Daily Journal staff reports
Two local superintendents want to hear what you have to say over coffee.
Rich Arkanoff, superintendent of Center Grove schools, and Patrick Spray, superintendent of Clark-Pleasant schools, have coffee chats with people in their school districts.
Stacy Conrad, spokeswoman for Center Grove, and Spray tell you what you need to know about the events.
[sc:text-divider text-divider-title=”Story continues below gallery” ]
When is the next coffee date?
Center Grove: 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. Oct. 27.
Clark-Pleasant: 6:30 p.m. Nov. 29.
Where are the coffee dates?
Center Grove: The Oct. 27 coffee chat is at Strange Brew, 4800 W. Smith Valley Road, Greenwood. Locations are being finalized for the next few dates.
Clark-Pleasant: Whiteland Elementary School, 120 Center St.
Who can come?
Center Grove: We encourage parents and community members, anyone who is interested in learning more about Center Grove Schools, to come out.
Clark-Pleasant: The coffees are open to anyone in the public who would like to learn more about Clark-Pleasant Community Schools. This includes parents, residents, grandparents, interested community members.
What do you want families to get from the coffee chats?
Center Grove: The coffee chats are an opportunity for parents and community members to speak informally with the superintendent. He looks forward to hearing what topics are of interest to them and answering any questions they may have.
Clark-Pleasant: Communication is critical to effective organizations, this is particularly true in school corporations. While each session will begin with me presenting information about the district including programs, etc. The real power of these conversations is generated by questions and dialogue with those who attend. One important takeaway from the meetings is that those in attendance know that we work hard to communicate, listen and understand. Our hope is that they then become key communicators for the school district and encourage others to communicate directly with teachers and administrators.
What is discussed?
Center Grove: Arkanoff has been holding these coffee chats for the last few years. There is no agenda. Topics are wide-ranging, from the school calendar to building projects.
Clark-Pleasant: Typically meetings begin with me giving an update of what is currently taking place within the district and what is being discussed at the corporation level. We also share some programming or curriculum changes that are on the horizon or in practice. Parents will bring up topics which allow me to gain valuable perspective of their concerns, celebrations and areas of interest.
