Business partnerships support academic success for school communities

     When schools build strong business partnerships, students and staff benefit through enhanced educational resources and a stronger connection to the community. At McKendree Elementary School, a forthcoming donation from a new local partner, Burlington Stores, Inc., will support each and every student’s academic success.

     “Partnerships with businesses within our community are essential in our school,” says McKendree Elementary Principal Courtney Bernardo.

     On October 17, a new Burlington store located at Duluth Highway in Lawrenceville will host its grand opening, and  McKendree Elementary will receive a gift of $5,000. Bernardo credits Aaron Lupuloff, Senior Executive Director of the Gwinnett County Public Schools Foundation Fund, who connected her with the local Burlington contact. 

     Bernardo says the donation will be divided equally among all the teachers. The teachers will use the funds to purchase items for their classrooms, such as books, flexible seating, and other materials for science projects.

     “[One of our teachers] recently shared that having business partners and people from the community as part of our school helps her feel appreciated and connected to the community,” Bernardo adds.

     Thanks in part to donations from the community and local businesses, McKendree Elementary can also support teachers who sponsor student clubs. The school offers many types of extracurricular activities for students. Bernardo says without additional funding, the school may not be able to extend money for supplies to these clubs. In addition, this support allows the school to provide opportunities that some of its students may not normally have.

     “Essentially, when we partner with our community, magical things happen for our children,” says Bernardo.