Adopt-A-Class is a mutually beneficial partnership pairing local businesses and community organizations with individual classrooms in Waxahachie ISD. The WISD Partners in Education department began Adopt-A-Class as a pilot program during the Spring of 2008 at Northside Elementary with only three classes. The response to the program generated so much interest and excitement that it has expanded to include all 3rd-grade classes district-wide, totaling more than 50 classes!

A strong public school system is essential to the overall health of the community. Quality schools attract people and businesses looking to relocate to the area, which helps to drive the local economy. Programs like Adopt-A-Class strengthen the relationship between the community and the school district by actively engaging citizens in the learning experiences in our classrooms. Through this partnership, students learn more about their community and benefit from the unique skills and resources of their adopting organization.

Businesses, churches, and civic organizations of any size can adopt a class. Each volunteer must complete the registration process and pass a background check. Community members passionate about serving students and teachers are the perfect candidates for this program!

Each teacher/adopter partnership develops its own goals and activities based on the resources of the adopting business or organization and the needs of the class. Adopters may help in a variety of ways, including:

• Serving as readers or resource speakers
• Sponsoring awards as incentives for improvement and success
• Serving as tutors or mentors
• Assisting with enriching activities
• Attending special functions of the class, such as field day or other special programs
• Donating equipment or supplies

There is a one-time $50 investment that is given directly to the classroom teacher. The funds may be in the form of specifically requested items/classroom supplies, or a gift card (Amazon or Visa Gift Cards are wonderful options). Funds for your adopted class will not be due until after all teacher/adopter matches have been formed.

Adopters are expected to spend a total of one hour a month in their adopted classrooms, with suggested 30-minute twice-a-month visits. However, each adopter and classroom teacher will work together to find the right fit for their classroom and adopter needs. This could look like 2 visits of 30 minutes each during the month to share lunch with students, 4 visits of just 15 minutes to read out loud in the classroom, and 1 visit of an hour to give a special presentation to your class. The opportunities are endless!

The following dates are pause points/pause days tentatively scheduled for 3rd-grade students across the district during the 2024-2025 school year. Pause days are opportunities for students to enhance their learning as teachers may provide guest speakers, perform classroom transformations, or plan unique activities that show real-world applications of materials related to what students have just learned. The following dates are an estimated schedule, and may fluctuate from campus to campus; planning visits directly with your adopted teacher will be most effective.

• September: 10, 12, 26
• October: 8, 11, 25
• November: 4, 6, 8, 14, 22
• December: 5, 9, 11, 16-19
• January: 21
• February: 4, 6, 7, 19
• March: 7, 21
• April: 8, 11, 24
• May: flexible, work directly with the classroom teacher

To register as an adopter for the 2024-2025 school year, complete the Adopt-A-Class application or in person at the WISD Administration Building located at 411 N. Gibson St. Waxahachie, TX 75165. Applications will be accepted from July 22nd -August 9th, and should be emailed to Becca Lockridge for processing.