There are so many different dynamics involved in running a successful school. Part of those dynamics includes providing opportunities for student successes to be celebrated, not only in academics but also in overall being and character. Though school leaders may have grand thoughts about how these recognitions could happen, in the current state of school fiscal situations, it is not always possible to make these experiences unique and positively memorable.
We were fortunate enough to be in close proximity to another organization whose mission was to serve our city. As the school leader, I felt it necessary to sit down and meet their leadership in person when they first moved in. They introduced themselves and I set up a meeting a week or so after they got settled in. We talked about our general visions for our organization and how we could possibly help each other in the future. Though no permanent plans were made that day, we promised to keep in touch and reach out if a need ever arose.
Not soon after, I met with our leadership team and we made plans for the upcoming year and started throwing around some new ideas for events and programs to recognize student and staff growth and successes. We knew that we didn’t have space in our facility, but I knew who did. Not only did the other organizations allow us the use of their facility, they also partnered with us to host a few events and even provided gifts for our staff for an appreciation event for them. Students, families, and staff commented on how special they felt about the change of venue. They really appreciated the efforts made by our school and the partnering organization to make them feel valued.
We availed our building for an event they needed additional space for and advertised other special events they hosted to our staff.
The partnership continued and grew throughout our tenure together.