Partners in Education Participants Recognized

Partners in Education (PIE) participants gathered in May to recognize activities of business-school partnerships. Established in 1990, PIE is a cooperative effort of the Greater Hall Chamber, the Hall County and Gainesville City School Systems. Partners in Education is an investment in the future of young people in Gainesville and Hall County and currently has some 120 business partners. The recognition program spotlighted the following three “best practices” business-education partnerships:



The Fairstreet/Wrigley partnership, which was the first official partnership in 1990, includes a 5th grade student tour of the Wrigley facility; quarterly awards for students meeting certain criteria; and programs developed by Wrigley employees for classes.



The West Hall Middle/Liberty Mutual partnership includes an Honors Breakfast for all 6th, 7th and 8th graders on the honor roll; tutors from Liberty Mutual work with students 45 minutes a week; and Liberty Mutual provides funding for the Teacher Appreciation Luncheon.



Johnson High/Krystal Restaurant were recognized as a newly formed business-school partnership. The Partners in Education program is led by Chairman Jim Bullard of Century South Bank.



“Ultimately, the business and education relationships benefit the students by preparing them to enter the workforce which, in turn, benefits the business community by providing a more qualified workforce,” said Bullard.



For details on PIE, contact Helen Stewart at the Greater Hall Chamber of Commerce, 770-538-0024