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Partners Touch the Heart of a Child
Our students have many
different needs. Some do not have brothers and sisters, others do not
have fathers. Some live with their grandparents. Some just need a
little “extra attention." Some just love knowing they have someone who
is giving them a little bit of their time.
Our goal is for every
student to have an adult “partner” who agrees to become the student’s
friend, a big brother or big sister, a mentor. Why? So that a child
will learn that the greatest gift in life is to give of one’s self to
help another…they see this in their partner.
We invite
you to touch the heart of a child.
Be an
Olympian Partner to a St. Andrew’s student.
St. Andrew’s partners
are an important part of the school community. Partners come from all
areas of the Grand Rapids’ community, but they have one thing in
common—the desire to play a personal part in the education and life of
a child. It is recognized that parents are the primary partners for
their children, but all children need to know that there are others
who care deeply about their well-being and are willing to walk with
them on their journey through life. Our goal is for each child to have
a partner. We do our best to match you where the need is greatest.
There are two types of partners at St. Andrew’s: attending and
supporting.
An attending partner is a friend, a big sister
or big brother, and a mentor.
This friendship is
based on the shared fun and learning at Partner activities, which are
held throughout the school year. Come have lunch. Meet with them after
school for a half hour of tutoring and a half hour of play! Attend
their basketball game. Send them an encouraging note once a month.
Send them an email (they love receiving email). Again, through this
relationship, the child learns that the greatest gift in life is to
give oneself to help another.
A
supporting partner is a friend, too—just not as directly involved, but
still very supportive.
A supporting partner may send notes of encouragement, a birthday card,
or other holiday cards throughout the school year. While you may not
be spending time here with the student, we encourage you to get to
know them through your “pen pal time.”
All partners will
receive an annual student picture and profile along with a mid-school
year update. This partnership program is essential to the community of
St. Andrew’s school. Each partnership is extremely important
and, collectively, it will help support the miracles taking place in
downtown Grand Rapids.
Frequently Asked Questions
Some current partners
have come to us with questions regarding the proper role they should
play with their student partner and the amount of time they should
give to the relationship. We hope the following information will
answer some of your questions and offer some guidelines for you to
follow in your partner friendship.
Partners can be expected to:
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be patient, listen,
and ask questions |
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attend planned Partner
activities or events |
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send brief notes of
encouragement to their student |
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respect the
confidentiality of their relationship with their student and his/her
family |
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share their journey of
education, career, and family with their student |
Students can be expected to:
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develop a trusting
relationship with their partner |
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share report card
results and academic accomplishments with their Partner |
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send their Partner
brief thank you notes or cards |
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talk about themselves
and their families with their Partner |
Q. What should I do if I am unable to
attend a Partner Activity and wish to tell my student partner that I
am thinking of her or him?
A. A great thing to do
is to write a note explaining that you will not be able to attend, but
you are thinking of them. You should address the note to the student
in care of the Hugh Michael Beahan Foundation.
Q. May I bring gifts or money to my
student?
A. The greatest gift
Partners can give is the gift of themselves and their time. We ask
that Partners refrain from giving gifts or money to their student
partners. If you wish to make an additional financial donation, the
Hugh Michael Beahan Foundation will be able to identify a need or
program that benefits all the students and fits your intentions.
Q. Can I take my student partner to
visit my place of work or out to lunch?
A. It is preferred
that primary contact between you and your student be at the school,
however, Partners have taken a group to an event or for a workplace
visit. If you are interested in hosting a group of students, please
contact the Hugh Michael Beahan Foundation. Students are not allowed
off campus during lunchtime. However, you are always welcome to have
lunch with your student during regular lunch period at the school.
Q. My student partner has invited me to
his home to meet his family. Should I go?
A. No. Home visits,
either to the student’s or partner’s, are beyond the intended purpose
of the Partnership Program and are inappropriate.
Q. Should I spend more time with my
student partner beyond regularly scheduled Partner events?
A. This is
discouraged. A Partner is a friend to a child, but your time should be
spent at school. HMBF and St. Andrew’s School is not responsible for
time spent outside of school that is not scheduled as part of the
partnership program. To spend additional time at school you can serve
as volunteers at school events or tutor at St. Andrew’s. If you are
interested in volunteer opportunities, please call the Hugh Michael
Beahan Foundation.
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