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Community & Family Engagement

2023-2024 Annual Report

CTE Advisory Members

Community & Family Engagement

Community and family engagement are essential to our district’s mission. This year, we connected with families and community members through open houses, forums, surveys, and interactive events, creating meaningful opportunities for collaboration and input.

Additionally, we strengthened relationships with community leaders and industry partners, working together to enhance educational opportunities and career pathways for our students.

Some of these efforts are highlighted below, demonstrating how we work together to build a school community that reflects the needs and aspirations of those we serve.

Public Relations & Communications

Following recommendations from the 2023 Communication Audit conducted by the National School Public Relations Association (NSPRA), a Director of Public Relations joined the district in August 2023 to enhance communication with internal and external stakeholders.

This role is dedicated to building stronger relationships and ensuring effective information flow throughout the community. To further support these efforts, a communication specialist intern was brought on at the end of the school year to assist with managing district-wide communications.

public relations

School Board Transparency

In dedication to transparency and community involvement, we extended an open invitation for community members to attend each school board meeting, accompanied by advance announcements of the meetings and their agendas. We also offered a live broadcast of the meetings and ensured that meeting minutes and agendas were easily accessible on the school board webpage.

Additionally, in March, the school board hosted an interactive community presentation to discuss board member roles and responsibilities. For ongoing accessibility, school board members' email addresses are posted on the website, allowing stakeholders to reach out at any time.

Surveys & Community Meetings

Throughout 2023-2024, several types of surveys and public meetings were held to engage our community and gather valuable input. Here, we highlight a few key initiatives.

new schools survey

New Schools Forums & Survey

Community Forums on Potential New Schools were held on November 8 and December 18, 2024, featuring a presentation by RSP & Associates and an opportunity for participants to ask questions and stay engaged in the development process for possible new elementary schools.

Between the two forums, a "New Schools Survey" was distributed throughout the community to gather input and opinions and gauge support for a potential school bond referendum to build one or two new elementary schools.

2024 Bond Referendum Public Meetings

In February 2024, the school board voted to proceed with a school bond referendum set for April 17, 2024. The ballot question sought community approval for the construction of one new elementary school.

In March and April 2024, five community meetings were held in the lead-up to the bond referendum vote on April 17. These sessions took place at Williston Middle School Central Campus on weekday evenings at 5:30 PM, with one on a Saturday morning to provide flexible options for community participation.

Each meeting was organized as an Open House Style Event, featuring stations with poster board presentations on key topics such as current elementary schools, enrollment projections, tax implications, project costs, school plans, and bond project details. Knowledgeable presenters, including district staff and representatives from the architectural team, were available at each station to answer questions and engage with attendees.

Feedback forms were provided at each event to capture community input on the bond project details and meeting format. This interactive approach encouraged attendees to explore topics at their own pace, engage in small group conversations, and share their perspectives, helping to shape a well-rounded dialogue about the proposed bond referendum and its potential impact on our district.

public meeting

Unique Community Engagement

Building connections with families and the community is a vital part of our district’s mission. Sometimes, these connections happen in unplanned and unexpected ways.

One unique example of this engagement emerged during the renovation of our Bakken building at WMSCC, formerly Williston High School, where construction crews uncovered a hidden collection of 13 wallets from the early 1960s tucked behind a wall.

wallets in the wall

Believed to be the work of a gym locker thief from that era, these wallets contained personal mementos like IDs, photos, and other keepsakes, each offering a glimpse into the lives of past students.

By sharing this story in our district newsletter, on Facebook, and in the local newspaper, we were able to connect with the community and successfully reunite 11 of the 13 wallets with their original owners or families. This memorable experience underscores the enduring connections that shape our district and strengthen our community bonds.

Family Engagement Activities

During the 2023-2024 school year, all of our schools hosted a variety of family engagement activities designed to bridge the gap between school and home.

These events, held both during the school day and in the evening, provided opportunities for families to become actively involved in their student’s learning experience. Students were able to proudly showcase their work, while families participated alongside them in classroom activities, fostering a stronger connection with the school community.

Such events helped create a welcoming environment where families felt more involved and connected to their child’s educational journey.

families

Industry and Community Partnerships

At Williston Basin School District #7, we recognize the valuable role of industry and community partnerships in enriching our students' educational experiences. Throughout our schools, community members and industry professionals frequently visited classrooms to share their expertise and insights, helping to bridge the gap between education and real-world applications.

Community leaders, organizations, and engaged community members support our students in a variety of ways, from offering classroom presentations to participating in school events, like judging homecoming parade floats.

For example, Mountrail Williams Electric Company delivered engaging electricity safety presentations in our elementary schools. Additionally, during Fire Prevention Week, elementary students toured Williston Fire Department stations, gaining firsthand knowledge about fire safety and the essential role of firefighters in our community.

electric company providing electricity demonstration to students

mayor klug and others judging homecoming floats

At the high school level, Williston High School actively collaborated with numerous employers in the region to provide students with work-based learning opportunities.

This partnership culminates in events such as the fall career expo and spring student job fair, where students can connect with potential employers, explore various career paths, and gain practical insights into the workforce. These initiatives foster a strong connection between education and the community, preparing our students for successful futures.

Planning Committees

Various planning committees within the district included parent and guardian involvement, fostering community engagement in decision-making processes. Two notable examples are the Calendar Committee and the New Elementary School planning groups.

In early 2024, the Calendar Committee, which consisted of representatives from all school levels, parent groups, and administration, met four times to outline two years' worth of school calendars. This collaborative effort resulted in the school board's approval of the calendars, marking the first time the district has established a two-year framework. This proactive approach aims to provide greater clarity and planning opportunities for families and staff alike.

The New Elementary School initiative features a Leadership Group composed of district administrators and construction professionals, a Steering Committee with program leaders and community representatives, and User Groups representing key programs in the new school.

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