A cup of Joe and friendly conversations are hallmarks of Coffee Chat sessions
In an effort to foster communication between school officials and the community, New Philadelphia City Schools Superintendent Bob Alsept has instituted Coffee Chats, held periodically in the centralized location of the Daily Grind coffee shop in the downtown area of the city. During the Coffee Chats, Alsept is available to connect with parents and others in a casual, relaxed atmosphere.
“We just completed four Wednesdays of Coffee Chats. We have no set agenda, just for people to come out, and as they have different concerns (they are brought up). We had all kinds of concerns, from elementary parents to middle school and high school parents and community members,” noted Alsept of the successful program.
“This makes a great difference in a community. The school superintendent is the PR man, basically, for the school. He has to be visible, and answer to all the people in the community. He has a very important part, and that is one of (Bob Alsept’s) top priorities,” said Pete Angelo, a retired educator with 26 years in teaching and another 20 years on local school boards. He cradled a coffee mug and motioned toward the superintendent seated across the table. “If you never see the superintendent, that is not very good. When you see him at school functions, that makes a difference. It is very important for the parents. The Coffee Chats are a very good thing, as he has to be visible.”
Teresa Prince, a New Philadelphia resident, sat a few chairs away and quickly agreed with Angelo.
“The social part of it is so important, as much depends on the contacts you make. People need to know that they can go to the superintendent personally and talk to him. In this world of technology, where so much is not face-to-face, people need to know that this person is actually out in their community, and they know that he is a face that they can go and talk to about their concerns. He is available to them, not just at a desk somewhere, untouchable, and I think that is something that is important,” commented Prince.
“Most of the questions focused on academics, and different things we have done throughout the district; what is new, what is changing in education. There was a little bit of talk about Senate Bill 5, and those types of things. It was good, because we did have some folks come in who at the beginning were upset with something. As they had a chance to air what they were upset about, and get some answers to their questions, it felt like they understood better what we were trying to do. The chats are one more way of getting out and talking to people.” Alsept noted that assistant superintendent Deb Kennedy also participated in the gatherings.
During the past year, the district has begun to utilize Facebook, Twitter, and Constant Contact, as well as a revised website, to further improve communication.
“My goal with the Coffee Chats was that maybe somebody was walking away knowing that they had been heard, or understood,” stated the superintendent. “We try to focus on things in our control. As a district, we want to continue moving forward on a five-year strategic plan. We also want to continue looking at rigor and relevance in all of our buildings, with the goal of being sure that our kids will be successful later as they move through schooling. We also want to give our students the most up-to-date technology and creative learning opportunities to equip them to go out and compete in a global society.”
“We just completed four Wednesdays of Coffee Chats. We have no set agenda, just for people to come out, and as they have different concerns (they are brought up). We had all kinds of concerns, from elementary parents to middle school and high school parents and community members,” noted Alsept of the successful program.
“This makes a great difference in a community. The school superintendent is the PR man, basically, for the school. He has to be visible, and answer to all the people in the community. He has a very important part, and that is one of (Bob Alsept’s) top priorities,” said Pete Angelo, a retired educator with 26 years in teaching and another 20 years on local school boards. He cradled a coffee mug and motioned toward the superintendent seated across the table. “If you never see the superintendent, that is not very good. When you see him at school functions, that makes a difference. It is very important for the parents. The Coffee Chats are a very good thing, as he has to be visible.”
Teresa Prince, a New Philadelphia resident, sat a few chairs away and quickly agreed with Angelo.
“The social part of it is so important, as much depends on the contacts you make. People need to know that they can go to the superintendent personally and talk to him. In this world of technology, where so much is not face-to-face, people need to know that this person is actually out in their community, and they know that he is a face that they can go and talk to about their concerns. He is available to them, not just at a desk somewhere, untouchable, and I think that is something that is important,” commented Prince.
“Most of the questions focused on academics, and different things we have done throughout the district; what is new, what is changing in education. There was a little bit of talk about Senate Bill 5, and those types of things. It was good, because we did have some folks come in who at the beginning were upset with something. As they had a chance to air what they were upset about, and get some answers to their questions, it felt like they understood better what we were trying to do. The chats are one more way of getting out and talking to people.” Alsept noted that assistant superintendent Deb Kennedy also participated in the gatherings.
During the past year, the district has begun to utilize Facebook, Twitter, and Constant Contact, as well as a revised website, to further improve communication.
“My goal with the Coffee Chats was that maybe somebody was walking away knowing that they had been heard, or understood,” stated the superintendent. “We try to focus on things in our control. As a district, we want to continue moving forward on a five-year strategic plan. We also want to continue looking at rigor and relevance in all of our buildings, with the goal of being sure that our kids will be successful later as they move through schooling. We also want to give our students the most up-to-date technology and creative learning opportunities to equip them to go out and compete in a global society.”
Published: March 8, 2011
