Getting Geared up for Make a Difference Day

 After a successful day Bellevue team takes a moment to document and capture the day.

 With the help of CalSERVES's Classroom Leaders, AmeriCorps Service Scholars and staff, students and families at Bellevue Elementary are getting ready to make a difference on October, 27th. For the past several days, CalSERVES Classroom Leaders and AmeriCorps Service Scholars have been working together to promote this important day and make a positive impact at our school site! Last Friday, all the students in our After School Program got together outside of our school black-top to create and decorate more than 30 colorful posters!

 These are the supplies that were set-up for all the students to get creative!

Bellevue 3rd grade students work together as a team as they follow the four Tribe agreements.

Our 5th and 6th grade students are adding finishing touches.  As  part of their "COOL School Student Council" commitment, they've been working hard to promote this day during regular school hours.

From kindergarten to 6th grade, all of the students in our After School Program at Bellevue have worked together to make this year's "Make A Difference Day", on October 27th, the best service day that students and families from Bellevue have ever seen and attended! Our AmeriCorps volunteers, alumni, Classroom Leaders, staff, students and parents will be working on beautifying Bellevue's playground structure, re-painting recess border lines, and painting four mini murals on wall-balls. There is no doubt that the students and CalSERVES staff from Bellevue Elementary are dedicated to making a positive difference in several weeks!!!

 Our Kinder class takes a pose for the camera.

Ms. G. our 4th grade Classroom Leaders engages with her students as they finish up their
Make A Difference Day posters.

Meadow VIew Summer Gardening

We’ve finally reached the end of the year but the Meadow View garden will still be in action all summer, thanks to the help of several dedicated families who have agreed to continue volunteering over the summer.

Since the beginning of the year, Meadow View has hosted monthly garden workdays where families were invited to come out and help in the garden while we entertained their children with fun gardening projects. Things have gone so well that we decided to see if any parents would be on board to help over the summer and to our surprise, many said “Yes!” Currently, we have about twelve families that are helping in various capacities.

For example, one parent has been instrumental in getting our irrigation system up and running. He’s installed drip systems in our new beds and programmed a brand new irrigation timer that was purchased using grant money. Another parent brings out his weed eater and clears out the masses of weeds Meadow View seems to attract every few months. Some parents have adopted one or more of our six beds, which are all organized according to themes, and they are responsible for planting the seeds and maintaining the space. Any produce is up for grabs for all the families.

We never thought the garden would grow into such a successful project and know that it would not have been possible without the help of several dedicated mentors and families. Although we’re still in the beginning phases and there is still a ton to do, we have a good, solid start to a productive summer.

Holly Cumbie, AmeriCorps VIP Fellow

Cesar Chavez Health Fair a Success!

 

CalSERVES Cesar Chavez Health Fair 2012 is in the books as another success …and considering the rain!

Congratulations to all participants on a job well done! 

CalSERVES is privileged each year to provide free health services to the Santa Rosa community.  How successful was the impact of this years event?  Here are the numbers!

We had about 1,500 attendees

                            

60+ health care, education, and entertainment providers

Over 5,500 lbs. of fresh vegetables and food given to families

Over 110 free haircuts were given

          

Over 150 free bike helmets given

Over 100 free dental screenings

and over 50 free blood tests

Thanks to all of you that contributed! 

We couldn’t have done this without you!

Making a Difference at Taylor Mountain

Richelle Andre, AmeriCorps VIP Fellow at Taylor Mountain Elementary

On Saturday, October 22nd the Taylor Mountain team, aided by a handful of caring and passionate volunteers, helped start the Taylor Mountain school garden - completely from scratch! Lumber and supplies were generously donated by Mission Ace Hardware, Bennet Valley Ace, and Bergess Lumber. Using these materials, along with tools borrowed from the Santa Rosa Tool Library, we were able to construct five pristine 4x8 redwood planter boxes that now have a home behind Taylor Mountain Elementary.

School staff also aided the project, and with their help we were able to scrub the outside stage area, clean up trash, and make a beautiful mural. Family members of CalSERVES After School students were also crucial team members who shared their construction knowledge and precious Saturday mornings to help us beautify the school campus.

It was a terrific event, with CalSERVES tudents and mentors helping create boxes, fill them with dirt, weed, and make a difference!

The "Write" Literacy Night at Wright

 Katie O'Looney, Supervisng Teacher at Wright Charter School

Lights are on at Wright Charter!

On Wednesday, October 20th, Wright Charter School and CalSERVES hosted an annual event with over 90+ students and family members. Spanish BINGO, literacy based board games, signing up for a library cards, delicious snacks and a fun raffle where over 15 prizes were given away were some of the events that took place. Like every other year, all children were able to take a free book home with them to read. Thank you Ellen Desmond for all of your hard work with putting together another successful Literacy Night.

Families receive Literacy resources

Games and Activities for kids

Everyone gets some healthy food