• Durham Public Schools Partnership Engagement Application 

     

    Durham Public Schools (DPS) welcomes and values the integral role external organizations play in developing the academic, college/career readiness, health and wellness, and social-emotional needs of our students. The programs and services provided by external partners strengthen school-community relations and support stakeholder engagement in our schools.  

     

    Definition of Community Partnership 

     

    A community partnership is an agreement between a school and an outside group whose goals align with the DPS Strategic Plan 2023-2028 to meet a meaningful academic, college/career readiness, or socio-emotional need for its students.  Additionally, the partnership serves as a relationship that increases student growth and development.

     

    The DPS Partnership Engagement Application 

     

    The DPS Partnership Engagement Application is designed to create formal and ongoing relationships with established entities such as businesses, faith-based organizations, civic and government agencies, educational institutions, and other community/grassroot organizations, who have agreed to work collaboratively with DPS. 

    *If your organization or business is seeking to provide a product or contractual service, you may qualify as a vendor, and you do not need to complete the DPS Partnership Engagement Application. As a potential vendor, please contact the DPS Department of Purchasing at (919) 560-2000. 

    External organizations interested in becoming an established partner with Durham Public Schools must complete the DPS Partnership Engagement Application and meet the following Partnership Criteria. 

     

    PARTNERSHIP CRITERIA 
    Program Support Areas 
    Characteristics 
    Academics: Tutoring, academic and/or language interventions 
     
     

    • The relationship is built through a DPS department or school. 

    • There is a formal and documented agreement between all parties (district, school, and organization). 

    • The programs, services or resources are linked to the district’s strategic priorities and outcomes. 

    • Deliverables must be jointly defined between the partner, collaborating department or school and Community Engagement Department. 

    • The partner is an established organization with programs/services that are aligned with the identified DPS support areas. 
    Social Emotional Learning: Mentoring, SEL interventions 
    Work-based Learning: Internships, shadowing, technical education, STEM, STEAM, engineering, and arts-related programs 
    Postsecondary Attainment & Persistence: College and career-focused programs 
    Health & Wellness: Sports, physical activities, mental health, wellness, and quality of life programs/services 
    Enhancement of Social, Civic, or Family Life: Leadership, character building, family engagement, and socio-economic development programs 
    Enhancement of School Life: Includes supports for teachers, staff, students, families, and school facilities 

     

    Partnership Engagement Application Review Process

    Step 1: Vet the Partnership Engagement Application 
    The Department of Community Engagement will review the completed Partnership Engagement Application to confirm if the partner meets the DPS Eligibility Criteria. 

    Characteristics of Eligibility of Criteria 

    • The relationship is built through a DPS department or school. 

    • There is a formal and documented agreement between the parties. 

    • The programs, services or resources are linked to the district’s strategic priorities and outcomes. 

    • Deliverables must be jointly defined between the partner, collaborating department, or school and Community Engagement Department. 

    • The partner is an established organization who programs/services are aligned with the identified DPS support areas. 
    Step 2: Determine the nature of partnership 
    • Level of partnership engagement 

    • One-time Event: This type of commitment may not require a formal Memorandum of Agreement (MOA); however, partners are required to follow the DPS volunteer and/or visitor guidelines. 

    • On-going Commitment: Organizations may partner at this level if they are providing services/programming multiple times throughout the school year at one or more DPS locations. The organizational program or service must be aligned to the district strategic priorities. 
    Step 3: Create formal DPS Partnership Agreement 
    The Department of Community Engagement will work with the Chief of Staff and the potential partner to establish the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) for on-going commitment applicants. 
    Step 4: On-board Partner to DPS 
    The Department of Community Engagement will provide an orientation of DPS services to the partner including reviewing the MOA.