News “Night of Family Engagement” Leveled Up PLSD’s Community Outreach Efforts by Crystal Davis, Public Relations Coordinator
speak louder than words. Walk with us through this journey and we will get there together.” Next up was Chief Academic Officer/Asst. Superintendent Alesia Gillison who fired up the crowd by leading them in a repeated chant of the words “Level Up!” Gillison explained that the Level Up initiative seeks to motivate the community with a singular focus on continuous improvement, and she challenged students to level up to the next achievement level on their Ohio’s State Tests. Gillison said, “When large numbers of people have a deeply understood sense of what needs to be done and see their part in achieving that purpose, coherence emerges and powerful things happen,” citing a quote from Coherence: The Right Drivers in Action for Schools, Districts, and Systems by Michael Fullan and Joanne Quinn (2015).
Photos courtesy of Pickerington Local School District
Perhaps the largest game of Rock Paper Scissors ever held in Pickerington, along with exhibits created by students and their families from 18 different countries, were just two of the highlights from Pickerington Schools’ first ever Night of Family Engagement, held in December. More than 400 people packed into Pickerington’s Wigwam Event Center for the free event, which also featured performances by Pickerington High School Central and North’s award-winning chorales, information-sharing by PLSD leaders, refreshments, and more games and prizes. The Night of Family Engagement is the first in a series of community engagement events scheduled for the 2021-22 school year. The interactive event provided an opportunity for families, students and community members to engage with each other as well as school administrators. Attendees could visit any one or all of the 18 booths to learn more about how each country celebrates the holidays and get their passport stamped to be entered into a raffle drawing for PLSD swag. After attendees spent time visiting the booths, emcee and Pickerington High School North Theater Director Allen DeCarlo introduced Superintendent Dr. Chris Briggs, who spoke briefly about the Plan for Progress. “So here is why we are here tonight and what we hope you get out of this evening,” Briggs said. “We are working hard to build a foundation of trust, supported by partnership and family empowerment. Listen, we know building trust and transparency happens over time, and actions
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