Plumas County Community School Lead

Dear Friends and Neighbors in Plumas County,

Nestled in the heart of the Sierra Nevada, Plumas County is known for its natural beauty, rural charm, and strong community spirit. From the forested towns of Quincy and Greenville to the lakeside neighborhoods of Chester and the high-country setting of Portola, this region is united by a deep connection to both land and community.

In recent years, Plumas County has embraced the Community Schools approach—a model that brings together education, health, and community-based supports to help students and families thrive. This initiative is transforming the role of schools into trusted spaces where learning, well-being, and opportunity grow hand in hand.

Rooted in Community, Growing Together

In a rural region where services can be spread thin and long drives are part of daily life, schools have become central gathering points. They serve not only as places of learning, but also as vital hubs for connection, support, and shared investment in the future.

The Community Schools model strengthens this role by integrating critical services and expanding the way schools meet the needs of students and families—both in and beyond the classroom.

What Community Schools Look Like in Plumas County

Through support from the California Community Schools Partnership Program (CCSPP), several local schools are deepening their commitment to the whole-child approach by focusing on:

• Integrated student supports that help remove barriers to learning, including mental health care, food security, and transportation
   
• Expanded learning opportunities that reflect student voice and local culture
   
• Family and community engagement that positions parents, caregivers, and community members as essential partners in education
   
• Collaborative partnerships that bring key services and opportunities directly into schools
   

This effort ensures that students not only receive a quality education, but are also surrounded by the support they need to grow into healthy, confident, and capable young adults.

A Rural Vision for Collective Success

While the geography of Plumas County brings challenges—long distances, limited access to services, and small, isolated communities—it also fosters deep-rooted resilience and creativity. Local educators, families, tribal nations, public agencies, and community organizations are coming together to build strong, sustainable systems of support.

This collective work reflects the county’s rural strengths: self-reliance balanced with collaboration, and a steadfast belief in the power of community.

An Open Invitation

All are invited to be part of this ongoing effort. Whether a neighbor, family member, service provider, or community partner, everyone has a role to play in building a future where students are supported not only by their schools, but by the entire community.

Community Schools in Plumas County are more than a program—they are a shared commitment to ensuring that every child is seen, valued, and given every opportunity to succeed.

For those interested in learning more or exploring ways to contribute, the invitation to connect remains open.

Kind regards, 

Esther Craig 
Plumas County Community Schools Lead
Shasta County Office of Education

Plumas County Office of education