Happy Friday everyone!
Since their establishment, public schools have been responsible for delivering education. In the early days, the focus was primarily on reading, writing, and arithmetic. While these core subjects remain essential, the scope of education has expanded significantly. Today, public schools are also responsible for teaching social and emotional learning, personal health and hygiene, fire safety, severe weather preparedness, stranger danger, cyber safety, social media etiquette, mental health, nutrition, and more. This list of responsibilities continues to grow, yet the amount of time students spend in school has remained largely unchanged.
It can be argued that schools have increasingly taken on duties once primarily handled by parents and families. I want to clarify that this is not a suggestion that schools should not play a role in these areas. Rather, I raise this point to encourage thoughtful reflection: Where should the primary responsibility lie in certain domains? Achieving a balance of responsibility, coupled with a strong partnership, will be crucial in meeting the broad educational and societal needs of our students.
At Battle Creek Public Schools, we are fortunate to have deeply engaged parents and families who work alongside us to provide the comprehensive support our students need. This collaboration is integral to our continued commitment to excellence and to maintaining high expectations for our students, families, and the community.
To ensure ongoing success, we must continue to nurture and strengthen this partnership. If we allow a mindset of blame or an “it’s not our responsibility” attitude to take root, we risk undermining our shared commitment to excellence. There will be moments when this partnership faces challenges—this is inevitable throughout the school year. However, it is essential that we find common ground and keep the best interests of our students at the heart of these situations. Key to maintaining productivity is fostering an open mind, engaging in honest dialogue, and avoiding the holding of grudges. In doing so, we will continue to see successes and improvements. Above all, we will maintain our collective commitment to excellence!
Happy Friday!