AN ATHENS COUNT Y COMMUNIT Y PARTNERSHIP • 2005 ANNUAL REPORT
College of Health and Human Services
WHO’S WHO
ABOUT KIDS ON CAMPUS
Staff
Our mission Kids on Campus is a rural partnership that empowers underserved, at-risk children and their families in the realization of their full potential through educational, nutritional and recreational opportunities. Guiding the organization are the beliefs that every child has the potential to succeed, education is the key to the future, and a supportive home and community environment is essential to achieving educational and social potential.
Executive Director Leslie Moss Assistant Program Director Marilyn Wentworth Education Coordinators Ellen Botkin Misty Cole Jennifer Cooper Carrie Hiestand Paul Kristofco Stefanie Powell This report is published annually to summarize the accomplishments of the Summer and Before and Afterschool programs of Kids on Campus. The organization is a community partnership involving a wide range of individuals and organizations, including the Alexander, Athens City and Federal Hocking local school districts, Athens County Department of Job and Family Services, Bank One, Ohio University’s College of Health and Human Services, and many others. ©2006 by the Ohio University College of Health and Human Services Editor Jody Grenert Designer Julie Elman Photographers and Artists Jennifer Cooper, Rick Fatica, Jody Grenert, Paul Kristofco and the KOC children Correspondence regarding Kids on Campus can be sent to: Leslie Moss, executive director Kids on Campus E362 Grover Center Athens, OH 45701-2979 Telephone: 740-593-9703 E-mail: mossl@ohio.edu Ohio University is an Affirmative Action institution.
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Our goals Provide low-income, at-risk children with the opportunity to enhance academic and life skills
through high-quality out-of-school programming. Give priority enrollment (75 percent) to children determined to be academically at risk or whose families qualify for free or reduced-price school lunches. Bring together educational institutions, businesses, agencies and community members to aid in the governance, implementation and evaluation of Kids on Campus programs. Provide transportation for all students who need it. Create and implement a multidisclipinary and multicultural curriculum. Maintain or increase students’ mastery of concepts taught in read-
ing and mathematics. Serve as a model program that will encourage and challenge other communitiestodeveloppartnerships to provide services for economically disadvantaged children. Continue expanding educational experiences to families, schools and communities. Provide nutritious meals and snacks to all participants. Demonstrate healthy approaches to resolving conflicts, solving problems and making decisions. Ensure a safe environment for the program. Secure the necessary funding to make Kids on Campus programming available to all at-risk children and families.
W H AT ’ S I N S I D E Contents Message from the executive director | 3 Before and Afterschool Program | 4 Summer Program | 8 Program partners and supporters | 12 What’s ahead | 13 Photo gallery | 14, 15 On the Web For more information about Kids on Campus, go to: http://www.cats.ohiou.edu/kids/index.html
Acknowledgements Much of the information for this report was gleaned from two lengthy studies undertaken by Ohio University’s Institute for Local Government Administration and Rural Development, or ILGARD, a unit of the Voinovich Center for Leadership and Public Affairs. ILGARD provides applied research and technical assistance to government and development organizations. In compiling its studies, the ILGARD team conducted site visits, interviewed program participants and analyzed data from surveys and tests.
