If you have ever wondered how a district made of 9,000 students and 1,500 staff operates, the Crown Point Community School Corporation Ambassador Program may be of interest. Launched in September 2022, the program is a six-session behind-the-scenes look at district finances, operations, curriculum and instruction, and student services.

The Ambassador Program is open to community members who live within the district’s boundaries and would like to become more familiar with Crown Point Schools. Participants meet once a month on Wednesday mornings for presentations and hands-on experiences delivered by administrators, instructional specialists, support services staff, and teachers. The goal is to provide an opportunity for more community members to meaningfully engage with Crown Point Schools.

This year’s sessions include an overview of the district’s finances and construction projects, understanding the scope of support departments, the use of instructional technology, inclusion practices, curriculum and testing, and shadowing an administrator. The program has only 15 participants so that each session is interactive and personalized. Ambassadors are encouraged to ask questions and engage in conversation to learn more about each topic.

Resident and CP parent Susan Yadron is one of this year’s ambassadors. As a parent new to the district, Yadron said she wasn’t certain about the transition from a small school to a large district, so she joined the Ambassador Program to learn more about the district. “My husband and I are new parents to a public school student. I was very nervous about the transition and wasn’t sure where my place would be as a parent of a high school student. I am blown away with the transparency as well as the dedicated time and resources to plan a vision for partnership with the community through this program,” Yadron said. “The culture established by the [district’s] leadership team is apparent. Not only as a parent, but as a healthcare leader, I have very much enjoyed getting a glimpse of what makes the CP school system such an amazing organization.”

The Ambassador Program also provides school administrators an opportunity to listen to community members’ questions. “It’s a chance for our team to sit down and discuss what actually happens in our schools every day,” Superintendent Dr. Todd Terrill said. “It’s not just about us sharing what we do, but also about listening to feedback from our school community in a way that is personalized and meaningful. We can listen to a variety of perspectives and experiences.”

You can learn more about the Ambassador Program at www.cps.k12.in.us/ambassador. Although the current group is full, the application for the 2023-2024 cohort will be available in August.