Download CAKE Partnerships CAKE is a new school buzz word which stands

CAKE Partnerships
CAKE is a new school buzz word which stands for Community and Kids in Education. Each homeroom or advisor room
chose/was assigned a CAKE partner for this school year; these community partners range from a banker and pharmacist to
a grocery store and nursing home worker. If our school’s mission statement is “to provide a safe, comfortable, clean and
caring environment where community and staff work together to provide an education that will maximize each
individual’s potential, instill a sense of self-worth, and prepare them for life-long learning,” then we should form
relationships with the people of our area to better understand how businesses operate and to ensure that our students are
ready for the workforce.
Our CAKE partnerships tie in with Iowa Core’s 21st Century skills. These required learning skills are in the areas of
finance, health, technology, and civic responsibility as well as employability skills. The Iowa Department of Education
mandates that each student must be provided programs in our district’s curriculum to ensure college and career readiness.
Some of the reasons for these requirements come from the globalization of our economic world, the explosion of STEM
(science, technology, engineering, and math) knowledge, international issues such as global warming, and the shift in our
country’s demographics. At one time, our country was industrial-centered; today we are in an information era. Who is
better, than our own CAKE partners, to share with students how to bridge the knowledge and skills learned in the
classroom to real life applications?
Not only will students learn what skills are needed for a variety of professions, but they will also learn about the “soft”
skills, which are never outdated, such as: reporting to work on time, reducing absenteeism, respect on the work site,
following expectations, learning how to cope with adversity on the worksite, etc. During my younger years, I learned
many of these skills while working at the Dairy Queen, being a lifeguard and swimming teacher, walking beans, being a
member of athletic/music teams, volunteer work I did in the community, and from my parents. I think my dad’s middle
name was discipline!
The motivation to learn these 21st Century skills comes from the collaboration of the CAKE partner, teacher, and student.
They should understand how important it is that students learn these “survival skills.” CAKE partners and schools must
use rigor in teaching students how to: think critically, communicate effectively, display adaptability, use creativity and
imagination to problem solve, collaborate with one another, analyze information, and display positive leadership.
Building on the academic skills our students need, along with the 21st Century skills, will help ensure our students a stable
and productive life because they will be better prepared for the workforce. 21st Century skills will create students who are
more innovative and creative, necessary skills to compete in our global society. CAKE partnerships, and the real thing,
are sweet for kids! Please call me at 319-642-7714 or email me at [email protected] if you would like to become a
CAKE partner for the 2016-2017 school year.