A MESSAGE FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
A year of grants, growth and gratitude T
he 2004-2005 program year will be remembered as a time of change for Kids on Campus. Fortunately, we were able to expand our Before and Afterschool Program to include Alexander Elementary School, as the school district was the recipient Leslie Moss of a federal 21st Century Community Learning Centers Grant. Because of our successful track record in providing services in the Athens City and Federal Hocking local school districts, Alexander Local School District administrators were enthusiastic about partnering with Kids on Campus to provide the same high-quality programming for their first- through fifth-grade students. We enrolled 50 children, bringing the total number served at all five Before and Afterschool sites to 250. We made great strides in providing more consistency in implementing “best practices” at all of our schools while still allowing each site the flexibility to be responsive to the unique needs of their children and families. The KOC Summer Program was structured a little differently this year, providing the 200 third-, fourth- and fifth-graders enrolled in
our Bank One Intermediate Academy the opportunity to choose from a variety of activity tracks. While they all still received nutritious meals and participated in literacy programming, recreation, field trips, health screenings and swimming, the children were given the opportunity to choose the focus of their daily activities from one of four areas: the arts, technology, natural science and sports and wellness. The 125 first- and second-graders enrolled in the Primary Academy enjoyed a program filled with similar activities, but were led by certified teachers who integrated the various component areas into their daily routine.These programming changes proved very successful, as the children and their parents evaluated the programs highly and the staff reported a reduction in inappropriate behaviors. Another change was the transfer of the administration of the AppalCORPS (AmeriCORPS) program to the College of Education’s Adult Basic Education and Literacy (ABLE) Program. It was decided that AppalCORPS was a better fit in the College of Education, since the focus of the program is to provide reading tutors for elementary children within the context of their school day. KOC will continue to
partner with ABLE to enable the AppalCORPS members to act as reading tutors during our Summer Program. One thing that, thankfully, hasn’t changed is the wonderful support we receive from our many funders, donors, partners and friends. I want to take this opportunity to express my appreciation for their continued commitment to improving the lives of our area’s children and their families. Having completed my first year as executive director, I am proud to say that I am a part of this dynamic organization. As we begin our eleventh year of programming, I anticipate that Kids on Campus will continue to evolve as an even more effec-
The Kids on Campus staff, from left, are Jennifer Cooper,TinaLenigar,MarilynWentworth,EllenBotkin, Stefanie Powell, Carrie Hiestand, Leslie Moss, Paul Kristofco and Misty Cole.
tive, high-quality, community–based organization that is truly committed to fulfilling its mission. Sincerely,
Leslie Moss, executive director
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BEFORE AND AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAM: OVERVIEW
Individual attention helps students thrive M
ore than 250 children in first through sixth grades participated in the Kids on Campus Before and Afterschool Program during the 2004-2005 school year, most of whom qualified for free or reducedprice lunches. With the addition of Alexander Elementary in Albany, the program now operates at five schools. The others are Amesville, Chauncey and Coolville elementaries in those cities, and West Elementary in Athens. The program began in 1998 but underwent a two-year hiatus from 2001 to 2003 due to a funding loss. The majority of its funding is from federal 21st Century Community Learning Center Grants administered through the Ohio Department of Education. While all five schools offer afterschool programming, only Amesville, Chauncey, Coolville and West operated before-school sessions. Each school’s program has a coordinator and 20-30 part-time tutors and program assistants who range in age from university students to retirees. Kids on Campus also administered the program known as AppalCORPS (Appalachia – Combining our Resources to Promote School Success) during 2004-2005. Members of AppalCORPS, a unit of the AmeriCorps
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national network of service programs, tutored students in reading. Thirty members were placed among 20 elementary schools in Athens, Belmont, Monroe and Scioto counties, working with a total of 611 students. Of the 550 children who had their reading skills assessed, 77% improved their reading level. The Before and Afterschool Program’s mission is to provide tutoring and homework assistance, as well as enrichment activities and healthy snacks. Each program site pursues a different schedule that reflects differing school timetables and needs within its community. The afterschool activities provide children with a variety of enrichment experiences including art, multicultural activities, cooking, dancing and numerous recreational opportunities. The program was created to help children who, despite the diligent efforts of their families and schools, need additional assistance and activities to meet state mandatory testing requirements and become proficient readers, writers and problem-solvers. These students work best in the small-group learning environments that Kids on Campus operates at its member schools for 30 weeks of the school year.
