RAM SCHOLARS
Staff News
Hey Team!!
Let's continue welcoming Mr. Bonds to our family! I hope you have all been able to take some time to welcome him and introduce yourselves more that the brief introductions I gave when he joined us on Wednesday.
Information for next week: 2/5/24 - 2/8/24
Absences this week:
Mr. Springs - Wednesday, I will have Mr. Bonds covering 4th grade that day and Ms. Fordham will be with 2nd grade.
Counselor Led activity for this week:
I am working on a Black History Month Lesson - if you have an idea that you want to teach just let me know what you need and I will make sure you have it.
On Monday, I will be pulling each of you for one on one feedback. Kim will be in the building as well.
Staff Meeting Schedule
We will have monthly staff meetings after program on the first Thursday of each month. Those meeting dates will be (Teachers do not need to attend, but can if they would like too):
February 8
March 7
April 11
May 2 - we will go over the last couple of weeks since program will end on May 16.
May 16th - Staff end of program celebration after program. I would like for teachers to also attend if available.
It is important that you all attend and give feedback, this is our program and our students come to be with us, so let's make sure it is enjoyable for them and us. So please communicate with me.
E is for Education
Goals of Excursions:
Excursions are what sets us apart from other afterschool programs. Anyone can let students have free time and homework help but not everyone can provide amazing opportunities for our students. If students are excited about their excursions, they will be more excited about school and therefore do better academically.
- Academic excursions - These will primarily be at the 21st CCLC sites because of our grant goals. Each academic session will be an activity or exploration of some sort, not just some worksheets. Hands on activities are our priority.
- Enrichment excursions - These will be at all sites. These excursions focus on a skill that students can learn over the period of a few weeks to a year such as art, dance, STEM, coding and much more.
Counselor Expectations during Instruction and Excursions:
- Behavior Management - Counselors are expected to manage classroom behavior to enhance student engagement. Counselors will help students stay focused and redirect negative behavior when necessary. Counselors will also provide positive reinforcement for positive behavior.
- Assist the enrichment teacher - The Enrichment teacher that comes in with be bringing the lesson and leading the students through that lesson. The counselor will need to assist where necessary and be a second instructor in the room.
- Join In - Counselors will be expected to join in with the lesson! You are the students' leader and the more you engage the more the students will!
21st Century CLC grants:
The 21st Century Community Learning Center grants (21st CCLC) are AMAZING! The 21st CCLC grants are federally funded competitive state grants administered by the VDOE. These are competitive grants with limited availability and each grant cycle lasts 3 years. After the 3 year period, we need to reapply to extend the grant. The 21st CCLC grants are not available to every school but only schools with high economic need. Each grant has several components that we must meet to have a positive impact on our families and to continue receiving funding.
Grant Components include:
- Grant Narrative - Each grant has several pages of what is called the "grant narrative". This explains EXACTLY what each grant should be doing. This is a great outline of how the after school program should run.
- Average Weekly Attendance (AWA) - Each grant has a certain number of students that we must serve each week. We can exceed this number but we cannot go below it.
- Program Hours - Each grant has a certain amount of hours that we need to complete for student programming as well as family programming. We can exceed this number but cannot go below it.
- Grant Objectives - Each grant has Measurable Objectives which are measured each year to help our students grow. Each grant has at least 4 Measurable Objectives but can have up to 6 Measurable Objectives. Each grant must contain a math, literacy and family programming objective. The other objective(s) usually relate to a high need in the school such as attendance, discipline, STEM, fitness, etc.
Our Next Staff Meeting Is.....
Thursday, February 8, 2024
We will have a guest coming to present. We will also take a deep dive into the new Emergency Protocol for HEF.
Please come prepared.
Please Remember
When you need to call out, do so as soon as possible. Not only should you text me, but also send myself and Kim an email.
My email address: lmcguinn@henricogives.org
Kim's email address: kmcgriff@henricogives.org
RAM Scholars After-school Program Information
Email: lmcguinn@henricogives.org
Website: https://henricogives.org/community-learning-center/
Location: 2901 Thalen Street, Richmond, VA, USA
Phone: 804-547-3510