Steps to Build a Partnership with a CPS School

Exploring a Partnership
Lisa Wiersam, Interim Director of Partnerships, or one of the coordinators will talk with you about possible volunteer activities and other resources you and your company or organization might bring to a school. The particular schools that might be a good match are identified. The visits to meet with the principals of the potential partnership schools will be arranged by the partnership group coordinator. The coordinator will accompany the company or organization representative on those visits.

Visits to Schools
During the school visit, the organization’s representatives will tour the school and talk with the principal and others about mutual interests and discuss what a year long partnership with the three partnership outline would look like.

Completing the School Match
After the visit, the company or organization would convey their preference for which school would be the best partner. Once decided, then a brief outline of the years’ plan for the partnership would be written and conveyed to the principal. If acceptable to the principal, the partnership would commence.

Volunteer Enrollment
Any employees who would have one-to-one contact with students would complete the volunteer packet including appropriate background checks, TB tests and permissions would be completed before the volunteer received his or her badge and could begin their activities with students. Those employees whose only activity would be as assembly speaker or who would be giving presentations —–?

Yearly Summary of Partnership Activity
Each year the company along with the principal will summarize the partnership activity that took place during the year. This information will be included in the City wide summary of CPS institution-school partnerships.