City of Kalamazoo
What some of you may not know is that the city of Kalamazoo has been a partner with us since the beginning. In 1999, along with the KPS Board of Trustees, the City Commission brought the National CIS model to Kalamazoo. They listened to the research that tells us that a key characteristic of high-performing schools is systematic and appropriate involvement of the community with the school. They, along with the Kalamazoo Public Schools and the Chamber of Commerce have breathed life into us, into this model—helping us begin the work of creating and implementing a system of integrated student support services that is delivered within a school to remove barriers and create access. As many of the parents whose children receive our wonderful partner support and services tell us, “my child would not have received this help if it had not been offered in the school”.
In July 2007, The City of Kalamazoo enacted a Promise Partners Program, collaborating in a new way with Kalamazoo Public Schools (KPS) and Kalamazoo Communities In Schools (KCIS) to help students prepare to obtain the benefits of the Kalamazoo Promise. With the leadership of the City Manager, the City Commission adopted a policy to give its employees paid time off to work with students with KPS schools. The policy states that: “As a Promise Partner, employees will be allowed to use paid time off to volunteer as a mentor, tutor, special events helper or to make donations.”
In October the Water and Wastewater Departments had a week-long rivalry to see which group could gather the healthiest snacks to support the children at Milwood Elementary during MEAP week. We won’t tell you which department won.
City employees volunteered at a number of special events. From serving as a KPS Celebrity Greeter on the first day of school, to being readers for our Bagels and Books, Cider and Stories, and the College Awareness Week’s sharing of the I Know I Can Go To College event in all KPS second grade classrooms. They helped distribute shoes to 1st graders through Valerie Denghel’s First Day Shoe program at summer school.
This year, 13 employees worked as mentors and tutors across 6 schools. Five men who serve our city as police officers or work within the Wastewater Treatment Plant are leaders in the Guys Read program which entices 4th and 5th grade boys to read and discuss books. The men were told they only needed to meet with the boys once a month and keep in touch by email between meetings. However, from the start, the boys’ delight at having these men in their lives was obvious – and the connection between the boys and the men was so instantaneous – that all the leaders have been at the school every week.
Kalamazoo City’s policy—both in writing and action--sets forth an excellent model for other organizations to emulate; paving the way for others to offer all employees an opportunity to make a difference in a child’s life.
Congratulations, City of Kalamazoo, on your 2008 Champ Award!