Families matter

By TODD STRONG
Principal, Legacy Christian School
Guest Columnist

As the holiday season approaches, it is a stark reminder how quickly time moves, especially within our schools. The school year feels like just yesterday we were welcoming our students back from summer break. Now, with only two weeks remaining in the first semester, educators’ attention moves to the spring. There is no shortage of events, meetings, and activities to be planned.

During this planning process, decisions involving curriculum, instruction, and technology integration may be considered. Each decision point for educators is complex. Rather quickly, new strategies, curriculum, and technology emerge as the latest and greatest models promised to create growth and development. Over the years, each of these aspects of education have changed drastically. As quickly as the new semester arrives, new curriculum, strategies, and technology are developed. While the need for these topics ebbs and flows, one need remains consistent in our schools – the necessity of strong family partnerships and involvement.

As most students navigate a vastly different educational experience than many of their families, the need to work together and form healthy partnerships is essential. In some circumstances, the experience of our students mirrors very little of our own. Technology, curriculum, and instructional strategies have all changed and evolved. In fact, many of the physical spaces within our schools are drastically different.

While there are considerable differences between now and then, the need for strong families remains.

Students need consistency and support both at school and at home. Even though students have access to information at a much quicker pace than previous generations, they need constant and consistent mentorship in order to properly apply and understand the world around them.

Furthermore, as students navigate their K-12 experiences, there are undoubtedly challenges along the way. Yes, curriculum, instructional strategies, and technology will all change; however, challenges with adolescents will always remain. Having strong family support to work alongside schools is essential during this often-challenging period. Strong families provide the foundation for students to navigate their world. They provide the modeling and teaching for how to interact while at school. They are pivotal for student success.

At Legacy Christian School, a cornerstone of our work is our strong family partnerships. We emphasize the importance of our families and encourage their involvement on a daily basis. Our staff is committed to ensuring transparency and allowing families an opportunity to join them in our educational process. We believe our students benefit the most when students can feel supported both at school and at home. We are not only partnered together in our Christian faith, but also our commitment to supporting our students. Our families are often serving our teachers and staff, volunteering during events, and participating in their student’s overall experience. Our families are a cornerstone of our school.

In conclusion, the K-12 process in 2024 and beyond is ever changing. Trends, best practices, and new technologies are all fleeting. As soon as one develops, another comes along. Ideally, as new changes occur, educators are using the change for the positive and ultimately improving the quality of our student’s education. Although hard to quantify, the relationship our schools have with our families is as important as any curriculum or instructional practice. Our students need consistent mentorship and love from both their families and their schools. When schools can rely on families and families can rely on schools, the potential for what is possible significantly increases.

We are fortunate at Legacy Christian to serve alongside supportive families. We share a common belief on the importance of family and encourage a partnership. For students to be successful in a complex world, a strong, family foundation is essential. When families and schools are aligned in this belief, students flourish.

Todd Strong is a husband, father, and school administrator who serves as the principal of Legacy Christian School. He has his Masters in Educational Leadership from Indiana University and has worked in a variety of educational settings, including private schools, public schools, and charter networks. He and his family currently reside in Noblesville.