NAPLES — Craig Bouchard appreciates Osceola Elementary School, where his daughters — ages 8, 7 and 5 — attend school six months out of the year.
“We have a very lucky situation. We are able to live six months in Chicago and six months in Naples. Our kids go to school the first semester in Chicago and the second semester in Naples. We’re very appreciative with the way the school has handled our daughters.”
Bouchard, who is the proprietor of the Naples Bath and Tennis Club, decided he needed to thank the Osceola Elementary School employees, and the employees at every other Collier County school.
The Naples Bath and Tennis Club will give all employees of schools in Collier County and a guest the VIP treatment at the club during a week of their choice this summer. The offer, which also applies to the Collier County School District staff and employees at private schools, allows participants to take complimentary tennis clinics and use the pool and health club facilities.
“We have the capacity at the club and teachers are often under appreciated. It was a nice time to do things for teachers in Naples,” he said.
That VIP treatment includes use of the facilities, 10 percent off all meals and drinks at the club and special discounts for pilates classes, according to Mary Asta, director of marketing and development at the Naples Bath and Tennis Club.
“It’s all about thanking teachers for what they do,” she said.
To kick off the tribute to teachers, Naples Bath and Tennis Club is hosting an Educators Open House Family Day, where educators can bring their families to experience what the club is about. From noon to 5 p.m. on Saturday, teachers and their families can take part in fitness classes, tennis clinics, Kid Zone activities with aquatics and enjoy food and music through the afternoon.
Five percent of the money spent by the educators during the summer programs will be donated to the local charity Girls Are Best, which helps disadvantaged girls ages 7 to 17 who show promise in academics, athletics and/or the arts.
“It doesn’t sound like a high percentage, but food is not a big revenue generator for us. We are going to be giving pretty much whatever we make to the charity,” Bouchard said.
The charity is helping three students attend Academia Sanchez-Casal, which is located at the Naples Bath and Tennis Club.
“These are good kids who are talented, but they also have financial issues of some sort,” Bouchard said. “We have a student now, Deborah Suarez, who is here because of this program. She is about to start her (Advanced Placement) course in American history.”
Bouchard has owned the Naples Bath and Tennis Club since 2005. He spent the first two years repairing damaged sustained by Hurricane Wilma, but Bouchard has since increased the focus on education and athletics, opening Academia Sanchez-Casal — a boarding school and training facility for talented young tennis players.
Asta said the club plans to expand its involvement in education, including partnering with the Education Foundation of Collier County.
For information or to RSVP for the event Saturday, contact Asta at (239) 384-5642 or e-mail maryasta@tennisnaples.com.
Connect with K-12 education policy reporter Katherine Albers at www.naplesnews.com/staff/katherine-albers/.
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Comments » 11
unygfw writes:
Somebody better check the state eithics code before accepting.
Max_Headroom writes:
Everybody who DOESN'T work for the school system should sue for a week of VIP treatment on the grounds of discrimination.
CaptSam (Inactive) writes:
Everyone should support our teachers and be happy for them that they were given this opportunity instead of being whiney little e-idiots.
napleslawyer writes:
not to get off the point, and bless the teachers, but whats up with one semester here/one semester there for his kids? what kind of parenting is that?
many of us put the continuity of our kids education first over our needs/wants
MON writes:
Seriously? This is the headline today??? Apparently NDN didn't receive a copy of the letter that was sent to the teachers from Naples Bath and Tennis. This wasn't a reward, this was a sales tactic. Yes, we were offered a week to view the facilities and use the pool (and a SMALL discount on other services for the week) then the rest of the letter explained the membership costs to JOIN the club. Trust me, no educator in Collier County can afford it! When I saw the letter I read over and promptly threw it in the trash. I thought it was pretty tacky.
bananas8187 writes:
I think this guy is one of the major players in the Cubs-to-Naples boondoggle.
I'm sure his motives are above reproach.
pattyandtux writes:
Amazing - The blogs are the same negative BS. You guys need to Enjoy Life - Always look at the glass as half full instead of half empty. The man has the means and his generocity to a community he appreciates is fine. Are there other motives ie... Wrigleyville/ Cubs, maybe/maybe not - That will be another issue to get your panties and negative comments in an uproar.
BUT, why not take......... OH forget it, just go outside and enjoy life
TMac72 writes:
Wise up!
Teaching requires an expensive degree and time. The reward is a very low paid job versus other degrees.
The manager of their job is public opinion which means no matter what they do, it will be never good enough.
Let these people have some fun and enjoy their jobs.
Parent, Teacher, Minister. Most hours per week communicating is the Teacher.
relaxandthink writes:
What's up with people in Naples? Someone tries to do something nice for the teachers and the wackos come out. I haven't heard of any other 50 private clubs in town offering to host the teachers for a free week. Good on the tennis club.
Funshine writes:
FREE advertising via the NDN. 1 week at Bath and Tennis ohhh...play tennis in 100 degree heat! You can get 2 weeks free at any air conditioned fitness club and play handball, without your kids. Does the reporter have some deal with this club?
SEASIDE writes:
This is a very nice gesture, that I am sure will be much appreciated during the hot season by all of the hard working individuals and families involved in educating our kids in Collier County area. We should see more of this type of thoughtful and considerate action by the rest of the business community. Kudos to the Bouchards for this. They know that education starts and ends with the family. And if this helps families get out together at the pool or tennis courts to play together on a hot and swelterling Florida day, well then thats just great. Education is not a place or a building that one goes to everyday, but rather a fulfilling of many different areas of knowledge, including physical development, social accomplishments, and the arts. Whether a child spends half the year in Naples and half the year in Pittsburgh, or the entire year in Naples, is not the question, but rather whether a child is given opportunity to develop and also taught to appreciate that opportunity and develop something positive from this opportunity is where education starts. This is a positive and creative way to help the entire community.
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