http://calservesvip.blogspot.com/
Friday, May 27, 2011
New CalSERVES VIP Blog
The Volunteer Infrastructure Project (VIP), a part of CalSERVES, has a new blog! Check it out. You'll be able to read about all the amazing work our AmeriCorps VIP Fellows are doing across the state of California.
Volunteers Make a Difference!
Kimberly Copperberg, Site Supervisor at Meadow View Elementary
The third grade class at Meadow View has three teen volunteers who come consistently each week. The volunteers are students at Elsie Allen High School and have been extremely helpful. They aren’t afraid to ask mentors for help and interact well with students. These volunteers have served as role models for some of the third grade girls, as they have someone of their same ethnicity to teach and inspire them. “I feel like having the volunteers in the class is really helpful for the girls because they have someone to look up to and keep them on track,” reflected third grade mentor Ms. G. They have shown students that even if you come from a touch background, you can focus on education and staying involved in positive activities.
The sixth grade volunteers are very helpful, especially when it is time for doing homework. Mary, a teen volunteer, has been helping students with their homework when mentors are with other students. Another volunteer, Sam, has been connecting with the sixth grade boys. Sam is willing to play, do homework, sit and chat, read, and do whatever interests the students. He has connected and offered more one-on-one support to an intelligent but reserved student who was in need of positive connections. Sixth grade mentor Mr. V comments on the importance of volunteers in his classroom. “I believe that the students get into a routine of seeing their mentors’ every day, so it’s great to have other people that can also be mentors for the children.”
The third grade class at Meadow View has three teen volunteers who come consistently each week. The volunteers are students at Elsie Allen High School and have been extremely helpful. They aren’t afraid to ask mentors for help and interact well with students. These volunteers have served as role models for some of the third grade girls, as they have someone of their same ethnicity to teach and inspire them. “I feel like having the volunteers in the class is really helpful for the girls because they have someone to look up to and keep them on track,” reflected third grade mentor Ms. G. They have shown students that even if you come from a touch background, you can focus on education and staying involved in positive activities.
The sixth grade volunteers are very helpful, especially when it is time for doing homework. Mary, a teen volunteer, has been helping students with their homework when mentors are with other students. Another volunteer, Sam, has been connecting with the sixth grade boys. Sam is willing to play, do homework, sit and chat, read, and do whatever interests the students. He has connected and offered more one-on-one support to an intelligent but reserved student who was in need of positive connections. Sixth grade mentor Mr. V comments on the importance of volunteers in his classroom. “I believe that the students get into a routine of seeing their mentors’ every day, so it’s great to have other people that can also be mentors for the children.”
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Fawn Wildlife Rescue Presentation
Gabrielle O'Neill, AmeriCorps VIP Fellow, Wright Elementary School
On Wednesday, May 4th a member of the Fawn Wildlife Rescue Center of Sonoma gave a presentation to the 7th and 8th grade student's. During the presentation, the students learned the importance of the local wildlife as well as teaching others how to prevent injury or harm towards wildlife.
The presenter brought in taxidermy animals for educational purposes so that the students could get a closer look at some of the local wildlife. In addition to this, the presenter taught the student's about the rescue center's specialization in rehabilitating ill, injured and orphaned black tail fawns.
The student's loved having the opportunity to see all the different animals and they were even more excited to learn that they could help protect Sonoma's wildlife making this presentation a success.
On Wednesday, May 4th a member of the Fawn Wildlife Rescue Center of Sonoma gave a presentation to the 7th and 8th grade student's. During the presentation, the students learned the importance of the local wildlife as well as teaching others how to prevent injury or harm towards wildlife.
The presenter brought in taxidermy animals for educational purposes so that the students could get a closer look at some of the local wildlife. In addition to this, the presenter taught the student's about the rescue center's specialization in rehabilitating ill, injured and orphaned black tail fawns.
The student's loved having the opportunity to see all the different animals and they were even more excited to learn that they could help protect Sonoma's wildlife making this presentation a success.
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
CalSERVES' After School Inclusion Project at BOOST
Emily Mann, CalSERVES Program Coordinator
BOOST (Best Out Of School Time) After School Conference is a great annual event for folks from all over the nation. Set in the amazing location of Palm Springs, CA, thousands of people come to learn strategies and skills to make their After School programs even more amazing than before.