“I think this program is a wonderful asset to our school.” — Parent
B E F O R E A N D A F T E R S C H O O L P R O G R A M : I M PA C T
Tutoring, activities show positive results S 77% everal academic tests and surveys were conducted during the 30week schedule to evaluate the program and the children’s learning progress. Surveys of KOC students’ parents and teachers were conducted by Ohio University’s Institute for Local Government Administration and Rural Development, or ILGARD, which provides applied research and technical assistance to government and development organizations. In addition, the children took standardized tests aimed at measuring improvements in reading and math skills. At right are highlights of these surveys and tests.
“My student has had a rough school year due to her home situation. She is extremely bright and the Kids on Campus program was great for her as far as having a safe, caring environment after school.” — Alexander Elementary teacher
of the students showed an increase in word-recognition skills, as measured by the Slosson Oral Reading Test.
65%
of the students increased their basic mathematics skills, as measured by the Math Diagnostic Screening Test.
59%
of elementary school teachers said the KOC participants in their classrooms had shown improvement in turning in homework on time.
65%
of elementary school teachers said the KOC participants in their classrooms had shown improvement completing homework to the teacher’s satisfaction.
56%
of elementary school teachers said the KOC participants in their classrooms had shown improvement in classroom academic performance.
90%
of parents agreed that their child does better in school when attending the program.
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BEFORE AND AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAM: THE SCHOOLS
Individual attention helps students thrive
ALEXANDER ELEMENTARY
AMESVILLE ELEMENTARY
CHAUNCEY ELEMENTARY
Address: 6105 School Road, Albany, OH 45710 Coordinator: Amber Campbell, who has a
Address: SR 329 N, Amesville, OH 45711 Coordinator: Jennifer Cooper, who has an
Address: 21 Birge Drive, Chauncey, OH 45719 Coordinator: Stefanie Powell, who has a bach-
bachelor of arts in sociology, joined the program in fall 2004 shortly after graduating from Ohio University. Program began: 2004 Children enrolled: 65 total; 13 first-graders; 22 second-graders; 10 third-graders; 13 fourthgraders; 7 fifth-graders. Brief program description: Daily activities included snack time, recess, enrichment classes and a tutoring session. Enrichment classes varied throughout the year. Topics included sign language, creative writing, computers, an “around the world” activity, environmental recreation, conflict resolution, activity room and clay projects. The program also included family events such as a homecoming parade, Hocking College Night Hike, Family Fun Day, Fred Garbo Inflatable Theater, an Ohio University basketball game and a talent show.
associate’s degree in applied sciences from Hocking College, joined the program in 2001 as an AmeriCorps member with Kids on Campus. In 2003, she accepted her current position. Program began: 2003 Children enrolled: 45 total; 5 first-graders; 9 second-graders; 11 third-graders; 11 fourth-graders; 9 fifth-graders. Brief program description: After snack time and a brief recess, every student had 45 minutes of homework help and 45 minutes of enrichment activities. Homework time was a chance for students to ask for help with concepts learned during the normal school day. Enrichment time exposed students to different concepts and ways of learning. Topics in the enrichment classes included: Spanish, yoga, recreation, art, healthy living and cooking, computers and crafting (basic sewing and crafting techniques). Whenever possible, the students were given a choice of activities.
elor of business administration in accounting and management information systems from Ohio University, joined the program in May 2003. Before that she was a reading tutor with AppalCORPS, an AmeriCorps program, and a member of the tax staff at Deloitte & Touche. Program began: 2003 Children enrolled: 64 total; 10 first-graders; 12 second-graders; 12 third-graders; 13 fourthgraders; 3 fifth-graders; 14 sixth-graders. Brief program description: The children began each afternoon with a healthy snack and time to relax. Children worked on homework Mondays through Thursdays. They spent the remainder of their time in enrichment activities that involved art, recreation, science, computers and cooking. All students received reading help on Tuesdays and Thursdays, some working with tutors from Ohio University in the Chauncey Elementary Literacy Partnership. On Fridays, students participated in fun activities that included guest visitors and performances.
