After-School Enrichment ProgramFrederick Law Olmsted School #64/56Buffalo, New York Parents often spend a great deal of time, energy, and money trying to find constructive after-school activities for their children. At Frederick Law Olmsted School, however, that is no longer necessary. The After-School Enrichment Program provides an hour of creative activities and experiences every day, while furthering the school’s goals and preparing students for required tests. More... Kate Willoughby, ATP Co-chair 716-816-3420 Type 6 | Elementary Grades | Achievement in Other Academic Areas |
Arts Extravaganza Family NightHighwood Hills Elementary SchoolSt. Paul, Minnesota Highwood Hills Elementary School has a diverse student body, with members of Somali, Hmong, Cambodian, Hispanic, Japanese, African American, and other heritages. Nearly two-thirds of these students are ELL. To celebrate its students’ diverse backgrounds, the school created an Arts Extravaganza Family Night that featured fourth-, fifth-, and sixth-grade students and their families showcasing their familial and cultural traditions. The night combined performances with hands-on interaction so that students could both observe and participate in the traditional activities. More... Christine Cardinal, Parent Educator 651-293-8875 christine.cardinal@spps.org Type 6 | Elementary Grades | Multicultural Awareness |
Back to School BashHamilton County Family and Children First CouncilCincinnati, Ohio For a school with only a handful of involved parents, an event that attracts 150 parents and 200 students represents a huge success. With the help of the Hamilton County Family and Children First Council, St. Bernard-Elmwood Place School did just that. More... Jo Ann Wheat, Family and Children First Coordinator 513-946-4990 Jawheat@sbepschools.org Type 6 | Organization | Transitions |
Character Education at WorkBallentine Elementary SchoolIrmo, South Carolina Every month brings a new character trait and corresponding community service project to Ballentine Elementary. More... Susan Weaver, Guidance Counselor 803-732-8251 sweaver@lex5.k12.sc.us Type 6 | Elementary Grades | Behavior |
Community Literacy Network Champion AwardsLiteracy, Inc.New York, New York Creating more reading opportunities for young children is the goal of the Community Literacy Champion Awards. More... Marrakech Arbuckle, Program Associate 212-620-5462 marbuckle@lincnyc.org Type 6 | Organization | Reading and Literacy |
Crossing the BridgeHamilton County Family and Children First CouncilCincinnati, Ohio Ninth grade is pivotal. Much of what happens throughout high school is influenced by the start students get academically, socially, and emotionally. To put students at Aiken High School in Cincinnati on a sound footing, the Hamilton County Family and Children First Council sponsors Crossing the Bridge, a two-week transition program. More... Joan Pack-Rowe, School Coordinator 513-363-6741 rowejoa@cpsboe.k12.oh.us Type 6 | Organization | Transitions |
Curriculum ShowcaseKent County High SchoolWorton, Maryland Kent County High School has been hosting a Curriculum Showcase for the past few years. Staff, students, parents, local businesses, college recruiters, and community organizations display their work and share information during the spring semester. This event generates and maintains positive relationships between the school and the local community, and it gives participants an opportunity to obtain and showcase information about a variety of programs and curricula. More... Joseph Wheeler, School Improvement Team Chair 410-778-4540 jwheeler@kent.k12.md.us Type 6 | High School | Climate of Partnership |
Dr. Seuss's Birthday CelebrationLincolnshire Elementary SchoolHagerstown, Maryland To inspire this love of reading, Lincolnshire Elementary celebrated Dr. Seuss’s birthday with a schoolwide reading party. Fifty-two guest readers from the community were invited to come in and read their favorite books to classes. The celebration continued into the evening, when families also joined in the fun. More... Sharon Ernst, FCPC 301-766-8206 ernstsha@wcboe.k12.md.us Type 6 | Elementary Grades | Reading and Literacy |
