Dancing, smiles, and connection. Three words that would normally be used to describe a party, but instead perfectly encapsulate the Clark County Public Schools Opening Day.
This past Friday, almost 1,100 CCPS staff members gathered together to start the school year off right, and based on all the fun that was had – this will be the best school year yet.
After a morning filled with a great breakfast, prize giveaways, business showcases, gift bags, and speeches, the biggest takeaway from the Opening Day was the connections built.
“It really takes us making connections among our colleagues, making connections with every school, and making connections with students,” says Assistant Superintendent Kelly Fithen. “What’s really going to move us forward is truly connecting with our students and with our colleagues. Building connections are how we’re creating even better learning environment for our students.”
Ultimately, bettering education is the common goal of every teacher, counselor, principal, and staff members. They have the vital job of raising the new generation of leaders, yet educators are often left in the dark when it comes to being told “Thank you.” That is why encouraging events for staff members are so important.
“I’m telling you, when teachers and staff are happy, the kids are happy,” said Baker Intermediate Principal Josh Mounts. “I think Clark County is rolling in the right direction. And we’re doing a lot of great things for kids and families and staff. The event today gave us all a renewed sense of energy.”
That renewed sense of energy is what will boost morale in all areas of school, especially for students. Having a teacher who wants to come to work makes all the difference in the classroom, and better connections will form as a result.
That connection between students, teachers, and the district as a whole will have a cascading effect that will only create a positive environment.
“What I’m finding out is that the schools are working really hard to work together to make a cohesive plan, and I love that,” says kindergarten assistant Kristin Mullins. “It’s everyone trying to unite with a common goal. So it’s neat to see everybody come together and be working toward that, and you can tell the district isn’t forcing it. It’s happening naturally.”
One thing that this event emphasized is the sheer amount of passion these staff members have. Each and every one of these educators came with the same motive to improve the district.
It’s inspiring to see the amount of joy and pride teachers carry for their students; Opening Day helped showcase that at their core, all staff members have the same goal of improving education.
“Students struggle sometimes and you just want to watch them grow and improve,” says Conkwright Elementary teacher Kelly Sanders. “Behaviors can get in the way, but you’ve got to learn how to work with them. Each child, and each individual is different and they all need something different. That’s why I like teaching. I get to help other people and that’s what I like doing.”
That common mindset is what fuels the connection between all educators; however, schools can become distant when there is a loss of connection.
Elementary schools and high schools operate so differently that it can be difficult to keep in close contact. CCPS Opening Day provided a chance for all of the schools in the district to come back together.
“Oftentimes, we’re so focused on the work in our individual schools or departments, but this just shows that it takes all of us working together and joining forces, no matter which school or department,” says Mrs. Fithen. “It really takes all of us joining together and connecting to really do what’s best for our students, which is always the first priority.”
When it comes to separation between grades, it’s important to recognize the effect they have on one another. Without preschool and elementary schools fostering the growth of kids, they would never be ready for junior high, and so on. Each respective area has its importance, and by working together as a district, we can give students a better learning experience.
“We can’t achieve anything in high school if the foundation isn’t there,” says GRC choir teacher Kris Olson. “I’ve often thought that we call college higher learning, but we should probably call elementary school higher learning because the teachers who do that are the ones who really have to know their stuff. Because little kids are totally a different species altogether, and so teachers and staff who know how to talk to that age are superheroes. For us to support them is really important.”
Support can go along way between schools, and communication is of utmost importance, and without connection there can be no communication.
“Even though I may have different goals for Justice Elementary, and Mr. Mounts may have different goals for Baker Intermediate,” says Justice Elementary Principal Mary Maldonado, “depending on our individual school’s needs, it unites us under one vision, because we are one school district working for all the students in Clark County, and it builds a sense of community between us all.”
Community might be viewed as a buzzword, but in reality it is a necessity, especially in education.
“Becoming a close community is important because you have to help one another every day. It takes a village just like they say,” says Clark County Preschool assistant Barbara Conkwright, “and we’re just one big preschool village and we just all help each other. Coming together on the Opening Day and everybody just being here together is already like the first start of a bond together as Clark County Cardinals.”
School spirit radiated through the halls of GRC this past Friday, all thanks to Opening Day, and everyone involved. The theme of the day was “Connection” and there was truly no better word to describe the atmosphere of the event.
“I think the point of today is about connecting,” says Superintendent Dustin Howard. “We have to continue to connect with one another, build relationships, and get to know one another, because without trust and without listening to one another and being in the same boat, we’re not going to get to the same destination, which is the world-class education for our kids.”
