Chamber repackages business-school partnership program

Tim Arbeiter is the first to admit the Adopt a School program has lacked vitality lately.

"There wasn't a ton of energy put into it," said Arbeiter, the vice president for community development for the Cape Girardeau Area Chamber of Commerce. "Our Education Committee sat down and said we really need to breathe good life into this program."

Nineteen schools, including private schools, participate, but this past year only six to eight businesses actively worked with students.

Chamber members spent time "repackaging and retooling" the program, which pairs businesses with schools to offer mentoring, money and volunteers. The program now has a new name, Partners in Education, and more explicit guidelines.

To be an exclusive partner, a business must agree to give at least $1,500 in cash or some number of volunteer hours. In return, the business receives exposure at school events and through chamber communications. A participating partner must give at least $500, which can be through in-kind services.

Recruiting efforts have increased. But as of Tuesday, seven schools were lacking partners, according to an e-mail sent to chamber members. Those schools are: Clippard Elementary, the Alternative Education Center, Deer Creek Christian Academy, Eagle Ridge Christian School, Saxony Lutheran High School, St. Vincent de Paul Grade School and Trinity Lutheran School.

Central Junior High School, Central High School and Notre Dame Regional High School have partners but are considered large enough to have multiple partners.

Matches are expected to be announced in "early summer," Arbeiter said. So far, 12 businesses, including six banks, a hospital and a restaurant, have agreed to participate.

"Really the partnership is up to the school and the business. We're not asking for huge amounts of money or huge amounts of time," Arbeiter said.

For the past two years, Montgomery Bank has sent volunteers to Central Junior High to guide students during the first day of school and Back to School night. Volunteers have served as judges of staff chili cook-offs and student essay contests and plan to hold sessions on financial planning for staff members. They are also paying to help send students to a National History Day contest in Washington, D.C., this summer, according to principal Roy Merideth.

Sponsors elsewhere have helped by providing food for teacher luncheons, reading to students or volunteering for field days.

Arbeiter said the chamber does not keep track of the amount of money donated. The program has existed for more than 20 years, he said.

lbavolek@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 123

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