Edition:
March, 2010
Public Notices - DBA Info • CONTACT
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TH News Editor
Business and civic leaders listened to Josˇ Carvajal, the Lake Elsinore Unified School District Public Information Officer, as he unveiled the district's new "Adopt A School" program at a recent EDC luncheon meeting.
"It starts with a conversation," said Carvajal, who went to the leading business leaders in the community asking for their help with local schools. During the current fiscal crisis that has hit the state, especially in the area of school finance, Carvajal stressed that this program was "not just about money."
"This is about encouragement, employee appreciation and recognition, campus improvements, academic enrichment and pride," he stated.
Local schools have been the recipient of business partnerships in the past, and this program will build on those relationships, but will attempt to create stronger ties between the business, community, and school sites. It will help build a better workforce for future years, it will demonstrate to students that business leaders can and want to help the students to be successful, and it will provide additional motivation for both students and adults to be strong role models for the city.
For business leaders, there is not only the personal satisfaction of helping out, it provides a well educated work force and recognition within the community that Lake Elsinore is a city that cares in visible ways for the students in its boundaries.
Chris Jones of the Storm Baseball organization, spoke directly of the Storm's two current partnerships with Cottonwood Canyon and Railroad Canyon Elementaries where the players and the team management and ownership visits, provides paper needs, assisted the school's music program and has players give assemblies for students.
Elsinore High School also is involved with the team. It's ROP silk screening program has already provided more than 200 T-shirts for the Storm needs and has helped fund the school's program.
Other examples of current Adopt A School programs were the Lowe's mural and garden planting at Elsinore Elementary. Carvajal pointed out that Lowe's personnel came out, helped plant and refurbish a large flower garden, helped create a new visual space filled with art and natural beauty.
According to principals at the meeting, several other business leaders have helped by providing school certificates and academic awards, supply needs for teachers' "want lists" and have been a source of encouragement and assistance.
Some of the projects that could be considered include planting gardens, both floral and vegetable that students can work and tend; campus clean-up days where people from throughout the community can come in and work with students in taking pride in the various campuses, welcome back receptions for employees and even special coupons for teachers to take advantage of, hosting art festivals, helping with expertise in things like scholarship fundraisers, mock trail training and history day competitions.
Some businesses can set up intern programs where students can learn hands-on training and earn school credit for participation. The yearly Celebration of Education Week held each November, already has its Principal for a Day that allows local citizens to learn firsthand what a day at any school is like in the community.
For additional information or to assist in any of the Adopt A School programs, call the school district at 253-7000 and ask for the public Information office extension.
