Adopt-A-School Day

WHEREAS, initiated in 1985, the Adopt-A-School program is an effective grassroots partnership between education and the business and private sectors of Tuscaloosa County. It is a joint partnership between the West Alabama Chamber of Commerce and the Tuscaloosa City and Tuscaloosa County School Systems; and

WHEREAS, the purpose of the program is to utilize the vast amounts of human resources and talents of the business community to strengthen, enhance and enrich the quality of education in the 58 public schools of the Tuscaloosa City and Tuscaloosa County School Systems; and

WHEREAS, there are 100 businesses in Tuscaloosa County that serve as current adopters; and

WHEREAS, the program has created an effective working relationship between the business and industrial community and the local school systems; and

WHEREAS, businesses and organizations may choose to participate in the program as adopters by partnering with a specific school, providing a meaningful project for multiple schools through the Partner At Large program, sponsoring the program financially as a part of the Sustainer Program or by supporting the annual Nucor Steel Tuscaloosa Adopt-A-School Golf Tournament; and

WHEREAS, a strong public school system is basic to the health and growth of a community. Quality schools attract people to live in the area. The Adopt-A-School program fosters a better understanding of the public school system within the Tuscaloosa County area, strengthens and improves school programs, creates a climate of involvement and interaction between businesses and schools and involves the community in preparing for its own economic future; and

WHEREAS, Adopt-A-School will celebrate its 30^th Anniversary on May 5, 2015; and

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Robert Bentley, Governor of the State of Alabama, do hereby proclaim May 5, 2015, as

Adopt-A-School Day

in the state of the Alabama.