Fulton County Schools for the first time has extended a districtwide invitation to the faith community to volunteer in local schools and help boost student achievement.
Fulton Superintendent Robert Avossa opened the door for the unusual partnership between the district and metro rabbis, ministers, priests and imams at a faith summit Wednesday by calling on clergy to serve students without sacrament.
The summit established guidelines for a harmonious working relationship with public schools and offered ideas on how the faithful could help.
“We are just asking for caring adults to be involved -- we can’t do this alone,” Avossa said. “We have got pockets of significant poverty around the county. Our students are struggling with complex social issues. We want to be able partner with the faith community and think differently about the way we meet those needs.”
Nearly 200 faith leaders and Fulton school administrators attended the summit in Atlanta to begin getting to know each other. The idea is one Avossa brought with him from Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools in North Carolina, where some partnering clergy opened their doors for after-school programs and summer enrichment opportunities staffed by certified teachers.
A school system attorney explained how they could work together without infringing on the spiritual beliefs of students or staff or violating the First Amendment, which prohibits the government establishment of religion.
“When you, as people of faith, go into the school, there is really one rule: You cannot establish your religion in school,” said Carol Callaway, school attorney. “If you have questions, we will help you. In the First Amendment, the devil is in the details.”
The summit was an eye-opener for some faith leaders, who learned that Fulton has 1,333 homeless kids and others too proud to admit it.
The Rev. Leonard Gibbs, senior pastor of Clear Springs Baptist Church in Johns Creek, sat near neighbor Roytunda Stabler, principal of Abbotts Hill Elementary.
Stabler said the school could use more volunteers to help tutor students. "Our goal is mastery," she said.
Gibbs is interested in opening an after-school program that can help support north Fulton kids with homework and other challenges. He is planning to reach out to a school in his community.
“Many of the challenges that we face have to do with getting the community inside the church building," he said. "This is an avenue to let students and the community know that church is more than just teaching the Bible; it’s about relationships as well.”
Rabbi Michael Bernstein of Gesher L’Torah said he already mentors some Fulton students. He said if he extends his reach, he wants to do it respecting other religions as well as those who don't believe.
“I take as very sacred the idea that there should be a real freedom for everyone in terms of religion,’’ he said. “I know there is a way as a person of faith to inspire others without making them feel that they have to feel a certain way about faith.”
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