Session 3
- 1. Working Together to Support ALL Students Session 3: Community Resources
- 2. It Takes a Village! Parents and community groups can play a key role in providing extended learning opportunities for students beyond the school day and school year. These efforts are critical to the well being of the school and when well implemented will result in an open and positive school climate for educators and parents as well as improved learning experiences for students.
- 3. Work Well with Parents More effective teachers communicate more with parents. More effective schools communicate more with parents. For example, from the Taylor et al., 2002 study, more effective schools often had site councils, focus groups, teachers calling home at least once a month, letter or newsletter, traveling folder home. Effective Schools, Accomplished Teachers by Barbara M. Taylor and P. David Pearson, Eds. Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum, 2002
- 4. Community Resources to Support Parent and Family Engagement
- 5. School Supplies • With the help of community volunteers and one of our business sponsors, Cargill, we will be sponsoring a one-day school supply giveaway for any student entering Southeast Polk schools. Last year we enjoyed helping 591 students get a fresh start to the first day of school with a new backpack containing nearly all of the items on the school supply list. Pre-registration for this service ensures we will have enough for all families who need support and allow us to better plan for support from our wonderful volunteers who help with this service. Please contact Central Place by August 1.
- 6. New Shoes for You In May, June, and July, families with a child entering a Southeast Polk school (and who also meet income guidelines) may sign their children up to receive a new pair of tennis shoes for the beginning of the school year. The activity is made possible through a partnership with the Altoona Payless Shoe Store, our church communities, and an anonymous donor. Watch the website to learn more about our plans for a new and improved registration process for New Shoes for You.
- 7. Jump Start Jump Start is a free summer session focusing on school readiness for children entering any Southeast Polk kindergarten. Jump Start is for children who have had little or no preschool, although your child may be able to attend if additional assistance is needed to be ready for kindergarten. Jump Start will be held Monday through Thursday from 8:30 to 1:00. Breakfast and lunch will be included.
- 8. Kid’s Cafe Join us for our 8th year of FREE Kids' Cafe summer lunch and literacy activities. Sessions are 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Monday/Wednesday, June 4-27. Activities include a healthy lunch, reading, learning, crafts, and games. Local volunteers will lead the activities. Open to any SEP student, ages 4 (by September 15) to 5th grade (in fall).
- 9. Bilingual Books The Read To Me Foundation is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to distribute free, new, hardcover bilingual (English/Spanish) children's books. Southeast Polk was selected to receive 200 new books, to be distributed to those who participate in our programs. These books will be delivered inside the book bags courtesy of a Prairie Meadows grant.
- 10. Environmental Science and Stewardship Camp A summer camp for SEP high school students interested in the environment is doing more than providing an opportunity to learn about prairie wildlife and plants. The students are building confidence and developing their own vision for a career in science through a partnership between Drake University and Metro Waste Authority. The students have a morning session that exposes them to ecological techniques to understand plants and animals. The afternoon is devoted to stewardship activities. The week-long camp is held at Metro Waste Authority’s 73-acre environmental protection area near Runnels, Iowa.
- 11. Discussion Were any of these community opportunities new to you? Have you experienced any of these opportunities? How might we help our students and families take advantage of these resources? What other offerings might be helpful to our parents and families?