Governing Board | Collaboration in Paradise
As the saying goes, teamwork makes the dream work, and we see that happen in so, so many ways in PVSchools. Collaboration, the act and art of working together, is not just a value highlighted in our strategic plan, but one that is truly infused into our DNA as a district. In society, it is expected that people will work together to achieve a collective goal, and the ability to be a team player is a sought-after skill in the vast majority of workplaces today. In PVSchools and education in general, the desire to develop this skill has created expanding opportunities for our students to work together on projects, in activities, on the field and stage, and more. If you look at many of our classrooms today, you will spot seating arrangements that consist of tables that can be moved into different configurations, replacing singular desks that kept kids separated.
We have seen the power of collaboration within our community. Volunteers in Paradise gives community members a focused avenue to work with teachers to support specific students needing a boost on their journey of excellence, for instance, while our committee structure in PVSchools is a testament to collaboration, and ensures that all stakeholders can come together to tackle an issue or issue a recommendation designed to improve teaching and learning or move our district forward in some way.
Our teachers are masters of collaboration, working with each other, with students, with parents, and with the community to support our students in and out of the classroom. There are examples of this too numerous to detail, but one of my favorites has to be our teachers’ Prom Boutique. First opened in 2016, the boutique provides high school students prom attire free of charge. A valid PV ID is a student’s pass into the boutique, where they can search through racks of dresses and suits alongside tables filled with shoes, belts, purses, jewelry, and other accessories. It began when teachers saw the need to help students who could not join their friends in this important milestone event because of finances. Today, many students also browse the boutique because they appreciate the low-key atmosphere and eclectic selection.
The first year, 25 students found outfits; last year, the count topped 250. The generosity of our teachers in giving countless hours getting the boutique ready, making sure it is well stocked with everything the students need, and helping students find outfits is legendary. The collaborative effort to make sure the Prom Boutique is a success includes our PV parents and community. The boutique is permanently housed at Sweetwater Community School and donations can be made year-round at the district office or through purchases from Amazon wish lists and gift cards to local restaurants and businesses. Not long ago, inventory swelled when a bridal shop went out of business and sent its dresses to the boutique. The “Barbie” craze that began when the movie was released was kept alive months later to the delight of our students when teachers and community members built a mini-Barbie boutique within the boutique.
In PVSchools, we understand just how much the potency and potential of partnerships leads to truly valuable collaborations to support our students in ways large and small. Thank you for your contributions to these collaborations as we all work together to achieve our vision that every learner is empowered for a lifetime of success.
On behalf of the Governing Board,
Anne Greenberg
President