Volunteering in an Elementary Classroom: Another resource for Hale Cook?

As part of my participation in the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce Centurions Program, I volunteer for several different organizations around the City. It has been an incredible way to meet new people, learn more about some phenomenal non-profits doing great work in Kansas City, and further appreciate the difference one volunteer can make in changing our collective future.

Next week, I'm excited to report that I will be volunteering at the Genesis Promise Academy in their kindergarten class! While I have done some volunteer work with children of this age, I have never actually facilitated a classroom environment for children of this age. I will be paired with another fellow Centurion, Wendy, to host a two and a half hour workshop to help these children learn about the economic role of individuals.

The program is part of Junior Achievement USA (JA), a nonprofit organization financed by businesses, foundations, governments, and individuals. The purpose of Junior Achievement is to educate and inspire young people to succeed in a global economy. Since its founding in 1919, Junior Achievement has contributed to the business and economics education of more than 100 million young people in the United States and throughout the world.

In preparation, Wendy and I have received a very comprehensive package to help orient us to the program, outline the curriculum and lesson plan, and provide us with all of the tools we'll need to execute. We've also been given the teacher's name and contact information, a roster of students, and a great deal of advance information to help us prepare for what's to come. I am very excited to participate in this volunteer opportunity because we have envisioned parent and community volunteers helping out in the classrooms of Hale Cook Elementary. Would a program like this work well in our neighborhood school?

I will also have the opportunity to get more information from the Genesis Promise Academy's principal, Philip Hickman, another fellow Centurion. What is it like for teachers and administrators to have community volunteers in their school? What challenges have they seen? What opportunities have been available that would not otherwise have been possible without community involvement? How do the children respond to outsiders coming in for a few hours during their school day to get involved? What lessons can we learn?

I look forward to reporting back after next Wednesday's volunteering - stay tuned!

On the Scene with Green: Meet with Interim Superintendent this Sunday

Interim superintendent to offer straight talk and real answers at community coffee event on Nov. 13

R. Stephen Green, interim superintendent of the Kansas City Public Schools (KCPS), will provide straight talk and direct answers to questions from community members at the first of four community coffees. The kick-off event will be from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 13, at the Waldo branch of the Kansas City Public Library, 201 E. 75^thSt., Kansas City, Mo.

The coffees, titled “On the Scene with Green,” are designed for parents and community members to have direct access to the interim superintendent and get their questions answered. Dr. Green will open the coffees with commentary about the direction and status of KCPS, followed by a question and answer session.

The event is free to the public. Refreshments will be provided, including coffee from co-sponsor The Roasterie.

WHAT: “On the Scene with Green” community coffee event

WHEN: 2:30 to 3:30 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 13, 2011

WHERE: Waldo branch of the Kansas City Public Library, 201 E. 75^thSt., Kansas City, Mo. 
The Kansas City Public Schools is dedicated to graduating students that are college, career, and workforce ready. This mission is supported by innovative classroom instruction, engaging programs, highly-qualified employees, and an engaged and well-informed community. To learn more about the ways our community of schools supports students and the community-at-large, please visit www.kcmsd.net, KCMO School District on Facebook, or KCMOSchools on Twitter. You may also call (816) 418-7000 or visit ww.kcmsd.net.

A campaign for a new playground?

Mark O'Hara RLA, ASLA, LEED AP and Principal of Phronesis has suggested we resurrect a playground at Hale Cook Elementary. He's not alone - I've heard many requests for this. What do you think? Would you support this effort by getting involved to raise funds? See Mark's email below and let us know if you're interested!

Ashley,

Just a quick note to give you some information on the playground idea. I am a big fan of Kompan playground equipment and have a great relationship with the local rep as well as some of the national & international folks from our work in Greensburg and New Orleans. Check out the website here - http://www.kompan.us/

I like the modern design as well as the research and development that goes into the products for physical and cognitive development.

I have also included some images of the Greensburg and NOLA projects, which highlight the inclusive site design process. I like to think about the playground as more than the products and equipment but also like to include stormwater management and the planting design into the learning and play experience. 

Take a look and let me know when we could talk about this further. We could create some graphics that would be great for fundraising and pull together a budget.

Thanks,

Mark

Partnership and Sponsorship Committee kicked-off tonight

Tonight was the first of our Partnership and Sponsorship Committee meetings - this is part of our new organizational structure to launch an enrollment campaign to reopen Hale Cook in 2012. We had an impressive team of talented community members come out and brainstormed several ideas to not only identify and bring in organizational support to help us meet our goals but build sponsorships to really make Hale Cook a true civic center for our entire community.

How would you like to support Hale Cook?
Are you a member of an organization that could help us with outreach about events and activities? 
Let us know here by leaving a comment or email us!


We invite you to get involved if you are interested in participating! Our next committee meeting is August 10, 2011. Please email Committee Chair Paul Bartel if you would like to get involved.

Waldo Community Market - July was hot but fun!

It was a hot one in Kansas City on Saturday, July 23 but we had a successful kick-off to the monthly Waldo Community Market! We had vendors with beautiful second-hand treasures, neighbors who wanted to share in the community yard sale, hot dogs and even rain barrel workshops! Thank you to everyone who participated and volunteered.
Catch us next month - August 27 for the Waldo Community Market!

Community members arrived with some of their own stuff to sell.

Youth Friends was on-hand looking for volunteers to help with their great cause.

Each month we look forward to growing - come see us next month!

Rain barrels are a great way to divert water from our stormwater system and save it for your gardens.

Hale Cook in the KC Star

We gave Mike Hendricks of the Kansas City Star a little update on our progress to reopen Hale Cook Elementary. Check out the complete article online. See you next Saturday at the Waldo Community Market!

What's next Hale Cook?

We're moving forward and look forward to an exciting year of activities, outreach, and community-building in support of our Neighborhood School. While we might not have the numbers we needed for enrollment, the feedback has been so positive that we are committed to moving forward and planning for Fall 2012. Here is some more information about how we would like to reorganize our committee to engage you and help us accomplish many of the great ideas you've proposed over the past three months.

Proposed Goals for 2011-2012

1. Increase public awareness and support for the community plan to reopen Hale Cook Elementary in Fall 2011 through outreach, school-centered activities, and broader engagement of stakeholders.
2. Work with the School District to establish a realistic and sustainable strategy for the school in its first year and beyond.
3. Further develop the School Plan with the community and School District.
4. Create partnerships with organizations and stakeholders to not only activate the school building before it reopens in Fall 2012 but will support the school once it is open.
5. Support student enrollment and parent commitment to the school to reach the target of 350 students by February 2012.