Advice from Partnership Members

Below you will find tips and advice from other members of APS Partnerships. Feel free to join in on this page by with your thoughts on comments posted or advice of your own you'd like others to have.

• Piggy-Back: When first starting a partnership, look to piggy-back on already planned school events, such as field trips, sports events, fairs, or community nights. This way, you don't have to worry about planning logistics and you can ease into getting to know the school; the school will probably also be grateful for not adding more to its already packed schedule right off the bat. Once they get to know you and you form a relationship, then you can start planning standalone events.
• Solve Scheduling Conflicts Together: Facing the challenge of the school schedule and the alumni group schedule often not matching up right off the bat? Have a brainstorming session about how to offer activities outside of school hours so alum can attend, but in a manner that makes sense for the students and school staff.
• Choose Activities With Passion: Some of your alumni may be excited to tutor in subjects like math or science but, for those who are not, make sure they lead activities they are passionate about - yoga, cooking, stock market, knitting, etc. The kids will love whatever the activity is, if the leader is passionate about it and presents it in a fun way!
• Ask for a School Events Calendar: Have the school give you a calendar of all of their planned events right at the start of the year, so you can see where you might be of help.

"Because we started our partnership in the middle the school year and didn't want to overwhelm the school with lots of requests to accommodate our desires and schedules, the first year we focused on helping out at one-time events that the school had already planned, such as field trips and science night. Now that we feel like both the school and our group has a good handle the partnership, we are all really excited to take it to the next level! Our main goals this year are two-fold: have consistent opportunities for both alum and students to interact in meaningful and fun ways, and to have a strong presence in the school. The principal and teacher coordinator have been integral in getting the ball rolling, and our alum are chomping at the bit to volunteer! I've already had people request to lead workshops on yoga, healthy cooking, hybrid cars, mosaics, and basketball."

-Saya Hillman, Boston College Alumna
 

Page updated 29 November 2008