Naperville Park District receives School District 203 award for Exemplary Business Partnership

Naperville Community Unit School District 203 recently honored the Naperville Park District with its 2017 Exemplary Business Partnership Award. The award recognized a three-year collaboration between the Park District and School District 203 to offer Summer School Camp, allowing students enrolled in morning summer school to attend a summer camp in the afternoon.

The Summer School Camp idea developed from a conversation between the Park District and School District 203. The goal was to get students involved in summer school who might not otherwise attend due to their parents’ work commitments and transportation challenges. Both the Park District and School District recognized that their missions were complementary and agreed that a partnership to provide program of this kind would fulfill a need for residents. Participation over three years demonstrates this with attendance having more than tripled since 2014.

“The Naperville community continues to turn out solid examples of the great things that can happen through partnerships,” said Park District Executive Director Ray McGury. “We hope to continue working with our school districts in creative ways to meet the changing needs of children and families.”