While organizing our annual safety preparedness meeting, I was reminded of Sheriff Ian Parkinson’s insightful comments that “We can address our issues proactively, one relationship at a time.” The sheriff’s words underscored the importance of community and the virtues of patience, flexibility, and kindness. The Great Kindness Challenge, a shining example of this, began as a “backyard club of caring kids” and has blossomed into a global movement. With over 19 million youth in 121 countries actively fostering a culture of peace and kindness, The Great Kindness Challenge is a testament to the power of community and the potential for positive change.
A sense of belonging, purpose, and support grows when we foster relationships, build community, and practice kindness. Belonging, purpose, and support are vital for our psychological well-being and help us feel connected to others. Social media and even what was once considered traditional media are often consumed with quantity over quality, splash over detail, and rumor consistently outshines fact. As I age, I value my authentic and genuine relationships with people who love, respect, and accept me. Today’s schools face multiple linguistic, cultural, religious, ethnic, and racial issues that are best approached through a caring community that practices patience, flexibility, and kindness.
Our school and community leaders meet regularly to discuss the needs, perspectives, and challenges of the individuals we serve. The role of public agencies in addressing these needs and building up our entire community is crucial. School and community violence prevention continues to be a topic of my monthly Superintendent’s Council meetings. The council, which includes school leadership, law enforcement, mental health professionals, and social services, is a testament to the importance of local community-building efforts.
Our meetings aim to facilitate multi-agency communication and collaboration, present positive strategies for community engagement, and build up the county. Because of the Sheriff’s efforts along with the Office of Emergency Services, San Luis Obispo County is one of the first in the state to map every school campus and better connect the community digitally. Because research indicates that violence prevention programs structured in ways to build community capacity are the most successful, our ongoing meetings commit to providing at least one proactive suggestion that might mitigate personal or agency disconnect. The San Luis Obispo County Office of Education, along with school districts, charter schools, the District Attorney, the Sheriff’s Office, the Chief of Probation, and local police chiefs, meet regularly to build community, strengthen communication pathways, and address safety issues. I believe that together, we can invest in our future by facilitating multi-agency communications, working collectively, and acknowledging that each of us, in our unique roles, is a vital part of our shared community. It is an honor to serve as your County Superintendent of Schools.
