![Lindbergh Elementary partners with Eastwood Baptist to provide transportation to Care and Connect]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1612371437/tulsaschoolsorg/k6vpovj9bhpwfhuilc1x/CC-18.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1612371437/tulsaschoolsorg/k6vpovj9bhpwfhuilc1x/CC-18.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1612371437/tulsaschoolsorg/k6vpovj9bhpwfhuilc1x/CC-18.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1612371437/tulsaschoolsorg/k6vpovj9bhpwfhuilc1x/CC-18.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1612371437/tulsaschoolsorg/k6vpovj9bhpwfhuilc1x/CC-18.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1612371437/tulsaschoolsorg/k6vpovj9bhpwfhuilc1x/CC-18.jpg","width":2200}])
Lindbergh Elementary has partnered with a local church to provide transportation for students to get to Care and Connect.
After a couple weeks of low turnout when Care and Connect began at the school, Principal James Isaacs met with teachers to figure out what was going on.
“They just kept saying over and over again, they can't get them here, they can't get them here,” said Principal Isaacs. “I just said let's take the excuses away. Let's just figure out what if we can provide transportation.”
So, he reached out to Eastwood Baptist Church, a longtime partner of the school.
“Over the course of a 2-hour discussion logistically we had everything we needed to do, and we were ready to go on Monday,” he said.
The church provided two vans and drivers to pick students up before and take them home after Care and Connect.
“We have one group that goes west, one group that goes east, and the goal is to get as many kids here for Care and Connect as we can safely,” said Principal Isaacs.
Students are required to wear masks in the van, as well as in the school. They also get hand sanitizer when they are picked up and when they arrive at Lindbergh. Then, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday, students in small groups take part in a condensed school day, including reading, math, recess, and lunch.
“We want this to be a positive experience. When the kids get off the bus, we have snacks for them. Before they leave, they have lunch. Education is key, but we also know how important it is for us to connect with the kids one-on-one or small group and do some relationship building here that's going to allow them to be successful,” said Isaacs.
Right now, the church is able to transport about 30 kids to Care and Connect each day, and they hope to be able offer more spots soon.
“That's our job: educate kids. So, doing that and then bringing them home safely has been something that our families have really really appreciated because it's just taking some of the stress away,” he said.
Care and Connect is available at all schools in the district. For more information about the services provided and how to sign up, please visit tulsaschools.org/careandconnect.