THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, June 5, 1996 TAG: 9606040351
SECTION: MILITARY NEWS PAGE: A6 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY ALVA CHOPP, CORRESPONDENT
LENGTH: 77 lines
For the past 10 years Hampton Roads schools have benefited from a volunteer program embraced by the business and military communities: ``Partners in Education.''
The more familiar name, ``Adopt-A-School,'' was dropped a few years ago as the program grew in size and developed a variety of relationships between partners, according to Linda Fentress, partnership coordinator for Norfolk Naval Base.
But the mission has remained the same - to encourage excellence in the youngsters and military personnel who participate, and to help schools achieve their goals.
From one-on-one tutoring in the classroom, mentoring programs, special presentations and a variety of other activities, volunteers have filled a need that local school budgets and personnel roles couldn't match, school officials say.
About 3,500 to 5,500 partner-volunteers regularly visited area schools this year.
``It's a significant service to the schools, but it has its rewards to those who participate, too,'' Fentress said.
Recently, a group of enlisted men from the Norfolk-based guided missile frigate Kaufmann shared their own experiences at Ocean View Elementary School.
``It makes you feel you're doing something for Norfolk and the community,'' said 21-year-old petty officer Joshua Grant, who regularly tutors fourth-graders in reading skills. ``I think we really make a difference because the kids get real excited when they see us coming.''
Grant has also noticed an improvement in the students' reading since he began working with them.
Petty Officer Albert Davis, 38, volunteered to make a difference in a child's life. ``Any child improves when adults show an interest in them,'' he said. ``The program is a success because whenever an adult gives them attention they strive to succeed.''
And Glenn Hughes, a 24-year-old petty officer, said the response of the students when he walks into the school in uniform has given him a new pride in the Navy.
According to Ocean View Elementary school counselor Marsha McKay, services from volunteers this year would have cost almost $700 if billed at minimum wage.
In addition to military personnel, every school has at least one or more business partners assisting them. The Norfolk Naval Air Station shares its partnership with Freedom Ford, Jackson-Hewitt, and McDonald's.
While the military community has been enthusiastic about participating in the volunteer program, many commands have to contend with a deployment schedule that takes them out of the area for extended periods.
By emphasizing social study units and map reading, or developing pen pals, the deployed volunteers can still maintain a presence with the student body. And some spouses have become involved, too, when ships are deployed.
Nancy Jones, director of the Virginia Beach Educational Planning Center, annually audits the Partners in Education program to examine its influence on students.
She remembers the early years of the program, involving primarily the business community through the Chamber of Commerce. The first year, she recalls, only three high schools were involved. Now, every school in Virginia Beach is actively supported by the program.
Jones admits that it is difficult to quantify the effects of this one-on-one classroom help but says every time she talks to a principal, coordinator or business leader, she hears examples of how the program has made a difference to a child.
``This program is continuing to grow,'' she said. ``As the city expands, it gives us an opportunity to increase the number of partnerships we have.
``As one businessman responded to our questionnaire, `We've only begun to tap the resources of Virginia Beach.' '' ILLUSTRATION: HUY NGUYEN
The Virginian-Pilot
Sonar Technician 3rd Class Joshua Grant, right, quizzes Kauffman
Elementary School fifth-graders Jana Safrans, left, Sarah Smith and
Stephen Jackson on their multiplication tables. by CNB