Parent: Break down walls between city and schools

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As we drove through my home state of Texas for fall break I couldn’t help being envious of the small towns that proudly displayed school colors with ribbons tied on light posts, of the messages of support painted in local businesses and of the signs and banners boasting of what mascot was loved in that town.

Where is that support from our small town? Any visitor driving through our town should know they are in Ram Country.

This week is homecoming week yet I don’t see any support from our town. Where are the red and black bows, messages of support painted in business windows, banners, wreaths, etc.?

With the kickoff of Stagecoach Days there is a great opportunity to combine the two and bring the community together with a parade involving the schools and homecoming events. I’d love to see a community forum happen with our city leaders, city organizations, school leaders and interested parties.

I want to see a brainstorming happen that results in ways the school and the community can bridge the gap between the two. Schools can be more present during city functions and meetings and the city leaders can be more present at school events and schools.

When was the last time a school ran a community cleanup? When was the last time the mayor of our town (any mayor) sat in a dunking booth at a school festival? When was the last time our city officials talked to and helped our students during The Future Cities Competition? When was the last time a school principal went to a city council meeting boasting of school achievements and inviting city leaders to their school? How many schools are involved in any Stagecoach Day events?

There is great opportunity for schools to participate more in our city such as a club hosting a tea or even a “prom” for our senior citizens, a school volunteering at our local food bank, a school hosting a community cleanup, more school involvement at our festivals, etc.