Relationship-Building Tips: Start with your school, then add the community
Here are some tips for forming and keeping lasting school-community relationships.
- Network to build relationships.
- Spread the word to your internal base. Start with friends and colleagues.
- Talk to parent and parent-leaders in your school. Identify their skills and recruit them as mentors or spokespeople.
- Talk about the project at open houses and orientations. Ask anyone and everyone to support the kids.
- Form and nurture partnerships.
- Identify companies, youth organizations, nonprofits, and colleges that want to create a school-community connection.
- Give presentations, and set up a booth at company outreach events.
- Host thank-you events and provide constant feedback.
- Develop a seamless tie between classroom and the extended day.
- Create organization. Provide ongoing training and support for mentors. Schedule meeting times when mentors and teachers can discuss student progress and create cohesive lesson plans.
- Consider hiring a liaison to act as a mentor trainer and student tutor.
- Update parents on how their kids are doing socially and academically.
- Invite mentors and partners to staff meetings and teacher luncheons. Keep everyone focused on a connection between the classroom and project.
