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<p> A Christian Church (overtly religious) and a public school (governed by laws that specifically separate church and state) are working together – partners in an endeavor to strengthen children and families. This is a strange partnership in today’s world, but for leadership of two local organizations it seems logical and obvious.</p>
<p> Widely known are the struggles of the public school systems in the state of California. Ever shrinking budget dollars trickling down to neighborhood schools from state coffers means leadership has to make increasingly difficult decisions to stretch those funds. Doing the best they can with what they have, every effort is made not to affect classroom instruction. Decisions made in this way, right though they are, leads to a cutback in some, if not all, of the enrichment programs many generations of the past enjoyed.</p>
<p> If you were in the public elementary schools more than a decade ago think of the programs you might have enjoyed – art, music, drama, athletics, leadership, home arts and more. Few of these extracurricular/enrichment programs can be found in any public school today. Couple this with societal realities of higher English Learner populations and a poor economy driving more adults in each household into the workforce for second or third jobs leaving less time for family and more time for kids to be home without adult supervision and well, we now have a recipe for more children to fall through the cracks of education.</p>
<p> While educators work harder with less and politicians deadlock in an anemic debate annually, one local church asked itself what they could do to help. The people of First United Methodist Church, Chula Vista, celebrating the Centennial Anniversary of the congregation, decided as a gift to the community to adopt a local school and provide assistance in whatever way possible. After months of searching for the right school, planning and training of volunteers the adoption is official and has begun at Hazel Goes Cook Elementary School.</p>
<p> The people of the church will be providing trained volunteers to assist teachers in the classroom and administrative offices, will provide after school activities in the areas of music, art, athletics and more. Church volunteers will provide the labor and expertise to establish a school garden and will be offering courses for parents in subject areas including parenting, English as a Second Language, financial management and more. </p>
<p> The church will do all of this with their own funding, without proselytizing, and without expectation of any returns – simply to be a help and blessing to the school, students, families, faculty, staff and administration of Cook School. If you have gifts and time to share and would desire to partner with the church your help is welcomed and you are invited to contact Pastor Luis Garcia (<a href="mailto:lgarcia@firstchruchcv.com">lgarcia@firstchruchcv.com</a>, 619-656-2525). If you can’t be a part of this project but think caring for the children of our world is important the church encourages you to call your local elementary school and become a regular volunteer.</p>
<p> There is nothing more important to our kids and our collective future than assuring all kids in our community have the encouragement and support they need to pursue their every dream. </p>
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