Partners in Education
Frequently Asked Questions
NEISD believes that the education of our students is the responsibility of the entire community, not simply the responsibility of professional educators. Your organization will gain new insights into the public schools, while also investing in the future of our community. Your organization’s image in the community is enhanced through your involvement with PIE. The program also offers a great vehicle for channeling the community service efforts of your employees or members.
Below is a list of some of the frequently asked questions (FAQs) regarding business and community partners. Click on the question to see the answer.
If your question is not listed here, please contact Partners in Education at (210) 804-7226.
- What is Partners in Education?
- Who benefits from partnerships?
- How do we choose a partner school?
- Is there a minimum financial investment?
- Can we partner with more than one school?
- What can we do for our school?
- How do we know what activities are beneficial to students?
- How long does the partnership last?
- Do we have to renew the partnership each year?
- What can the school do for us?
- Can we partner with a specific area within the school?
- Do we need to develop a budget?
- What happens when the principal or key school contact is no longer at the school?
- Can we change schools once we get in the program?
- Is there a bad time of year to enter into a partnership?
- What is a “partnership?”
- What types of businesses fit the program?
- Why would a business want to be a partner?
- How much time is involved?
- How does an organization decide what kinds of activities to undertake?
- How is the effectiveness of the program measured?
- How are people informed about a partnership?
1. What is Partners in Education?
Partners in Education supports community-school partnership programs that provide a vehicle for businesses, government agencies, civic groups, and faith organizations to make available additional educational resources to our schools. Volunteers from these organizations are frequently tutors, mentors, and lunch or reading buddies. They introduce students and teachers to new technologies, provide tours of the workplace, and talk with students about their careers. When students have an opportunity to interact with positive adult role models from the community, they become aware of the connection between what they are learning in school and the skills they will need in the workplace.
2. Who benefits from partnerships?
We view educational partnerships as a two-way street. Along with the benefit to students, teachers and staffs at schools, partnership volunteers enjoy spending time helping children. The partnership can provide opportunities for employees to get involved in their community and for the business to show that it is supportive of public education. Employers express improved morale among employees when they become involved in a joint project such as partnering with a school. The business or organization gains name recognition by students and parents at the school where they partner. Partnerships promote good will and build communities.
3. How do we choose a partner school?
The Partners in Education staff will assist your organization in identifying the school or program that will best fit everyone’s needs. Some organizations partner with a school in the neighborhood, while others have a desire to help in another part of town. Our staff will also help you decide what age group of students meets your needs as a partner. The school will then be contacted and a PIE staff will facilitate the process of developing the partnership.
4. Is there a minimum financial investment?
No. The Partners in Education program is built on the belief that relationships make the difference. Though we appreciate financial contributions, we feel strongly that this should be deeper than simply a financial arrangement.
5. Can we partner with more than one school?
Yes. In fact, several organizations with multiple locations have more than one school partner. We don't discourage multiple school partnerships, but the key is making sure you have adequate personnel to be effective in multiple sites.
6. What can we do for our school?
Here is where your creativity can make a difference. You can involve your employees/members in activities at the school or you can host students for a career day. You can provide incentives to recognize student achievement or provide your professional expertise to the school. The possibilities are unlimited, so ask the staff to brainstorm with you.
7. How do we know what activities are beneficial to students?
Get the school staff to include teachers or students in the planning process. Ask the staff to specify effective strategies for reaching students. The school should have a plan that already includes priorities that will help in this discussion.
8. How long does the partnership last?
Most partnerships continue for as long as the partners feel they are still being effective. In a few rare instances, the community partner will enter the relationship for a designated period that is communicated to the school.
9. Do we have to renew the partnership each year?
No.
10. What can the school do for us?
Here is another area where the creativity of the PIE team makes the difference. Invite the school PIE team to visit your organization to see where the school can impact your operations. We like having our students out in the community providing entertainment, artwork for display or other exhibits of their talents and skills.
11. Can we partner with a specific area within the school?
Yes. In many cases, your organization will be one of several community groups making a commitment to your partner school. In these cases, the PIE team will identify where your strengths and resources can have the most impact.
12. Do we need to develop a budget?
Though not simply a financial commitment, the reality is that many of our partnerships do involve some financial contribution during the year. In the cases where we know finances are involved, we encourage the development of a budget that is communicated to the PIE team.
13. What happens when the principal or key school contact is no longer at the school?
The PIE staff will assist with facilitating a meeting between the new parties. This is where the larger PIE team that includes several members from the school and community organization can help.
14. Can we change schools once we get in the program?
Yes. We would prefer to make changes prior to the beginning of each school year. Contact the PIE office at 210-804-7226.
15. Is there a bad time of year to enter into a partnership?
No. In fact, partnerships that begin late in the school year get the advantage of taking a "test drive" before planning their activities for the next year. We are pleased to have the community get involved throughout the year.
16. What is a "Partnership?"
A collaborative relationship between a school and a business. Partners in Education is a sharing of resources - a partnership between schools and businesses, industry, community based and not-for-profit organizations. It is the community-at-large responding to the needs of education.
17. What types of businesses fit the program?
They all do! From small businesses with five employees to large corporations, you will find all types of organizations participating in the partnership program. Some are corporations, some are retail businesses, and many are service businesses and professions. Still others are not-for-profit or civic organizations. What they all have in common is their willingness to help students reach academic and developmental goals.
18. Why would a business want to be a Partner?
It allows a business to positively impact its own future. Economic stability for a community is directly related to the quality of education of its youth. One local bank states it is their obligation to help children understand that doing their best in school is their "job" right now. Teaching good work habits in school yields good work habits for life.
19. How much time is involved?
There is no set amount of time that a partnership requires because each organization or individual sets up the program areas where they feel they can be of assistance with their school. If an organization decides to provide tutoring for a school, employees may spend about 1 hour per week on this project. An organization may sponsor a special event, and the time spent would be planning, preparing, and conducting that special event. Some partners only focus on one program area or contribute to one event during the year.
20. How does an organization decide what kinds of activities to undertake?
A partnership meeting will be held upon request that will include partnership activity suggestions. Discussions on the following will help to determine participation in our programs; (1) when volunteers are available, (2) the age group of students in which an organization is interested, (3) skills and talents volunteers might want to share, and (4) types of activities that would engage them.
21. How is the effectiveness of the program measured?
Forms are provided for the school to keep track of programs and volunteer hours. Brief reports are submitted monthly and at the end of the year.
22. How are people informed about a partnership?
A partnership meeting is a good way to introduce the partnership to school staff, students and members of an organization.
Last modified Dec 07, 2007