Foster City Islander Article - 05-30-2007
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Charter Public |
Phyllis Moore, President, Foster City High School Foundation |
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The Best Schools Cultivate Multiple Partnerships
“¼you cannot have an island of academic excellence in a sea of community indifference,” according to Ernest Boyer who served as U.S. Commissioner of Education, Chancellor of the State University of New York and President of the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching.
School leaders all across America agree wholeheartedly with Boyer. They have learned that community partnerships are critical for creating and nurturing high quality schools. These dedicated educators strive to create large networks of community partnerships that interconnect their schools and students with parents, businesses, non-profit organizations, government agencies, colleges and universities.
The public high school planned for Foster City will focus intently on such partnerships. In this way, our high school will benefit from our community and our community will benefit from our high school. Our partnerships will include:
Parents: Our school will assertively promote activities that actively involve parents. When parents positively and encourage their children, they do better in school.
Businesses: Our high school will partner with a range of local companies, providing real-world learning experiences for students, greater access to new technology and expanded training opportunities for teachers. Businesses benefit from highly motivated interns who work on company projects and in some cases become valued employees.
Government: Our school will partner with city, county, state and national governmental groups in areas as diverse as public safety, legislation and city planning.
Non-profits: Our high school will partner with a range of non-profits: museums, research organizations, public service groups, educational organizations and charitable foundations.
Education: Our high school will partner with local colleges and universities to provide advanced instruction for students and learning opportunities for all adults in our town.
“Developing strong partnerships among schools, families, businesses, and community ¼ groups is the best way to make our educational system thrive¼”, according to a report from the U.S. Department of Education.
Contact me at phyllismoore1@comcast.net or 650-349-5676
