Making a Difference for APS!
November 2018
Partnership Spotlight: Recipe for a Perfect Partnership at Carlin Springs
Family Market activities are made possible with support of many dedicated partners. The Capital Area Food Bank (CAFB) supplies fresh and nutritious groceries; the Department of Parks and Recreation hosts fun movement activities for students; and cooking demonstrations with hands-on children’s cooking activities are lead by the Master Food Volunteers (MFV’s). Numerous civic organizations like the Arlington Jaycees and faith community partners like Mount Olive Baptist Church serve as volunteers to sort the groceries and run the market distribution to families.
During the October Family Market, families, staff and partners came together to complete a unique mural painting project, facilitated by two of our long-time partners, the Educational Theatre Company (ETC) and Arlington Food Assistance Center (AFAC). ETC is celebrating 20 years in the community and AFAC is celebrating 30 years of service! As part of their “Birthday Celebration,” the completed mural will be hung at the AFAC center and will recognize the Carlin Springs artists!
All of the activities hosted by our partners really bring our Family Market events to life and make it a worthwhile event for everyone to attend!
New and Noteworthy: New Partnerships
Hoffman-Boston is excited to partner with AALEAD (Asian American Youth Leadership Empowerment and Development) as part of their youth mentoring program. AALEAD supports low-income and underserved Asian Pacific American youth with educational empowerment, identity development, and leadership opportunities through after school, summer and mentoring programs. School Counselor, Steven Rockey, says that “partnering with community organizations, like AALEAD, is essential in helping our children to grow and succeed.
Arlington Community High School (ACHS) has partnered with Patrick Henry Elementary School by forming a book buddies program for kindergarten students. Once a week, students from Mrs. Minihan’s HILT A class walk over to Patrick Henry to read a book out loud to the early readers for about 30 minutes. Throughout the reading, ACHS students interact with the kindergartners by asking questions or having the students repeat phrases or words after them. This helps the kindergartners stay focused and engaged throughout reading time. Readinng with a book buddy is fun and helpful for both ACHS and Henry students.
Oakridge Elementary School's newest partner is the USS Arlington, a navy amphibious transport ship named in remembrance and honor of 9/11. The USS Arlington is generously donating t-shirts for Oakridge PTA’s upcoming Winter Family Fitness event and their crew plans to involve Oakridge in their United Through Reading Program. Students and staff intend to stay in touch through a Pen Pal exchange and hope to surprise our new friends with future care packages. Oakridge is appreciative of and looks forward to this wonderful partnership with the crew of The USS Arlington.
NOVA NABCJ (National Association of Blacks in Criminal Justice) has partnered with Patrick Henry Elementary School. NOVA NABCJ is an organization of criminal justice professionals committed to giving back to the community through justice related initiatives. Their aim is to introduce Henry students to career opportunities in criminal justice and law and contribute to the health and welfare of students in need.
APS Staff and Students Giving Back
Each year Kenmore Middle School staff and students collect items to distribute to a charity of their choice. This is a community service project encouraged by the Legends Team (students and staff). We want to teach our students the importance of giving back to our community to promote volunteerism, kindness and find joy in the process. This year the Legends have chosen Bridges to Independence, which leads individuals and families out of homelessness and into stable, independent futures. We also continue to support the Manor Care, which is a senior assistance care facility near Kenmore Middle School.
The McKinley Student Council made special bags to create activity kits for children staying at INOVA Children’s Hospital. They are now collecting donations to make the kits. Suggested donations include flavored lip-balm, fun band-aids, Play-dough, LEGOs and bubbles.
This month K.W. Barrett Elementary School students and staff invited members of the community into the school to celebrate the annual United Nations Assembly. The event was began years ago to commemorate the school’s diversity and to deliver a message of solidarity, inclusion and acceptance. The audience was treated to an international musical program where students from every grade level sang, personalized student artwork inspired by a featured artist that speaks to a student's cultural background, and a parade where students and staff could rejoice in their heritage by displaying clothes that they identify with.
