City of Fairfax Schools and Virginia School Board Association Honor Businesses

VSBA Celebrates Business-School Partnerships with First Annual Business Honor Roll

City of Fairfax School Board honored seven Northern Virginia businesses Monday for their induction to the Virginia School Board Association's first annual Business Honor Roll. The VSBA Business Honor Roll gives school divisions a way to say "thank you" to local businesses and recognize them for their valuable contributions to schools.

Lowe's of Chantilly, Apple Federal Credit Union, Your Recruiting Company International, Bob's Discount Furniture, Chick-fil-A of Fairfax, Sweet Frog of Fairfax and Exxon Mobil were all nominated by principals at City of Fairfax schools for their support through financial donations or employee mentoring programs.

"Providence has been incredibly fortunate to enjoy the best business partnerships a school could ask for," said Jesse Kraft, principal of Providence Elementary School. "We have almost 40 individuals who commit an hour a week to meet with mentees. Imagine that level of commitment! It is more than just a feel-good endeavor. Students with mentees see improvements on the Citzenship and Study Skills section of their progress reports and we see discipline referrals or behavior issues decrease for these students over the course of the year."

Businesses were recognized for a wide range of support, including:

• Apple Federal Credit Union and Your Recruiting Company International who send employees to mentor students with academic or social needs. Employees commit to one hour a week to meet with the same student and provide support.

• Lowe's of Chantilly provided a grant for $5000 to help improve living classrooms through Lowe's Toolbox for Education.

• Upon opening in the City of Fairfax, Bob's Discount Furniture provided Fairfax High School with a check for $1000.

• At Lanier Middle School, a team of seventh graders and teachers participate in Exxon Mobil's Expanding Visions program to encourage students to succeed in math, science and technology.

• Sweet Frog in Fairfax and Chick-fil-A were both recognized for their continuous efforts to support schools with gift cards for fundraisers, school group and community nights where the businesses donate a portion of sales to the schools and donations of food for events.

"It is important for businesses to get involved in education because schools are the pipeline to the future," said Dr. Peter Noonan, Superintendent of City of Fairfax Schools. "Our schools are doing our best teaching students 21st century skills and with strong business partnerships we know our students have a better chance to thrive."