Reynoldsburg City Schools Update: Family, community partnerships help students thrive

One of the nation’s most compelling voices on leadership is author John C. Maxwell.

Maxwell once said, “Students won’t care how much you know, until they know how much you care.”

And I often return to that quote in each district I serve. It is a resounding truth.

Relationships are the cornerstone of teaching and learning. Students can’t learn without first feeling they are safe, their needs are met and they are valued. School staff work hard to create authentic connections in the first few weeks of school that can be harnessed for growth year-round.

We would be remiss not to acknowledge that the bonds made in schools are made possible because family and community partnerships first meet our students’ needs. Reynoldsburg City Schools is tremendously fortunate to have altruistic, accessible and auspicious allies in this work.

Many of these collaborations affect the social and emotional well-being of our students, and others address more physical and medical needs. Still others provide for increased opportunities through academics, athletics or the arts. All are integral to our ability to build links with students.

Reynoldsburg City Schools update: Plenty of work awaits in only year as superintendent

The Reynoldsburg Education Foundation (REF), established in 2016, is a community-led organization that specifically works to fundraise and support the work happening in our schools. Donations to REF are utilized for teacher grants and student scholarships.

The REF will hold two opportunities for the community to help raise funds to support staff and students this fall. Sept. 22 will be the second annual REF gala, complete with a silent auction, teacher-performed live entertainment and hors d'oeuvres provided by a chef-trained staff member.

On Oct. 1, the REF will join forces with the Mid-Ohio Market at HEART for the Mulligan Golf Classic at the Cumberland Trail Golf Club in Pataskala. Both experiences are designed to gather friends and family for fun-filled afternoons while giving back to our community.

Coming together for a cause is what spurs us all on to excellence. We all have a role to play to support students, to ensure their needs are met and their options for their futures are open and possible. Our associate organizations like the REF are foundational in our progress.

It’s our choice to give back, through time, service, talent or finances; but the single most important thing we can do is invest in empowering and engaging relationships. Ties between students, teachers to students and among colleagues, families and neighbors will lead us to success.

Dan Good is the interim superintendent of Reynoldsburg City Schools. Learn more about the district at reyn.org.

This article originally appeared on ThisWeek: Dan Good column: Partnerships help Reynoldsburg students thrive