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BEFORE AND AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAM: THE SCHOOLS
Tutoring, activities show positive results
COOLVILLE ELEMENTARY
WEST ELEMENTARY
Address: 26461 Main Street, Coolville, OH 45723 Coordinator: Paul Kristofco, who has a bachelor of
Address: 41 Central Avenue, Athens Coordinator: Ellen Botkin, who has a bachelor’s
arts in history from Ohio University and is pursuing a master’s in education, joined the program in February 2005. Before that he worked at River Valley Community School in Athens. Program began: 2003 Children enrolled: 46 total; 11 first-graders; 5 second-graders; 9 third-graders; 13 fourth-graders; 8 fifth-graders. Brief program description: Children started the afternoon with a nutritious snack and a brief recess period to expend some energy. Then came homework/tutoring sessions and enrichment activities. Enrichment sessions included yoga, computer class, recreation, cooking, and arts and crafts. The KOC program also worked with the Environmental Learning Program, which creates interactive science programming. One unique aspect of programming was the incorporation of the school band. Terese Lackey, the school’s music teacher, provided daily instruction and practice for fifth-grade band members. Without this opportunity during KOC, band would have been eliminated from the school’s curriculum.
degree in sociology from Ohio University, joined the program in May 2003. Before that she worked at Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Athens County. Program began: 2003 Children enrolled: 66 total; 9 first-graders; 16 second-graders; 9 third-graders; 8 fourth-graders; 10 fifth-graders; 14 sixth-graders. Brief program description: After enjoying a nutritious snack, homework assistance and enrichment activities were the main focus. Enrichment activities included cooking, arts and crafts, playing outside or in the gym, computers and board games. Wednesdays were known as “Ellen Day,” a student favorite in which Botkin planned activities that ranged from playing cooperative games in the gym to learning about the Chinese New Year by making lion masks and watching a video. On Fridays, special presenters visited. These included a snake presentation by Dave Sagan at Hocking College, and international students from Ohio University who shared their language and culture through games, crafts, music and dance.
“Helping students who are having problems in their lives is frustrating but also rewarding. I have found that working with them instead of dictating what will be done has gone a long way to help alleviate discipline problems.” — Amesville Elementary school coordinator Jennifer Cooper
“As a male authority figure, I illustrate to the boys in the program that education matters.” — Coolville Elementary school coordinator Paul Kristofco
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SUMMER PROGRAM: OVERVIEW
Blending fun and learning for 10 years K
ids on Campus completed its referring 36 for further treatment. 10th year of summer program- About a quarter of the children ming in 2005 with a session that who began the program had special drew 325 children, most of whom needs ranging from attention deficit qualified for free or reduced-price disorder to autism. Some had aides school lunches. assigned to them during portions of The six-week program took place the day. on Ohio University’s Athens campus About 86 percent of the children from June 20 through July 29 and di- who began the program rode the vided children into two age groups: 10 buses that Kids on Campus proThe Primary Academy for those vided. Half of participating families entering first and second grades, said that without bus transportaand the Bank One Intermediate tion, they would not have been able Academy for students entering third to take part in the program. through sixth grades. With the help of Ohio University Following are highlights of the Dining Services and the College of overall program. Details on the Health and Human Services’ Atrium program’s results and the activities Cafe, the program provided breakfor both age groups are on the next fast, lunch and snacks. 14 AppalCORPS members few pages. worked as tutors in the reading labs Participants took part in activities that included reading, math, science, with small groups of children. technology,health,conflictresolution, swimming and community service. “My child has learned The program organized weekly picnics on the College Green that included magic shows, juggling and many new things and musical performances. Weekly field great socialization skills. trips sent participants to local parks, By attending Kids on museums and theaters. The School of Hearing, Speech Campus she keeps her and Language Sciences provided speech and hearing screenings for mind sharp.” 203 children, and a dentist cleaned and examined 62 youngsters’ teeth, — Parent
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S U M M E R P R O G R A M : I M PA C T
Children are better prepared for school A
series of reading tests and surveys were conducted during the six-week schedule to evaluate the program and the children’s learning progress. One survey, conducted by Ohio University’s Institute for Local Government Administration and Rural Development, polled 52 parents and caregivers about outcomes of their children’s involvement in the program. The children also took tests aimed at measuring word-recognition and fluency: the Slosson Oral Reading Test (SORT) and the Complexity, Accuracy, fluency Evaluation (CAFE). Following are highlights of these surveys and tests.
