Emmerton Elemetary School Receives Support, Adopted

The Inland Empire 66ers, Target and Joy Harvest Church recently joined Emmerton Elementary School to support public education by entering into an official Adopt-A-School agreement with the school. The Adopt-A-School Program, sponsored by the San Bernardino Area Chamber of Commerce, and the San Bernardino City Unified School District, is a partnership which strives to build a close relationship between businesses, community organizations, and schools. When a business or organization “adopts” the school, it provides varying kinds of assistance to students and staff during the school year. Adopt-A-School is designed to encourage business and community support for the schools; to provide the business sector with the opportunity to become involved in public education; and to give the students the opportunity to meet and interact with the decision makers and leaders in the business world. “Once we were made aware of this program we immediately wanted to be a part of it,” stated 66ers General Manager Joe Hudson. “The Adopt-A-School program is a way for an organization to show the kids of Emmerton Elementary that not only do we care about their success, but are here to help as well.” The 66ers already support Emmerton Elementary with their Hit the Books program, where their front office and the team’s mascot, Bernie, hold an assembly to teach the importance of reading. Students are rewarded for reading a set number of books or minutes with two free tickets to a baseball game. To strengthen their partnership, the 66ers have pledged to get more involved by attending the school carnival, family fun nights, and other family events. Joy Harvest Church has agreed to provide food baskets, Thanksgiving meals, and Christmas gifts to students and families from Emmerton Elementary who are in need. Target will provide Emmerton Elementary with incentives, such as gift cards for student achievement. Target employees will also volunteer during reading programs and events, such as Read Across America Day. “This is a wonderful example of what can happen when our business, faith, and school communities work together to support students,” Parent Volunteer Coordinator Karen Duns shared. Emmerton Elementary serves approximately 600 pre-school through third grade students in San Bernardino. Their focus is increasing literacy through reading and writing and increasing the use of technology in all grade levels. About 200 of the students who thanked the organizations with handmade thank-you letters, were present for the ceremony.