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Show Partnership conference ties education to community by CHRISTOPHER SMART Record staff writer A two-day Partners in Education conference held at The Yarrow last week brought school officials together with business representatives, represen-tatives, parents and others whose objective is promoting volunteerism in education. The conference, sponsored by the Utah School Volunteer Program Sept. 18 and 19, was aimed at bringing bring-ing education closer to the community. communi-ty. The goal of the volunteer organization organiza-tion is to provide services for public education by tying it to a broad spectrum spec-trum of society, said Naomi Jergensen, president of the program. pro-gram. She said through the conference's con-ference's workshops and meetings, volunteers and educators learned practical uses of partnerships as well as the concept involved. "We're exploring what can be done together to improve the lot of the child in school and to improve the society." By bringing local businesses together with schools, mutual understanding is fostered and the relationship can be benefial to both. For example, she said, Mountain Bell has a partnership with South High School. Mountain Bell provides tutors and some funding. In return, South High students provided music at a recent telephone company function. func-tion. The relationship sends a message to the community, Jergensen said, telling it the school is interested in being involved in local affairs. And it offers personal rewards for business people who become involved with students, she added. Seeking funding is not the focus of the program, she explained. "You see a need or resources on either side and say, we can help the schools, we can help the community, we can make education better." The Utah School Volunteer Program Pro-gram seeks to involve every sector of the community in education partnerships. part-nerships. Jergensen said all segments of society are connected with education although that might not be obvious in all cases. The conference con-ference included representatives from local government, the nonprofit non-profit sector and chamber of commerce com-merce as well as business and senior citizens groups. Volunteerism has been associated with schools for many years, said Jergensen, referring to the PTA. But she added, "It has taken on a new glow in the past five years." As a concept, partnership in education is sweeping the country, Jergensen said. Last year, President Presi-dent Reagan dubbed the school year the National Year of Partnership in Education. "(The idea) has been embraced by the White House. The challenge is to small business and all segments of the community." She noted the White House staff has partnerships with local schools. In Park City, schools are looking toward expanding relationships with local businesses, said Dr. Tony Mitchell, superintendent of the Park City School District. He noted, however, "excellent working relationships" already exist ex-ist between Park City schools and the Park City Ski Area and ParkWest Resort, which offer discounts dis-counts to students. He said local schools can increase scholarship and work placement programs and internships by building relationships with local businesses. |