Gabrielle O'Neill, AmeriCorps VIP Fellow at Wright Charter
On Friday, May 20th Wright Charter’s after school program learned the importance of proper tooth care. The presentation was organized by one of our long-term volunteers, Ms. Heather Carruth. Heather is currently studying dental hygiene, so it was only natural for her to plan the presentation.
During the presentation, students learned about proper brushing and flossing, fruits and vegetables that help teeth stay strong and the effects of improper tooth care. The presentation was very engaging because the students had the chance to participate in some tooth care activities and our students love to participate.
At the end of the presentation, students received free goody bags that were donated by Heather’s dental hygienist program. The students were very excited about the free goodies that they could hardly contain themselves! It was great to see them so excited about teeth.
An article about this topic appeared in the Press Democrat. Read the article Ambassador of Smiles that appeared in the June 5, 2011 Sunday addition of the paper.
Monday, June 6, 2011
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Thank You for an AMAZING Year, AmeriCorps Mentors!
CalSERVES gathered yesterday to celebrate the graduation of the 10-11 class of AmeriCorps members. Members enjoyed games, end of the year videos, photo contests, and inspirational speakers.
Speakers for the event included Santa Rosa Mayor, Ernesto Olivares, Principal Elizabeth Sesma-Olinyk from Taylor Mountain Elementary School, and various members and volunteers with the CalSERVES program.
In the 2010-2011 school year, our 115 local AmeriCorps members provided over 144,000 hours of service to the children and families in our community.
They serve for many hours each day, giving of their time, energy, and love.
The children in our programs have received their attention and commitment.
Thank you for being role-models, and making a difference!
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| Members participate in games at the Year-End Celebration. |
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| Mayor Ernesto Olivares poses with the Bellevue Elementary Team. |
Speakers for the event included Santa Rosa Mayor, Ernesto Olivares, Principal Elizabeth Sesma-Olinyk from Taylor Mountain Elementary School, and various members and volunteers with the CalSERVES program.
In the 2010-2011 school year, our 115 local AmeriCorps members provided over 144,000 hours of service to the children and families in our community.
They serve for many hours each day, giving of their time, energy, and love.
The children in our programs have received their attention and commitment.
Thank you for being role-models, and making a difference!
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.
http://calservesvip.blogspot.com/
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.
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