The School District of Monroe realizes the importance of meeting the needs of our local business community. While we acknowledge that we could have done more in the past to reach out and find out what our local employers need, we stand committed to growing and strengthening our partnerships with our local businesses so that our community can flourish in the future.
One of the challenges of meeting the needs of our business community is that not every local employer has the same needs. Some employers need more labor for their manufacturing, some need highly technical professionals that require significant post-secondary education and others need strong customer service skills which sometimes are difficult to teach within the framework of the school environment. While we are working diligently through Youth Apprenticeships, the SOAR program and our work release options at our high school, developing our local workforce needs to be a connected experience integrating what students learn in the school district and at home.
When I talk to employers, I hear that one of the biggest problems they face is getting people to show up for work. As a school district, we probably would like to see better attendance at school too. When your child (or grandchild) isn’t feeling 100 percent, they still probably can go to school, do chores around the house, or go to their part-time job. When they can’t make it to school or work, notification calls to the school or employer should be made in advance, and a true effort should be made to get “caught up” as soon as possible. They need to learn that the world continues to rotate on its axis in your absence and nobody needs to drop everything to bring you back to where you were the day before.
Another repeated message I hear from the business community is that workers need to be team players. There are lots of opportunities at school and home to be part of a team or group activity. However, when your child does not get their way, don’t rush to overwhelm the decision-makers for that group to advocate for what your child wants. There is a great deal to be learned from not getting what you want and giving your best anyway. If I would have gotten exactly what I wanted early in my professional career, I would never have ended up with this amazing job I have now. I would not have met my wife, and I would have different children (if I had any at all), and I am confident I might not be the quality person I strive to be today. Failure creates opportunities to overcome failure, so let your loved one experience not getting what they want and be supportive of the fact that they should not walk away from challenges. I also hear from employers that they have to put too much time and effort into getting people to get along in the workplace. Whether it is harassment, jealousy or disrespect; too much time and effort is put into getting the adults to get along. You can teach children at home that you don’t need to share your unfiltered opinion about everything (especially through social media). Just because you think it, doesn’t mean you need to, or even at times have the right to say it. Believe it or not, you do give up some first amendment rights when you are “at work” or “under contract” with an employer. All of us are entitled to our opinion and beliefs, but that doesn’t mean we have to be intolerant, mean or inhumane in how we deal with others just because we want to feel free. Teach children that actions, and words, have consequences, and don’t always try to protect them from the outcome of those consequences. It is better they learn now than as an adult when their livelihood may be on the line.
The school district’s mission is “Preparing for the Future, One Child at a Time.” That is also a solid mission at home. The future isn’t always kind or prosperous. However, building respectful and resilient children will allow us to succeed as a community and a nation, regardless of what lies ahead.
Have a great November and GO CHEESEMAKERS!!
— Rick Waski is the district administrator for the School District of Monroe.
