Back Row (L to R): Issa Stone, Candelaria Torres, Gabriela Perez (Co-Chair), Sonia Velez, Ruth Liudahl.
Front Row (L to R): Chris Hernandez, Sylvina Barrera, K.C. Flynn, (Co-Chair), Kim Lovelace (Co-Chair).
Meet the Challenge to Involve More Families and the Community: Holiday Book Drive
All 677 students, K-5, at Whittier Elementary took home a new book shortly after the holidays—courtesy of the local Barnes & Noble Booksellers, teachers, neighbors, and even people they did not know. At Whittier, 92% of students are eligible for free or reduced-price lunch, and many families speak Spanish at home. The books for home libraries were greatly appreciated by students and families. In addition, the school and the local Columbia Reading Foundation received another 2,000 books. All of these were provided by the Barnes & Noble annual Holiday Book Drive, which asked customers to buy one or more books for the school as they checked out. Whittier teachers selected many of the books and the store offered discounts on some of them.
The book drive kicked off November 1 at the store with students and staff attending. Local hockey and football players stirred up school spirit and by November 26, Barnes & Noble had sold 1,000 books for the school. By Christmas Day, the total reached 2,700. The store’s outreach director tracked the sales and worked with Whittier’s teachers to stock the titles they selected, including some books in Spanish. An extensive publicity campaign, including store displays, a radio appearance by the principal and reading coach, a newspaper article, and an announcement on the district’s web site, contributed to the drive’s success. The school sponsored a Stop, Drop, and Read session after the books were distributed. Some Barnes & Noble employees joined the festivities and received the youngsters’ thanks in person.
Reach Results for Student Success in School: Health and Wellness
Recognizing an increase in childhood obesity and the rising incidence of diabetes in America—especially among the Hispanic population, the ATP at Whittier Elementary School sponsored Family Fitness to Fight Diabetes Night. The focus on prevention aimed to ensure the health of Whittier’s students, 92% of whom are Hispanic. Goals included educating students and families about preventing diabetes and about the benefits of exercise. The event not only engaged students and parents in great activities, but also raised funds for the American Diabetes Association (ADA).
The ATP planned and coordinated Family Fitness to Fight Diabetes Night. This included collecting, monitoring, and reporting donations, obtaining supplies, recruiting volunteers, advertising to families and the community, and asking fathers and father figures to register for a Kids vs. Dads soccer match. The two weeks leading up to the event also featured a class competition to raise funds through a penny drive, resulting in $300 donation to the ADA. A representative from the ADA was featured at an assembly for students and a 2nd grade student with diabetes explained his experiences with the disease. Many other individuals, businesses, and a local hospital in the community contributed their time, talent, and financial support.
About 250 students and families were greeted in the cafeteria and given bags of healthy snacks. Adults received literature on diabetes and good nutrition. Children and families toured six stations to participate in fun physical activities. “Activity passports” stamped after each activity were submitted for a chance to win sports equipment and other prizes. Over 50 parents competed with their children in the soccer match. A local newspaper sent a reporter and photographer for a feature in the paper the next day.
See Whittier Elementary School’s activity in Promising Partnership Practices 2009 on the website at www.partnershipschools.org in the section Success Stories. Visit the school at http://www.psd1.org/whittieres/site/default.asp.