• 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

    *Adapted from Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools

     

    Role of the School or District Department in Partnership Engagement

     

    1. Schools or departments may identify potential partners and direct interested organizations to complete the Partnership Engagement Application for approval before beginning the partnership in the school or department.
    2. Schools or departments should identify a designee to serve as the partnership contact for their school or department. The designee will serve as the liaison between the school/department and the approved partner(s) as well as the Department of Community Engagement.
    3. Schools or departments must meet with approved partner(s) at the beginning of the partnership to establish desired program outcomes and create a timeline for reviewing progress toward program outcomes including review of data and monitoring of student progress and adjusting the program as needed.
    4. Schools or departments must participate in the annual IMPACT survey.

     

    Role of the Department of Community Engagement in Partnership Engagement

     

    1. Support schools or departments in identifying partnerships.
    2. Review and approve completed Partnership Engagement Applications.
    3. Host on-boarding sessions for approved partners monthly
    4. Distribute annual IMPACT Survey in April to determine the effectiveness of the partnership



    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 whose 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.

     

    Monitoring & Measuring Impact

     

    Schools and/or departments meet with approved partner(s) at the beginning of the partnership to establish desired program outcomes and create a timeline for reviewing progress toward program outcomes including review of data and monitoring of student progress and adjusting program needs.

     

    The Office of Community Engagement will distribute an annual IMPACT Survey in April to determine the effectiveness of the partnership. Both the school/department and approved partner must complete the annual IMPACT Survey.

     

    Contact Us at (919) 560-2000