New Dimensions Charter School

Building Community at NDS:

Community is defined by varying aspects of culture, education, age, attitudes, interest and a plethora of other factors. In a effort to build community at New Dimensions Charter School they have started a program where community leaders come to the school and greet the students upon their morning arrival once a month. Community leaders are to include Police, Fire, City Officials, Clergy, Emergency Medical Services, etc. On Friday, September 27th, Morganton Public Safety Officers; Lt Gary Massey, Lt Will Lackey, and Community Officer Casey Kinard greeted New Dimensions students with high-fives, handshakes and hugs. The school alerted their parents prior to the event so they could prepare their students ahead of time. Students were thrilled to see the officers. The students were all smiles as they were greeted by the officers and given words of encouragement for the day. Several comments the staff received were, "I've never given a police officer a high-five before", "My brother wants to be a Police Officer when he is older", "That was weird", "Those cops are nice." Casey Kinard, Community Office and D.A.R.E. Officer stated, "Greeting the students was a great start for our day, I hope the students felt the same. It was awesome seeing the kids and getting tons of high fives!" New Dimensions is looking forward to building a strong community within the school and with others outside their school doors.