Community

I.              RESPONSIBILITIES OF PARTNERS IN EDUCATION  COORDINATOR

The major function of the Coordinator is to connect area businesses with the schools in the St. Joseph School District.  Coordinator would seek out prospective partners as well as follow up on “leads” from the schools.

The Coordinator will establish a relationship with the business and offer suggestions as to what school would be a “good fit” and provide examples of current successful partnerships.

The Coordinator would set up a communication between the school and the business and then turn the partnership over to the principal for follow up and individual partnership ideas.

Principal or their designated liaison would continue the relationship with the business on a yearly basis. 

Principal would contact the Coordinator if partner contact person changes so that data base can be updated regularly.

Coordinator would follow-up a new partnership with a SJSD certificate, awards, etc. as a “thank you” for working with our schools.

Coordinator would stay in contact with partners and send a year-end survey to each partner and the school. 

II.            ENSURING SUCCESSFUL PARTNERSHIPS

Partnerships are most effective if both partners agree on the following:

The major emphasis is on the use of voluntary human resources to enrich the educational environment.

The commitment of the chief executive officer and school principal are communicated to all company employees and school staff.

Partnerships are based on developing a relationship between the school and business.

The partnership is built around district and building goals and included in the School Improvement Plan.

Each partnership is autonomous and designed to meet the mutual needs of school and business.  Schools identify their needs and partners identify resources and projects.  A mutual agreement spells out commitments, activities, time frame, and responsibilities.

Partnerships are developed by a team of people from the school and business who share in the preparation of goals and activities.  Broad-based representation from school, business, parents, and community is important to overall success. 

Partnerships are sustained by ongoing communication between school and business.

Partnership activities support the total development of all students.

Partners need to receive recognition, both internally and publicly.

Partnerships must be accountable.  Businesses need assurance that what they are doing is worthwhile and making a difference. 

III.          CHECKLIST FOR SCHOOL 

1. Designate a planning team (3-4 employees/staff/parents) to develop partnership projects and activities.
2. Designate a liaison for the team.
3. Conduct a needs assessment and a resource assessment.  Compile the information.
4. Prepare a profile of your school for your business partner.
5. Appoint a planning team member who will be responsible for relaying public relations information to the School To Business Partners Coordinator and to the school newsletter.
6. Promote the School To Business Partners program in your school with requests for input, letters sent to homes, posters, bulletin board displays, etc.
7. Complete survey at end of each school year and submit to School To Business Partners Coordinator. 

IV.          SCHOOL PRINCIPAL ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES                                          

A principal who is strongly committed, enthusiastic, and understands the program, is the key to success.  Leadership from the principal gives the program increased credibility and impact with the teachers, students, parents, and the partner.  The principal will:

• Designate a competent and interested school coordinator who has the time to devote to the program.
• Work closely with the school coordinator in a co-leadership role.
• Establish a committee within the school to plan partnership activities.
• Provide a school environment that contributes to the success of the program.
• Promote and publicize the partnership.
• Serve as the official contact between the school and the School To Business Partners Coordinator.
• Coordinate teacher release time, scheduling, and allocation of resources.
• Assist with evaluation of the program.
• Arrange for follow-up, thank you, and distribution of any program information.
• Complete end of year survey and submit to School To Business Partners Coordinator. 

V.            ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF BUSINESS OR ORGANIZATIONAL LEADER 

The business leader must have a personal and corporate commitment to the School To Business Partnership program.  This commitment is evidenced by his/her approval and adherence to the guidelines and principles of the program and the communication of this commitment to all levels of the organization.  This individual’s role will be the same regardless of the size of the organization.  The business leader will:

*    Establish top level commitment to School To Business partnership

*    Authorize use of company resources.

*    Designate a high-level representative as business coordinator.

*    Promote participation by employees.

