JBER, ASD kick off 2018 partnership

More than 20 service members met with administrators and educators from the Anchorage School District at Begich Middle School Sept. 27 as part of Anchorage School Business Partnerships.

Since 1991, ASBP have matched schools with local businesses and organizations, allowing local leaders to engage and volunteer in classrooms. Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson service members representing 21 units are partnered with 25 schools for the 2018 school year. Currently, more than 600 partnerships are active throughout the ASD.

“Businesses, organizations, non-profit groups – all the things that make up our community can serve as partners with the schools to support student success,” said Bethany Fernandez, ASBP executive director.

Whether it’s helping with attendance, tutoring, or chaperoning an event, every partnership takes a different form depending on what the school needs and what the organization can provide.

Army Staff Sgt. David Vasquez, a squad leader with 1st Battalion, 501st Parachute Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division, U.S. Army Alaska, discovered the ASBP after the request for volunteers was put out by his command.

While this is his first year participating, JBER service members have been volunteering since the program’s inception.

“We’ve met with Eagle River High School staff and have begun the dialogue to understand their needs,” Vasquez said. “We’ll likely meet again in the coming weeks to discuss long-term plans, but as of today it looks like there are some chaperoning opportunities available. Parents and educators lead busy lives and hopefully our involvement will help ease their workload.”

More than 8,000 tutor hours were completed by ASBP participants in the 2016-17 school year, Fernandez said.

“Healthy schools have healthy community engagement,” said Michael Graham, ASD chief academic officer. “Studies show kids are more successful when the family is engaged.

“The same is true for schools where we have community groups in classrooms.

“We want to prepare students for success in life, and one of the things I personally appreciate is the people who volunteer their time,” Graham said. “The businesses and organizations involved are our student’s future employers. I love that they get to invest in student’s lives from the beginning.”