PROVIDENCE, R.I. — The Providence School Board has hired six school culture coordinators at the district's middle schools.

They are part of a new initiative by Mayor Jorge Elorza and Supt. Christopher Maher to promote a positive school climate and increase student engagement. The hiring of a seventh coordinator is expected to be approved at the board’s January meeting.

School culture coordinators serve as liaisons between the school and the community, including parents, during the middle school years, when students often begin to lose interest in learning. School culture coordinators aim to support youngsters as they transition from cozy elementary schools to larger secondary schools, with the goal of boosting engagement and reducing chronic absenteeism.

“Providing a supportive and inspiring learning environment is critical for student success, especially during a challenging time like the middle school years,” said Elorza. “I’m thrilled to welcome the new coordinators who will serve as role models and engage students and community partners in all of our middle schools.”

School culture coordinators approved by the board are: Nerise Beckford-Joly, who has been working as a restorative conference facilitator with Family Service of Rhode Island; Jason Figueroa, a youth program leader most recently serving as an impact manager for City Year Providence; Stephen Larbi, a teen program coordinator for the Boys and Girls Club of Pawtucket and a member of the Pawtucket Youth Commission; Erroll Lomba, a director of youth and justice programs with Rhode Island for Community and Justice; Carina Monge, a career and technical education program coordinator for the school district; and Elsie Palmieri, an education adviser who has worked with American Student Assistance and RI College Crusade.