Change a Child; Change a Community. Partners In Education

from R.E.A.C.H. - July/August 2019 Issue

Take a Deeper Dive to Create Change in Longview!

“Make an investment not only in your community, but in your offspring.”

Change a Child; Change a Community

In the United States, to say that relations between schools and businesses have been less than synergistic over the years is an understatement. Some educators will tell you they dislike businesspeople meddling in their affairs. They feel that too many businesspeople talk about students as if they are widgets that can be mass-produced with zero defects.

They point out that while business can hire whomever and whenever they want, schools are compelled to accept almost anyone who

At the same time, many business leaders are frustrated with schools. They view schools through bifocals, one lens being the view they get as parents or grandparents, and the other being the lens through which they view the coming workforce. Through either lens, they are not seeing what they want to see. For years they have been content to remain at arm’s length and merely point fingers, but that is changing under the new reality. Invited or not, a good number of them are getting off their spectator chairs and becoming involved.

But, the world is changing in Longview. Schools and businesses are putting their heads and hearts together to focus on the common goal of helping young people. It is a synergistic, purposeful relationship. Most communities have high hopes for the well-being of

walks in the door at any time. It does not matter if a new student speaks only a foreign language, just came from juvenile corrections, has a learning disorder, or flat out does not want to be in school; schools are obligated to give them every chance to receive a proper education. This means that schools do not have the luxury of laying off 30 percent of their lowest-performing students to improve their end-of-year, bottom-line results. Educators are wary of business people (or politicians) who act like experts in saying, “Let us tell you how to educate kids.”

all students and truly want to provide the education they need to be successful in life. But there are practical interests beyond student welfare that attract the attention of the wider community. Good schools produce a good workforce and attract outside businesses, investors, and home buyers. Good schools also produce good citizens and community volunteers, which equates to a safer and friendlier community. Everyone wins.

Indeed, the beauty of community and business relationships is that they are about more than a financial relationship: these are our children and grandchildren, so we are very interested in their development. Make an investment not only in your community, but in your offspring. And so companies, sponsors, and community leaders are getting involved well beyond giving money. Some of the most valuable donations are their talents and leadership knowledge.