The public should follow the lead of companies adopting Bermuda’s public schools and help restore a sense of community according to a businessman who adopted TN Tatem.Yesterday, The Hunt’s Group of companies was announced as the latest participants of the Government’s Adopt-A-School programme along with four other businesses.Its owner Mr Hunt chose to adopt the middle school because it is in his neighbourhood. It is the first middle school to be adopted.When asked why he had pledged $10,000, he said: “My children went there and my nephews still go there. I live across from the school and I have told them to report back to me about what needs to be done.“I want other organisations, those who use the school’s field, to help as well.“I believe in getting things done. People need to be involved, that is what it was like with the Howard Academy. People who didn’t even have kids at that school pulled together and helped the school and community.”Howard Academy was a school which opened in 1920. It was a Government-aided school but had its funding withdrawn in 1965 and subsequently closed.Graduates of Howard Academy included civil rights campaigner Dr Roosevelt Brown, former Premier Sir John Swan and Kenneth Richardson, Bermuda’s first black Cabinet Secretary.Yesterday, Education Minister Dame Jennifer Smith said the initiative has raised $140,000 so far as she announced the latest companies to get involved.l G & D Body Shop, which has adopted Victor Scott Primary School.l ACL Construction Ltd has adopted Prospect Primary School.l Security Associates and Bermuda Security Group has adopted West End Primary School.l TeleBermuda International has adopted East End Primary School.Dame Jennifer said: “These community-minded businesses are already well known to the community, and they deserve our thanks. Their contribution brings the amount committed to school improvement to $140,000 for 12 schools.“And before you ask, yes we still have schools in need, so I continue to look forward to adding adopters to our list.”The Adopt-A-School programme was launched last year by Government as a way of helping schools get repairs and services.z Related websites: www.moed.bm; www.huntsgroup.bm; www.bermudasecuritygroup.bm; www.telebermuda.com