As students return to classes, the Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce is searching for a handful of businesses to participate in a program that pairs local businesses with schools.

Local business leaders have held the Business Education Partnership program for more than 15 years, forming a support system between business owners, school officials and students.

Business leaders become advisers to students, teaching them business principles and lessons they’ve learned through their profession or by simply greeting them during the school day.

“It is definitely unique. The schools, they are able to speak with ... leaders in the business community here in Bowling Green,” said Lindsey Moyers, chamber program director. “They can work together at different events, and they can, in turn, act as mentors for the students.”

Businesspeople can speak or hold demonstrations at their partner school, and the two organizations can share resources or provide volunteers for each other.

“It can be as simple as helping a school with a bulletin board,” Moyers said. “Some students may make holiday cards for workers at the business.”

Briarwood Elementary School has participated in the program since it began and has remained with same partner - The Medical Center at Bowling Green.

Each month, a worker from The Medical Center visits the school and speaks with students, giving them health tips.

“Starting next week, they’re talking, with the H1N1 (swine flu), about hand washing and how important it is,” said Janice Lockwood, family resource coordinator.

Health professionals were on hand during the first day of school to greet students and give them information about healthy eating. And when the school participates in food drives, The Medical Center allows the school to place a donation box at its facility.

The students make holiday cards for patients at The Medical Center and have sung Christmas carols at the hospital.

“It’s helped us really well,” Lockwood said. “It’s just a good thing here in our community, and it’s just a good community relationship.”

And the students enjoy the monthly health program, dubbed Wellness Wednesday, she said.

“When she did (a lesson) on healthy eating, she had a big apron with foods on it,” Lockwood said. “It caught their eye ... and it’s not a long, drawn-out thing.”

Chamber officials still need about four or five more businesses to participate. Businesses must be partners with the chamber of commerce, Moyers said.

The chamber will hold a kick-off event Thursday, during which partners will develop events and projects for the rest of the year. To participate, business owners can contact Moyers at 781-3200.