Greendale School District teaming up with community members to expand learning beyond the classroom

GREENDALE - The Greendale School District is envisioning a learning experience that goes beyond the four walls of a classroom and sends students out into the community so students can better prepare for their post-school life.  

In fall 2016, the district began putting together a strategic plan, which eventually developed into three different priority areas: project-based learning, readiness for post-high school pathways, and youth engagement. One of the best ways those involved thought they could achieve the goal of readiness — and the other two priorities — was by developing relationships with the community.  

Ideally, community members would partner with teachers and schools to create more enriching learning experiences. For example, partners could help a teacher apply lesson plans to real-life situations, allow students to help an organization solve problems, or offer internships. 

Engaging learners

"For us, the primary reason why we want to do this work is really to take a look at student engagement in their courses and make sure they are walking the hallways with a purpose in mind," said Superintendent Gary Kiltz.   

The district has identified four main career clusters that students are interested in: health sciences; science, technology, engineering and math (STEM); arts, video production, and communication; and business management and administration. The next step is to connect with community partners in these areas. 

More than 50 people have already expressed interest in being a part of the program, according to Greendale High School Principal Steve Lodes.

"I think ultimately, we all have this desire to help others and to share our expertise and knowledge," said Thor Misko, a community member who is a part of the planning team. "I think that they've always wanted to find a way to help, and now there's a structured way to do that."

Beneficial for everyone

Though the biggest benefit to setting up the program is for students, community members or businesses that participate will also reap some rewards.  

"At the end of the day, I think it's certainly about providing a higher level of quality learning. It provides additional opportunities to the students, and it provides additional opportunities to the community," said Dr. Richard Busalacchi, who is also a part of the planning team. 

For students, the benefit comes from seeing how what they are learning applies to the world outside the classroom. By doing things such as bringing in guest speakers, students can get a better look at these applications and, hopefully, start to value what they are learning even more.  

Some students could even end up applying their schoolwork themselves, either through internships or helping local businesses through a project. Kiltz said he envisions an environment in which businesses allow students to come in, examine a problem and provide recommendations as to how to solve it.  

Through experiences like that, Kiltz also hopes that students will leave school with a better idea of what they'd like to do in their future careers. 

Finding a path

"Just doing isolated coursework, students haven't walked away with a true understanding of what the environment they might be working in is," said Kiltz.  

Whether a student completes these experiences having affirmed that's the field they want to pursue, or realized that a particular career pathway is not for them, both are valuable for the students to learn about themselves, he added. 

Ruling out career paths is just as valuable to students as it is to parents who might be funding a student's post-secondary education. If students know whether —or not — a job is for them, parents won't have wasted money on a four-year degree in the wrong field, Kiltz said.

Related:Greendale students 'can't wait to come back' to summer school

In addition, not every career requires a four-year degree, even though that's often the track schools tend to drive students toward.  

Students who do find their fit through a community partnership might have connections for a future job, which is good news for students and employers.  

"It helps meet needs for workforce development," explained Kiltz. "Businesses will know there are Greendale students that, down the road, they know are going to be able to do the job and do it well." 

Starting the conversation

Though the partnership program may take a year or two to perfect, as Misko pointed out, the district is starting on the program right away with a meeting for everyone interested. Misko said the meeting should set the tone and kick off the conversation. 

"I'm hopeful that this really is the start of something that becomes really robust and rich in conversations from both sides, across the schools and the community," Misko said.   

The organizational meeting is for all who might be interested and is planned for 6 to 8 p.m. Monday, Sept. 25, at Greendale High School, 6801 Southway.