VI.          SPECIAL ACTIVITIES THAT SCHOOLS CAN DO FOR SCHOOL TO BUSINESS PARTNERS 

Partnership is a two-way street.  The activities in which you participate as school partners are as limitless as the resources and imagination you have to offer.  Here are some suggestions:

TUTORING – Students or teachers can provide one-on-one tutoring in many skill areas for business employees: reading, writing, math, English as 2nd Language, etc.

TECHNICAL TRAINING – A school can offer in-service workshops or seminars in accounting, bookkeeping, computers, general office management, etc.

WORKSHOPS – (General) Teachers can develop and present workshops in such areas as parent/teacher conferences, how to help a youngster study effectively, etc.  Teachers can also develop workshop ideas that may be used in a company’s training program.

STUDENT ART/WORK DISPLAYS – Student artwork, decorations, projects, etc. can be displayed in the company’s lobby, cafeteria, or offices.

PUBLIC RELATIONS – Students can feature interviews of people from the business organization, or students can feature important happenings with regard to the business organization in the school newspaper or school-sponsored television program.

ENTERTAINMENT – Students can provide entertainment (musical, theatrical, instrumental) for business partner event. 

RECOGNITION – Schools can host recognition breakfasts and luncheons for business partner volunteers.  Schools can also award plaques and scrolls (designed by students and/or faculty) to business participants.

SCHOOL FACILITIES – Facilities such as the gymnasium, the cafeteria, classrooms, music rooms, the media center, etc. can be made available to the partner.  In addition, outside facilities such as the playground, track, soccer field, football field, can also be made available to business partner employees.

THANK YOU CARDS -  Students can design and send special cards to company employees and/or company customers.

BULLENTIN BOARDS – Schools and partners can exchange bulletin boards to display each other’s achievements.

SPEAKERS – The principal, faculty/staff, and even select students can serve as guest speakers at business partner functions.

TOURS – Schools can provide a tour of the facilities and discuss special services of the school.

COMPLIMENTARY PARTICIPATION – School can invite business employees to attend special school events – plays, musicals, sports functions – at no or little costs.

CONTESTS – School partners can invite business partners to participate in athletic or other contests. 

VII.       SUGGESTED ACTIVITIES FOR A PARTNER IN EDUCATION

The activities in which you participate as a Partner in Education are as limitless as the resources and imagination you have to offer.  Here are some suggestions:

FOR STUDENTS – 

          Provide classroom speakers and presenters.

          Host tours through the workplace.

          Arrange career “shadowing” of employees for an hour/day.

          Serve as a resource for a school-sponsored “Career Day” presentation.

          Arrange for student internship/mentorship so young people first-hand can 

          learn the business.

          Consult with students involved in business-oriented research.

          Provide student scholarships.

          Allow students to help with company-involved community projects.

          Display student projects at the business (e.g. arts, crafts, photography, etc.).

          Hire students during summer or after school.

          Provide one-on-one counseling/training related to career and job interviews.

          Allow students to give entertainment performances at the workplace.

FOR TEACHERS –

          Serve as curriculum consultants to teachers in specific areas.

          Develop supplemental teaching/instructional materials.

          Offer summer training courses to teachers as well as new employees.

          Host teacher for summer employment in specific curriculum-related jobs.

          Assist teachers as volunteer aides (e.g. , in health screening, playground 

          Supervision, tutoring, etc.).

FOR THE SCHOOL –

          Donate surplus equipment or supplies for classroom/office use.

          Provide meeting space or special facility use at the workplace.

          Sponsor school contests and serve as judges (e.g., writing, spelling bee, 

          reading, poster contests, science fair, etc.)

          Participate in school beautification, repair, and renovation projects.

          Assist with after-school activities (e.g., plays, athletics, band, etc.)

          Help with fund-raising activities (e.g., sales, events, drives, etc.)

    Sponsor or organize a school club (e.g., math, computers, photography, etc.  

    Provide volunteer help in non-classroom settings (e.g., office,

    cafeteria,  library, media center, etc.)    Provide funding for student rewards,

    field trips, honors, etc.