CYPRESS — Owens Elementary School and Crossbridge Christian Church representatives met virtually Oct. 12, coming together as the campus and community partner officially announced that they are entering into an Adopt-a-School partnership.

CFISD’s Adopt-a-School program pairs schools and community and business partners to utilize resources of the community to strengthen and enrich the quality of education for students.

Owens Principal Amy Frank said having any community or business partner is especially beneficial during a time when more is being asked of teachers. She conducted a Zoom meeting to make the announcement optional but was pleased when the majority of her campus staff attended to hear the news.

“We’re thrilled, especially now with teachers facing even more difficulties,” Frank said. “Any support that we can give them will help because they work so hard.”

The partnership makes sense for Crossbridge, which is located less than two miles from the Owens. And while the two are officially partners, the church and school have worked together for years. Recently, Children’s Ministry Director Cassandra Gaddis spearheaded a drive to collect and distribute 50 backpacks filled with school supplies.

“We’ve done teacher appreciation events, staff appreciation and other things like that,” said Senior Pastor Kevin Pigg, who is among church staff and members serving as mentors at Owens. “So we’ve had the relationship for a couple years doing things for the school, so we just decided to make it official.”

The partners are already talking about another project to benefit the Owens students and staff. The campus houses an outdoor garden with a patio area classes use for outdoor learning, and plans are in place to raise funds to build a pavilion to provide shade.

For more information on the Adopt-a-School program, contact Bevin Gordon, director of marketing and business relations, at 281-894-3950 or bevin.gordon@cfisd.net.