Our Philanthropy: Adopt-a-School

The Adopt-a-School Program is a collaborative effort between the Epsilon Zeta Delts and local area schools. We place undergraduates in classrooms in the role of student assistants who will supplement the work of classroom teachers by giving very close attention to students who would benefit most from that kind of interaction. These student assistants, who will work under the supervision of the classroom teachers, will focus primarily on the areas of writing, reading, and mathematics. The student assistants will be a daily presence in the classroom, and thus an integral part of the learning environment.

Getting Involved

Participating schools were chosen on the following criteria:

• Proximity to the University
• Interest level of the school principal and faculty
• Degree of academic need among the school's student population

Some teachers choose to involve the student assistants in group work within the classroom; others might ask student assistants to work with one student who would benefit from one-on-one instruction, classroom, and thus an integral part of the learning environment.

Realizing the Long-Term benefits

The benefits of the Adopt-a-School Program are obvious. For the classroom teacher faced with the challenge of students with widely disparate skills and interest levels, the student assistants will offer the possibility of instruction that will address all those disparate needs simultaneously. For the student who is capable of learning if only someone had the time to address him or her as an individual, with unique strengths and weaknesses, the student assistants will provide not only the chance to learn math and English, but also the chance to revise his or her self-image as a student.

The student assistants will also provide a model of academic success for the students. And in being role models the student assistants themselves will discover a new motivation for keeping their academic record as bright as possible. In addition to shaping one's mind and teach them flexibility and resourcefulness, it also provides a much-needed link between theory and practice. This is of importance both to prospective professional educators and to lay persons who make decisions regarding the schools as part of their civic responsibilities.

What do adopters do?

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 and festivals; sponsor visits by performing local and internationl artists; provide scholarships to local cultural and state-wide events.

Improving School Environments:

Donate equipment; assist with landscaping; participate in clean up days or beautification projects at school.

Faculty Support and Recognition:

Assist with classes in cafeteria at 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.