Adopt-A-School program helps city schools

A recession and declining sales tax revenues have taken specific educational supplies and opportunities away from public school children.

Parents, who used to be called upon to provide the extras, like cupcakes for room parties, are now being asked to fulfill essential needs. Things like copy paper and toilet paper are on school wish lists, not to mention hand sanitizer.

Dothan City Schools officials, along with sponsors Yes We Can! Dothan and the Dothan Area Chamber of Commerce, have sought to remedy some of the shortcomings, and expand ownership of the public schools, through the Adopt-A-School! Dothan program.

Thus far, about 70 corporations, small businesses, individuals, church groups and others have stepped up to “adopt” a school or a classroom, providing much-needed support to public education.

And school officials say it is making a difference.

At Grandview Elementary School, members of the Dothan Area Young Professionals have stepped into the parental role, by acting as the school’s Parent Teacher Organization. The school did not have a PTO.

“Those 90 or so members of the Young Professionals have adopted the Grandview teachers and they are acting as an incubator to get parents involved,” said Lavonda Gosselin, Adopt-A-School director for the city schools.

Jim Freeland, president-elect of the Young Professionals, said Grandview principal Todd Weeks helped him see the importance of getting a strong PTO organized.

“As he explained, it helps the teacher, and a happy teacher makes for a happy student,” Freeland said. “We will adopt every single teacher at the school and try to assign two DAYP members per teacher.”

The group will also provide career field trips and job shadowing opportunities for students.

Wiregrass Live, a community portal of citizen-driven views, has adopted a first-year teacher at Cloverdale Elementary. After learning new teachers don’t have the funds or the years of teaching to build a stockpile of resources, Wiregrass Live members provided more than 175 first-grade appropriate books for the class; a bookcase; and several gift cards for the teacher.

“We had a Halloween party for them last week,” said Wiregrass Live Support Staffer Debbie Trueblood. “We are also giving them piggy banks they can paint, with two quarters in each bank.”

That kind of support and enthusiasm is infectious. After learning of the Wiregrass Live adoption, a local individual, who wishes to remain anonymous, adopted all first-year teachers in the system, by providing them with a gift card for supplies.

Gosselin said it does not necessarily cost to adopt a school or classroom. Members of the Dothan Eagle newsroom have adopted the two fifth-grade classes at Girard Elementary. Volunteers will help the students with writing projects.

“We are looking for people to participate,” Gosselin said. “Especially with the holiday season coming up, a lot of people don’t know what to give someone. Think about a donation or gift to a school or program that is important to you.”

To Adopt a School, contact:
Lavonda Gosselin
671-7981 or
LaRhonda Robinson
792-5138 or