"Looking at a student means seeing beyond that person as a learner and thinking of the development of the whole child.  It means considering all aspects of a child's personality 'works in progress.' It means showing them love and gentle guidance and acceptance.  My faith calls me to be the most positive part of the day for many children." —Whose Child Left Behind? Why?, "All Denominational Survey," Public School Educator, Illinois Conference 

The United Church of Christ's Public Education Task Force reported, "Education is a human endeavor of caring that depends on the dedication of teachers, principals, and other school staff.  Learning best takes place in an environment where teacher and child have developed a personal relationship that makes each child feel valued... The single most important activity any church group can undertake to support public education is to find ways to nurture the primary positive relationship between child and teacher."

School-Congregational Partnership

One of the best ways your church can support the teachers and students in a public school in your community is through a School-Congregational Partnership.  Partnerships take many forms; the possibilities for ways to support the school are as wide as your imagination.  What Can Your Church Do to Support Children and Their Public Schools? is a compilation of ideas for activities that can become part of your congregation's partnership with a local school. 

Important Models for School-Community Partnership

• Community Schools...  The Coalition for Community Schools is a loose coalition of projects across the United States where community agencies partner with public schools to provide early education, health clinics right at school, and enriched after school and summer programs. These are the lighted school houses, open from early morning into the evening and on weekends. While a congregation rarely serves as the lead partner in a Community School, if your city has a group of Community Schools, your church can explore joining the coalition under the coordination of the lead agency, which will provide extensive institutional support in terms of fund-raising and service management.

The Children's Aid Society in New York City, with its National Technical Assistance Center for Community Schools (212) 569-2866), and extensive on-line resources, offers among the strongest models for Community Schools. 

Another thriving Community Schools model is led by the United Way of Greater Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania, where a key program leader is UCC public education activist, Emmajane Finney. Check out the story of this project, Community Schools--The United Way.

• One Church One School is a nationwide partnership initiative of the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church, which encourages congregations in any denomination to join One Church One School. Check out the website for program information or contact Executive Director, Ms. Phedonia Johnson ocos@onechurchoneschool.org, (773-651-00710). 

Additional UCC Resources to Help Congregations Support Schools and Teachers

• Whose Child Left Behind? Why?  Report of the UCC Public Education Task Force's work between 2001 and 2005.  Ends with ideas for a church that wishes to partner with a school.  Study guide is published in the 2006 Message on Public Education .
• 2006 Message on Public Education cover story, "Federal Law Felt as Attack by Public School Teachers," explores the damage the No Child Left Behind Act has inflicted on teachers.
• Experiencing Public Schools, A Process of Immersion and Discernment is a short guide to help your congregation set up, carry out, and reflect on an immersion trip to one of your community's public schools.