The Partners in Education initiative, formerly known as Adopt-A-School, is coordinated by the Virginia Beach City Public Schools. Local businesses, the military, community organizations, and our schools work together to foster a better understanding of public education and provide expanded educational resources for our children.
A partnership is a mutually beneficial arrangement between a business or community organization and a school or school district, in which the partners commit to specific goals and activities intended to benefit students. These joint projects and activities provide expanded material, financial, and/or human resources. Collaboration between partners may take the form of:
Mentorships,
Scholarships,
Tutoring,
Classroom enhancement,
Curriculum development,
Job shadowing,
Career awareness,
Workplace tours,
Service on craft, advisory, and school planning councils,
Staff development,
Coordination of special events/projects, and
Guest speakers.
All partnership activities should be aligned to the schools' plans for improvement. Partnerships between our schools and the
community have resulted in numerous enriching and rewarding learning experiences for students.
Increased visibility and recognition for valued community service;
Greater understanding of public education;
Rewarding and satisfying experiences for personnel;
Well-educated students who are prepared to enter the workforce;
Decreased need for retraining of new hires; and
Students and educators who develop a better understanding of workplace needs and expectations.
Enriched curriculum and classroom activities;
Expanded educational opportunities and resources;
Increased awareness of career options;
Technical assistance in planning and implementing school programs;
Opportunities for staff development; Improved community image of public education; and
Opportunities to relate academic learning to real world applications.
Increased communication among citizens;
Strengthened school system;
Educated citizenry;
Well-prepared work force;
Opportunities for involvement in public education; and
Improved economic development.
Partnerships extend learning experiences for students and teachers, while strengthening the relationship between schools and communities.
The process for establishing a partnership begins by contacting the Partnership Office in the Department of Media and Communications Development for the Virginia Beach City Public Schools at 757.263.1337. The partnership coordinators and administrators at individual schools may also initiate the alliance. To create a climate for success, the following steps are encouraged:
Meet with prospective participants to discuss potential reciprocal partnership opportunities;
Conduct needs and resources assessments for both organizations;
Establish mutually beneficial goals and activities;
Identify individuals to serve as partnership contacts;
Host an orientation session and partnership ceremony for participants;
Implement the planned partnership activities;
Evaluate partnership activities and make adjustments for continuous improvements;
Recognize partnership participants and communicate results; and
Renew the partnership goals and activities annually.
Relationships with the Virginia Beach City Public Schools are tailored according to the schools' and the organization's needs and resources. The possibilities are unlimited!
Partners in Education
2512 George Mason Drive, P.O. Box 6038, Virginia Beach, VA 23456-6038
757.263.1337 • 757.263.1009 Fax heather.allen@vbschools.com
