Adopt-a-School (Kyle Miller)

Never in my life have I seen as successful of an "adopt-a-school" participant as what I witnessed on my first day in my elementary school internship. I have worked at schools where the "adopt-a-school" partner was a carryout and they gladly supported the school by donating 2-liter bottles of pop to the school for their family night. At another school, a different adopter planted flowers in the entryway to the school. These are small businesses and organizations getting involved in an appreciated (yet superficial) way. But this adopter is different!

At Highland Elementary School, with 100% poverty and 40-60% homelessness at any given time, you can imagine kids don't come to school with the school supplies necessary for learning in class. Teachers probably also spend a large sum of personal money on materials.

You guys! Yesterday, Highland received $10,000 in school supplies delivered to right to their door. Last spring, teachers made wish lists of what they wanted each student to have for school, along with a wish list of supplies they wanted for each teacher's instructional use in class. Each child gets a brand new backpack, filled with the specific supplies the teacher ordered. And each teacher gets boxes of supplies to stock their classrooms. 

In addition to the school supplies, the adopter's employees host Christmas parties in each classroom, complete with snacks and a craft. They send each child home for Christmas break with wrapped gifts to make their holidays brighter!

That school adopter is none other than Bright's friend, Tom Feeney and Safelite Auto Glass. There is such power in every relationship we build! You never know which school advocate will hear your narrative and be moved to support your mission. One special person will follow through in unexpected ways and make your wishes come true. I've been singing "Safelite repair, Safelite replace," all day!


Comments

  1. UnknownAugust 3, 2017 at 7:14 AM

    WOW! Kyle, I love this post! It is a great example of a school adopter that really cares, is invested in their school and the community where its housed! Safelite is truly meeting the NEED! Thumbs up!

    ReplyDelete
  2. UnknownAugust 3, 2017 at 8:38 AM

    This is awesome and a great reminder that there are organizations, businesses, people in the community, etc. who want to be involved. Kudos to Principal McNally and any other staff who may have worked to make this possible. I think as school leaders, especially when working in higher-poverty schools, developing meaningful community relationships is one of our most important roles. We shouldn't be afraid to reach out, network, ask for help, etc. The worst thing that can happen is someone says no. Great inspiration!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Valerie KunzeAugust 3, 2017 at 11:40 AM

    YES!!

    ReplyDelete

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