Cornerstones Partners in Education Program

Education is crucial to the future of Newton County and the entire community needs to be involved in it. Therefore, the Newton County School System is determined to reconnect the community with its neighborhood schools to put the public back in public education. Partnerships between the Newton County schools and the community are not only desirable, but also essential to the future of Newton County. When developing a school and community partnership program, the Newton County School System and the Newton County Chamber of Commerce based their "Cornerstones" concept on Webster's definition of a cornerstone being "the most basic element."

"Cornerstones" has a place for everyone. Our goal is to have every business become a partner with a school, every parent to get involved and every citizen to be a volunteer.

There is no one-size-fits-all partnership program because school needs are based on student needs. Each relationship is designed by the school in partnership with the business, civic organization, public agency or individual volunteer.

Partners In Education

Partnerships provide an excellent opportunity for schools and its larger community to benefit from the population's commitment to high-quality public education. Community involvement is one of the resourceful ways that schools strengthen and enrich their educational programs in the Newton County School System. This emphasis on collaboration is based on the belief that the entire community has a stake in the improvement of public education and that there are many opportunities for everyone to interact with schools to benefit students and academic achievement, and the economic future and quality of life in Newton County.

School partnerships include collaborations with businesses, social-service and governmental agencies, colleges and universities, civic groups, churches, and/or other interested community members. Through partnerships, students receive valuable assistance in human and financial resources to enhance their academic achievement and personal growth.

Additionally, partnerships raise public awareness of educational issues, create a better understanding of the educational process, and help prepare students to be productive citizens. Partnerships provide a variety of services at individual schools and throughout the district. Within individual schools, partnership services may include the following:

Tutoring/mentoring for students needing academic assistance, career counseling, job-seeking skills, role models, literacy programs, and parenting skills
Incentives for students and faculty, academic and attendance recognition, self-esteem, and conduct rewards
Speakers, role models, career resources, and community resources
Donations, in-kind services and funding for programs, instructional materials, school improvements, and special events
Enrichment contest judging, staff development, special events, internships, and field trips
Expertise on school improvement, issues training and workshops on strategic planning, flexible budgeting, team building, and technology

School partnerships may be formed by a business, governmental agency or community organization's "adopting" an individual school or by providing resources or skills in a particular area of expertise. Longevity and flexibility is important to the success of any type of partnership with schools. Activities which provide Newton County students the opportunity to interact with and learn from individuals who share their knowledge, motivation, and skills are the most crucial and appreciated. Currently, there are over 100 Partnerships with our 20 schools.

Mentors and Tutors

This form of partnership offers a chance to help students one-on-one and is the perfect place for retirees, businesses, religious groups, older students and parents. The focus on this relationship is improving a student's academic performance and special understanding at an individual school based management level.

This personal relationship is built when the volunteer promises to visit his/her student at school once a week. Helping one student at a time, the volunteers stimulate a student's desire to stay in school and reach a goal. School officials provide extensive volunteer training before volunteer-student interaction may occur. No extra resources or skills are needed - just the desire to work with the school and student.

Volunteers are also a form of partnership that lends hands-on help. This program may include groups or individuals. Civic and service organizations, individual community members and PTO members find this a rewarding way to give back to the community. This partnership is an informal agreement between the school staff and the volunteer.

Friends of the School

Programs are individually school based and managed. Volunteers are recruited from parents, community-wide businesses, nonprofit government and civic organizations and some volunteer organizations. School programs concentrate primarily, if not solely, on available human resources.

Based at school sites to ensure program coordination, volunteers work under the direction of teachers, principals and other school staff on three broad activity areas: supporting basic instruction to students, enriching educational experiences for students and extending instructional time through assistance to professional staff in the areas of clerical and nonprofessional tasks. Volunteer administrative activities focus on recruitment and training of volunteers, matching school needs to available human resources and recognition of volunteers.

For more information on becoming a Partner in Education, please call or email the Newton County School System Public Relations Department at 770-787-1330 ext. 1115.

Current List of Partners in Education
Partners in Education Application