NATCHEZ &045;&045; They give money, supplies and time, but it’s the smiles and handshakes in the hallway that mean the most, teachers say.

Over 100 Partners in Education in the Natchez-Adams School District are being thanked for their contributions this month as part of the statewide Partners in Education month.

The 18 partners at Frazier Primary helped earn the school a finalist slot in the Mississippi Association of Partners in Education Governor’s Award category.

&uot;Especially with the budget cuts we’ve been facing, the things they do for us are really making the difference,&uot; Frazier Partners coordinator Susan Mingee said.

The local businesses and individuals provide bonuses for teachers, classrooms and students including prizes given to accelerated readers and good character recipients.

Frazier will thank its partners with a potluck meal provided by teachers on May 4.

The 11 Natchez High partners received thank you plants this week for their donations to the school.

Partner dollars this year went to buy computer parts, which a class of students used to refurbish older model computers. The fixed up computers went to teachers without computers in their rooms. One computer will be given away at a drawing for students with perfect attendance.

Partner donations were also used to buy gifts for teachers to boost morale, Partners coordinator Margaret Beesley said.

At West Primary, the little ones don’t want the money, just the time, coordinator Courtney Feltus said.

&uot;We try to get as many in the schools as we can,&uot; she said. &uot;(The children) love it. They even recognize them at Wal-Mart and say ‘You’ve been to my school; you’ve read to us.’&uot;

West encourages its 22 partners to come to school events including Safety Day, the opening of the tricycle track and even daily lunch.

Reading in the classrooms is something McLaurin Elementary pushes its partners to do also, coordinator Evelyn Geter said.

&uot;The kids realize there is a world out there after school,&uot; Geter said. &uot;Some people do go and have a job and they like seeing other people come in.&uot;

McLaurin’s 25 partners provide rewards to success on accountability tests, provide special meals and have donated dictionaries, she said.

&uot;It’s very important for them to see what we are doing and the equipment we have in each classroom,&uot; Geter said of the school’s partners.

The district will honor its partners on Tuesday with a luncheon.