What is Partners in Education (PIE)?
The Broken Arrow Public School District initiated a Partners in Education program in 1994 to team businesses with schools in a mutually beneficial cooperative program. In school/business partnerships, a school is "adopted" by a business and exchange resources like personnel, technology and materials.
For example, the business may let students or staff spend a day shadowing its employees, help purchase materials for the school, provide incentives for good grades or attendance, provide a positive role model, speak at Career Day functions or let employees volunteer at the school. In return the school may provide businesses with a positive public image, provide areas (such as gym and auditorium) for businesses to hold seminars or play volleyball, etc., or provide student entertainment at company functions. The program is very flexible and businesses are only encouraged to do what they are comfortable and interested in doing.
GOALS
• To enhance a school's ability to establish an atmosphere of motivation for students to attend regularly
• Improve achievement in reading, communications and mathematics
• Be knowledgeable about career opportunities in the area
• Develop a sense of responsibility for the future
• Develop a sharing of expertise between businesses and schools
OBJECTIVES
• To develop cooperative efforts by business and education personnel to enhance school programs
• To foster an understanding in students about the world of work
• To draw correlations between curriculum and future job applications
• To develop the concept of shared responsibility for education
BENEFITS
• Opportunities to share your expertise with students
• Provide career awareness to students
• Involvement in community and school projects
• Improved public image
• Utilization of school facilities by your organization or business
• Students can provide entertainment for your business events
• District provides recognition for PIE businesses through community and school publications and events such as sports programs, web site, Chamber functions, Arrowpoint magazine, PIE newsletters and more
• Free admission to home athletic and Fine Arts events
• School sites provide recognition of Partners through school newsletters, assemblies and other events
Interested in becoming a Partner? Please let us know! For more information, please call 918.259.5700, or email Jo McCord.
