Adopt-A-School

» Partnerships

Program

Since 1982, the Torrance Unified School District and the Torrance Area Chamber of Commerce have been involved with Adopt-A-School, a partnership program between schools and the private sector. It is a cooperative program to stimulate business, industry and government involvement in and support of the Torrance Unified School District. The program focuses on relationships, not the soliciting of financial contributions. School and company representatives together develop a program intended to be mutually beneficial and manageable. Adopt-A-School brings all elements of the community together and, in so doing, provides role models for students, career awareness experiences, and assists the educators in expanding and making curriculum relevant to the work world. Employees from the private sector are finding enjoyment and satisfaction in contacts with students, teachers, and administrators, which are enhancing their company’s image and developing positive working relationships. The decision to enter the program is voluntary. Once an adoption is agreed to, the Board of Directors of the respective bodies are informed with an agenda information item. The initiative can come from either the school or the private sector. The business must be a member of the Torrance Chamber of Commerce. There remain a few of Torrance’s distinguished schools awaiting adoption. Contact Amy Herrschaft, (310) 543-3113 for more information.

Benefits

Students: • Enriches students’ learning experience. • Interaction with positive role models. • New, diverse resources. • Enhances self-esteem. • Increases motivation.     Schools: • Increases external resources to support staff. • Improves staff morale. • Enriched curriculum. • Improves teaching and learning environment. • Increases additional services without added costs. • Creates positive public relations and community attitude toward the education system.     Businesses: • Increases involvement and visibility in the community and enhances the partner’s public image. • Enhances community relations. • Improves the skills of our future workforce. • Creates a better understanding of business and free enterprise for schools, students and the community.     Employees: • Refine skills and share talents. • Improves leadership and interpersonal skills. • Adds variety and fulfillment • Raises self-image and self-worth.     Community: • Provides a more responsive school system. • Better educated and more well-rounded students. • Addresses community needs and concerns. • Spirit of volunteerism. • Improves the quality of, and confidence in, the public education system.

Activities

Schools: • Provide artwork for display in business offices. • Provide entertainment at company events—band, chorus. • Send school and PTSA newsletters to partner--highlight business partner activities • Send hand-made cards to business employees for special holidays—Christmas, Valentine’s Day, St. Patrick’s Day, Fourth of July--include students’ photos • Invite business to participate on School Site Council • Invite business to attend Student Talent Show • Provide complimentary passes to athletic events • Students volunteer as greeters/guides at company events—Open House     Businesses: • Career Day presenters • Judge the student Science Fair • Judge the student PTSA Reflections Contest • Participate in student assemblies—distribute awards • Display students’ work on company bulletin boards • Participate in school fundraising activities: Collect General Mills Box Tops and Campbell’s Soup labels, put candy at employee coffee centers • Join eighth grade Field Day activities--softball game • Attend Back-to-School Night--parent visibility • Sponsor a student special interest club • Invite students and faculty to tour your facility     Community: • South Bay Volunteer Center programs—Operation Teddy Bear, Coastal Clean-up, Holiday Adopt-A-Family Program • Salvation Army Holiday Gift Angels Program • Invite your partner to join your Charity Walk Teams—American Heart Association, Juvenile Diabetes Foundation, Denim Day for breast cancer research