49%
of the children made gains of a grade level during the program. (Research indicates that children tend to lose ground in their reading skills during the summer.)
“My child enjoyed the free books and is reading more for pleasure. She is also an only child – socialization at KOC is good for her.” — Parent
82% 90%
percent of parents reported that they believed their child’s social skills had improved.
of parents reported that their child was more prepared for the coming school year after attending the program.
100% the program.
of parents said their child liked
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SUMMER PROGRAM: PRIMARY ACADEMY
Activities planned around weekly themes T
he Primary Academy served 125 children who were entering first or second grade. Youngsters were divided into four groups based mostly on grade level, with each given a nickname – giraffes, monkeys, elephants and dinosaurs. Following are highlights of the program: The groups took part in activities that addressed reading, language arts, math, science, and health and wellness. Specific activities included working with educational programs on computers, taking swimming lessons at the Aquatic Center, creating visual art, and taking field trips to places like Splash Down Water Park, Richland Avenue Park and Movies 10 theater. Activities were structured around weekly themes of community, insects, the body, outer space and the beach. Teachers planned activities and selected stories to read based on these themes. Students rated among their favor-
ite activities swimming and Teacher Time, a session in which children could move among various activity centers, listen to a teacher read or watch a movie. Teachers found creative ways to motivate the children. One example involved helping them to make the 15-minute trek to the dining hall in a timely and orderly fashion. The youngsters were rewarded with Popsicles for meeting their targeted time several days in a row. Daily schedule 8:30-9 a.m. Breakfast 9:20-10:20 a.m. Teacher Time or Reading Room 10:40-11:40 a.m. Recreation or swimming 11:50 a.m.-12:20 p.m. Lunch 12:40-1:40 p.m. Teacher Time or Reading Room 2-3 p.m. Team Time 3 p.m. Walk to buses
“There are no other camps [in our area] that provide an educational component. As a single mother, the price is just right. I would have had to pay $1200 somewhere else and I probably would have had to miss a house payment. There would have been no educational component there.” — Parent
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S U M M E R P R O G R A M : B A N K O N E I N T E R M E D I AT E A C A D E M Y
Choice of subjects keeps students on track T
he Bank One Intermediate Academy served 200 children entering third through fifth grades. The program was organized around four specialty tracks, which allowed students to choose the area that interested them most: sports and wellness, technology, natural science and the arts. In addition to these 140-minute track sessions, they also participated in an Enrichment Room, swimming and recreation. Following are highlights of the program: The students took part in activities that incorporated math, literacy, health and wellness, conflict resolution, community service, computers, recreation and swimming. The group took field trips to places like Dow’s Roller Rink, Splash Down Water Park, Movies 10 theater and Lake Snowden. In addition, several groups went on trips to engage in activities in their specialty track: the technology group visited Ohio University’s airport and local access cable TV station; the art group went to OHIO’s Kennedy Museum of Art; and the science group went to a nearby fish hatchery. Among the successful programs was a clay project in the art track in which an in-
structor demonstrated the connection between art and the community. The children used clay to make small sculptures, which they then sold at OHIO’s University Gate. The $200 raised was donated to Good Works, a charity that serves the homeless. The Enrichment Room, a new feature this year, included several centers that explored various dimensions of intelligence. One day’s activities, for example, included a poetry session, a large-scale Scrabble game, a craft project and a singing session led by a tutor playing guitar. Daily schedule 8:30-9 a.m. Breakfast 9:10-10:20 a.m. Specialty track activity 10:30-11:40 a.m. Specialty track activity 11:50-12:20 p.m. Lunch 12:30 p.m.-1:40 p.m. Enrichment 1:50-3 p.m. Recreation 3 p.m. Walk to buses
“This is a wonderful program. My son has had experiences he would otherwise not have been exposed to. For example, children of different districts, [a] college campus, lots of exercise, learning.” — Parent
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D O N O R S , PA R T N E R S A N D S U P P O R T E R S
Program depends on the help of many
Leslie Moss, KOC executive director, right, and James Geiger OHIO’s former director of major gifts, left, receive a $90,000 check from Bank One representativesinJuly2005tosupporttheSummerProgram.Presenting the donation are Jeff Lyttle, Chase Bank regional vice president of community and media relations, and his son, Jack.
