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Gazette opinion: School-business partnerships earn high marks

Carrie Jo Stiff succinctly summed up the Partners in Education program: "All of the kids at Ponderosa Elementary have had a blast the past two years."

The Ponderosa sixth-grader told a recent gathering of business and education leaders about the partnership between her school and KOA. All the adults who talked about this Billings effort to pair businesses with schools echoed Carrie Jo’s enthusiasm.

Jeff Sutherland of KOA is a leader of the yellow-shirted employee volunteer group that has visited Ponderosa weekly for more than a year. "You can’t understand the benefits of this program until a student grabs your hand and has you play kickball and then recess is done and they introduce you as their new best friend," Sutherland said. KOA volunteers spend time with students, including hosting weekly pizza parties for classes with good attendance.

Full Story: http://www.billingsgazette.com/index.php?id=1&display=rednews/2004/12/21/build/opinion/30-gaz-op.inc

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