Partner Toolkit

We want our partners to feel comfortable with recognizing the program on social media and other platforms, but make sure to follow these protocols when using any photos of APS scholars:

• The APS annual media release does carry over to our partners for their usage, but partners cannot share photos with another organization or any individual without further documentation.
• Partners can take photos of our students who do not have a dot sticker on their nametag (confirm with the teacher). The dot sticker signifies that the child doesn't have a media release form on file.
• Photos are for professional use only, not personal use.
• Do not share photos in real time on social media while students are on-site.
• Please share this info with all of your staff (educators, volunteers, door greeters, etc).

A brief overview of each program by grade:

Organizations will be able to easily talk in detail about their own program. This is helpful if you're discussing other programs!

Pre-K – ArtSparks

• “Ready, Spark, Kindergarten” is a 15-week music program that joyfully fosters kindergarten readiness skills through rhyming and dance. All PreK scholars meet with an instructor weekly inside their classroom. This experience culminates in an energetic live showcase with parent and community audiences.

Kindergarten – Akron Children’s Museum

• “Explore Galore with Monsters and More!” allows all kindergarten scholars to spend the day on-site at the Akron Children’s Museum predicting, estimating, counting, sorting, and more through playful discovery and problem solving.

1st Grade – Akron Zoo

• In the two-part “Animal Encounters” experience with the Akron Zoo, all scholars participate in a guided tour of the Zoo where scholars observe habitats and identify how those habitats support living things. In part two, the Akron Zoo’s ZooMobile visits scholars in their classrooms where they will interact with animals to understand what living things need to survive.

2nd Grade – Cuyahoga Valley Environmental Education Center

• “Junior Rangers: Ecosystem Explorers!” allows scholars to spend the day in Cuyahoga Valley National Park, exploring the natural world around them. They practice observation skills while investigating a pond and forest ecosystem. Scholars “think like a scientist” through exploration activities centered around making observations, asking questions about our observations, and making personal connections.

3rd Grade – Weathervane Playhouse

• “Once Upon a Polymer” allows scholars to explore how creativity and polymers come together to create powerful storytelling experiences on stage - through props, lighting, movement, costumes, wigs, make-up, and more. Engaging interactive sessions allow scholars to step into the spotlight and go behind-the-scenes as they see what it takes to bring a story to life in a theatrical production.

4th Grade – Akron Art Museum

• Each fourth grade scholar visits the Akron Art Museum to discover the role of “Artist as Inventor." Scholars become both artists and inventors, as they find new ways of seeing the world, new ways of using materials, and new ways of solving problems through both a gallery and studio experience.

5th Grade – Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens

• Fifth grade scholars advance their history skills by visiting Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens and experiencing “Akron: City of Opportunity” from the organization’s past by exploring the trades, crafts, and careers of 1920s immigrant or migrant workers. Scholars then apply their knowledge to modern-day Akron opportunities.

Foundational phrases you can use:

• Essential Experiences℠ provides Akron Public Schools PreK-5th grade scholars with meaningful, guaranteed, and high-quality co-curricular field studies designed to inspire curiosity and the joy of learning.
• Essential Experiences℠ is a transformational co-curricular initiative created through a collaboration of GAR Foundation, Akron Public Schools, and seven arts & culture organizations.
• These experiences deepen students' connections to the community, foster critical thinking through inquiry-based activities, and allow them to gain valuable exposure to career possibilities.
• “Curriculum-based,” “Guaranteed,” and “Inquiry-based” are the three characteristics of Essential Experiences℠.
• Mention that the partnership is renewed through 2028.
• Highlight the new third-grade host, Weathervane Playhouse, offering “Once Upon a Polymer,” introducing students to theater and Akron’s future polymer industry. 

An overview of APS Portrait of an Elementary Scholar skill focus by experience:

Pre-K – ArtSparks

• Social Skills
  • I am kind.   (ArtSparks Core 4 - Be Kind. )
  • I am respectful.  (ArtSparks Core 4 - Be Respectful.)
  • I communicate well.  (Scholars are beginning to express their feelings and emotions.)
  • I am a team member.  (Scholars take turns.  ArtSparks models teamwork with their trio of educators.)
  • I am confident.  (Scholars perform on stage to build confidence.)
• Strong Habits of Mind
  • I am creative.  (Scholars use their imagination in sessions.)
  • I am flexible.  (Scholars practice changing things when needed in sessions.)
  • I am a problem solver.  (Scholars demonstrate movements to represent thoughts, actions, and feelings.)
  • I am persistent.  (Scholars don't give up on learning new dances and songs.)
• A Plan for the Future
  • I will explore careers that interest me.  (Scholars participate in the ABC Careers unit.)
  • I will set daily obtainable goals.  (ArtSparks team models using a chart to mark off steps in each session.)
• Contribute to Society
  • I will respect diverse views, races, cultures, and individuals.  (ArtSparks team helps scholars reframe language in an appropriate way to show respect for peers.  One book used in programming is about making friends across different cultures.)
• Real World Skills
  • I will do my best.  (Scholars try hard every week and on stage at Showcase.)
  • I will learn every day.  (Scholars learn new dances and songs.)

Kindergarten – Akron Children’s Museum

• Social Skills
  • I am kind.  (Scholars are kind to peers when participating at stations and role playing.)
  • I am respectful.  (Scholars follow directions of museum educators, line up to move, etc.)
• Strong Habits of Mind
  • I am flexible.  (Scholars have to take turns at exhibits.)
  • I am creative.  (Scholars create individual parachutes.  Scholars have multiple opportunities to role play.)
• Real World Skills
  • I will learn every day.  (Scholars practice predicting, estimating, sorting, and testing at stations.)
• A Plan for the Future
  • I will explore careers that interest me.  (There are many opportunities for role play, including Curtain Call Theater.)

1st Grade – Akron Zoo

• Social Skills
  • I am kind.  (Scholars are kind when they pet animals during their station rotation at the zoo and at the school ZooMobile visit.)
  • I am respectful.  (Scholars are respectful of animals in their habitat.)
  • I am a team member.  (Classes stay together at the zoo.)
• Contribute to Society
  • I will take action to create a better and peaceful world. (Scholars will learn about conservation.)
• Strong Habits of Mind
  • I am persistent. (There are hills to walk up at the zoo.)
  • I am flexible.  (Some animals may not be present when scholars are observing.)
  • I am creative. (Scholars design and create bear habitats.)
  • I am a problem solver.  (Scholars design and create bear habitats.)
• Real World Skills
  • I will be on time.  (Classes move through the zoo on schedule to keep everyone’s day smooth.)
  • I will learn every day.  (Scholars will find new information about animals and see new things.)
• A Plan for the Future
  • I will explore careers that interest me.  (Careers are represented at each station at the zoo and in Post-Visit Activities.)

2nd Grade – Cuyahoga Valley Environmental Education Center

• Social Skills
  • I am kind.  (Scholars are kind to nature, to animals, and to the environment.)
  • I am a team member.  (Scholars work together with collection jars, take turns with net.)
• Contribute to Society
  • I will take action to create a better and peaceful world. (Scholars take Junior Ranger oath.)
• Strong Habits of Mind
  • I am persistent. (Scholars need to keep looking for animals if not easily found.)
  • I am flexible.  (Scholars have to adjust to weather.)
  • I am creative.  (Scholars write and draw in their journals.)
• Real World Skills
  • I will learn every day. (Scholars may be exploring for the first time in a national park setting.)
• A Plan for the Future
  • I will explore careers that interest me. (Scholars are exposed to park ranger jobs, and working outside.)

3rd Grade – Weathervane Playhouse

• Social Skills
  • I am a team member.  (Costuming & Props Lab Station)
• Strong Habits of Mind
  • I am creative.  (Costuming & Props Lab Station, Dance Lab Station)
  • I am a problem-solver.  (Costuming & Props Lab Station, Dance Lab Station)
• A Plan for the Future
  • I will explore careers that interest me.  (Career exposure at all four lab stations.)
• Contribute to Society
  • I will respect diverse views, races, cultures, and individuals.  (Overarching Shrek story)

4th Grade – Akron Art Museum

• Social Skills
  • I am a team member.  (Scholars work together in teams during the Art Lab session.)
• Strong Habits of Mind
  • I am creative.  (Scholars demonstrate creativity in Art Lab and in Gallery sessions.)
• Contribute to Society
  • I will respect diverse views, races, cultures, and individuals.  (Scholars are exposed to a variety of artists and art works in the Gallery session.  Scholars practice being respectful of peers during the Art Lab session.)

