Building Partnerships, Inspiring Creativity: A Recap of Our 2026 Kick-Off Event

Partners in Education officially kicked off another exciting school year with a morning filled with connection, collaboration, and community support at our annual Kick-Off Event.

We were grateful to welcome Douglas County School System leaders, school principals, PIE Ambassadors, board members, business leaders, nonprofit organizations, and community partners who all share one common goal: supporting the students and educators of Douglas County.

The Kick-Off Event serves as more than just the start of a new school year. It's an opportunity for current and prospective partners to learn about upcoming initiatives, strengthen existing relationships, and discover new ways to make a meaningful impact in our schools. Every conversation, new connection, and shared idea helps build a stronger network of support for our students and teachers.

One of the highlights of this year's event was our community-wide art supply drive.

Attendees were encouraged to bring donations of art supplies to help stock classrooms throughout Douglas County, and our partners responded with incredible generosity. Thanks to their support, we were able to deliver a variety of much-needed supplies—including markers, crayons, construction paper, paint, brushes, glue sticks, and more—to Douglas County School System art teachers before the start of the new school year.

These donations will help provide students with the tools they need to explore their creativity, develop new skills, and express themselves through art. For teachers, they represent valuable classroom resources that help create engaging learning experiences without placing additional financial burdens on their classrooms.

This project is a wonderful example of what makes Partners in Education so special. When local businesses, organizations, and community members come together with our schools, the impact extends far beyond a single event. Together, we're creating opportunities that help students learn, grow, and thrive.

To everyone who attended our Kick-Off Event, volunteered, networked, and donated art supplies, thank you. Your generosity and commitment continue to strengthen our schools and demonstrate the power of community partnerships.

As we begin another school year, we're excited about the opportunities ahead and look forward to working alongside our partners to make a lasting difference for students across Douglas County.

Together, we're building stronger schools through stronger community partnerships.