In the spirit of giving and service, the Washington-Lee Student Council Association (SCA) is hosting a food drive with a goal to collect 600+ items. Kate Miller, W-L teacher, explains, “As we move into the holiday season, my General’s Period students and I were talking about our various traditions, many of which include gathering around the table with family and friends to share a meal. Through this conversation, we were all reminded that not everyone can afford essentials like food, which caused us to think beyond ourselves especially during this time of year. It is this focus on coming together to try to meet the needs of our local community that has motivated us all to bring in items for the food drive.”
Monthly Motivation: Why I Volunteer
“I volunteer because of my passion for children and music. Seeing the students excel in their musical careers brings me great joy.” ~ Bill Holmes, Williamsburg Middle School Band Volunteer
“I love volunteering at ATS because it lets me see a day-in-the-life of my kids and experience first-hand what they do, vs. when I ask them how their day was and just getting the response "fine." It expands my appreciation for what teachers & staff do for kids all day every day, not just academics but character building and social interactions. Plus, I get to meet other parents just as passionate about helping out.” ~ Marlies Petruccelli, Arlington Traditional School Parent Volunteer
“I participated in the mentor program last year and, this year, I get to have the same mentor again. We talk about how school is going and what is hard and easy for me at school. You should get a mentor especially if you’re feeling stressed out about school. It’s like having an adult friend. I want to work for my mentor one day.” ~ Arlington Science Focus School 5th Grade Student
Volunteers Making a Difference
Ms. Marie Tolley has been a wonderful volunteer at Campbell for numerous years. In the beginning of the year, Mrs. Tolley comes in to help teachers set up their classrooms. She loves to make the classrooms shine with cleanliness for the first day of school. In her years at Campbell, she has worked with many young minds in the preschool, kindergarten and first grade settings. Ms. Marie teaches the value of a calm mind and body when working cooperatively with others in a small group. She’s such a hard worker as well as a compassionate and wonderful friend to us all. She is kind, caring and respectful, and she always makes staff and students feel special.
Long Branch PTA President, Lee Bullock Schwentker sat down with Long Branch Liaison, Karen Woolley, about her volunteering experience where her daughter attends school and where she devotes her time.
"I have been volunteering since my daughter was in kindergarten. We moved to the neighborhood just before she entered kindergarten, so one reason I wanted to volunteer was to get to know other families at the school. Most of our events and activities take place in the evenings or on the weekends, so volunteering usually does not conflict with my work commitments. When I decided to take on a leadership position with the PTA, I knew it would be a busy but fulfilling couple of years, and it has been both. My child enjoys being a part of the life of the school. She has attended PTA meetings since kindergarten and sometimes asks questions about topics discussed in meetings. I hope I’m modeling for her the importance of community involvement. It’s important for school staff and administrators to feel they have parent partners who support them in their work."
Help Wanted! New Volunteer Opportunities
Stratford Program is also seeking volunteers for inside the classroom. If you enjoy reading, art, or any kind of academics, this is for you! Life skills classes meet every Monday at 10:00 AM or Wednesday at 1:00 PM. For more information, contact Karen Miller at karen.miller2@apsva.us
Kenmore Middle School seeks volunteers in the following areas:
- Serve as an additional support for writing conferences (providing students feedback on their writing based on checklists)
- Take part in small group guided reading activities (students read aloud and the support person listens and reviews previously learned skills—helps with student application and provides feedback)
- Volunteers should have experience in English instruction and should be comfortable working one-on-one or with small groups of students reviewing skills. For more information, contact Alam.Lainez@apsva.us
For a complete list of volunteer opportunities visit:
https://www.apsva.us/volunteers-partnerships/volunteer-opportunities/
Arlington Public Schools
Email: dawn.smith@apsva.us
Website: www.apsva.us
Location: 2110 Washington Boulevard, Arlington, VA, USA
Phone: 703-228-2581
Twitter: @VPLiaison