Richard Raad
o7 "I dreamed I stood in a studio, and watched two sculptors there.
The clay they used was a young child's mind and they fashioned it with
care. One was a teacher; the tools she used were books, music and art.
One was a parent who worked with a guiding hand and gentle, loving heart.
Day after day the teacher toiled with a touch that was deft and sure,
while the parent labored by his side and polished and smoothed it over.
And when at last their task was done, they were proud of what they had
wrought. For the things they had molded into the child could neither be
sold nor bought. And each agreed that he would have failed if he had
worked alonf7 eo7 . For behind the teacher stood the school and behind
the parent, the home."f7
-- author unknown
This author could have been describing the Burbank Unified School
District where partnerships between school, home and the community are
extremely strong. These cooperative efforts have strengthened the
students, the education system and the Burbank community as a whole.
Burbank parents are committed to helping their schools. Volunteer
efforts by parents and PTAs have resulted in time, money and resources to
improve the schools. Parents have aided the schools by volunteering in
classrooms, helping with instructional programs, speaking to classes
about careers, providing assemblies, donating books and equipment and by
painting and making other physical improvements.
A few examples of parent partnerships that have contributed to the
schools include fund-raising for playgrounds and painting sections of
Burbank and Burroughs high schools, Jordan Middle School and Miller
Emerson and Bret Harte elementary schools. Parent donations helped
establish a multimedia library at Roosevelt Elementary School. Parent
volunteers installed a library computer system at Jefferson Elementary
and increased library holdings at other schools. The Bret Harte PTA
funded assemblies through the music center. A Korean parent group
contributed a collection of books for Emerson Elementary. Parents at
Disney Elementary planted the front garden with flowers. Other parents
coach sports and academics teams, such as the Luther's Odyssey of the
Mind program. Many more examples could be provided because Burbank
parents and PTAs never stop giving time, money and resources.
In addition, community service clubs and groups also provide resources
for the schools. Rotary, Kiwanis and other community groups donate time
and money to the schools and provide many student scholarships.
