Burnet CISD invites the community to ‘adopt’ a school
The 2019 Burnet Consolidated Independent School District Volunteers of the Year are Afton Floyd (front row, left) at Bertram Elementary School, Kristina Bailey at R.J. Richey Elementary School, Nancy Cranfill at the Parent Resource Center, Mark Barnard at Quest High School (back row, left), Gloria Flores at Burnet High School, Vicenta Stafford at Shady Grove Elementary School, and Craig Lindholm at Burnet Middle School. Thanks to the success of this program, Burnet CISD officials have created the Adopt-A-School program for businesses, churches, and the like to volunteer together at a campus of their choosing. Courtesy photo
STAFF WRITER JENNIFER FIERRO
The Burnet Consolidated Independent School District is inviting businesses and civic organizations to become more involved in campus life and boost student achievement through Adopt-A-School.
Superintendent Keith McBurnett said that, through the new program, businesses and groups can pick a campus and help in a number of ways, including volunteers, donations, and discounted services or items.
The mission is to create school and community partnerships that positively impact students.
Campus leaders will determine their needs to help guide community partners through the process. Those partners will be highlighted in the community with signs to be placed in businesses and offices designating them as Adopt-A-School participants.
“We want the organizations to benefit; we want to say thank you to them,” McBurnett said.
In 2018, BCISD started Volunteers in Public Schools, which formalized volunteer opportunities across the district. It attracted more than 600 volunteers this year.
The success of VIPS led to the creation of Adopt-A-School. Both programs have are beneficial to the schools and students, who see non-staff adults caring enough to give their time and resources to help. A caring environment can increase student success.
“There’s a whole body of research that says young people thrive if they have a caring adult,” McBurnett said. “Those students who really thrive have it at home but also have it at school. Having that network of caring adults is extremely important for them to carry on.”
Once the school year ends, the district will host an appreciation gathering where school personnel can say thank you to those involved in the Adopt-A-School program, just like it did a few weeks ago for those participating in VIPS.
“Volunteers play a role in supporting the day-to-day work or support students who need extra work or extra practice,” McBurnett said. “By having community engagement, we believe we’re a better organization.”
Businesses or organizations wanting to “adopt” a campus should visit burnetcisd.net and click on the Community tab to fill out the survey.