Mission Statement:

Partners in Education promotes the collaboration of the Jefferson City area business and education communities, provides programs that enable students to achieve academic excellence and enhances economic growth with quality schools.

Program of Excellence Award Winner—

Southwest Early Childhood Center & Scholastic Inc.

Early childhood education is the beginning of the journey toward graduation.  We want to make it a priority to give our children and families as many tools as they need to graduate.  This is the second year of the “Destination Graduation” program in which we establish a contract between the student, school staff and parent stating that we will work together as a team to ensure that this child will graduate from school.  The support that we receive from Scholastic made it possible for all 105 of our preschool students and all of our Southwest teaching staff to have a “Destination Graduation” t-shirt with the words Destination Graduation, the year of the child’s projected high school graduation, our school logo, and our school vision.  These t-shirts serve as a constant reminder of the goals we want to instill into our students, even at their young ages.

Scholastic has partnered with Southwest staff to implement essential monthly community service projects centered around positive character development.  One such project was the “Begin Again Backpacks” which were donated to the Missouri Foster and Adoption Agency.  Many of our children have experienced the stress of being removed from the home and there may not e time to gather essential items for the night. The “Begin Again Backpacks” was a collaborative effort between families, staff, community members and Scholastic to provide books, a stuffed animal, pajamas and toiletries for children in need. 

Our partnership is so much more than a “program” it is a bond that helps us to really grow our school culture.  Our families and staff have a true appreciation for the partnership that has been established.  Some parents have stated that they were touched to see the community and the public schools working together to help their child begin to think about the importance of education at such a young age.  Other parents have gotten huge smiles on their faces when they realize that this community really does care about them and their child. 

Program of Excellence Runner-Up—

St. Stanislaus Catholic School & Mid-America Wireless

Discipline of the junior high students at St. Stanislaus School needed improvement. The number of office referrals and suspensions had steadily increased over the last few years.  The Blue Card, a strict disciplinary process, was implemented in 2010-2011.  This was met with much resistance from students and families. The school did not achieve the results expected.  The school then partnered with Mid-America Wireless who brought in a Franklin-Covey Facilitator specializing in 7 Habits for Highly Successful People.  Over the course of three days the facilitator and key school staff began the process of building the existing Disciple in Me program that accented the Covey principles and 7 Habits.

Before the beginning of the school year, the school held a Junior High Jamboree to introduce the new program and to gather input from students who would be affected by the program.  Students then introduced the program to the parents.  The Disciple in Me program was implemented in the 2011-2012 school year and has been met with success both among the students, staff, and school families.

In summary, this is an ongoing program, all of the goals that were set out in the beginning of our process have been met, buy-in for the new program was had by all and the school year launched VERY successfully!  The Disciple in Me card is reducing student issues in the school. 

Jefferson City High School offers Transition Camp

JCHS Student Council working with Jefferson City Police Department

Homecoming at Jefferson City High School is a huge endeavor. The JCHS Student Council planned, organized and carried out a week which included a powderpuff football game, a bon fire, a parade, a pep rally, an assembly, and a dance. The student council enlisted the help of numerous school system employees, local businesses, and community groups to pull it off. One of these groups is the Jefferson City Police Department. Starting in April before the fall events student council applies for permits for the parade and bon fire. These events require roads to be closed and the JCPD is the agency that approves that and makes it happen. Next, as we approach the week of events we will often communicate through our school resource officers about the details of these events and the logistics to make them a success. On the days of these events JCPD provides numerous officers to help close roads and also provide security. In our dealings with the JCPD they have always shown the highest level of professionalism and a willingness to help us make our events successful. We understand that these events put an increased burden on officers that are already busy, but it is great to see their desire to help in any way to make things run smoothly. We value the relationship JCHS Student Council has with the JCPD and hope it continues in the future.

Recycle, Reuse, Reclaim and Consider Your School Partner

 Logos, titles and contact information come and go in business, and out of date materials pile up.  Consider your school partner before you relegate to the recycle bin.  When William Woods evening program name changed, the boxes (and boxes) of large envelopes were shared with area schools including  Jefferson City Academic Center (JCAC), Southwest Early Childhood Center, Special Learning Center, St. Peter Interparish Schooland Helias Catholic  High School.

Appreciative and creative educators cite a myriad of uses for such paper products including envelopes to send notices and work home, origami, practice folding and cutting, and even using labels to re-use the envelopes. 

William Woods enrollment representatives, Stan Mantle and Theresa McClellan, deliver large envelopes to Special Learning Center staff, Debbie Hamler and Pam Mayfield.

Lawson School Partners continues partnership with Scholastic Inc.

 Lawson elementary would like to think our business partner, Scholastics, for all the donations and support they have given us this 2012 year.  Lori Massman and Teresa Herrera, along with Scholastics, have done an amazing job making themselves available to our school for help.  Scholastics has donated books and prizes each month to our Character Plus program so that one student from each class in each grade level will go home with a book about the character trait for that month.  Parents have been sending in ways that their children exhibit the monthly character trait at home.  Joyce Jamison wrote in that her son, Jaylen, shows, “kindness by being concerned about others.” Angela Gilbert wrote in that her son, Justin Sullens, shows, “compassion and kindness by telling us how gorgeous/pretty we are at home.”  Another words he gives compliments to individuals as a way to show his kindness.  What a great way to show children being positive in the community.  Thanks Scholastics for encouraging students in our school to have good character!

Scholastic Inc. Buddy the Elf visited students at St. Martin School

December cheer was shared between St. Martin School and Scholastic Books. The parents of St. Martin School students made and sent Christmas goodies to the employees during the month and the students made Christmas art work to brighten the halls. On December 19 Buddy the Elf visited the younger students in kindergarten through third grade. They were delighted when he presented each student with a Christmas book from Scholastic.