Happy Holidays from the CalSERVES AmeriCorps Leaders!

CalSERVES Leaders

(Adapted from Clement Clark Moore’s “Twas the Night before Christmas.”)

Twas the night before Winter Break, when all through CalSERVES,
Not a creature was stirring, not even a nerve.
The schools were all picked up and cleaned with care,
In hopes that after break was over, they would still be there.

The tutors were all nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of lesson plans danced in their heads.
The leaders put on their sweet hats,
And settled near the fire for a few little chats.

Then once the clock turned the hour of midnight,
They all sprang from where they were to get a better look at the sight.
Away to the windows, they flew like a flash,
Tore open the curtains and almost knocked over the trash.

There stood a little old driver, so lively and quick,
They knew in a moment it must be St. Nick.
Then all of a sudden, his coursers came
And he whistled, shouted, and called them all by name!

“Now, Taylor Mountain! Now, Wright, Now Bellevue!
On, Kawana! On, RL! On, On Meadow View!
To the top of the porch! To the top of the wall!
Now dash away! Dash away! Dash away all!

He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,
And his clothes were all covered with ashes and soot.
Smiling widely from cheek to cheek, while doing a quick happy dance,
All those who were staring at him, were in a joyful trance.

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
And spread a sprinkling of joy, then he turned with a sly smirk.
And wiggling his finger and touching his nose,
He gave a quick nod, and up, up to the sky he rose!

He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.
As soon as he was no where in sight,
Everyone heard: “Happy Holidays to all, and to all a good-night!"

CalSERVES Leaders - Goofy Picture

We hope everyone has a safe and fun winter break!

By Sandra Hwang, After School Regional Leader

CalSERVES VIP Doing Great Things!

The CalSERVES Volunteer Infrastructure Project (VIP) is doing amazing things throughout the state of California.

To read more about this project and how they are impacting the State of California, visit the CalSERVES website, www.calserves.org and read more about CalSERVES VIP!

The Golden Bell Visits Meadow View

CalSERVES recently received the Golden Bell Award, a national recognition of exemplary programs in 22 major categories, which are essential to support teaching and learning. Our award is for our efforts in nutrition promotion and physical activity.

The Golden Bell went on tour to our local programs, during a fitness week where students participate in a variety of sports and games, nutrition art activities, a mile run, wear pedometers, and engage in various nutritional discussions. Perfect timing!

On December 6th, the Golden Bell came to Meadow View Elementary. Students learned about our award, posed for a picture, and each got a chance to ring the large, golden, trophy bell. Students commented, “Wow, it’s heavy!” “Do we get to keep it?” “That is a loud award.” One fourth grade boy told me, “Congratulations on the award, Ms. Kim. That is really special.” What a fitting end to our fitness week!

 By Kimberly Copperberg, Site Supervisor at Meadow View Elementary

Meet the Team Leaders: Sara Craige

Sara Craige, CalSERVES Team Leader at Bellevue

Hailing from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Sara Craige is the Team Leader at Bellevue Elementary School and this is her second year working in the CalSERVES program. She graduated in 2011 from Penn State University with a degree in Elementary Education and applied to CalSERVES in order to make a difference in children’s lives.

This year, Sara hopes to gain new relationships with her team members and pass down her experience as a veteran AmeriCorps member to the rest of her team at Bellevue. Sara is also striving to grow professionally in the education field and gain experience working with kids for her future career goals.

As for her new position as a Team Leader, Sara states that she loves everything about her job, especially getting to bounce from grade to grade and work with kids of all ages. Sara likes both the creativity and the challenges that come up in her position - she loves coming up with new ideas, activities, and different ways to present information to the classroom leaders and the AmeriCorps Scholars.

Additionally, Sara immensely enjoys working with the entire Bellevue team. She appreciates how different each AmeriCorps member and classroom leader is and how much they have to offer the students at Bellevue. She states that every team member is always looking out for each other and always supporting each other which makes for a coherent and friendly team dynamic. Sara is also grateful that she gets to work with such an inspirational, dedicated, hilarious, creative, and determined supervising teacher. She says that they have a great partnership that is always keeping the team and students’ best interest at heart.

During her time in CalSERVES, Sara hopes to inspire the students she works with to become the best possible version of themselves. She wants to show her kids that there are so many opportunities out there for them and that high school isn't the end, that there is a whole world out there filled with possibilities and opportunities. She wants to show her students that they can achieve any goal or dream that they have with hard work, dedication, and confidence in themselves.

As for advice for future Team Leaders or Service Scholars, Sara says:

• Wear sneakers on Wednesdays because you will be running the mile
• Dance whenever there is music playing because kids will join you and it will always put a smile on your face
• You will encounter "garbage juice" from the trash cans at snack so just remember to wash your hands
• Color coordinate with your team (it’s fun and shows unity)
• Pick a Starbucks near you and learn to love it cause you will stop by every morning
• If you go home with marker on you, chalk or remnants of snack it means you had a good day
• Appreciate your team members every day, cause you'll need things from them and the more you show them love the easier it is to work with them!

By: Jacquelene Bennett, AmeriCorps Content Leader and Sara Craige, AmeriCorps Team Leader, Bellevue Elementary