1 Breaking Into Public Schools: School Leader Insights on How to Develop Productive PartnershipsDr. Sean Bulson, Superintendent, Wilson County Schools, NC Eric Davis, Chief Operations Officer, Wilson County Schools, NC March 30, 2016

2 Tweet your comments and questionsAs We Go… Tweet your comments and questions #EngageChat (and #rb21) ERIC Twitter Chat Questions: Send a link to the slide deck to Twitter followers in advance of the session, so they can see the flow. Intro: Introduce yourself to the group and describe your role in working with or in schools (It’s not personal) What barriers make it difficult for school personnel to accept help from outside? (Relationships Reign) How can outside service providers connect with a school to develop a relationship on the school’s terms? (Find the Right Ally) Who in your school serves as a liaison for student service providers from your community? (Understand the Needs) How can an outside service provider learn about the unique needs of your school? (Align Your Mission) What parts of your schools school improvement plan or your district’s strategic plan overlap with the work of other agencies?

3 Activator: That’s Me (part 1)I am passionate about youth issues I have children in school I have a pet This is my first time in Baltimore This is my first RB21 National Meeting I intend to vote in the primary and general election ERIC We like to add a little exercise into our presentations. If the question we ask represents you, please stand up.

4 Activator: That’s Me (part 2)I work in municipal government I work in state or federal government I work for a non-profit I am a student I work in public education I work for a foundation SEAN We like to add a little exercise into our presentations. If the question we ask represents you, please stand up.

5 About Us: Sean Bulson Superintendent, Wilson County SchoolsCo-Author of Wilson County’s Youth Master Plan Former High School Principal Former ESOL Teacher SEAN

6 About Us: Eric Davis Chief Operations Officer, Wilson County SchoolsFormer Director, Office of Family and Community Partnerships Former Middle School Principal Former Elementary School Principal ERIC

7 Rule 1: It’s Not Personal……It’s the workload Principals are key Accepting help is hard Instructional Time Reigns Curriculum is political (…and offers are abundant!) SEAN

8 WCS Example: Community LiaisonsCIS Intervention Specialists Partnership Managers seek and engage with community partners in all schools SEAN

9 WCS Example: Parent’s DayOrganized with CIS Parents learn about community supports at their children’s school SEAN

10 Rule 2: Relationships ReignShow up at schools on their terms PTO/PTA meetings Parent/community information nights Do they ask for help? Tutors? Mentors? Volunteers? Follow social media ERIC Get involved in schools when they open the doors for other reasons. When you show up on their terms, you begin to develop a reputation as a partner rather than a salesperson.

11 WCS Example: Customer Service TaskforceBusiness leaders share best practices and strategies for enhancing the school district’s internal and external customer service efforts Grati-tours - Travel from school to school just to say, “Thank you!” ERIC Add link to video to highlight number of views – we start with relationships by focusing on customer service Link to Customer service website so people can access all clips

12 WCS Example: Gentlemen’s AgreementWorking to re- engage at-risk youth Many cultural and educational experiences Mentoring opportunities ERIC Programs like this one that exist primarily outside the curriculum are a little easier to engage with. In our program, we seek opportunities to deliver educational programs to students on a variety of topics from a variety of local partners

13 Rule 3: Find the Right AllyPrincipals are key, but not always the starting point Teachers make great advocates Many teachers serve as club sponsors Parents make great advocates – PTA/PTO The best solutions start closest to the students SEAN Focus on clubs here – school websites list clubs and the sponsors may be easy to engage

14 School System Chain of CommandTeacher Counselor Assistant Principal Principal Assistant Superintendent Superintendent SEAN Coaches and club sponsors also

15 WCS Example: Navigating the SystemCovering the basics about the school system for those who are not already immersed SEAN Look for the calls to volunteer…start the relationship

16 WCS Example: Dr. Seuss’ BirthdayOpen call for volunteers to read to our students SEAN Look for the calls to volunteer…start the relationship

17 Rule 4: Understand the NeedsWhat keeps the school leaders up at night? How do they measure themselves? What would help teachers do their jobs better? What are the constraints on their calendars, and where are the windows of opportunity? SEAN Posted announcements and newsletters tell you a great deal about what school leaders value. Timing is everything in schools…but hard to predict the openings.

18 District Strategic Plan State Board of Education Strategic PlanWhat Guides Their Work? Youth Master Plan District Strategic Plan State Board of Education Strategic Plan SEAN

19 WCS Example: Job ShadowingJob shadowing day with Wilson Education Partnership One morning with students from a variety of worksites SEAN

20 WCS Example: Parent AcademyParent Academy partners Federal programs designed to empower parents…outside experts help with presentations SEAN

21 Rule 5: Align Your MissionWhat part of your work overlaps with the stated goals of the school or district? ERIC

23 More About Wilson County Schools @SeanBulson @DavisWelcome #EngageChat ERIC

24 Stay Connected Presentation materials will be posted online via the Sched app Tweet about your session! #Rb21 Find Ready by 21 resources and opportunities at readyby21.org