The After School Inclusion Project (ASIP), one of CalSERVES Technical Assistance programs for After School, was there with bells on. We hosted a booth, with material and resources to help programs to include students with special needs and disabilities in their programs.
Our team also presented a workshop for Site Coordinators and Directors - a Training of Trainers - focusing on the newly developed 10-20 minute trainings. These trainings are designed to teach After School staff, who are often unfamiliar with specific disabilities, with some of the tools they need to help their children succeed in After School.
To learn more about the trainings and resources available through ASIP, visit: www.californiaafterschool.org
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| Annette Zucconi, Beth Hart, and Emily Mann at the CalSERVES Inclusion Booth |
The After School Inclusion Project (ASIP), one of CalSERVES Technical Assistance programs for After School, was there with bells on. We hosted a booth, with material and resources to help programs to include students with special needs and disabilities in their programs.
Our team also presented a workshop for Site Coordinators and Directors - a Training of Trainers - focusing on the newly developed 10-20 minute trainings. These trainings are designed to teach After School staff, who are often unfamiliar with specific disabilities, with some of the tools they need to help their children succeed in After School.
To learn more about the trainings and resources available through ASIP, visit: www.californiaafterschool.org
AmeriCorps Makes a Difference for the Egg Hunt for Tots!
Kimberly Copperberg, Site Coordinator at Meadow View Elementary
The City of Santa Rosa’s “Egg Hunt for Tots” is an annual event at Howarth Park for the past 25 years. CalSERVES sent AmeriCorps members to help support the event, both the day of and to help with preparations for the big day.
One day over spring break, AmeriCorps members met the Coordinator Laneil Bryant at the Steele Lane Community Center to paint signs and prep for the art project. On Saturday April 23rd ten AmeriCorps members and Site Supervisor Kimberly Copperberg were out supporting the event.
The CalSERVES team led face painting, bunny ears and duck head-band art projects, a photo booth with a bunny, and the main event…the egg hunt. There was also an animal petting zoo with bunnies, a chicken, goats, a cow, and a pig from a local 4H club. There were three egg hunts for children under 3 and for 4-5 year olds. Many families came out to enjoy the event, hundreds of people throughout the day.
The City of Santa Rosa’s “Egg Hunt for Tots” is an annual event at Howarth Park for the past 25 years. CalSERVES sent AmeriCorps members to help support the event, both the day of and to help with preparations for the big day.
One day over spring break, AmeriCorps members met the Coordinator Laneil Bryant at the Steele Lane Community Center to paint signs and prep for the art project. On Saturday April 23rd ten AmeriCorps members and Site Supervisor Kimberly Copperberg were out supporting the event.
The CalSERVES team led face painting, bunny ears and duck head-band art projects, a photo booth with a bunny, and the main event…the egg hunt. There was also an animal petting zoo with bunnies, a chicken, goats, a cow, and a pig from a local 4H club. There were three egg hunts for children under 3 and for 4-5 year olds. Many families came out to enjoy the event, hundreds of people throughout the day.
Monday, May 23, 2011
Canine Companions Visits Wright
Gabrielle O'Neil, AmeriCorps VIP Fellow at Wright Charter School
In April, Canine Companions for Independence visited Wright Charter’s After School Program. The students gathered outside on the playground for the presentation where they learned about the different types of dogs that are trained, the families that the dogs go home with, and the tasks that each canine is trained to perform as an assistance dog. At the end of the presentation the students got to line up and pet the service dog that was brought in that day. Smiles grew from ear-to-ear throughout the crowd, making this presentation a great success!
In April, Canine Companions for Independence visited Wright Charter’s After School Program. The students gathered outside on the playground for the presentation where they learned about the different types of dogs that are trained, the families that the dogs go home with, and the tasks that each canine is trained to perform as an assistance dog. At the end of the presentation the students got to line up and pet the service dog that was brought in that day. Smiles grew from ear-to-ear throughout the crowd, making this presentation a great success!
2011 Cesar Chavez Health Fair Report
Healthy Eating and Active Living
'This is a great event and I hope to be able to take part in it for many years to come!”
Silvia Floriano, Health Fair Participant
The 2011 Cesar Chávez Day Health Fair at Roseland Elementary School drew over 3,300 attendees and 63 participating community organizations.
Health Fair Highlights
- Dental Screenings: St. Joseph’s Medical Center screened 104 children for tooth decay, finding 31 children who needed dental care and 6 of those children presenting urgent dental needs.
