The Partnership Working Group

The Partnerships Working Group will work with staff to develop a recommendation to the Superintendent on a proposed framework and comprehensive structure for partnerships. The structure will serve as a guide for how APS develops, maintains and monitors partnerships to serve our students, staff and community.

With adoption of the 2024-30 Strategic Plan, APS seeks to strengthen the partnership process with advisory committees, nonprofits, business, government agencies, universities and other local organizations to advance the 2024-30 Strategic Plan priorities and objectives.

The process to develop this framework will include a diverse group of stakeholders (administrators, teachers, students, staff, County partners, and a variety of current and prospective public and private sector partners).

Superintendent’s Charge to Partnerships Working Group

Partnerships Committee Charge

The Committee is charged with the following tasks for completion by June 1, 2025:

1. Complete an analysis of APS’s current partnership framework and processes.

a. This analysis shall include:

i. Identifying strengths, challenges and opportunities.

ii. A review of how partnerships are currently defined in APS.

iii. Assessment of the current entry points for partners.

2. Complete a comparative analysis of other school divisions partnership frameworks and processes.

3. Develop comprehensive partnership framework and processes that includes:

a. Types of partnerships and a definition for each

b. Clear entry, approval, monitoring process for partners

i. Partnership Agreement Form(s)

ii. Process for obtaining approval to work with students

iii. Process for monitoring implementation of the partnership

c. Criteria and a process for assessing the outcomes of the partnership for both APS and the partner

4. Gather and analyze community feedback on the Working Group’s proposed partnership framework to inform the group’s recommendation (Spring 2025).

Partnership Working Group Agendas

December 11, 2024 – Meeting #1 – Meeting presentation

January 22, 2025 – Meeting #2 – Meeting Presentation: Activity #1, Activity #2

March 19, 2025 – Meeting #3 – Meeting Presentation,

April 23, 2025 – Meeting #4 – Meeting Presentation,

May 21, 2025 – Meeting #5 – Table 1, Table 2, Table 3

June 30 Final Notes – Volunteer and Partnership Definitions, Four Step Process , Partnership Agreement Form ,Partnership Interest Form

Meeting Schedule

Date	Action Items
December 11, 2024	Introductions and Partnership Working Group Charge. Review how partnerships are currently defined. (#1a)
January 22, 2025	Review comparative analysis of other school divisions partnership frameworks and processes. (#2) Identify strengths, challenges and opportunities with the current partnership framework and processes. (#1a) Discuss key takeaways.

March 19, 2025	Review entry process – agreements, point of contact (#3b) Partnership Agreement Form(s) (#3b) Process for obtaining approval to work with students (#3b) Types of partnerships and definition for each (#3a) Discuss monitoring and evaluation methods How do we best monitoring for implementation – Establish processes for monitoring (#3b) Review outreach and recruitment plan and revise recommendations ensure alignment among schools and departments Define and set next steps for community survey/focus group process
April 23, 2025	Discuss and plan for community engagement and feedback (#4) Monitoring for impact – Establish criteria and a process for assessing the outcomes of the partnership for both APS and the partner in alignment with the Strategic Plan. (#3c)
May 21, 2025	Review community feedback to inform final recommendation (#4)

Staff Committee Members

Catherine Ashby	Assistant Superintendent, School & Community Relations
Nicole DeRocco	Partnership Coordinator, Arlington Career Center
Catharina Genove	Principal, Montessori Public School of Arlington
Kris Martini	Director, Career, Technical & Adult Education
Pam Nagurka	Coordinator, Division of Instruction
Tanner Prime	Specialist, Facilities and Operations
Kristie Saini	Assistant Principal, Wakefield High School
Dawn Smith	Volunteer, Partnerships, and Events Manager, School & Community Relations
Ellen Smith	Principal, Dorothy Hamm Middle School

Community Committee Members

Tia Alfred	NAACP
Kate Ange	Arlington Economic Development
Patrick Brennan	Communities in Schools
Cynthia Caglar	Amazon
Paula Fynboh	Aspire!
Will Mulligan	Chamber of Commerce
Linh Nghe	Arlington Partnership for Children Youth and Families
Devanshi Patel	Center for Youth Family and Advocacy
Paige Shevlin	Arlington Special Education Advisory Committee Member
Sarah Tracey	Arlington County Government