As the Pittsburgh Area Community Schools (PACS) Site Manager at Duquesne, Alexis Thomas is tasked with a number of duties. Thomas, though, explains her job quite simply: to help students and families in any way possible.  

“I’m here to be that bridge between the school and the community or the parents and the school. I’m there to get them whatever they need,” said Thomas. “I tell parents literally just reach out if you need anything and we’ll figure it out.”  

Thomas is in her 3rd year working with PACS and Duquesne. She’s supported by two Resource Specialists, Tonya Washington and Cherakee Hicks. PACS’ initiative, according to their website, is to “improve student outcomes, increase parent and community engagement, provide active and coordinated resources, and more.”  

That work revolves around four pillars, Thomas said: integrated student supports, expanded and enriched learning time opportunities, active community and family engagement, and collaborative leadership.  

“I do a little of everything,” said Thomas.  

Among primary initiatives, PACS runs a food pantry and clothing and hygiene closet in the school, both of which are accessible to anybody in the community, along with resource specialists that act as case managers for students and families, ensuring they receive the resources and support they need.  

PACS also organizes a number of parent and family engagement events in conjunction with other community organizations, like trunk or treat with the Duquesne Family Center, the back to school carnival, or future holiday events with Katie Cares. Further, PACS has held regular meetings with parents and district leaders to discuss key topics, as it relates to school and life outside of school.  

Thomas said she’s always worked in social work and human services. Now that she’s entrenched at Duquesne, she believes she’s found her home.  

“Now that I’ve been at Duquesne, I’m not going anywhere,” said Thomas. “That’s always been my passion, working in a social work or human services job. I enjoy community work, bringing that into the school, and just being able to play a part in trying to level the playing field for the kids.”  

Throughout this year and last year, Thomas has tried to help boost attendance in the district, as well, working in conjunction with relevant school district employees. Thomas offers various rewards — like monthly parties for perfect attendance — to incentivize students, while also looking into root causes for student’s low attendance.

“We saw a pretty decent increase in attendance last year. We’re hoping to improve that this year,” said Thomas. “We really didn’t get the monthly parties started until the end of last year, but the kids were asking about it as soon as school started again.”  

Chipping in in any way that she can — and seeing those efforts pay off — are gratifying for Thomas. Above all, though, Thomas and her PACS colleagues enjoy their relationships with students and families. It might take some time for students to ask for help, Thomas said, but once she’s gained their trust, that’s when she knows she truly has made a difference.  

“The most gratifying part of my job is the relationships with students. I’ve bonded with almost all of them,” said Thomas.  

“As I’ve become more of a presence here they’ve grown to trust me more in the sense that they’ll ask me when they need something. It doesn’t have to be an uncomfortable or taboo topic. They’ll just come into my room now and ask for shampoo or whatever. It's very rewarding that they feel comfortable enough.”