- Vaccines: Sonoma County Public Health provided Tdap (Whooping Cough) vaccines to 219 children, ages 10-18, as well as to 89 adults.
- Blood Pressure, Blood Glucose, and Cholesterol Screening: St. Joseph’s Medical Center provided blood pressure, diabetes, and cholesterol screenings to 59 individuals, issuing 50 referrals for follow up care.
- Asthma Screenings: Community Action Partnership provided 15 Asthma screenings.
- BMI Testing: Nursing students from Sonoma State University provided 17 Body Mass Index (BMI) screenings for families.
- Free Healthy Foods: The Redwood Empire Food Bank donated over 5,000 pounds of fresh produce and free healthy snacks were also served.
- Free Bike Helmets and Repairs: Safe Routes to School and AmeriCorps volunteers fitted 160 donated bicycle helmets, and NorCal Cycling repaired 125 bikes at the Health Fair.
- Free Hair Cuts: More than 80 hair cuts were provided by community volunteers.
- Kaiser Permanente’s Community Theater Troupe led the Kids Course, an interactive obstacle
- course for kids that helps make fitness fun.
- Boy Scouts of America provided a Rock wall that had the whole community up and climbing!
- Obstacle Course Playhouse and other fun games encouraged children to stay active and have fun.
Local Representatives in Attendance
- Efren Carrillo, Supervisor, County of Sonoma
- Ernesto Olivares, Mayor of Santa Rosa
- Susan Gorin, Santa Rosa City Council
- Windsor Bloco provided dancing and drumming.
- Aztec Dance Troupe performed traditional dances.
- Face-painting, magic shows, and balloon animals delighted fair attendees.
AmeriCorps
121 AmeriCorps members from the CalSERVES program, West County Community Services, and the North Bay Conservation Corps came to support this event. AmeriCorps members led activities for children, served as support to the health care providers and as translators for families.
Sponsors, Donors and Volunteers
The Fair organizer is CalSERVES, an educational program based at the Napa County Office of Education. Primary sponsors of the 2011 Health Fair include First 5 Sonoma County, Kaiser Permanente, St. Joseph’s Health System, Redwood Credit Union, and Community Action Partnership. Additional Fair sponsors included Redwood Empire Food Bank, Safe Routes to School, NorCal Cycling, Santa Rosa Police Department, Roseland Elementary School, Radio Lazer, La Fondita Restaurant, and Clover Stornetta. Many businesses and agencies in the community came together to support the event, including 25 community organizations that donated goods and services worth over $6,000. Over 452 health providers, community volunteers, and AmeriCorps members provided 2,159 volunteer hours in support of the event.
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Wright's Tutoring Students Go Green
Kara Shelton, AmeriCorps Team Leader at Wright Elementary
Students and mentors in CalSERVES tutoring program had a break from the ordinary to spend some time celebrating the Earth. First, students were invited to choose a book about environmental issues for their tutors to read to them. Some favorites were Michael Recycle Meets Litterbug Doug, The Great Kapok Tree, The Lorax, and a number of nonfiction books about reducing, reusing, and recycling.
Students then engaged in several activities that combined the Earth Day theme with literacy skills. All students helped to clean up the classroom environment at the Garbage Sight Word Pick-up and Sorting Station. Students found sight word "trash" strewn about the room, before bringing them back to read and to "sort" the words into the correct color-coded "recycling" bins. Upper-grade students had more difficult multi-syllable words to sound out.
At the SSPTU station, students practiced their decoding skills while creating words with tiles about the Earth. Students also created globes to hang on our Reading Tree, describing one thing that they love about the Earth. To better show their appreciation, students put their knowledge of the three R's to the test by reading and writing short examples of how they can reduce, reuse, and recycle in their everyday lives. Finally, students had the opportunity to start sprouting seeds, which they can later plant in a garden.
All in all, the Earth Day theme day was a success. Wright tutoring students worked on their reading and writing skills while learning what it means to "go green."
Students and mentors in CalSERVES tutoring program had a break from the ordinary to spend some time celebrating the Earth. First, students were invited to choose a book about environmental issues for their tutors to read to them. Some favorites were Michael Recycle Meets Litterbug Doug, The Great Kapok Tree, The Lorax, and a number of nonfiction books about reducing, reusing, and recycling.
