partner, the Reynolds Hub continues to shine as a space where families, educators, and community partners unite to support the whole child.

Students and staff showed their school spirit by joining in Rogers High School’s Homecoming festivities; there was also community outreach through the Mt. Zion Community Pantry and a festive Harvest Fest that brought together students, families, and staff for fall fun and engagement.

The Hub also launched a refreshed Health & Wellness Board for students and staff, celebrated excellence through the Student of the Month Lunch and Display Case, and recognized educators with a special Teacher Appreciation event.

Attendance incentives like Taco Tuesday - with tacos generously provided by El Viejon Mexican Bar & Grill, a neighborhood favorite - kept students motivated to show up and shine!

Throughout October, Hub partners - including Unison Behavioral Healthcare, Buffalo Soldiers, YW Amend, RHS Health Systems, Mt. Zion Church of Christ, and Compassion Church - joined forces with school staff and volunteers to support Reynolds students, families, and the surrounding community. The Harvest Fest was further enriched by participation from St. John’s Jesuit High School students and the League of Women Voters, who engaged families with hands-on activities and community resources.

The energy, partnership, and engagement throughout the month reflected a shared commitment to making Reynolds a true hub of success and connection for all Rockets!

NEWS FROM THE RIVERSIDE ELEMENTARY HUB

Debbie Frison, Hub Director

The YMCA of Greater Toledo, Lead Partner

RIVERSIDE ABUZZ WITH ACTIVITY IN SEPTEMBER

Riverside Elementary and its Hub was the place to be in October, with Hub Director Debbie Frison saying, 'We had a LOT going on last month." Here are the highlights:

Halloween Parade and Door Decorating Contest

The annual Halloween parade through the neighborhood set a festive tone, followed by classroom parties and an after-school Trail or Treat. Families visited decorated classrooms, while “celebrity” judges - including city and county leaders - awarded prizes for best doors. More than 400 trick-or-treaters joined the fun, supported by partners such as Connecting Kids to Meals, The MetroParks, Mercy, Lucas County JFS, and the Amend Program. Woodward’s National Honor Society students helped make it a success.

Homecoming Fun

Students from the Good Vibes Club, Health Club, and 21st Century Program joined Woodward High School’s Homecoming celebrations. They helped decorate a float, attended the pep assembly and parade, and capped off the evening by cheering on the Woodward vs. Waite football game.

Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month

Riverside students enjoyed an energetic performance by the Mariachi band from Escuela SMART Academy. With help from Escuela Principal Natasha Allen, students sang, danced the Macarena, and learned about traditional mariachi instruments — a highlight of the month!

United Way Game Day Giveaway

Thanks to United Way, Riverside families received tickets to the University of Toledo vs. Kent State football game. Coach McNeil and his Woodward players joined the crowd for a perfect fall evening of fun and community spirit.

Lights On Afterschool

Riverside joined Woodward and Grace Community Center for the nationwide Lights On Afterschool celebration, spotlighting the importance of afterschool programs. Students enjoyed a bounce house, mini golf, pumpkin painting, music, and giveaways from partners including WGTE and OSU Extension. The University of Toledo even lit the Glass Bowl blue in support!

Attendance Incentives & Student Rewards

To boost attendance, Riverside introduced a new weekly incentive: students with perfect attendance play a Plinko-style game to win prizes ranging from snacks to drones, gift cards, and more. The kickoff assembly was a hit — one lucky student won a Jersey Mike’s gift card! Students also earned their way to the first school dance of the year through positive behavior.

Supporting Families

The month wrapped up with parent-teacher conferences and a special community closet pop-up in the gym. Families selected free clothing, coats, shoes, hygiene items, and food - a meaningful way to support the Riverside community.

NEWS FROM THE ROGERS

HIGH SCHOOL HUB

Kya Collins, Hub Director

YMCA of Greater Toledo, Lead Partner

STRONG CONNECTIONS HIGHLIGHT

 BUSY OCTOBER AT ROGERS

"We were proud to host two inspiring guest speakers, Lawrence Tribble and Deonte Moss, as part of our Passing the Torch program," Rogers Hub Director Kya Collins writes "This initiative focuses on empowering our young men through mentorship, leadership, and personal development. Their visit sparked great conversation and encouraged our students to think deeply about their goals, character, and the importance of positive role models."

