Partnering with Schools
Perhaps the most important element in partnering with local
schools is found in the relationships between your site
and the school. Building strong relationships with individual
teachers and administrators through consistent contact and
positive interactions increases the likelihood that those
students will visit your site for its educational programming.
Other tips to foster partnerships with schools:
- Have an in-person meeting with the school's administration
and teaching staff
- Work to meet the teacher's educational standards for
their school
- Consider offering professional development opportunities
for local teachers
- Tailor your marketing message to teachers with your
site's educational outcomes in mind
- Foster a personal relationship with teachers
- Invite students to help with your site's curriculum
development
- If possible, tie your site's educational programming
to standardized test questions and learning standards
at the state level
- Gather materials from the classroom and align your programming
- Bring the site to the classroom via class visits, Internet,
and live TV
- Give students a 'project' that is real
- Consider creating a 'partnership agreement' with schools
to clearly state the benefits your site will provide to
the school
Partnering with Community
Partnering with community groups can provide your site
with invaluable resources that serve to enhance programming
and staff. Building personal relationships with community
members starts the dialogue that can lead to many opportunities.
Tips for building partnerships with community groups:
- Be strategic in matching your site's mission with that
of the community group
- Enlist teachers and students who have participated in
your site's programming to share the benefits associated
with your site
- Determine projects where community partners will be
visible and useful
- Invite community partners to help with specific tasks
such as evaluation, trainings, volunteering
- Participate in community events sponsored by groups
such as Chamber of Commerce, local foundations, etc.
- Work with student programs at local high schools, colleges
or universities
Partnership Links
- Partnership
Guide - Browse through the on-line guide to developing
partnerships produced by USDA Forest Service and the National
Forest Foundation.
Partnership Contract Examples
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Take a look at what federal agencies and their partners are doing to connect children and nature.