Students then engaged in several activities that combined the Earth Day theme with literacy skills. All students helped to clean up the classroom environment at the Garbage Sight Word Pick-up and Sorting Station. Students found sight word "trash" strewn about the room, before bringing them back to read and to "sort" the words into the correct color-coded "recycling" bins. Upper-grade students had more difficult multi-syllable words to sound out.
At the SSPTU station, students practiced their decoding skills while creating words with tiles about the Earth. Students also created globes to hang on our Reading Tree, describing one thing that they love about the Earth. To better show their appreciation, students put their knowledge of the three R's to the test by reading and writing short examples of how they can reduce, reuse, and recycle in their everyday lives. Finally, students had the opportunity to start sprouting seeds, which they can later plant in a garden.
All in all, the Earth Day theme day was a success. Wright tutoring students worked on their reading and writing skills while learning what it means to "go green."
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Need to Read-a-Thon!
Amy Holter, AmeriCorps VIP at RL Stevens Elementary
Learn to read, so you can read to learn. That was the message sent by District Supervisor, Efren Carrillo, when he addressed 80 students at the CalSERVES Need to Read Festival on Monday, May 9, 2011. The Need to Read Festival came at the end of a three-week read-a-thon held at all eight CalSERVES elementary schools.
The read-a-thon was an opportunity for students to measure how much they read outside of school. Top readers were invited to the Need to Read Festival and had a great time dressing up as storybook characters, painting their faces and eating healthy, refreshing snow cones.
The event was a community affair. Full funding for the event was provided by the Active 20-30 Club #50, an organization that raises money for children in Santa Rosa. The read-a-thon also provided a chance to raise funds to purchase high-quality books for CalSERVES libraries. CalSERVES would like to thank the Active 20-30 club #1029, Umpqua Bank, Whole Foods and Copperfield’s Books who sponsored the book drive.
Summertime is often an enemy of continued academic progress. With summer just around the corner, it is very important for students to increase the amount of time they read at home. Please remember the message of the read-a-thon and encourage your students to embrace learning through reading even after they go home for vacation.
Congratulations to all the students who worked so hard to make the read-a-thon a huge success!
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| Sonoma County District Supervisor Efren Carrillo encourages students to read. |
The read-a-thon was an opportunity for students to measure how much they read outside of school. Top readers were invited to the Need to Read Festival and had a great time dressing up as storybook characters, painting their faces and eating healthy, refreshing snow cones.
The event was a community affair. Full funding for the event was provided by the Active 20-30 Club #50, an organization that raises money for children in Santa Rosa. The read-a-thon also provided a chance to raise funds to purchase high-quality books for CalSERVES libraries. CalSERVES would like to thank the Active 20-30 club #1029, Umpqua Bank, Whole Foods and Copperfield’s Books who sponsored the book drive.
Summertime is often an enemy of continued academic progress. With summer just around the corner, it is very important for students to increase the amount of time they read at home. Please remember the message of the read-a-thon and encourage your students to embrace learning through reading even after they go home for vacation.
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Tuesday, May 10, 2011
News from Meadow View
Tutoring Testimonial
Ms. Webb, Literacy Tutoring Specialist
“When I first tutored Javier, a first grader, he was using level one readers and he often didn’t speak to me in fully developed sentences. He and I spent about five to ten minutes daily reviewing his sight words. During that time, he and I would alternate turns coming up with silly or serious sentences involving the respective words. [Now on level six, Javier’s growth is seen in reading comprehension and in communication skills.] I think the activity increased his comfort level with language and it was a traceable method for him to see his growth. The stack we have is broken up in groups of about fifteen words, so Javier is passes one level by correctly identifying the words in the current section. It is an empowering activity and can add a little fun to every lesson.”
Graffiti Education Presentation
Mr. Sparks, Fourth Grade Mentor
“Graffiti is done without permission and is not art.” This was the core message Georgia Pedgriff, of the Santa Rosa Police Department spread to the upper grader students at Meadow View Elementary. The kids played an exciting trivia game that taught them the negative impacts that graffiti has in our community. The students walked away in support of eliminating graffiti by reporting known tags and helping to clean up existing ones within 24-48 hours. The overlying message was to keep our school campus and community a safe, clean environment.
Nutrition Olympics
Ms. I, Third Grade Mentor and Nutrition Specialist
In the week of April 11th-15th, Meadow View students experienced the combination of nutrition and physical education in the form of “Nutrition Olympics.” What is that exactly? Nutrition Olympics is kid friendly “Olympic” sporting events that involve fruit and vegetables in lieu of balls or pucks to help test their motor skills. Events include the Berry Relay, Apple Toss, Cucumber Javelin, Potato Sack Races, and the particularly popular Pepper Toss.