Ms. Collins adds: "We also celebrated school spirit with our RHS Homecoming Carnival, where families, students, and staff enjoyed games, music, and fun. Later in the month, we hosted our annual Trunk or Treat, a safe and festive evening that brought together our entire community. Thank you to everyone who donated candy and volunteered their time - your support made it a great success!"

She concludes: "As we move into November, the Hub remains committed to fostering connection, growth, and community for all our Rams."

NEWS FROM THE SCOTT HIGH SCHOOL HUB

Joe Peterson, Hub Director

New Concepts, Lead Partner

SCOTT STUDENTS STEP UP FOR BLOOD DRIVE, ENJOY INSIGHTS FROM BLADE STAFFERS

Scott High School hosted a blood drive on October 8 that was a tremendous success! "Thanks to the generosity and compassion of our students and staff, we surpassed our goal of 19 units, collecting an incredible 29 units of blood," Hub Director Joe Peterson proudly shares.

He says the event was an opportunity to educate donors about Sickle Cell Disease and the critical need for African American blood donors. Individuals with Sickle Cell often require numerous transfusions throughout their lifetime, and receiving blood with similar antigens, most often found in donors of the same ethnicity, can greatly reduce complications.

Mr. Peterson adds: "The day reflected the true spirit of the Bulldog community: caring, informed, and committed to helping others. From staff who showed flexibility to students who rolled up their sleeves, everyone played a part in making a difference for patients battling Sickle Cell, cancer, traumatic injuries, and even premature infants in need of life-saving transfusions."

Scott High School continues to show that Bulldogs give back one pint at a time!

Toledo Blade staff reporter Sheila Howard and managing editor Mike Brice visited Scott's Journalism class to share insights about their profession. Students had the chance to ask questions and gain real world advice from experienced voices in the field.

The two journalists spoke about the power of connection, strong communication, and continuous growth, reminding students that success in any career begins with listening, learning, and building relationships.

Journalism teacher Otisha Evans expressed her gratitude, saying, “By sharing your experiences, their curiosity was stirred. As a teacher, it’s always rewarding to witness those ‘light bulb’ moments.”

Ms. Howard added, “It was such an honor! I was excited to see what could very well be the next generation of journalism professionals.”

The visit was made possible through a collaboration between Mrs. Evans and Mr. Peterson, the Scott Hub director, who reached out to The Blade to bring this meaningful experience to life.

Scott Hub Director Joe Peterson recently highlighted the transformative work underway at the Scott Community Hub by serving as a Story Teller for the Cities United Leading the Way Tour visit to Toledo. The visit, organized by the Mayor’s Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement (MONSE), included a Community Tour during which representatives from Cities United, Reinvest Toledo, and MONSE explored Toledo’s core neighborhoods and discussed their assets. Mr. Peterson met the group at Black Kite coffee to explain his role as Hub Director, the importance of giving back to your own community, and his approach to ensuring the needs of students, families, and staff are met. “The goal of the tour was to get out into the community and shine a spotlight on the people, programs, and approaches that are making an impact here in Toledo,” said MONSE Commissioner Josh Davies. “Joe took time out of his day to come and speak with our group about the work underway at the Scott HS Community Hub and to facilitate a brief discussion with us. We all left feeling inspired by his leadership and motivated to build the strong partnerships and relationships that he described.”

UPCOMING EVENTS

Schools as Community Hubs launched in Toledo in 2012 as a way of organizing resources to meet the needs of students, families, and residents in the neighborhoods surrounding our schools. Currently, TPS has six full-service community schools that promote academic success, foster health and well-being, and facilitate family and community engagement - and we're exploring two more. To learn more, visit our website to explore our FAQs and other helpful resources. Schools as Community Hubs is funded in part by Toledo Public Schools, and its lead partners: New Concepts, Pathway 4 Successful Leadership, The Art Tatum Zone, and YMCA/JCC of Greater Toledo.

For more information on Schools as Community Hubs, contact Gayle Lake at glake@tps.org.