Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, October 5, 1995 TAG: 9510060007
SECTION: NEIGHBORS PAGE: W-6 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: S.D. HARRINGTON STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
And, Franke compared Salem to the village and its schools to the child as he urged businesses to get involved during the second annual Link Up With Education Breakfast last Wednesday.
"Students are our customers, employees and business partners of tomorrow," said Judy Griesenbrock, executive vice president of the Salem/Roanoke County Chamber of Commerce which co-sponsored the event.
During the breakfast, school administrators recognized businesses for their partnerships with Salem schools.
Last year was the first time the school system and chamber of commerce formally teamed up to promote the partnerships, in which businesses provide funding, supplies or time to schools.
A 45-member Business Roundtable also was formed to implement ways for the schools and businesses to work closer together.
Superintendent Wayne Tripp said that one of the first programs generated out of the roundtable is a Workforce Enforcement Agreement in which businesses will offer time and resources to help define a school's curriculum.
More than 30 businesses were recognized for their work with the schools. Some sponsored individual classes, other sponsored an entire school and a few of them sponsored several schools.
General Electric was recognized by two schools - East Salem Elementary and Salem High School - for offering its funds and time. G.E. sends 15 of its engineers to teach in Salem High career communications classes.
Salem High Principal John Hall also said he will nominate G.E. for the Region 6 Governor's Partnership Award. Salem High and G.E. previously won the Virginia Tech Excellence in Education Award for their partnership.
Several of the schools also honored The Elphun Society, a group of retired and active General Electric engineers, who helped design a computer lab at South Salem Elementary and donated hardware and software to other schools. The engineers also serve as computer technicians and consultants for the schools.
The schools and their business partners are:
G.W. Carver Elementary - Saturn of the Roanoke Valley for a presentation of the Tour Du Pont; Kinsey-Shane architecture firm for discussions by Bob Fry on architecture and an explanation of the school's renovation project; and Wal-Mart for giving teachers surplus candy items to use in their treasure and incentive boxes.
East Salem Elementary - Kroger for tours of the Kroger Warehouse and $300 donation for teaching supplies; and G.E. for Tim Kolb and Dave McMillan, engineers who gave a hands-on presentation to demonstrate electrical circuits.
South Salem Elementary - Salem Tool for supporting the entire school in the Junior Achievement program; The Elphun Society for help in designing a computer lab with 22 work stations; and Junior Achievement of Southwest Virginia.
West Salem Elementary - Wendy's Restaurants for sponsoring three classes in J A programs; Richfield Retirement Community for visits by residents; The Elphun Society for refurbishing, upgrading and providing computers for classroom use; J A.
Andrew Lewis Middle School - First Union Bank for a mentor program; All Huntin-n-Fishin for Owner Steve Williams who donated fishing rods and fishing vests to some special education students and took the students to the annual Pig Robertson Fishing Rodeo; Mac & Bob's Restaurant, which sponsors Andrew Lewis honor roll parties and provides a free lunches and a T-shirt drawing; and Seven-Eleven Food Stores, Pizza Hut and Quincy's Steakhouse for providing coupons, food and other items for dances, parties and field trips.
Salem High School - G.E. for sending engineers to teach in career communications classrooms; PPG Industries; T.P. Parker for sponsoring an annual trigonometry contest; Nationsbank and Kroger for sponsoring the Holiday Hoops Basketball Classic; Virginia Western Community College, which offers a dual enrollment program for students; Home Style Day Care for a program where students prepare activities for day care children; Lewis-Gale Hospital, Lewis-Gale Clinic, Richfield Nursing Home, Veterans Care Center, the Veterans Affairs Medical Center and House Call for providing time and funds to the school's Licensed practical nurising program; Hart Olds and Saturn of the Roanoke Valley for providing training for career communications classes; and Bell Atlantic and Maid Bess for sponsoring a freshman class troo[ to see Romeo and Juliet at Mill Mountain Theater.
by CNB