ADOPT-A-SCHOOL EFFORT BENEFITS THE COMMUNITY

Since 1985, business and education have worked hand in hand to enrich the educational experience in the Cape Girardeau Public Schools. The Adopt-a-School program has been a real success story.

It symbolizes the concern of business to build closer ties with our schools. The program is a real tribute to our business community.

All but two schools have "adopters." Alma Schrader Elementary School and Central High School are without sponsors this year. Hopefully, more businesses will join in the fun and embrace these "orphans." Time and expense expended is left up to the business.

Adopt-a-school is a very flexible program. The businesses develop their own strategy for working with the schools. Some companies are very active, others are more low key. Many of the businesses have found unique ways to reach out to the students.

Charles C. Clippard Elementary School is teamed up with Spartech Plastics Corp. Spartech has been with the school since the program's inception. Assistance has ranged from financial help to build a walkway and basketball court to providing incentives for kids to read.

Savings of America has adopted Jefferson Elementary School. The business sponsors a number of activities to make the students feel good about learning. They have given money to develop a school garden and furnished a school camera to record activities. The company also displays student artwork at the office.

Boatmen's Bank of Cape Girardeau is a double adopter. They oversee activities at both Franklin and Washington elementary schools. It marks the seventh year the bank has participated in the Adopt-a-School program. The bank provides incentives for students to excel, and also supports faculty and staff. Attendance incentives, plays, coloring and story contests, and faculty and staff luncheons are just some of the ways the bank reaches out to the schools.

Procter & Gamble serves as May Greene's mentor. Employees sponsor an honors program for students, a cultural arts performance, and teacher appreciation activities. Each year, students tour the plant.

The Southeast Missourian has adopted L.J. Schultz Middle School since the program's inception. The major project of the partnership is publication of the school's newspaper, The Paw. Students and staff have earned state and national recognition for this publication. Student-of-the-Month awards, cultural programs, and an annual field day are other activities undertaken. The newspaper's association with Adopt-a-School has led to expansion of the Newspaper in Education program the last two years.

St. Francis Medical Center has adopted Central Junior High School. During summer school, the hospital provided incentives for students. They also assisted with the school's stop-smoking program. Employees judge school contests, and students and staff entertain at the hospital. Students tour the medical center as part of career day.

Most of the businesses see their efforts as an investment both in the children of the community and tomorrow's employees. The companies also say they profit from the program through student appreciation.

The program provides a two-way street for feedback. This partnership between business and education can't help but improve our schools. But most of all, the program pays big dividends in the education of our kids. And that's a lesson from which we can all profit.