The Partners in Education program has played a vital role in Calcasieu Parish schools for years by directly involving local businesses and industries in schools. Partners donate funds and supplies, sponsor events and visit schools to help enhance students’ quality of education.

Karyl O’Banion, principal at Fairview Elementary, said her school has a unique approach to the program because it also solicits input from its partners to come up with solutions for various school goals and issues.

O’Banion said the school hosted its second Partners in Education breakfast last Thursday to not only honor and celebrate previous accomplishments, but also to brainstorm for the school’s plans and dreams for the new school year.

“Our partners help us come up with solutions to issues from a business perspective,” she said. “One of things we talked about Thursday was our big dream to get playground equipment, which is really expensive, for our kids.”

O’Banion said representatives from Iberia Bank, City Savings Bank and Lake Charles Toyota came up with a “brilliant idea” to hopefully make that dream come true. The team plans to try to bring in other businesses to donate time and labor and sponsor individual pieces of equipment.

O’Banion said that since Fairview isn’t nestled in a traditional neighborhood with homes like most schools, the businesses along La. 14 are its neighbors. She said the team plans to sell the idea of area businesses working together for the greater good of the students and community to get the playground built.

“This is what a partnership should look like,” O’Banion said. “It’s not just about giving us something, but more of what can we all do together. It’s really about stepping outside of the box and getting a fun buy-in from everybody.”(MGNonline)