Adopt-A-School Events

Partnerships are encouraged to participate in all Adopt-A-School events and individual activities are developed to meet the needs of the school through the resources of the adopter. Job shadow activities, literacy programs and Junior Achievement are just a few of the many activities in which partnerships participate.

MAKING A SHADOW OF A DIFFERENCE

Every year, Groundhog Day February 2, is the designated date for the Annual National Groundhog Job Shadow Day. This is an initiative sponsored by a national coalition partners America’s Promise, School to Work Opportunities, Junior Achievement and American Society of Association Executives. On this date, over one million students will “shadow” a workplace mentor in the workplace as he or she goes through a normal day on the job

What does job shadowing accomplish? This has proven to be an academically motivating educational activity dedicated to giving students an up-close look at the world of work, providing for students the link between academics and careers. As students observe on the worksite, they see first hand the importance of good math skills, communication skills, people skills and use of technology as important tools that are required at all levels of generally all occupations. Beginning with a nationwide kickoff on February 2nd and continuing throughout the school year, students across America "shadow" workplace mentors as they go through a normal day on the job.

Many Adopt-A-School partnerships have previously provided time and places for students to observe mentors at work, and others have now incorporated this annual event into their plans for this year. While the official kickoff date is always February 2, job shadowing may be scheduled during any dates that best coincide with participants' calendars. Additionally, many partnerships plan and coordinate annual “Career Day Activities” providing an opportunity for business professionals to meet with students and talk about the specific careers.

We hope to see this opportunity continue to grow each year by including other businesses as hosts. To obtain additional information about hosting students on Groundhog Job Shadow Day, call Loo Whitfield at 391-0563 or log on to www.jobshadow.org.

READ ACROSS AMERICA PROMOTES LITERACY

Over the last few years, our Adopt-A-School partners have celebrated together what has become the largest one-day literacy celebration in the U.S.: Read Across America Day. Started in 1998 as a way to promote reading while celebrating Dr. Seuss's birthday on March 2, the National Education Association's "Read Across America Day" has become a national tradition that continues to grow with each passing year. Tuscaloosa area adopters have focused on spreading the word about the importance of literacy by reading to students, listening to students read, donating books to schools, or assisting older students in planning a literacy-based project.

Partnerships and other participants may celebrate on the day that best coincides with their calendars. See www.nea.org/readacross for more details. Be sure to check this site's link http://www.nea.org/readacross/volunteer/youthleaders.html for Youth Leaders for Literacy, which cites examples of literacy-based service projects for older students.

JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT

The Adopt-A-School program is proud to partner with Junior Achievement whose mission is to inspire and prepare young people to succeed in a global economy. Many Adopt-A-School partners promote Junior Achievement in their schools by providing volunteers and financial support. Using hands-on experiences, Junior Achievement programs teach young people financial literacy, workforce readiness skills and entrepreneurship. In partnership with business and educators, Junior Achievement brings the real world to students.

Partnerships participate in the way that best fits their needs and resources. For more information visit www.ja.org.