BUSINESSES ADOPT AREA SCHOOLS; BOTH REAPING REWARDS

Sometimes a decision based on solid business principals reaps unexpected rewards.

In the mid-1980s, St. Francis Medical Center chose to become involved in a new program within the Cape Girardeau public schools linking the business, industry and service world with the classroom.

"When this was first talked about, we saw it like other businesses in town. It was an opportunity to assist the community," said Mary Spell, director of marketing and public relations at Saint Francis Medical Center. "We didn't know the depth of it at that time, of how involved we would become. We didn't realize how special this school and children would become to us."

For the junior high school and the medical center, and within other pairings, gratifying relationships have evolved.

All nine of the schools within the Cape Girardeau public school system participate in the adopt-a-school program. Many other schools and school systems in the region have the adopt-a-school concept in place also.

Cape Girardeau Public Schools Superintendent Neyland Clark sees the pairing of education and business as complementary for those involved and valuable for the community as a whole.

"When a prospective industry is looking at Cape Girardeau, one of the first questions is the quality of the school system," Clark explained.

After that initial inquiry, he continued, "they begin to really look at real hard evidence of working collaboration between the community and local schools. The adopt-a-school program is just one example that we have that."

Involvement by the adopting businesses is often wide ranging. The provision of mentoring programs, aide in coordinating student activities, help in providing resources -- both monetary and through personnel time -- are just a few of the ways participants contribute.

In turn, sponsoring businesses may receive treats throughout the year, such as programs, concerts and holiday decorations, from the students, teachers and other school personnel.

Boatmen's Bank and Proctor & Gamble are among several businesses that enjoy involvement with area schools through the program.

"We try to help out as much as possible. Anytime we can physically go and be a help, we do our best to do so," said Melissa Joyce of Boatmen's Bank.

Boatmen's serves as the adopting business for Washington and Franklin elementary schools in Cape Girardeau and West Lane Elementary in Jackson.

Personal interaction with adults from the business world can make a lasting impression on young lives, contends Barbara Blanchard, principal of Washington Elementary where attendance is just one area receiving focus through the program this year.

"Each quarter, guests from Boatmen's come and have lunch with the children that have perfect attendance. And the children just love it," Blanchard said.

Involvement and the provision of resources, likewise, receives Proctor & Gamble's emphasis in the program, said LaDonna Oliver, public affairs coordinator. The local plant has adopted May Greene Elementary in Cape Girardeau, Nell Holcomb and Oak Ridge schools.

Superintendent Clark points to the recent adoption of Central High School by Mid-America Hotels Corp. as an indication of the adopt-a-school program's continued viability and growth in the Cape public school system.

"High schools are so large, so comprehensive, it's a difficult thing to do," he said.

However, it's a relationship the adopting businesses and the adopted schools often relish.

"The most wonderful thing about it is that the kids are the recipients of what the teachers and the adopters do -- and that's what it's all about," said Lanny Barnes, Central Junior High School principal.

Other Cape Girardeau public schools and their adopting businesses are: Alma Schrader Elementary, Capital Bank; Charles C. Clippard Elementary, Spartech Plastics Corp.; Jefferson Elementary, Roosevelt Bank; Louis J. Schultz seventh-grade center, The Southeast Missourian; and the Parents As Teachers program, Commerce Bank.