The process to become a
Join-a-School partner involves a simple five-step process.
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Step 1: Contact Join-a-School
Contact Join-a-School to request a partnership
• A Join-a-School
representative will discuss the program and offer to meet in
person to discuss the program in detail
• Once the decision is made by
the school or business to move forward, a Join-a-School
representative will arrange and facilitate a meeting to
bring the school and business together
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Step 2: Match Business with
Appropriate School
A business may request a particular school partner or a
Join-a-School representative can find the best possible
match
Several factors are considered to determine the best
partnership:
• Physical proximity of the
business to the school
• Where employees’ children
attend school
• Common link, like fine arts
or technology
• School with the greatest need
at the time
Note: Businesses offering similar
products or services are not placed in a Join-a-School
partnership with the same school.
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Step 3: Develop Partnership
Plan
Develop a partnership plan conducive to both partners
Create a written plan proposing activities and
educational support Note: This can be revised as necessary throughout the
relationship.
Each business and school should designate a
Join-a-School “coordinator” to be the point of contact
• The business and school
coordinators will meet together with a Join-a-School
representative to discuss the needs and resources of each
partner and to brainstorm ideas for future activities
Be honest and flexible
• Businesses should be
realistic about the extent of the resources they can commit
and be sensitive to the realities of today’s public schools
• Schools should understand
what businesses can provide and be open to new approaches
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Step 4: Implement Partnership Plan
Start small and maintain support
• Start with a limited number
of activities when beginning a partnership to maximize
success
• “Quality versus Quantity” is
a good rule to follow
• Create a small Join-a-School
committee at your business or school to support your
Join-a-School coordinator and provide assistance for your
activities
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Step 5: Maintain Ongoing Communication
Communication is the key to a successful relationship
• Ongoing internal
communication about your Join-a-School partnership will
increase employee understanding of the program, inform new
employees of the relationship and maximize employee
participation
• Play an active role with your
partner and meet as often as possible to determine needs
Please
complete the following brief questionnaire and a
Join-a-School representative will contact you with more
information on partnering with a local school.
