Kickoff events are being scheduled at each school
Temple College is launching a new Adopt-A-School program with five elementary schools in its service area.
The College is partnering with Kennedy-Powell Elementary School (Temple ISD), Miller Heights Elementary School (Belton ISD), Naomi Pasemann Elementary School (Taylor ISD), Nadine Johnson Elementary School (Hutto ISD) and Rockdale Intermediate School (Rockdale ISD).
The goal, Temple College leaders said, is to help create a college-going culture amongst the students.
“We want every student we encounter, whether it’s at these schools or out in the many communities we serve, to know that college is available to them,” said Dr. Susan Guzmán-Treviño, Temple College’s Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs and Student Services. “This new Adopt-A-School program gives us the opportunity to walk alongside school administrators, teachers and parents to engage with their students and share that message. We know it’s important to connect with students and families in the early years because the earlier students and families realize that college is attainable for them, the more likely they will be to attend, succeed and achieve their goals.”
Each school will host an official kickoff event in the coming weeks. During these ceremonies, Temple College will present a banner to the school to commemorate the partnership. Kickoff events include:
- Naomi Pasemann Elementary – 1 p.m., Nov. 7
- Miller Heights Elementary – 1 p.m., Nov. 13
- Kennedy-Powell Elementary – TBD
- Nadine Johnson Elementary – TBD
- Rockdale Intermediate – TBD
As part of the Adopt-A-School program, Temple College staff and faculty will participate in the five schools’ various activities (field days, carnivals, parent nights, etc.) throughout the year and work with the schools’ administrators to create opportunities, such as classroom demonstrations or college campus visits.
Events have already taken place this fall. In October, Temple College staff traveled to Rockdale Intermediate to meet with students and provide hands-on S.T.E.M. and workforce activities. Another group – including the Temple College mascot – traveled to Miller Heights to participate in the school’s Fall Carnival, which included a station for students to use virtual-reality headsets.
“When we were first approached about ‘adopting’ a school, we weren’t exactly sure what that meant. There was no clear definition,” said Eric Eckert, executive director of strategic communications and outreach, whose office is organizing the project. “We met with school leaders and researched what was needed and how we could help. Using that information, we were able to build this pilot program and find the resources to devote to the project. We’re very excited to move forward.”
The program is under the direction of Louis Treviño, Temple College recruiter, who focuses on community outreach.
“Each elementary school is assigned a Temple College staff liaison who works with the principal to map out the activities for the year,” Treviño said. “Each school is unique, and we want to do our best to meet their needs.”
Eckert said the Adopt-A-School program is a prime example of Temple College being “Your Community’s College.”
“That’s more than a slogan,” he said. “It’s a commitment to the communities we serve that Temple College is an active neighbor and an excellent resource.”
ABOUT TEMPLE COLLEGE
Temple College is “Your Community’s College,” a dynamic and growing community college that equips thousands of Central Texas students with the knowledge and skills for 21st-century success. Temple College, which has campuses in Temple, Hutto and Taylor, offers more than 75 degree and certificate programs to students who seek to earn credits for transfer, graduate with an associate degree or complete a certificate for fast entry into the workforce.
Founded in 1926, Temple College has enjoyed a reputation for academic excellence for 97 years. It is nationally recognized for its exceptional programs, from visual and performing arts to competitive athletics. The College has become one of the state’s premiere institutions for health care providers’ education and training, advanced manufacturing, and workforce development programs. The faculty and staff are committed to providing exceptional quality instruction.