Rotary’s Adopt a Classroom benefits North Shore schools

LIHU‘E — A total of 27 classes from elementary schools in Kilauea and Hanalei are receiving a volunteer tutor, plus $700 to buy supplies and fund a field trip under the Rotary Club of Hanalei Bay’s new Adopt a Classroom program

After two months of fundraising, the club raised $19,400 for Hanalei Elementary School and $9,150 for Kilauea Elementary School, according to Hanalei Rotary President Tony Motta.

“We are so delighted by the generous response of individuals and businesses to our first annual campaign that, once a school’s classrooms are adopted, we are offering an opportunity to adopt the entire school, for $20,000,” said Ric Cox, who created the program. “Working with other Rotary clubs, we plan to expand, islandwide, both Adopt a Classroom and Adopt a School, starting with Kanuikapono Learning Center, the public charter school in Anahola.”

Classroom contributors come in two types. Angels contribute $700 and commit to volunteer one hour a week in their adopted class, take their students on a field trip, and work with the teacher and parents to improve student performance. Sponsors simply contribute $700 to their class and Rotary recruits a tutor.

At Kilauea School, Principal Sherry Gonsalves is helping shape the program. All 13 classrooms have been adopted and 20 volunteers are tutoring.

At Hanalei Elementary School, all 14 classrooms have been adopted and 11 volunteers are tutoring, according to Principal Corey Nakamura.

Anyone interested in tutoring, adopting a classroom at any Kaua‘i public elementary school for $700 for a year or adopting any Kaua‘i public school for $20,000 for a year, can contact Cox at Ric14@aol.com or 635-9300.