Some Do’s and Don’ts

DO

• Connect with BPS and its network of BPS schools.
• Learn from existing models and best practices.
• Share your successes and challenges with others.
• Be patient and flexible when working with schools because leadership and circumstances are never static.
• Listen well to schools as they express their needs (leaders, staff, parents, and students).
• Put your partnership agreement on paper with a signed MOU.
• Be reflective practitioners.
• Respect government laws regarding separation of church and state as well as BPS school policies.

DON’T

• Reach out to schools before your church has: 1) completed an internal BPS resource assessment, 2) found key leaders to work on a partnership and, 3) had an initial conversation with BPS and/or the BEC to facilitate finding potential school partners.
• Approach schools with an agenda or your own ideas of how to partner. Let the schools tell you what they need and be ready to partner with a heart of servanthood.