In these days of high stakes testing, it is imperative that a sense of trust and mutual respect be developed for all stakeholders--students, parents, and school personnel--as they work together for optimal student achievement. A simple conversation can often open the doors of understanding. If parents and guardians feel at ease with their child's teacher, they will be more apt to ask questions or seek help for their child. Students must be able to trust their teachers and that trust can be heavily influenced by an educator's perception of their students' family and the community as a whole. When educators participate in community events, they will come to learn about students' family dynamics and inter-family relationships. Strategies for community involvement are diverse, and credibility must be earned and validated over a period of time. This article provides several ways school staff can get involved with the community. Active participation by school personnel is imperative for positive working relationships in the community. The benefits for both staff and community are clear. Community knowledge can be shared between school personnel, and families and students can get help to improve academically.