Partnerships

Schools & Community Working Together to Benefit Young People

Businesses and organizations in Lewiston support young people, learning, and the schools. Lewiston Public Schools values forging partnerships with the community.

Adopt-a-School

Through Adopt-a-School programs, local businesses have developed a supportive working relationship with each of our schools. Businesses that adopt a school work with teachers, administrators, students, and others to enhance the overall educational experience for children.

The Geiger partnership with Montello School was established during the 1988-89 school year. After 12 years, the program continues to encourage students to do their personal best and to have high aspirations. Geiger associates give their time to make many of the partnership's projects work. As part of the Social Justice Project, students and associates shared their acts of kindness and good deeds. Geiger associates around the country are email buddies and penpals with Montello 4th-6th graders. Students in grades 1-5 benefit from the Junior Achievement program, while 6th grade students have opportunities to job shadow Geiger associates in the workplace. Student writers and illustrators are recognized at an annual event which this year was called Night of the Stars. In addition to the Geiger human resources which enrich children's lives, the company donates quantities of goods and supplies, as well as assists with fund-raising efforts.

At any given time, Lewiston Regional Technical Center is working in active partnership with roughly a dozen local businesses to provide community-based training and experiences to students. Prominent among these partners have been Central Maine Medical Center, St. Mary's Regional Medical Center, the Maine Army National Guard, Androscoggin Bank, and the Sun Journal.

Aspirations Partnership

The Lewiston Aspirations Partnership, initiated by L.L. Bean, joins together a cross-section of community members with the purpose of raising the aspirations of Lewiston's youth. This partnership has funded important community projects:

• The BookReach Project provides a coordinator who collaborates with the Lewiston and Auburn Public Libraries to bring volunteer readers into local childcare provider facilities.
• The Career Awareness Program provides a coordinator who works closely with the Lewiston Middle School and local businesses to increase awareness of carer opportunities in the community.
• The Mentoring Partnership provides a coordinator who collaborates with Big Brothers Big Sisters and our schools to increase the number of mentors matched with students to promote positive role models and aspirations.

Bates Partnership

Lewiston Public Schools' partnership with Bates College brings over 150 college students into our schools every year to mentor students, to assist teachers and coaches, and to undertake special projects with children. Grants received by the college have provided professional development and support for our teachers; program enrichment in writing, the arts, and the sciences; and new books and science equipment for classrooms. Programs developed through this partnership, such as America Reads and Kids Plus, have received national recognition for their excellence.

Service Learning

We believe that service and the development of good citizenship are important aspects of education. A three-year grant from the KIDS Consortium allowed us to develop interdisciplinary service-learning projects in many of elementary-, middle-, and high-school classes, enabling students to undertake several major projects with the city. Based on their studies, students made recommendations to Lewiston officials about the development of Franklin Pasture, No Name Pond, and the Bates Mill. They have also participated in a project to preserve our local heritage.