5th Grade – Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens

• Social Skills
  • I am respectful.  (Scholars demonstrate museum manners during a tour of the Manor House.)
  • I am a team member.  (Scholars work together in teams during the We Are Akron primary source activity.)
• Contribute to Society
  • I will respect diverse views, races, cultures, and individuals.  (Scholars will identify the motives, goals, feelings, and circumstances of immigrant, migrant, and refugee Akronites during the We Are Akron primary source activity.)
• Strong Habits of Mind
  • I am a problem solver.  (Scholars will investigate questions about their subject using primary sources during the We Are Akron primary source activity.)

A rundown of some high level impact data from Essential Experiences℠:

(This is one area we want to grow in, so more will be added to this!)

Overall

• 9,000+ - APS scholars immersed in seven local arts & culture organizations annually
• 900 - Hours of direct engagement between APS scholars and host organizations each school year
• 100 - Each host organization engages with APS scholars for a median of 100 hours each year.
• 600 - APS classrooms that participate in programming each school year

Buildings Served

• 15 - Early Learning Program (ELP)
• 29 - K-5

Amount of Scholars by Grade-Level

• 9,453 - Overall ELP-5
• 399 - ELP
• 1,443 - Kindergarten
• 1,492 - First Grade
• 1,528 - Second Grade
• 1,465 - Third Grade
• 1,691 - Fourth Grade
• 1,435 - Fifth Grade

Demographic Data

• Female: 4,573 = 48%
• Male:  4,880 = 52%
• American Indian: 13 = 0%
• Asian: 855 = 9%
• Black: 4,323 = 46%
• Hispanic: 891 = 9%
• Multi-race: 1,128 = 12%
• Pacific Islander: 15 = 0%
• White: 2,223 = 24%
• Unknown: 5 = 0%

Other Data

• Economic disadvantaged %:  100%
• English language learners %:  1,216 = 13%
• Scholars designated as SPED %:  1,785 = 19%

ArtSparks

• “The ArtSparks staff are always positive and encouraging to my students. They work hard to meet each child at their individual ability level. My students very much enjoyed their Art Sparks sessions this semester!“ (Submitted 4/29/25)
• “ArtSparks staff did a great job helping our students feel seen, safe, and welcome. It took many of my students most of the semester to open up to ArtSparks staff and begin to participate in the classroom, but the staff were patient and adapted the materials as needed and when it came time for the showcase the students were more engaged than I could have predicted and really enjoyed the experience.” (Submitted on 12/10/24)
• “We would love to have ArtSparks all year long. It is a wonderful experience for the preschool children to learn to dance, sing, and move to the music. Art Sparks incorporates music, movement, stories, and are very patient with all of the children.” (Submitted on 12/15/23)
• “This experience helps the students to learn to sit, to listen, and to follow directions which helps in my daily lessons.” (Submitted on 12/15/23)

Akron Children's Museum

• “Our experience was awesome, the children were engaged and enjoyed all the hands-on activities.” (Submitted on 2/5/25)
• “We are currently learning measurement in math, so the block station of the experience was very relevant to what we're learning.” (Submitted on 5/14/25)
• “It is my favorite day of school. So appropriate for kindergarten to experience this kind of hands-on learning.” (Submitted on 4/23/25)
• “It truly was great! I loved the vocabulary used, the inquiry based learning, and the higher level questioning! (Submitted on 2/16/24)

Akron Zoo

• “The Akron Zoo trip aligned to our unit in our Unique Curriculum so we were able to make connections! Our unit was about animals in their habitats—It was perfect! Thank you for this experience! We all enjoyed every minute and it was a great learning opportunity for my students.” (Submitted on 10/14/24)
• “It coordinated well with our new vocabulary and science embedded reading. The students loved building the habitats. I am extremely grateful for all the material and information provided.” (Submitted on 11/17/24)
• “Every year the kids learn a lot and enjoy the zoo/zoo mobile. As a teacher they are very enjoyable experiences because the kids like them so are more likely to be engaged and behave. They fit our first grade standards so well." (Submitted on 11/30/24)
• “We followed up the presentation with building the bear habitats and after the presenter went over the kinds of things the bears need and like as part of their habitat the students did an awesome job of incorporating those items into their habitats. This was absolutely a wonderful experience.” (Submitted on 12/6/24)
• “This is linked directly to our science and social studies standards. It opens the door for research and writing, nonfiction reading,  and job exploration.  We love the hands-on experiences.” (Submitted on 12/8/23)

