The Business Partner of the Year recognition for Floyd County Schools is held each year to honor outstanding contributions of the business community in partnership with our schools.  The recognition gives three awards each year in the following categories:

Business Partner of the Year - a recognition for the contributions of an entire industry, organization or business.
Volunteer of the Year - a recognition of an individual associated with a business partner for their contributions to a school. and
Apprenticeship Partnership of the Year - a recognition of the contributions of an entire industry, organization or business to the Floyd County Schools Youth Apprenticeship Program.

The Partners of the Year were honored at the April, Floyd County Board of Education meeting.  This year's meeting was held on April 3, 2007. This year's honorees were:

Business Partner of the Year - Comcast Cable
Nominated by Pepperell Middle School

Comcast Cable helps Pepperell Middle in many ways.  Over 40 Comcast employees and their families donated time on "Comcast Cares Saturday" to paint the breezeways, doors and windows of the school; work on old cable connections; plant and weed a school garden area; and construct risers for the new chorus room.  Most importantly, the Comcast employees performed these tasks with smiles and they exhibited a cheerful attitude of giving throughout the day.

Comcast made a $1000.00 donation to the school to purchase CRCT coach books for students.  Comcast employees also helped to purchase Christmas presents for some needy families during the holidays.  

Comcast supports Pepperell Middle DragonVision (the school television news show for morning announcements by donating VCR tapes and video supplies.

Pepperell Middle principal, Frank Pinson believes that the greatest contribution of Comcast Cable is their giving spirit.  Pinson said, "Comcast representatives are always the first to approach our faculty and ask what they can do for the students at Pepperell Middle School ."  He added, "Comcast's main interest is the students and what they can do to make them more successful."

Volunteer of the Year - Kim Durall, Pasquale's Pizza & Pasta
Nominated by Armuchee Middle School

Armuchee Middle principal, Bill Gilbert wrote in his nomination that Kim Durall and Pasquale's have been awesome Business Partners for Armuchee Middle School .  Mrs. Durall is very active with the school, participating as a member of the AMS School Council, supporting the school's PRIDE program as well as the Booster Club and Athletic program.

As a member of the AMS School Council, Mrs Durall meets monthly with the group and is always an active contributor to discussions.  Bill Gilbert commented, "She takes this duty seriously as she seeks to help us improve our school."

Mrs. Durall awards students coupons for products at Pasquale's as a reward for students through the Armuchee Middle PRIDE program.  The program rewards students for good behavior and character.

Mrs. Durall is also a familiar face at extra-curricular activities and in school hallways. She takes time out of her busy schedule to attend athletic events and she can often be seen eating lunch with her daughter and her classmates.  Mr. Gilbert concluded, "Mrs. Durall gives Armuchee Middle much more than just monetary support - she gives of herself."

Apprenticeship Partnership of the Year - F & P Georgia

F&P Georgia has been a dedicated business partner with the Youth Apprenticeship Program since 2003.  Initially, the company offered positions to students in the Industry Academy program at Floyd County Technical High School.  Subsequently, F&P has expanded that to offer opportunities to students in FCTH's Business Education, Construction Trades, Metalworking Technology and CISCO Networking programs.  To date F&P has employed a total of 15 apprenticeship students to work in a variety of departments at the Rome location.  

F&P and the talented professionals on their staff take a personal interest in each apprentice.  They advise student apprentices, serve on numerous advisory committees at Floyd County Technical High, provide guest speakers to classes, provide tours and job shadowing opportunities to students and educators, and even purchased a refrigerator for an apprentice's dorm room.

Most importantly, F&P promotes education.  They encourage students to obtain their high school diploma and continue their education beyond high school.  In fact, they require apprentices to do this to gain employment with the company.  They also provide recognition and pay raises to apprentices for these accomplishments.  Floyd County Schools Apprenticeship Coordinator Melissa Pyle said, "F&P provides unique and exceptional support for our apprenticeship students and for the Floyd County Apprenticeship Program."

The Floyd County Schools Business Partner Program includes over 100 business in the Rome area that partner with schools in the Floyd County School System to help prepare students for life and work in the twenty-first century.

The Apprenticeship Program also involves over 100 area businesses in the preparation of children for the future. Youth Apprenticeship provides an opportunity for juniors and seniors to start preparing for a career while still in high school. Youth Apprenticeship consists of:

• a sequence of courses that develops each student's academic and occupational competencies
• on-the-job learning guided by a skilled work-based mentor
• skill development based on competency standards developed by industry and labor.