Adopt-A-School program has grown

For 20 years, a handful of local businesses have been steadfast in providing community support to Dothan City Schools through the Adopt-A-School program.

Sony, Michelin, AAA Cooper, Slingluff United Insurance, Southeast Alabama Medical Center and Mike Schmitz Automotive have done things like recognized top students with savings bonds, provided T-shirts for special events and given away thousands of dollars in college scholarships.

But the community as a whole has not been that involved with city schools until this past school year when Lavonda Gosselin, the mother of four, took on the job of program director for Adopt-A-School last October.

“We have found so many different ways businesses are providing in-kind services,” said Gosselin, whose goal is to continue growing the number of city schools’ stakeholders.
“From the beginning, all the companies that were in the program stayed with their adopted schools and several increased their activities,” she said. “We’ve also pulled in lots of new folks.”

This past school year more than 100 businesses, individuals, faith-based organizations and civic groups sponsored schools.

“Calvary and First Baptist now have after-school programs. The relationship with Calvary began as students from nearby Girard walked by the church on the way home and a child stopped in and asked to use the bathroom.”

Church members mentor, take children on trips and help with homework.

Gosselin says the “neighborhood concept” is catching on.

Michelin, a long-time adopter of Honeysuckle Middle School, also adopted its neighborhood school, nearby Kelly Springs Elementary.

“This whole program helps schools realize that the community, or at least one person in the community, cares about what happens in that classroom,” she said, “and therefore cares about what happens to them.

AAA Cooper has been active at Faine Elementary, and now, in partnership with Covenant United Methodist and others, is providing school supplies to students.

Sponsoring might be as simple as providing writing tables for a group of fifth graders, or it might be a larger effort such as the one undertaken by Michael’s. The craft supply store gives all 20 city schools out-of-stock, seasonal and sale items.

“It’s also a great way for a business to get rid of unneeded items,” she said.

Regions Bank is also a generous adopter with all seven branches adopting nearby schools. Bank employees have taught classes, participated in school events, and hosted teacher breakfasts. The bank is in its third year of collecting student and teacher school supplies under the Tools for Schools program. Donations are currently being accepted.

One thing many people might not realize, Gosselin said, is that schools often considered “wealthy” are operating on a shoe string because they are not Title I schools. Having a low rate of free and reduced lunches means they receive less funding.

“Schools like Heard, Carver, Montana Magnet and Highlands Elementary must survive off state funds,” she said. And business and parent support.

Gosselin said she is pleased that donors see the value of helping educate today’s young people.

“It is important that businesses understand that contributions to their neighborhood schools will mean a great citizenry and employment base in the long run. It just makes for a better community. Programs like Adopt-A-School build a better community around our schools and I truly believe that,” she said.