[Link to Equal Employment Opportunity Project] [Link to Fair Housing Project] [Link to Public Accomodations Project] [Link to Disability Rights Project] [Link to DC Prisoners' Rights Project]
[Link to Immigrant and Refugee Rights Project] [Link to Derechos de los Inmigrantes y Refugiados] [Link to Public Education Project] [Link to Special Projects]
[Link to History] [Link to How You Can Help]

Suggestions for Partnership Activities 

  • Lunchtime, after-school, or weekly tutoring (math/reading/spelling)
  • Lap reading for younger children
  • After school or "Saturday Academy" tutoring or learning enhancement sessions at the firm
  • Computer assistance/training
  • Internet usage instruction
  • Work with firm vendors to set up cable equipment
  • Provide videotaping for events, teaching
  • Field trips (museums, zoo, botanical gardens, cultural events)
  • Enrichment trips
  • Saturday Morning Enrichment Programs at the firm
  • Provide speakers' bureau, mini-courses for school classes
  • School beautification days (painting, yard cleanup)
  • School fix-up (minor repairs, maintenance) days
  • Landscaping
  • Semi-annual cleanup with picnic
  • Equipment repair (piano, sporting equipment, etc.)
  • Book drives or collections from home to enhance school library
  • "Reading Is Fundamental" book distribution
  • Donations of "gently used" items and clothing
  • Donations of "gently used" sporting equipment
  • Donations of firm computers at time of upgrade
  • Furniture and equipment donations
  • Supermarket cash register receipt programs, e.g., Giant's "Apples for the Students"
  • Thanksgiving food basket drive
  • Christmas gift drive
  • Participate in existing Big Sisters/Big Brothers programs
  • Conflict resolution training and program
  • Individual mentoring using life experiences
  • Assistance with parent advocacy
  • Assistance with parental participation projects
  • Legal advice to parent groups, PTA
  • Sponsor annual essay contest
  • Sponsor annual drawing contest (winning entry used as the firm's holiday card)
  • Lead chess, music, other clubs
  • Coach team sports
  • Create and print a school newspaper/newsletter
  • Lead singing group/give music lessons
  • Talent show sponsorship, assistance or attendance
  • Poetry workshop
  • Science fair judging
  • Partner with other entities to donate food for functions
  • Seasonal programs
  • Bake sales/fund-raiser sponsorship, assistance or attendance
  • Annual holiday party
  • Family fun day
  • Invitation to annual firm picnic
  • Invitation to annual children's holiday party
  • Career day
  • "Power" lunches with students
  • Provision of periodic speakers for classrooms
  • Career guidance meetings
  • Job shadowing
  • Classes and student preparation for mock trial competition
  • Law "Explorers" Club
  • "Goldilocks" Moot Court
  • Street law program (2-month intensive course)
  • Parent advocacy training by lobbyists and advocates (how to stand up for personal/community rights effectively)
  • Provide photocopying
  • Hold social events for teachers
  • Hold social events for teachers and select students
  • Attend social events for students
  • Serve at PTA nights, social events for students
  • Summer student employment programs
  • After-school student employment programs
  • Placement of students in jobs with firm upon graduation
  • Library/gymnasium development project
  • School uniform contribution drive
  • Funding of major school repairs
  • Partner with other entities to fund repairs, sports equipment, etc.
Starting a Law Firm/Public School Partnership
  1. Survey the firm to determine what level of students (elementary, junior high/middle, or high school) garners the most interest with the majority of potential volunteers.
  2. Contact the Washington Lawyers' Committee for assistance in identifying a school.
  3. Schedule a meeting with the school's principal, administrative team, and parent representative, if possible, to discuss the potential partnership structure.
  4. Draft a School Partnership proposal following the meeting and ensure its acceptance by the law firm's operating management and by the law firm's employees.
  5. Choose one or more individuals to serve as the law firm's School Partnership liaison (contact person(s) between the law firm and the school) in your firm to coordinate the partnership.
  6. Request the school to provide the name of the individual that will serve as the school's liaison with the law firm.
Have fun!!!

Just a few tips:
  • Start small with projects or activities that do not overwhelm your staff or the school.
  • Do not over-promise or commit.
  • Follow through.
  • Evaluate each activity for its strengths and weaknesses as you proceed.
  • Use the teachers as resources for ideas.
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