Off to Africa!

Kean Witzeman, AmeriCorps Promise Fellow at RL Stevens Elementary


R.L. Stevens After School was transported to the African plains by visiting local wildlife preserve Safari West this month. Thanks to the Discover Africa Scholarship Program, our students were given a free two-part tour of the preserve and were afforded the opportunity to see a multitude of exotic animals, many of which are endangered or at risk of becoming endangered. A few animals, such as the Scimitar Horned Oryx are actually extinct in nature, and are only still alive thanks to wildlife preserves like Safari West.


The first part of the tour was a walk through exhibits where students got up close and personal with cheetahs, lemurs, a 40-year-old tortoise, two fennec foxes, many exotic birds and cranes, and much more. Students learned about the physiology of cheetahs and what makes them able to run so fast. Students also learned interesting facts about the different animal species and important issues and problems that they face in the wild.

The second part of the tour was a ride through the fenced preserve on a large safari truck. During the drive, students were greeted by curious giraffes who walked up to the trucks and introduced themselves to the great students of RL Stevens. Another popular animal was the Watusi cattle, a horned breed of cow that is highly regarded in many African cultures and used as a form of currency for certain tribes. The preserve was also filled with different species of antelope, guinea fowl, cranes, and even ostriches!

The trips to Safari West were a great experience for our students, who have been raised predominantly in a city/urban environment. It was a natural experience unlike any Zoo visit. The variety of diverse wildlife with which the students came face to face and the valuable information they learned was a fun and enriching experience for all!

Science Fair!

Nicole Lafreniere, Supervising Teacher at Kawana Elementary

On March 21st, students in the CalSERVES After School program showcased science projects to Santa Rosa residents, parents, and teachers in the cafeteria of Kawana Elementary School. As a class or with an individual mentor, kids were able to conduct a two-week experiment of their choosing. They then illustrated what they learned on a traditional display board. “We really wanted to support our kids in researching a topic that interested them and not say something is or isn’t science because science is everywhere,” says fair founder and After School Mentor, Kelly Richmond.


Projects entailed Defining Density (3rd grade), “Catching” a Rainbow (4th), examining Plant Absorbency (5th), and uncovering the tactile wonders of creating a “Rubber Egg” with a little amateur chemistry (1st/2nd).

Kawana’s 6th grade class was so inspired that after studying the functions of the human lung, they sought to use their findings to serve a greater cause—educating the public about a healthy lifestyle. “We are going to use our findings in our service outreach with the community,” said 6th grade mentor Sam Sowl. “It’s going to be nice that, after all the work, our kids will be able to see not only the scientific process, but how this is applied in a greater context.”

Yet, aside from the sheer fun of an experiment, Kawana’s After School Science Fair also gave students a chance to explore a subject sometimes absent from the normal school day. Due to funding and unfortunate budget cuts, science has taken second-stage to other subjects such as English and Math. However, as they highlighted their results on Friday, students seemed better acquainted with a new academic discipline.

Organizer Kelly Richmond feels that the fair was a great success. “All I wanted was to get kids interested, to have them question the things that occur in life, and to understand that science is an interesting approach to answering these questions,” Richmond said. With a smile she then added, “I think, at least, that we saw that interest today.”

Service Learning at Sheppard Elementary

Amy Porter, AmeriCorps Promise Fellow at Sheppard Elementary

The AmeriCorps mentors and students at Sheppard Elementary are all engaged in Service Learning, amidst the hustle and bustle of many spring activities.

Our second grade after school class has chosen to do their service learning project on protecting marine wildlife. After studying the amazing creatures of the seas, they decided they wanted to do something to protect and keep these animals safe.

As a Promise Fellow, I was asked to find a presenter or field trip to enrich their learning experience. After doing much research and contacting about 6 different organizations, we were graced with a response from the Aquarium of the Bay in San Francisco. They were willing to provide our students with a free trip to their Aquarium; we just had to provide the traveling cost.

In order to raise the money to get there, our second grade mentors and students have stepped up and put on a fantastic bake sale for the teachers, a fund raiser at the restaurant Chevy’s, and a car wash. To watch our team come together to serve and enrich our student’s lives has been truly amazing. It is awe inspiring to watch people who are so busy with this life take those little extra steps to support one classroom.

It has also been exciting to see the support we have from the core day teachers at Sheppard. My feelings of gratitude for the school we serve in have grown exponentially in the last few days. I knew we had support, but to watch the love pour in from all directions has only reaffirmed why I love being a part of the AmeriCorps experience. Only when we push ourselves and give of ourselves freely, do we see the simple truth: there is no more beauty in this world than that which we make.

Welcome to the CalSERVES Blog!

CalSERVES is excited to begin blogging. Here you will find information on the fabulous things that happen in our programs. You will see pictures and read about amazing mentors and students who are discovering their passions, realizing their potenial and expressing their power.

CalSERVES began in 1998 as the tutoring program, Project Scholars. The next year, After School program COOL School began. Since then, the organization has grown to include over 100 partnerships with schools throughout the state of California!

Locally, CalSERVES provides in-school tutoring and after school programs in 8 Sonoma County schools. In addition, we also have a partnership with Santa Rosa Junior College that creates a Family Literacy program, where parents are able to take free English and GED classes while their children are also receiving academic support.

CalSERVES is dedicated to serving children and families and MAKING A DIFFERENCE in our communities!