The Sidney Central School District hosted two officials from the Rural Schools Association of New York State earlier this week, showcasing what rural schools are capable of doing to give students a high-level education.
Heather Zellers, the new executive director of RSA, and Scott Bischoping, the director of development and member services with RSA, visited with Superintendent Eben Bullock, Assistant Superintendent Kerrie Johnston, Director of Curriculum/School Improvement Tony Stenta, and Board of Education members Amanda Finch and Anna Banks. During the day, the group toured the buildings and grounds, watched classrooms in action, and discussed the importance of schools in high-needs rural areas and how rural schools must be creative and solution-focused to succeed.
Some of the stops included Sidney’s outdoor learning facilities, the cafeteria, the playground, the Raymond welding and skills room, multiple classrooms, the weight room, and aquatics center.
“As a district and a community, we want everybody to be proud to be part of the Sidney Central School District,” Bullock said. “Whether it’s our students taking advantage of different learning opportunities, staff utilizing creativity in the delivery of lessons, it’s important for the Sidney community to be proud of its school.”
It takes time and creativity to get to where Sidney currently is. The school district is continuously reflective and focused on the future, whether it’s programming, a capital project, or a community and business partnerships. Being involved beyond the walls of the district is important for staff and students.
Still, the culture that Sidney has built started with leadership, Bischoping said.
“Sidney really has established a culture,” Bischoping said. “Without it, this can’t be done. Sidney has been able to create something and sustain it, which is the biggest lesson out of this. You can’t be mesmerized by just shiny objects; you need the leadership piece. That’s the foundation here.”
When Zellers recently took the helm as the executive director at RSA, she said Bischoping insisted she needed to visit and tour Sidney.
Following the two-plus hour tour, Zellers said she was impressed with the district.
“For lack of a better adjective, it’s amazing,” she said. “As we walked through and watched, teachers and students were engaged and that speaks volumes. You can see it. The branding is on point and just driving in – it’s welcoming.”
Administrators and BOE members answered questions and spoke about how Sidney has positioned itself as a big part of the community. Sidney has created many partnerships within the community, which benefits students as they go along their educational path.
RSA visiting and spending the afternoon was significant, Finch said.
“I don't think I can overstate how incredibly important it was to have RSA visit Sidney CSD,” she said. “Getting out and visiting schools really demonstrates that the association values rural communities and is invested in rural school success. Hosting RSA leadership at Sidney CSD provided them with a firsthand understanding of our unique strengths, challenges, and needs as a rural school district. Giving the RSA leadership the opportunity for personal observation only strengthens their ability to advocate effectively with policymakers and legislators.”
This visit allowed Sidney to advocate for all rural schools, and showed the importance of a school being the hub of the community. The tour allowed RSA leadership to see the ability of what rural schools can offer students when they have the support of the community and Board of Education.
“A strong supportive Board of Education, like at Sidney Central School District, has a future-focused mindset that is willing to expand beyond the walls of the school and create innovative programs and authentic learning experiences for kids,” Bullock said.
Having the support in place, also attracts high-quality teachers who want to be here and be part of the community.
“Sidney CSD has been very future-focused and purposeful in its program planning, organizational structure, and capital improvements, said Finch, who is in her 11th years as a BOE member. “The leadership at Sidney CSD has worked hard to create a culture that puts students at the center and encourages thinking outside the box.
“I hope that RSA walked away from Sidney CSD knowing that rural schools are centers of civic pride, creativity, innovation, resilience, and community connection,” she continued. “Sidney CSD has many successful programs and effective practices that can and should be replicated at other rural schools. I hope that RSA leadership will share what they observed with other districts and help us start important conversations around what's possible in rural education.”
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