Patriot Elementary School was adopted by BJ’s Wholesale Club last week as part of their Adopt-A-School program for this year.

“We are very appreciative of the partnership,” Patriot Elementary School Principal Carol Bromby said. “It’s more than just BJ’s giving us things – they are actively involved in caring and supporting our school programs this year with their time, talents and resources.”

The program began in 1996 to help assist schools through funding to enhance educational programs and curriculum objectives. The program will assist 196 schools in 15 states where there is a BJ’s Wholesale Club this year.

“Many schools are struggling with limited budgets and do not have funding for programs and activities beyond the traditional learning experience,” BJ’s Wholesale Club Community Relations Specialist Sandra Aguilar said in a prepared statement. “BJ’s is proud to support local schools in providing students enhanced opportunities that, hopefully, will help supplement what they are already learning.”

There are two versions of the Adopt-A-School Program, which includes “Giving” and “GRADES.”

The schools that are chosen for the “Giving” program are provided with a one- time donation. The donation can be used for discretionary programs such as field trips and special events, reading enhancement programs, along with other educational needs.

The other version, “GRADES,” provides the school with an opportunity to work with BJ’s Wholesale Club community relations specialist to develop customized partnership plans that are focused on curriculum enhancement, community involvement and fundraising.

Although Patriot Elementary School has applied for the program in years past, this is the first time they were accepted for the “GRADES” version of the Adopt-A-School program.

“This program will provide continual support in an area where we can really use the help – providing resources for which we have no budget,” Bromby said.

The partnership with BJ’s, she said, will help support their quarterly Principal’s Parties, which is an incentive program of sweet treats for excellent grades and behavior, along with expanding on their parent involvement nights.

“We have expanded our very popular parent involvement nights, thanks to BJ’s, by adding a spaghetti dinner at no charge to parents following a parent workshop and other snacks and refreshments following parent workshops,” she said.

In addition, the volunteer time that will be provided each month will also help Patriot Elementary School.

Bromby said they look forward to repaying the generosity and kindness through a holiday program presented by her students at the BJ’s on Pine Island Road on Dec. 8.