• Business Services
  • Business Membership
  • School Partnership Program
  • Board Leadership Program
  • Testimonials
• Volunteer Services
  • BVU's Volunteer Central
  • Volunteer Resources
  • GIVE Program
• Nonprofit Services
  • Find Volunteers
  • Board Governance
  • Nonprofit Resources
• Training
• Events
• News

BVU facilitates partnership between Sylvan Learning Corporation and Cherry Hill Elementary/Middle School 159

Academics, Reciprocity, Longevity, these are the cornerstones of the partnership between Sylvan Learning Corporation and Cherry Hill Elementary/Middle School.

In September 2008, Sylvan Learning Corporation and Cherry Hill Elementary/Middle School 159 (CH 159) joined in partnership to provide resources to the school and opportunities for Sylvan volunteers and Cherry Hill students to work together to improve academics and extracurricular learning opportunities.  "The work that Sylvan volunteers performed at our school on Make a Difference Day still shows in our hallways and classrooms! We welcome their ideas for books clubs, art shows, and science opportunities. We are truly appreciative to have the personnel resources of Sylvan Learning in our schools." Principal Tifini Stewart, CH 159.

Principal Stewart decided early on that academics would be the cornerstone of partnership activities. In turn, Sylvan volunteers asked that activities be reciprocal in nature with student/staff participation. Everyone agreed they wanted projects that would have long-term impact. The criterion for projects was set: academics, reciprocity, longevity.

Both Sylvan staff and CH159 teachers brainstormed activities within these parameters. From their lists, the following projects are now in design:

• School-wide book club and building of home book shelves.
• Facilities and grounds beautification.
• Career exploration using Sylvan marketing and technology resources.
• Discipline specific opportunities in science that build upon the beautification work.
• Anticipated participation in National History Day in 2010-11.
• Arts galleries that display student works at Sylvan headquarters.

“Our partnership with Cherry Hill Elementary/Middle School extends our commitment to the Cherry Hill community. Through this partnership, our employees offer assistance to children who may be most in need, with the goal of helping them to become the very best students they can be. We appreciate the warm welcome the staff and teachers at Cherry Hill have given us and we look forward to a long and fruitful partnership." Jeff Cohen, CEO, Educate, Inc.

As their projects transpire, Sylvan looks forward to sharing our models with other new BVU partnerships!

Submitted by: Dr. Sharon Morgenthaler
Project Director, Sylvan/Laureate Foundation

©2010 BVU Maryland  |  175 W. Ostend Street, Suite 100  |  Baltimore, Maryland 21230  |  410.366.6030