Community Involvement in the School

Every time a parent walks over the threshold of our school, the achievement scores go up. Community involvement is a help, not a hindrance to student achievement. I would hope to be able to convince faculty of that fact.
Parents and community need to understand how powerful they are. If their students know that their parents “buy into” what is being done over at the school, they are much more likely to work hard and cooperate. If parents badmouth the school, the students feel less inclined to do the things needed for their education.
Some level of social skills is needed to interact with the community. This is why jobs that interface with the public are paid more than, say, manufacturing.
When dealing with the community, I would think that an approachable personality that is inclined toward an open door policy would be a more effective school leader. Problems could be “nipped in the bud” and harmonious relationships restored faster if personalities did not get in the way. Further, if a school leader is proactive and approaches the community for help, often the community will be forthcoming. Kids will have great experiences and learn more.
Every time I walk through my childrens' school I see some of their friends who have been in our home many times. They wave at me and call my name or sometimes come over and give me a hug and talk for a minute. You can see a light come into their eyes when they see someone from “home” there in their school. They feel more comfortable and protected and safe. I think they think of the school more as an extension of “home” when they see me there. I wish this could be true of every child.
I want the community members to join with the professionals to take part in our shared responsibility for the education of our young people.