Family Health and Fitness NightDiscovery School #67Buffalo, New York The Parent Involvement Action Team at the Discovery School wanted to find a way to teach students about good nutrition and the positive results of regular exercise. So, they created Family Health and Fitness Night and brought in community partners to conduct physical fitness activities and distribute healthy snacks to pre-kindergarten through sixth-grade students and their families. More... Nadine Hirsch, ATP Chair 716-816-4922 Type 6 | Elementary Grades | Health and Safety |
Family Literacy NightWing Luke Elementary SchoolSeattle, Washington Wing Luke Elementary School wanted to help students and families connect with peers and learn new reading techniques. So, the Action Team for Partnerships (ATP), along with the Washington Reading Corps (WRC), developed Family Literacy Night as a vehicle to reach this goal. More... Elizabeth Urmenita, ELD Teacher/Reading Specialist 206-252-7630 elurmenita@seattleschools.org Type 6 | Elementary Grades | Reading and Literacy |
Fill Your Child's Basket With Learning ToolsEastern Elementary SchoolHagerstown, Maryland Seeing a need for homework help, the staff at Eastern Elementary School put together an evening activity that had many positive results. “Fill Your Child’s Basket with Learning Tools” filled the school’s need to support student learning at home by motivating students and providing guidance to parents. More... Kelly Morton, Family and Community Partnership Coordinator 301-739-6861 mortokel@wcboe.k12.md.us Type 6 | Elementary Grades | Achievement in Other Academic Areas |
Going to Dodge!Roosevelt Elementary SchoolSt. Paul, Minnesota Watching a red-tailed hawk, exploring wilderness trails, and getting a close-up of everyday farm animals was most likely an unusual way for students and parents at Roosevelt Elementary School to spend a Saturday. Perhaps that was what made it such a hit with the 135 family members who found themselves “Going to Dodge,”—the Dodge Nature Center—on a beautiful fall weekend. More... Christine Cardinal, Parent Educator 651-293-8655 christine.cardinal@spps.org Type 6 | Elementary Grades | Science |
Guess Who's Coming to LunchHamilton County Family and Children First CouncilCincinnati, Ohio It is one of the hottest invitations in town—the parent lunches at Rothenberg Preparatory Academy. Cincinnati area politicians, school officials, and others are eager to speak at these school and community brown bags. In fact, they sometimes invite themselves. More... Helen O'Neal, Coordinator 513-363-5743 onealhe@cps-k12.org Type 6 | Organization | Careers and Postsecondary Planning |
Math Game NightEmma K. Doub Elementary SchoolHagerstown, Maryland The staff at Emma K. Doub Elementary School, which serves students in grades 3–5, integrates arts and technology into all daily lesson plans. Emma K. Doub works jointly with Funkstown Elementary School, which serves grades K–2. More... Nina Wolfe, 4th Grade Teacher 301-766-8130 ext. 70008 nwolfe@wcboe.k12.md.us Type 6 | Elementary Grades | Math |
Partnerships with the USS San JacintoArrowhead Elementary SchoolVirginia Beach, Virginia Arrowhead Elementary’s simple partnership with sailors from the USS San Jacinto grew into a successful pen pal relationship and then a far-reaching lunch buddy program called the SanJac Shipmate’s Club. More... Mischelle Keller, 3rd Grade Teacher, Partnership Coordinator 757-473-5007 ext. 50964 P.Mischelle.Keller@vbschools.com Type 6 | Elementary Grades | Achievement in Other Academic Areas |
Reading RumpusWebster Stanley Elementary SchoolOshkosh, Wisconsin What is one way to boost families’ knowledge and excitement about literacy? Have an adult dress as a monster, and invite an NFL quarterback to speak about the importance of reading. The Action Team for Partnerships (ATP) at Webster Stanley Elementary capitalized on this answer and hosted a Where the Wild Things Are–themed Reading Rumpus. More... Janice Welsh, AmeriCorps VISTA 920-424-0460 Janice.welsh@oshkosh.k12.wi.us Type 6 | Elementary Grades | Reading and Literacy |
The Stars Come Out Fashion ShowRoger Wolcott Early Childhood CenterWindsor, Connecticut The stars shone brightly at Roger Wolcott Early Childhood Center during a fashion and variety show featuring the kindergarten students who attend the center’s before- and after-school program. The youngsters from the after-school Tree House program were the stars on stage, of course. They modeled clothing and performed a song in sign language. More... Betsey Lepak, Family Resource Center Leader 860-246-9032 elepak@windsorct.org Type 6 | Elementary Grades | Climate of Partnership |