Transforming Schools & Strengthening Communities: Our Bond Partnership with North Kansas City Schools
A school bond is a transformative process that not only reshapes the physical landscape of a district but also offers opportunities to strengthen community ties for generations to come. Engaging students and the broader community throughout the construction process can build excitement, pride and a shared sense of ownership for what is to come. Here are five ways McCownGordon engaged with students and the community during the North Kansas City school bond construction process, ensuring transparency, education and collaboration throughout.
1. Student Internships and Job Shadowing
Offering internships or job shadowing opportunities to high school students interested in fields like construction, engineering, project management or skilled trades allows them to get real-world experience stages of construction, project coordination, budgeting and environmental sustainability.
Many schools have begun programs internally that can enhance this process. North Kansas City Schools, for instance, created and implemented the College and Career Pathways Program in 2021 for all high school students in the district to provide them with an opportunity to learn about potential careers, provide experiential learning options, and have relevant coursework tailored to those career paths. McCownGordon has had the privilege of being a business partner for the past four years with NKC Schools and the College and Career Pathways program through the mentorship program, mock interviews, career fairs, guest speaking and education events, and most recently, the summer internship program.
This unique program was launched in the summer of 2024 and allows district students to gain the opportunity to intern with companies aligned with their career interests, providing invaluable hands-on experience for their professional journeys.
McCownGordon hosted a local high school junior interested in construction, engineering and project management. Throughout the summer he gained valuable real-world experience about construction management, jobsite safety, and integration of technology in construction.
Involving students in the bond project turns it into a learning opportunity linked to their curriculum. Shadowing construction managers or assisting with planning can spark interest in STEM careers and bridge the gap between education and the professional world.
2. On-Site Field Trips and Tours
Field trips are not just for students anymore. Hosting on-site tours for students, parents and community members allows them to see firsthand the progress being made. This offers an immersive experience where the community can visualize the bond dollars at work.
With on-site tours, teachers and faculty have the unique opportunity to observe the development of the new learning environments firsthand where they will soon be very familiar with. By seeing the progress up close, teachers and faculty can offer valuable feedback and begin envisioning how to best utilize the new classrooms and other facilities to enhance student learning experience once the project is complete.
At Crestview Elementary School, our construction team decked North Kansas City students out with personal protective equipment including hardhats, high visibility vests and safety glasses. They were then ready to go on their mini field trip stomping through the dirt of where the new school would be.
Students from different grade levels could also have specialized tours for age groups, where younger students learn about the basics of construction, while older students delve into more advanced topics like renewable energy systems, preconstruction or the closeout process. Community members may also appreciate the transparency and the opportunity to ask questions and provide feedback.
3. Beam Signing and Milestone Ceremonies
Holding beam signing ceremonies or other milestone events allows students and teachers to, quite literally, leave their mark on the school’s future . For instance, during the “topping out” ceremony, when the last steel beam is placed, the community can be invited to sign the beam, symbolizing their involvement in building the school – like what McCownGordon had done with the students and faculty at Maplewood Elementary. Such events help develop pride and ownership over the construction of the projects. These events also mark significant milestones tangibly and provide a perfect opportunity for media coverage, further promoting community support and engagement.
4. Ribbon-Cutting Events and Grand Openings
While the completion of the project may seem far off, planning for ribbon-cutting ceremonies and grand opening events ensures the community is engaged and excited for what is on the horizon. For example, to build anticipation and excitement for Nashua Elementary in North Kansas City , the construction team and owner invited students to cut the ribbon to their new beginning.
A district could invite local alumni and community leaders to speak at events, while incorporating students through performances, speeches, or tours during the ribbon-cutting ceremony. This emphasizes the school’s mission to serve and uplift the next generation.
5. Community Volunteering
Construction on an active jobsite can cause stress of the unknown and distractions to teachers and students. With that, it is imperative that we show our utmost appreciation to teachers and faculty, letting them know we care about them and their goals.
During construction, having a focus on community volunteering fosters a sense of shared ownership and support among local stakeholders. Activities like organizing a teacher appreciation day can boost morale by recognizing educators for their dedication, while setting up prize closets, like what was done in North Kansas City Schools, filled with school supplies and incentives encourages community contributions toward student success. Job fairs also provide valuable opportunities for parents and students to explore employment opportunities within the construction industry or other fields. By hiring a CMAR early to the project we were able to assist the architects as early as possible with this.
These initiatives strengthen the relationships between the construction team and the community and enhance engagement, making the project a collective, community-driven effort.
School bond projects are more than just brick-and-mortar undertakings; they are community investments that can inspire engagement and learning opportunities. By incorporating these ideas, school districts can ensure that students and the community are not just observers but active participants in the transformation. In doing so, the construction process becomes a shared journey that strengthens community ties and builds pride in the district for generations to come.
