One of my major goals when I assumed the position of superintendent was to try to improve communications internally within the school system and externally with the public. The Rowan-Salisbury School System has had many successes in meeting this goal, as recognized by the North Carolina School Public Relations Association. The school system recently won three blue ribbon awards for our annual report, Web site, and for one of the op-ed articles that appeared in the newspaper on understanding AYP and No Child Left Behind. However, we still have much left to do in improving our work with parents and the community.
In the school system’s District Improvement Plan, several strategies address improving the educational climate for the system. One strategy addresses training for office staff in best practices for promoting a positive school and system climate. For some reason, the implementation of this strategy has prompted letters to the newspaper and numerous comments throughout the community. The school system had budgeted $23,800 to cover an audit of how our front line employees react to our customers on site, on the telephone and through e-mail. In addition, the audit will evaluate the physical environment of the schools and central offices, such as the parking, grounds and layout of the facilities. Once the audit is completed, the funding also includes training for administrators and front office staff members in the schools and the central offices.
Each school and central office location will receive a manual of best practices in working successfully with the public. The funding of this project did not adversely affect any funding at the school level, especially for textbooks or materials that are needed in classroom instruction.
I cannot imagine any business, particularly the largest employer in Rowan County, that would not be interested in providing excellent services to their public.
Another strategy is to implement parent focus groups to identify parent needs and develop a survey to send to parents for feedback on improving our school system.
We have just completed a series of parent focus groups hosted by each high school for parents from that particular attendance zone. Each school was asked to send a few parents to the meetings. Parents had an opportunity to meet the superintendency team, board members from their area, and hear about initiatives being implemented in the system. Parents shared information on what they thought were positive aspects of the system and areas that needed improvement. Parents attending the sessions brainstormed ways that parents could become involved. Plans are underway to expand the focus group meetings to reach more parents by offering them at different sites and different times of the day or evening.
– Positive areas mentioned by parents were: Feel more informed, improved communications from the system
Connect-Ed
Faith-based initiative
Communities In Schools
Technology
Strong leadership
The school system Web site
After-school tutors
Computers on wheels
Discipline and suspension policies
Safety efforts
Clean and well-lighted schools
Visible staff
Task forces and committees with parent representation
More of a school system and not just an individual school
Consistency across the system.
– Areas that need some improvement: Teaching methods need to change
Too much focus on teaching the test
School level communication to parents
Security cameras in the schools
More information on student progress for parents
Open houses during times that parents are available
More alternatives to keep students in school.
– Ways to increase parental involvement included:
Expand use of Connect-Ed at the school level
Newsletters and posting information on the school Web site: calendars and events, open door policy
Be more welcoming to parents and making personal contacts
Including positive contacts
Food and student performances attract more parents
Use of the marquees for important information
Utilizing program announcements at sporting events
Provide transportation
Child care at meetings / events
Family reading nights
Parents will receive a survey on March 3. We are hoping that parents will take this opportunity to give us feedback. The survey is in English and in Spanish, and every school will receive results. Again, the survey is an effort to receive input from our customers ó our parents ó and make improvements.
We plan to publish a parent newsletter two to three times a year. Many times parents know and understand events and initiatives in their own school, but do not know many of the activities that are happening across the school system. The first issue is expected to go home with students and will be posted on the Web site in late April or early May. We will continue to implement ways to involve and communicate to parents.
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Dr. Judy Grissom is superintendent of the Rowan-Salisbury School System.