SAN DIEGO - The Partnership in Education Program with Holmes Elementary and Taft Middle School officially kicked off for the 2011-2012 school year on Tuesday.
The purpose of the program, which has been in effect for several years now, is to support student achievement by providing the students with positive role models.
Marines from Headquarters and Service Battalion and Recruit Training Regiment volunteer every other Tuesday to visit the schools and participate in physical education classes in an effort to strengthen the relationship between the Marine Corps and San Diego community.
“I think it’s good for the community to see a different side of Marines,” said Staff Sgt. Jarvis Rodriguez, a drill instructor with 1st Recruit Training Battalion, Alpha Company, who also participated in the program last year. “We’re not just war-fighting machines. A lot of us have families and like to get involved with the community. We want to make a difference.”
During the first visit, several teachers expressed enthusiasm for the program returning for yet another year. They said some students struggle at first, but the attention they get from the brief visits is just enough to turn them around and help them become successful students.
“I try to pick out the problem kids,” said Staff Sgt. Owein M. Ramirez, a drill instructor with 1st Recruit Training Battalion, Alpha Company. “You never know what their situation is, or what their family life is like at home, so if I give them a little more attention than the others it shows them that someone really cares about them.”
Aside from participating in physical education classes, Marines may also volunteer to support other activities throughout the school year, such as Red Ribbon Week.
The program will continue until May before concluding for the school year.