Harrisonville Community Bus Tour
Connecting Teachers with Local Resources
Harrisonville Schools has taken a proactive approach to connecting their staff with the rich resources available within their community. Through their annual Community Bus Tour, teachers are given the opportunity to explore local institutions, learn about their offerings, and discover how these resources can enhance their teaching experience.
The tour, a free event open to all staff members, is designed to provide a comprehensive overview of the community's assets. Participants visit various locations such as the public library, historical society, chamber of commerce, community center, hospital, and health department. Additionally, presentations are provided by organizations like the extension office and square preservation organization.
These stops offer teachers valuable insights into the resources available for both personal and professional use. Neisha Handley, teen librarian at the Cass County Public Library, emphasized the importance of connecting teachers to the community's resources.
"I loved being able to welcome new and seasoned teachers to our library and share all the amazing resources they and their students' families can access here at CCPL," Handley said. "Many of our teachers are coming from outside of our small community, so the more resources we can share with our teachers the more connected to the community our students and their families will be."
Beyond the educational benefits, the tour also fosters a sense of community among the staff. Second-time tour participant Carol French-Ward, elementary Life Skills teacher, said, “I like having the Community Bus Tour close to the start of the school year, because it helped me start thinking about my classroom and my students. I enjoyed each stop and appreciated the goodies and information from each location. I know doing it a second time I gained even more knowledge about the community and the resources available to us as teachers - I am going to make a connection with the MU Extension Program this year.”
The tour's success is also attributed to the enthusiastic participation of local businesses and organizations. They provide handouts, business cards, and even treats to the tour participants, demonstrating their commitment to supporting the school community.
As the bus travels through the community, participants are treated to a guided tour of local landmarks and points of interest. This provides them with a deeper understanding of the area's history and culture.
The tour takes place in the middle of the day, so the treats provided by local restaurants at some of the stops serve as lunch for the participants. Over the past two years, they’ve enjoyed cinnamon rolls; quiche and coffee; chips and salsa; a charcuterie board; and BBQ meat samples.
The community bus tour has proven to be a valuable initiative for Harrisonville Schools. By connecting teachers with local resources, the tour empowers educators to create more engaging and meaningful learning experiences for their students. It's a testament to the school district's commitment to fostering a strong partnership between schools and the community.
"The Cass County Historical was honored to be included in this informational tour for Harrisonville teachers. It is so important that teachers know what resources are out there to help them both inside and outside the classroom. CCHS shared an overview of the incredible history that the 1835 Sharp-Hopper cabin has been a part of in Cass County. Supporting our local teachers by making history more tangible to students through field trips and in-class presentations encourages both students and teachers to learn more about local history and its part in the national narrative."
“I learned more about the community than I knew after living here in Harrisonville since 1998,”
Tips for Planning a Local Bus Tour
from Jill Filer, Director of Communications at Harrisonville Schools
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