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 Understanding the primary importance of public education to the well-being of individuals and to the community at large and recognizing that the proper functioning of public schools is vital to the successful operation of constitutional government at all levels, the International Center for Spiritual Renewal encourages citizens to support and strengthen the administrators, teachers and students of the public school system in whatever ways possible.
With that mandate in mind, the churches of Bradley County (the home county for the ICSR offices) have pledged to mobilize their extensive resources to help meet the needs of the public schools in the Cleveland City and Bradley County schools of their respective areas. This support is offered without expectation of any reciprocation on the part of the schools involved. The churches provide these resources as an act of community service rather than as a religious activity. The integrity of the individual schools, administrators, teachers, and students is always respected with regard to the legal, civil, ethical, and moral issues involved. At no time is any help given unless specifically requested by the proper authorities at a particular school.
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- Maintain and/or refurbish landscaping
- Purchase books for library or classes
- Sponsor field trips
- Provide students with assistance in reading, math, etc.
- Purchase school supplies, medication for needy students
- Urge attendance at school functions
- Invite school musical groups to perform at church functions
- Volunteer assistance to teachers
- Purchase classroom supplies (tape, paper, glue, etc.)
- Act as job skills resource persons
- Supplement facility maintenance workforce
- Assist indigent families associated with school
- Provide awards for student achievement recognition
- Sponsor Accelerated Reading trips
- Recognize teachers/school personnel at special church services
- Offer big brother/sister relationships with students
- Ask teachers to submit “wish list” and seek to fulfill those wishes
- Organize crisis response teams in emergency situations
- Provide after-school tutoring programs
- Assist with logistics at sporting events
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This initiative also affirms private schools and home schooling as important, viable alternatives to public education.
This support to public schools is coordinated through the various city/county ministerial associations, the Bradley Baptist Association, and Bradley Initiative for Church and Community. It is facilitated by the International Center for Spiritual Renewal. If you are interested in beginning a similar program in your community, some recommended partnership guidelines are as follows:
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- The primary purpose of this initiative is to build a positive relationship between the public schools and the churches.
- In order to keep lines of communication open, it is recommended that there be contact between the school and church at least once a month. It is further recommended that there be a meeting between the principal and the pastor at least once during the school year.
- Both principal and pastor may wish to appoint a liaison person who will be responsible for maintaining communication. The school is responsible to propose projects and inform the church of particular needs, giving the church ample time to respond.
- The church has the prerogative to either accept or pass on a proposal from the school, depending on timing, resources or other factors.
- When a proposal is accepted by the church, it is understood that the need will be met without any “strings” attached. The action will be undertaken as an act of community service and not as a religious activity.
- Any monies given to the school by the church should be paid directly to the school and not to individuals.
- No project should be undertaken by the church on behalf of the school without prior approval by the principal.
- In the case where more than one church is partnering with a school, the school is responsible to decide whether a need is presented to all the partnering churches or to a particular partnering church.
- Should a problem arise in the relationship, the principal should consult with the respective director of schools, while the pastor should contact the executive director of the International Center for Spiritual Renewal or the ministry overseeing the initiative in your particular area.
- In order to facilitate the partnering process, the executive director of ICSR or organizing group should meet periodically with principals and with pastors.
- The partnership agreement can be terminated in good faith at any time by either the school or the church.
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