Initiated in 1985, the Adopt-A-School program is an effective grassroots partnership between education and the business and private sectors of Tuscaloosa County. The purpose of the program is to utilize the vast amounts of human resources and talents of the business community to strengthen, enhance, and enrich the quality of education in our 55 public schools of the Tuscaloosa City and Tuscaloosa County School systems.

A joint partnership between The Chamber of Commerce of West Alabama and the Tuscaloosa City and Tuscaloosa County School Systems, the program has created an effective working relationship between the business and industrial community and the local school systems and has become an expected part of our community’s educational fabric connecting business and education.  Businesses and organizations may choose to participate in the program as an ADOPTER by partnering with a specific school, by sponsoring the overall program financially as a SUSTAINER, or by supporting the annual Nucor Steel Tuscaloosa Adopt-A-School Golf Tournament.  

A strong public school system is basic to the health and growth of a community. Quality schools attract people to live in the area. The Adopt-A-School program strengthens and improves our schools, creates a climate of involvement and interaction between businesses and schools and involves the community in preparing for its own economic future.  We are growing our own workforce. The successful business-education partnership program proves that corporate America and our school systems can work cooperatively to make a positive impact in our community. The businesses involved get a great experience being part of the program plus returns on the investment, including important exposure.

Current Adopters

Adopt-A-School partners set realistic goals that are agreeable to all involved. The overall objectives of the partnership are flexible in order to utilize the resources of the adopter to meet the needs of the school, and each partnership is uniquely designed to bring about positive outcomes for all those involved.

Adopters initiate activities that encourage students and enrich their educational experiences. While developing strong person-to-person relationships, Adopt-A-School partners engage in a variety of projects in some of the following categories:

• Academic Enrichment/Career Awareness: Provide readers for classes; host job shadowing opportunities; conduct interview skills workshops; participate in career days; provide newspapers for classroom instruction; serve as resource speakers or tutors
• Student Incentives/Motivation: sponsor awards for bringing up grades, most improved student, perfect attendance; sponsor academic awards banquet, citizenship projects, students of the month; be a mentor for a student
• Cultural Enrichment: develop or sponsor arts festivals; sponsor visits by performing artists; provide scholarships to local cultural events
• Improving School Environment: donate equipment; assist with landscaping; participate in clean up days or beautification projects at school
• Faculty Support and Recognition: assist with classes in cafeteria during lunch; host a “Welcome Back” reception for teachers; award mini-grants for teachers or departments; recognize teachers during American Education Week or Teacher Appreciation Week
• Community Involvement: recycle phone books, newspaper, cans, soup labels; provide assistance for school in transporting recycled products; assist families in need; supplement clothes closet for school; furnish school supplies

Adopt-A-School is the commitment of time, energy, and expertise of a business or organization to an individual school. The overall objectives of each partnership are flexible and the relationships grow and flourish through a climate of active involvement and interaction between the school and the adopter.

The following criteria are minimum standards for any business or organization serving as an adopter to a school:

• Adopters must be Chamber of Commerce members with membership being maintained throughout the partnership.
• The adopter will appoint a coordinator and committee to meet with the school to plan and implement partnership activities and projects.
• The adopter and school will interact on a regular basis during the school year. 
• The adopter will submit an Annual Plan and an End-of-year Report to the program director.
• The adopter will send a rep to the annual Adopt-A-School Kickoff Lunch and Seminar (optional district-wide coordinator meetings are held at the Chamber office during the school year).

An Adopt-A-School investment yields high returns to...

• Well-educated students that become a qualified workforce
• Positive exposure to customer base
• Quality educational services that benefit families of employees
• Increased student understanding of private enterprise system
• Better knowledge of public education systems in Tuscaloosa
• Personal satisfaction from participation in volunteer services
• Networking with other businesses participating in the program

 

The Community

• Strong school system
• Literate citizenry
• Well-prepared work force
• Residential and business expansion
• Improved tax base as new business is attracted
• Increased civic cooperation
  
  

The Schools and Their Students

• Heightened motivation for learning
• Enriched curriculum experience
• Increased career awareness
• Better understanding of private enterprise system
• Improved preparation for world of work
• Firsthand experience with models of success
• Direct interaction with adults from community
• Enhanced understanding of larger community on-the-job opportunities
  
  

While Adopters are paired with a specific school and give support through donated time, expertise, and financial commitments, Sustainers provide the financial support for the overall program.  The financial support is necessary for the coordination and administrative function of the entire program, allowing the program to: 

• Provide coordinator workshops teaching our partners how to get the most out of their partnerships
• Maintain training manuals and educational materials to support partnerships
• Provide Adopt-A-School newsletters -- a vital link between partnerships to share those great ideas
• Provide administrative support to the Adopt-A-School program through recruitment and training of new business partners for schools. 
• Coordinate workforce development educational opportunities for school counselors and teachers

 

Board Level Sponsors

Principal Sponsors

Teacher Sponsors

Mentor Sponsors

Each fall area golfers hit the greens to support the Adopt-A-School program.  Held at the Ol’ Colony Golf Course, the four man scramble tournament offers an opportunity for golfers and area businesses to provide financial support for the Adopt-A-School program and direct financial support for area schools.  Each golfer designates a public school of his/her choice to help the schools qualify for cash prizes.  Additionally, a variety of tournament sponsorships are available.

Contact for More Info:

Carolyn H. Tubbs
Director of Education
(205) 391-0556
carolyn@tuscaloosachamber.com