National Network of Partnership Schools Publication Recognizes WCPS Success Stories

HAGERSTOWN, MD (September 6, 2006) – Each year, school, district, organization, and state members of the National Network of Partnership Schools are invited to share their success stories in the Promising Partnership Practices book published by NNPS. Each annual collection features 70-100 practices of school, family, and community partnerships that support students from preschool through high school to achieve academic success and lifelong well-being.

The 2006 edition of Promising Partnership Practices features four Washington County public elementary schools: Conococheague Elementary, Eastern Elementary, Emma K. Doub Elementary, and Lincolnshire Elementary.

In September 2005 all Washington County Public Schools (WCPS) joined the National Network of Partnership Schools (NNPS) through Johns Hopkins University. Membership provides all schools with the opportunity to lead, implement, and maintain effective school, family, and community partnership programs.

NNPS materials and training are based on research, studies, and fieldwork conducted by Dr. Joyce Epstein, her colleagues at Johns Hopkins, and many schools, districts, and states across the country. They have been working to understand how educators, families, and community partners can work together to help all students reach important school goals.

The district leaders for WCPS are Charlotte Baker, Staff Development Specialist, and Marie Martin, Family & Community Partnership Specialist, Title I. For information on the National Network, visit www.partnershipschools.org.