On May 3, 2018 the Foundation hosted its fourth Adopt-a-School Summit. With almost 150 people in attendance, the Foundation was able to engage with community members in rich conversations about the Adopt-a-School program. Neil Heinen, Editorial Director for WISC-TV and Madison Magazine welcomed both current and potential Adopt-a-School partners, as well as representatives from many schools. Melinda Heinritz, FMPS Executive Director, introduced the Foundation’s new tagline, “Schools Make Madison.”
Summit attendees learned Adopt-a-School best practices from a panel featuring Leslie Vitale with American Family Insurance, East High School Principal Mike Hernandez, Deb Dieter with the Rotary Club of Madison West Towne Middleton, Jefferson Middle School Dean of Students Andrew Washicheck, Ginger Francis, Community Care and Health Equity Manager, Group Health Cooperative of South Central Wisconsin, and Thoreau Elementary School Social Worker Liz Sorge.
Attendees then participated in one of four breakout sessions:
- Potential Adopt-a-School Partners: How to Establish a Relationship
- Fifty Ways to Support a School: Human, Material and Financial Resources
- How to be a Champion for Your School and Madison Public Schools
- Enhancing Our Future Workforce – From Elementary through High School
The Summit also featured this video highlighting the WEA Trust Adopt-a-School partnership with Nuestro Mundo Community School.
If you were unable to attend the Adopt-a-School Summit, we invite you to view Neil Heinen’s editorial and consider Simple Ways to Support Our Schools.
The Foundation thanks all those who were able to attend this year’s Summit as well as the many presenters and volunteers who helped to make this event a success. Special thanks to Door Creek Church for hosting the Summit. Thanks also to the Veridian Homes Foundation and WEA Trust for serving as event sponsors.
Please contact Mary Bartzen for additional information.
