The REC Center Helps Bradey Elementary Stay Healthy and Happy

Executive Director for The REC Center in Grand Terrace, Jennifer Araiza, immediately formed a strong relationship with students, administration and teachers at Bradley Elementary School, where she had served as “Principal for a Day” nearly a year ago. She loved the school so much that she set up a meeting with the principal to ask if there was some way that The REC Center and Bradley Elementary School could work together for the students’ benefit. Last week The REC Center adopted San Bernardino City Unified School District’s Bradley Elementary School and will now operate on the campus offering a number of sports and educational programs with the plan to expand with the students’ interests. “This is our way of continuing to give back to the community. There was a need at the school, and we were able to fill it,” said Araiza. Students along with District, school, and REC Center officials came together last Friday to make the adoption official by signing a certificate commemorating the 2014-2015 partnership. During the celebration the school band played Mary Had a Little Lamb, a young male student sang a solo song, The REC Center showed a promo video featuring what their organization does, and Araiza spoke to the kids encouraging them to stay focused and determined in their education. At one point in the gathering, the nearly 700 attendees danced together to Pharrell Williams’ song, “Happy”. The REC Center provides educational, recreational, and creative arts programs for children to assist them in leading healthy, happy, and enriching lives. Some of the programs include International Art, LEGO, Lil’ Builders engineering through simple machines and RECstars Cheerleading. Bradley Elementary School educates approximately 600 students in grades kindergarten through sixth. About 80 percent of the students are hispanic and about 43 percent are classified as English learners. Bradley is located at 1300 Valencia Avenue in San Bernardino. The REC Center is committed to help Bradley students improve academically and gain the experiences necessary to grow into healthy and happy adults. The Adopt-a-School program is a partnership between the San Bernardino City Unified School District and the San Bernardino Area Chamber of Commerce. In a social media posting, The REC Center shares, “Today The REC Center and Bradley Elementary in San Bernardino became a family. As a symbol of the new partnership, a beautiful corsage was presented as well as the words “Making Hope Happen.” It’s a beautiful thing when people come together for the betterment of their community. On behalf of The REC Center, we would like to thank everyone at Bradley Elementary for inviting us to become a part of your family!”