During the events, the kids learned about different facts of the fruit or vegetable of that station. The variety of events helped keep the kids entertained and engaged while they were educated about the importance of nutrition and making healthy choices. Was it successful? Let’s see what the students said.
Ms. Webb, Literacy Tutoring Specialist
“When I first tutored Javier, a first grader, he was using level one readers and he often didn’t speak to me in fully developed sentences. He and I spent about five to ten minutes daily reviewing his sight words. During that time, he and I would alternate turns coming up with silly or serious sentences involving the respective words. [Now on level six, Javier’s growth is seen in reading comprehension and in communication skills.] I think the activity increased his comfort level with language and it was a traceable method for him to see his growth. The stack we have is broken up in groups of about fifteen words, so Javier is passes one level by correctly identifying the words in the current section. It is an empowering activity and can add a little fun to every lesson.”
Graffiti Education Presentation
Mr. Sparks, Fourth Grade Mentor
“Graffiti is done without permission and is not art.” This was the core message Georgia Pedgriff, of the Santa Rosa Police Department spread to the upper grader students at Meadow View Elementary. The kids played an exciting trivia game that taught them the negative impacts that graffiti has in our community. The students walked away in support of eliminating graffiti by reporting known tags and helping to clean up existing ones within 24-48 hours. The overlying message was to keep our school campus and community a safe, clean environment.
Nutrition Olympics
Ms. I, Third Grade Mentor and Nutrition Specialist
In the week of April 11th-15th, Meadow View students experienced the combination of nutrition and physical education in the form of “Nutrition Olympics.” What is that exactly? Nutrition Olympics is kid friendly “Olympic” sporting events that involve fruit and vegetables in lieu of balls or pucks to help test their motor skills. Events include the Berry Relay, Apple Toss, Cucumber Javelin, Potato Sack Races, and the particularly popular Pepper Toss.
During the events, the kids learned about different facts of the fruit or vegetable of that station. The variety of events helped keep the kids entertained and engaged while they were educated about the importance of nutrition and making healthy choices. Was it successful? Let’s see what the students said.
“That was so much fun!” –Morelia, 3rd grade
“I don’t want to stop!” –Justin, 5th grade
Friday, May 6, 2011
My Garden, a 2nd Grade Poem
My Garden
By Alondra, 2nd Grader at Meadow View Elementary
My garden is green.
My garden is clean.
My garden has a lot of things in the spring.
In spring flowers grow and grow beautiful.
I plant cherries and berries and I eat them at end.
“Mmmmm, delicious,” said my brother.
By Alondra, 2nd Grader at Meadow View Elementary
My garden is green.
My garden is clean.
My garden has a lot of things in the spring.
In spring flowers grow and grow beautiful.
I plant cherries and berries and I eat them at end.
“Mmmmm, delicious,” said my brother.
Garden Clean Up Day at Meadow View
Christa Fox, AmeriCorps Mentor at Meadow View Elementary
On Saturday April 2nd, Meadow View mentors, students, family members, and volunteers spent some quality time in the garden pulling weeds, turning the soil, cleaning and organizing the shed, and prepping the garden for planting. With the weather improving, we are making the revamping of our garden a priority.
Meadow View has a fairly large garden and because of the success of the Garden Clean-up Day, we were able to clear the majority of weeds from the flowerbeds and walkways, as well as organize the tool shed. Many volunteers brought their own tools and gloves and got right to work.
Since April 2nd, volunteers have been working in the garden almost on a daily basis. Fruits and vegetables such as, onions, watermelon, peppers, and cantaloupe, have since then been planted and tended to by Meadow View’s Garden Club and Garden Specialist.
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| The BEFORE Shot of Meadow View's Garden |
Meadow View has a fairly large garden and because of the success of the Garden Clean-up Day, we were able to clear the majority of weeds from the flowerbeds and walkways, as well as organize the tool shed. Many volunteers brought their own tools and gloves and got right to work.
Since April 2nd, volunteers have been working in the garden almost on a daily basis. Fruits and vegetables such as, onions, watermelon, peppers, and cantaloupe, have since then been planted and tended to by Meadow View’s Garden Club and Garden Specialist.
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