Under the leadership of principal Collett Cross, Ford Elementary School in New Albany has instituted Friends of Ford, a volunteer program that invites all members of this rural community to participate in all facets of school life. The program includes such activities as one-on-one tutorials, weekly after-school group tutorials and classroom presentations. "Community members," says Mrs. Cross, "are encouraged to approach us with any idea that might benefit the students." Members of the local garden club, for example, participate in the program by maintaining the school's outdoor classroom and sponsoring a Young Gardeners Club at the school. In an effort to ensure sustained communication with students' parents, Mrs. Cross has developed a computerized telephone hotline, encourages home visits and parent conferences, and publishes a monthly newsletter.
