By Andrea McBride
Staff Writer
CARO — Positivity is what Superintendent Mike Joslyn wants to emphasize about Caro Community Schools.
Since he assumed the superintendent position in July, Joslyn has worked to find ways to promote the school. His first objective was an updated mission statement.
Joslyn said the new mission statement is shorter and better reflects the school.
It reads: “We cultivate academic excellence in an environment that fosters physical, social, and emotional growth which empowers students to become responsible citizens in our community and in an ever-changing world.
The idea to cultivate excellence came from the Caro Chamber of Commerce’s recent efforts to re-brand the city, emphasizing the importance of coming together as a community.
As high school principal, Joslyn sat in on some Chamber of Commerce meetings related to the re-branding efforts to gather ideas for the future of the school.
“I didn’t know I was going to be superintendent, but regardless I wanted a stake in the game, because we’re a community organization,” Joslyn said. “I want the doors open. I want people coming in here. That’s the reason we’re here.”
Joslyn said “cultivate” is an effective word. He wants to show that Caro Schools provide the necessary tools for growth to all levels of students.
“We have a large group here compared to most schools, and we’re very diverse. … You can see we’re providing service to a lot of different levels of people, and that has to do with our economic makeup of Caro,” Joslyn said.
The diverse student body may account for lower test scores, according to Joslyn. But he said there are other factors to consider when choosing a school.
“Many people that I’ve talked to … don’t necessarily look at the test scores. They look at what your school has to provide,” Joslyn said. “We have great fine arts, we have lots of athletics and ultimately we do provide a great academic foundation. But it’s for everybody.”
A new “C” logo was also designed to better reflect the school.
In the past, the football team had a logo that only it identified with. The new logo represents Caro Schools as a whole. It is similar to a Chicago Bears “C” except without the tail and with a tiger stripe added.
A professionally made commerical about the school was another promotion effort. It features students, alumni and teachers talking about positive experiences.
Although the commercial has been featured on WNEM TV-5, Joslyn said its presence on the school’s website is what counts, as it’s readily available for prospective students and parents.
Postcards also were sent to everybody who lives adjacent to Caro Community School district’s boundries. The district received backlash from surrounding schools, as they saw the effort as a way to steal students.
“The big issue is we’re schools of choice,” Joslyn said. “There’s a market out there and you’re trying to convice kids to come to your school.
“If Cass City’s a better school for you then go to Cass City. If Akron Fairgrove’s a better school for you, then go there.”
Joslyn said he’s thankful for the students who choose Caro, and he is constantly re-imagining the district, striving for success but not forgetting to remain optimistic.
“(Finding Caro Schools is) like finding a nugget of gold,” he said. “It’s allowing the people that are in this district to flourish.”