Cuyahoga Valley Environmental Education Center

• “The park staff assigned to my MD/AIM classroom was very flexible to the needs of my students. Everyone was welcoming and helped. Park staff had a variety of activities based on my unique class needs (puppets, animal furs, coloring pages, books).” (Submitted 4/4/25)
• “Outdoor education is so important in allowing our kids to have hands-on experiences in nature. It was beautiful to watch and take part in this experience!” (Submitted on 4/25/25)
• “It was amazing…the best experience I’ve been on!” (Submitted on 10/6/23)
• “We have talked about other national parks in the classroom, talked about how they are protected land, and researched them to see how they are similar and different.” (Submitted on 4/8/24)
• “We have been talking about the importance of observing things and recording our thoughts and questions in order to investigate information. This experience reinforces these concepts through a hands-on experience.” (Submitted on 11/4/23)

Weathervane Playhouse

• Coming soon!

Akron Art Museum

• “Students learned that there are many ways to accomplish a goal and you may not succeed the first time, but to keep trying.” (Submitted on 12/6/24)
• “After our visit, I used the "Fairy Door" challenge in math. We used angles and measurement to expand our learning. The learners were extremely proud to blur their learning boundaries. I am looking forward to exploring ways this year to incorporate more art in math activities.” (Submitted on 1/10/15)
• “I loved the hands-on ability for our students to be artists and inventors.” (Submitted on 2/7/25)
• “We have discussed the value of things connecting it to our experience at the Akron Art Museum. We have also created our own art describing the importance of being unique.” (Submitted on 3/8/24)
• “It was a wonderful opportunity for my scholars to experience a beautiful museum that they otherwise may not ever have access to.” (Submitted on 2/2/24)

Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens

• “I am able to make real connections to our history and reading curriculum, and use this experience to enhance student background knowledge.” (Submitted 3/28/25)
• “We got very lucky to get to hear the organ as well and the kids LOVED this as they felt the vibrations from it while sitting on the floor. That really resonated with our Light and Sound unit.” (Submitted 3/38/25)
• “This experience fit into our social studies unit about immigrants and the overall SEL priorities about accepting different cultures.” (Submitted on 3/27/24)
• “We had the most amazing time! The kids asked so many questions.” (Submitted on 12/8/23)
• “Thank you so much for making this wonderful experience available to our students. The majority had never been to Stan Hywet.” (Submitted on 11/5/23)

Sample social media post language to accompany any creative content:

It's highly recommended to customize these to best fit your organization and brand voice! This is just a template to get you started.

Longer Form Post

We are thrilled to be part of Essential Experiences℠, a “transformational co-curricular learning initiative” that provides PreK–5 scholars with meaningful, guaranteed, and curriculum-based field studies across Greater Akron. 

Our [Grade You Serve] grade experience “[Program Name]” offers students [short description: e.g., hands-on exploration, creative storytelling, scientific inquiry], fostering the joy of learning and fueling curiosity. Through this program, more than 9,000 APS scholars each year enjoy immersive, community-based education that extends beyond the classroom. 

Together with GAR Foundation, Akron Public Schools, and fellow arts and cultural institutions, we are proud to bring these opportunities to life for every APS scholar. Learn more at garfoundation.org/ee or by watching this video [Remove this if you want to direct them to your website]

Shorter Form Post

We are proud to host the [Grade You Serve] “[Program Name]” experience as part of Essential Experiences℠, bringing real-world learning & community connection to APS scholars! Learn more at garfoundation.org/ee or by watching this video [Remove this if you want to direct them to your website or have a different call to action]

A standard email template to connect with your audiences:

Subject: We're proud partners in Essential Experiences℠!
Body:

Dear [Team / Community Partners],

We are thrilled to participate in Essential Experiences℠, a transformational co-curricular learning initiative designed to bring meaningful, guaranteed, and high-quality field studies to every Akron Public Schools PreK–5th grade scholar.

At [Your Specific Organization], we’re proud to deliver the [The Grade You Serve] grade experience, “[Program Name]”, engaging students in immersive learning that aligns with Ohio standards, encourages curiosity, and connects them deeply to our organization and community.

Since 2019, Essential Experiences℠ has enriched education for more than 9,000 scholars annually, reinforcing classroom learning with real-world exploration. As a trusted partner, we’re fostering future-ready skills, inspiring discovery, and celebrating Akron’s vibrant cultural landscape together.

[This is a good place to customize the template to fit your needs! This could be a part of an awareness/donor campaign, a way to update your supporters, and everything in between.]

Learn more about the impact we're making by visiting www.garfoundation.org/ee [remove this if you want a different call-to-action in place]

Warm regards,
[Your Organization Name]