In response to the findings in the Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce study of the Perception of the Quality of Education in Manchester schools, area businesses are invited to sign a “Community and Business Pledge” to assist in development of and participation in programs that provide Manchester students with the skills to become healthy, productive citizens, well-prepared for employment. The Education Pledge has been signed by a number of greater Manchester businesses.The Education Pledge Project is supported by and located in the business community. Its purpose is to form long-term collaborative relationships between businesses and schools in which the needs and resources of the school and business are matched. The partnership is to be rewarding for both the school and the business. The partnership coordinator assists a business in identifying the resources it has to share and finds the appropriate matching school. After forming a partnership, she maintains contact with both partners and keeps the relationship working toward its planned goals. Most partnerships consist of a business owner and/or employees visiting their school partner for up to one hour per week. While we recognize that your time is money and that does have a financial impact, there is no cash outlay required. Businesses, large or small, in any field, can form a substantive partnership with the age group of their choice, grade kindergarten through twelve, in any public or private school in the Greater Manchester area. Project activities are as varied as the needs and resources of the school and business being matched. Employee volunteers organize citizenship programs, read to students, conduct health education programs, tutor in classrooms, judge school events, write letters to students, serve as FIRST competition partners, introduce students to career options, mentor, and much more.
How do businesses benefit?
• Positive public relations
• Team building for staff
• Rewarding experiences for employees
• Greater understanding of needs of schools
• Better prepared future work force
• Fulfilled organizational mission
• Employee retention
How do schools benefit?
• Improved achievement by students
• Individual attention for students
• Student introduction to careers
• Better student attendance
• Additional resources for teachers
• Stronger school/community relations
• Students see curriculum tied to "real world"
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