May 30, 2008 - Issue No. 3

In This Issue:
ACSA member Devin Vodicka shares a how-to on developing partnerships in your local community
ACSA is offering some great learning opportunities for site leaders at the 2008 Leadership Summit!

 

Developing Relationships with Community Partners

by Devin Vodicka, director, Curriculum & Instruction, Carlsbad USD

Effective educational leaders understand that there can be mutual benefits when community and business partners connect with a school. In my experience, the key is finding those partners that truly have a common interest and in nurturing and developing those relationships. Given our limited time, it is also important to learn when (and how) to say "no" to opportunities that may present themselves.

Here are a few strategies for developing relationships with the right partners:

• Implement Broad-Based, Systematic Communication: This may include a strong web presence, routine email blasts, using autodialer systems, community newsletters, and strategic "letters to the editor." Use these systems to consistently reinforce the mission and vision of your school. A clearly articulated purpose often serves much like a magnet in that it attracts others with similar interests.
• Involvement in Community Networks: Identify and participate in a local network such as the Chamber of Commerce, Rotary Club, Toastmasters, or any other service organization. These meetings will create opportunities to develop personal relationships with influential people who may not be actively seeking involvement in a school.
• Carefully Evaluate "Free" Giveaways: Many of the partnership opportunities that cross the desk of the school leader promise gifts, incentives, awards, or other enticements in exchange for broad distribution and recognition for the donating agency. I found that quite a of few these opportunities required significant investment of time and energy that could otherwise be used more directly to pursue improvements in student learning.
• Frequently Recognize Effective Partners: To sustain effective partnerships, take the time to recognize the contributions of a community and/or business partner. This can range from simple and private gestures, such as a personal note of thanks, to publicly presenting a certificate of appreciation at a school assembly.

As a school principal I found several partners that shared mutual interests and benefits as a result of our collaboration. Some examples include:

• Partnering with a local credit union to forge a link with a middle school elective program that was a young entrepreneurship class. The credit union allowed students to tour the facility, and their staff presented the basics of opening bank accounts, keeping track of income and expenses, and how to calculate interest on savings and/or credit accounts.
• Connecting with city staff to coordinate student use of adjacent environmental preserves for field studies and restoration projects. The students benefit from the real-world application of ecology concepts and the city was grateful for the voluntary student labor on projects such as removal of non-native plants and erosion control efforts.
• Developing relationships with Eagle Scout leaders and offering the school site as a partner for projects. Examples of projects completed on school grounds included a book drive for the library, building a fence, and installation of physical education "stations" for outdoor activities such as sit-ups and pull-ups.

As you can see, having the right partners can provide additional opportunities for student learning and can be a wonderful addition to the learning community. Devoting some time and energy to finding and nurturing these effective relationships is highly recommended. Additionally, I would encourage leaders to be selective in fostering these relationships to optimize the impact of the limited time that is available.

Let me know if you have additional ideas at dvodicka@carlsbadusd.net. Thanks. 

Leadership Summit Offerings for Site Leaders

There are many offerings coming up at November's Leadership Summit geared toward site leaders. Below are just three examples of the workshops that will be available. For more information on the 2008 ACSA Leadership Summit, visit www.acsa.org or call the ACSA Educational Services Department at (800) 608-ACSA.

The Principal as a Change Agent for Education
Honey Berg, assistant superintendent, Berryessa USD

The role of the principal in today's schools has become one of the most pivotal positions for the future of education. We have tremendous pressure to close the achievement gap, meet the guidelines of No Child Left Behind, and utilize current research on how children learn. The only way to refocus the efforts of schools is through the power of a well-trained, knowledgeable instructional leader.

Young educators coming out of administrative programs require the support and mentoring of experienced educational leaders. Parisa Goshtasb, a first-year principal in the Berryessa Union School District, and Honey Berg, assistant superintendent of Education Services will present an overview of how the mentor coaching role has impacted the staff and students at Ms. Goshtasb's school.

Tier 1 Continued: Gangs in Your Schools
Hector Molina, coordinator, Woodland JUSD

Educators are aware that academic success will give students an opportunity to succeed in today's world. Unfortunately, many of our youth will not have that opportunity because of gangs in their schools, homes and community. Join us to discuss the reasons why youths join gangs, hear what students know about gangs and the influence they have in their lives. We will discuss some of the signs that are visible in the classroom, school and communities. We will discuss interventions strategies that have brought about parent and school awareness and a reduction in gang activity. Information on recent gang trends in several regions of California will be shared. Attendees will receive handouts and CD with resources to share with your staff, students and parents.

Favorite Practices of California Principals
Dan Owens, principal, Elk Grove USD

Do you ever wonder why the administrator sitting next to you is smiling? Perhaps they have discovered ways to keep staff, community, teacher and student spirits high - as well as their own! The ACSA Elementary Education Council has collected Favorite Practices of California Principals, and this workshop will share some of the best ideas that surfaced in that effort. The Elementary Council has created a network for sharing great ideas - ideas that principals believe make their schools great places for everyone involved. This session will focus on the results of that effort.

This workshop will also look at the opinions indicating what parents observe, what teachers think, and what students believe are their favorite practices that principals do in their schools. Participants will leave the session with many creative ideas that can be implemented in their schools.

 

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