HEB ISD School & Family Magazine Winter 2015 | Page 18

Bellaire Elementary School
A familiar African proverb states, “It takes a whole
village to raise a child.” Bellaire Elementary in Hurst
lives this advice as it involves the community to
provide a learning environment that fosters student success.
Bellaire students face diverse challenges. Students come from a variety
of backgrounds and speak many languages, and 92% qualify for free and
reduced lunch. The campus staff realizes that in order to create lasting
change in the lives of their students, they need to connect with the world
outside the school walls for support. They must involve the “village.”
During the past decade, Bellaire has developed relationships with many business and community
organizations, or “adopters.” In 2004, Bellaire had three adopters; in 2015, that number has grown to
25. The adopters help the campus in a variety of ways, often through donations of time, service, and
money. Members of the community serve on the campus level improvement committee, providing
leadership and support at the campus level. Community partners can also be seen on campus each
week, mentoring individual students.
Bellaire’s challenge to its adopters is, “See the need. Take the lead.” Guided by that mission,
generous adopters have significantly expanded their involvement with the school. They assist with
early morning traffic and campus beautification efforts; they provide much-needed school supplies,
coats, and books for children. A child came to the nurse’s office in tears because his shoes were
too tight, but his family could not afford a new pair. The need was shared with an adopter, who
purchased a new pair of shoes for the child that same afternoon.
Adopters often comment that they greatly respect the work and dedication of the Bellaire staff,
and have also provided appreciation meals, incentives, and classroom supply donations. School
adopters are providing direct support to the school’s emphasis on literacy. A book drive was held
last year, which provided a book to every child at the campus. This year, funds are being raised to
let each student select their own book at the campus book fair, an experience that many students
wouldn’t otherwise have. Financial donations are also being collected to expand classroom libraries,
providing students with easy access to high-interest books appropriate to each grade level.
Bellaire Elementary’s staff put a challenge to the community. The school’s adopters have met the
challenge with their own response – they want to show staff and students that “someone knows and
appreciates you.”
If you are interested in supporting Bellaire Elementary or another local school as an adopter or
a volunteer, contact the school’s front office to learn more. You can also contact the HEB ISD
Community Relations Liaison at 817-399-2039.

16