One of the most frequent things I hear from people is, “Boy, I wouldn’t want your job.” This usually comes on the heels of an issue that appears in the news or stirs up conversation on social media. And they’re right. There are certainly days that are challenging.
However, those forward-facing issues are only a small sliver of what I get to see every day across Rocky River Schools. Daily, I get to see students supported by caring staff and engaged in meaningful learning. I get to see students pursuing the things they are passionate about through the arts, athletics, robotics, student government, and countless other clubs and activities.
I also get to see families and community members regularly create experiences that bring our community together. Spooky Saturday and the Centennial Celebration at Kensington, the PTA Cookout and Snowflake Palace at Goldwood, Maroon and White Night at the middle school, and After Prom and Booster Bash at the high school are just a few examples. Each of these events creates meaningful experiences for students while strengthening the connections across our community.
Every week, parents help with team meals, volunteer at band events, serve food in concession stands, and contribute in hundreds of other small but meaningful ways. These acts of service may not always make the news, but they are a significant part of what makes our school community special.
We also regularly work alongside our city partners to identify ways we can strengthen our greater River community. Whether it is strategic planning with the Recreation Department, conversations about mobility across the city, or projects taking place throughout our schools and community, these partnerships add tremendous value for all of our residents.
So, why is all of this important?
Because these examples reinforce our shared culture.
Culture is the shared beliefs and values we hold and the actions we take to reinforce them. It is something that must be cultivated every day.
When we name our shared beliefs and values and allow them to guide our actions, we are better prepared to navigate the challenging days.
One of those challenges arose last week when an individual distributed hate speech fliers on our high school grounds. As shared in our initial response to the community, we will not give that message any additional amplification.
What we will amplify are the students who immediately reported what happened because they knew it was wrong. They stood up for our shared beliefs and for River. They reacted immediately, without hesitation. This is just one example of our young people recognizing a wrong and having the courage to do what is right.
What we will amplify is that all students and families are welcome in Rocky River City Schools. Our teachers, principals, support staff, and students work together every day to create a welcoming environment for all students. Whether through the Kindness Committee at the middle school or Student Council and the Principal Advisory Committee at the high school, our students have opportunities to share their experiences, identify areas for growth, and help shape our school culture.
That does not mean we are perfect. We will always have opportunities to learn, grow, and improve. What it does underscore is the strength of the core values that serve as a foundation across our school community.
Again, culture is everything.
Our Rr North Star project is another step in cultivating our school community’s shared culture and vision for the future of River. It is an opportunity to listen, learn, and come together around what we value most about our schools and community and what we want to carry forward.
When we intentionally reinforce this foundation, we are better equipped to weather the challenging days. Last week, our students and staff showed us exactly what that can look like.
There are certainly challenging days in schools, but there are far more days when we get to see the very best of Rocky River Schools. Those days reinforce the foundation that makes River so special.
With Pirate Pride,
Adham
