By Joseph Knoop
Zionsville families and residents looking to get a glimpse into what goes into their children’s education can see firsthand with the Zionsville Community Schools’ Citizens’ Academy Program this October.
The Citizens’ Academy, a three-part series of Q&As and informational sessions, will bring together Zionsville faculty and community members to answer questions, relate stories and initiate discussion.
“It’s compelling to the folks who are in the group,” Zionsville Community Schools Superintendent Scott Robison said. “We also talk about HR operations because it’s not known to most, but we’re one of the biggest employers in the town. We tell them what it’s like. It’s very human and on a ground level.”
Robison added that the most popular segment appears to be the first, in which school faculty members talk about a day in the life of working at Zionsville High School.
Attendees will also be able to learn from and participate in a discussion focused on the use of technology and the future of the school system.
“We let participants take a survey and ask them what they think of the future,” Robison said. “It helps us understand better what we did or didn’t cover and helps us calibrate.”
Zionsville residents without children are also allowed to join and have provided the program with some of its most meaningful input, Robison said. Notable past attendees have included Indiana State Rep. Donna Schaibley and Zionsville Mayor Jeff Papa.
“If you look at what makes great school communications, it’s parents,” Robison said. “If we didn’t communicate with parents we wouldn’t be good at this. Hopefully they appreciate what they see.”
Morning sessions for Citizens’ Academy will take place Oct. 2, 16 and 30 at 7:30 a.m. at ZCHS, 1000 Mulberry St. Evening sessions will take place at Oct. 6, 13 and 27 at 7 p.m. Admission is free but limited seats are available. Register at www.surveymonkey.com/r/citizensacademyII.