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COMMUNITY
OHIO UNIVERSITY
Alexander Local School District Athens City Schools Athens County Cooperative Extension Service Athens County Department of Job and Family Services Athens County Health Department Athens Dental Depot The Athens Foundation Athens Government Access Television The Athens News Bank One Bob Evans Farms Church of the Good Shepherd COAD Child Care Resource Network COAD Foster Grandparent Program Corporation for National Service Dairy Barn Southeast Ohio Cultural Arts Center Federal Hocking Local School District Don and Mary Anne Flournoy Health Recovery Services Larry’s Dawg House Mobile Dentistry Program Ohio University Credit Union The Plains Self Storage Precision Imprint ReUse Industries Shawnee State University Sisters of Saint Joseph Charitable Fund Southern Ohio Copperheads Baseball Ann Teske USDA Summer Food Program …and many other generous community members
Airport Alden Library Appalachia Reads College of Education College of Fine Arts College of Health and Human Services Computer Network Services Eastern Campus Hearing, Speech and Language Clinic Hudson Health Center Intercollegiate Athletics Legal Affairs Office of Finance Office of Financial Aid Office of Institutional Equity Office of Research and Sponsored Programs Office of University Events Police Department Anita Louise Steele, School of Music WOUB Radio & Television
KOC ADVISORY BOARD Karen Boch, Alexander Local School District Kathy Bowyer, Athens County Children’s Services Linda Burson, Federal Hocking Local School District Debbie Guess, parent representative Cindy Johnston, Trimble Local School District Tracy Leinbaugh, Ohio University Gary Neiman, Ohio University Nancy Nottke, community representative Greg Oberlin, community representative Sharon Parsons, Athens City School District
LOOKING AHEAD
Expansion, evolution and evaluation Thanks to funding provided by the Athens Coun-
ty Department of Job and Family Services, Kids on Campus has expanded its Before and Afterschool Program to include Trimble Elementary School. This means that beginning with the 2005-2006 school year, the program is providing much-needed services to six Athens County elementary schools, serving more than 300 children in five of the six county school districts. Trimble will be featured in the 2006 annual report. Administration of the AppalCORPS tutoring program is being transferred to the Ohio University College of Education’s Literacy Center. While KOC has administered this program for
the past two years, the program’s focus is more closely aligned with the Literacy Center’s programs. AppalCORPS members will continue to work in the KOC Summer Program. KOC will focus on evaluating the quality of its services. The organization will participate in a project, sponsored by the state Ohio Afterschool Initiative, that will provide specialized technical assistance to support KOC efforts to continue incorporating “best practices” into the programs offered to children and their parents. KOC will continue to incorporate more health and wellness activities into programming for children and their families. These will include
nutrition/cooking classes, recreational opportunities and informational sessions on making healthy lifestyle choices. Every effort will be made to bring back programming for middle school-aged children as part of the Summer Program. Due to funding constraints, this program was eliminated in summer 2005, disappointing families with children in this age group. While it may be necessary to serve fewer than the 200 children who were enrolled in 2004, KOC is working to reinstate the program to meet this identified need. — Leslie Moss, KOC executive director
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PHOTO GALLERY: BEFORE AND AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAM
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PHOTO GALLERY: SUMMER PROGRAM
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Correspondence regarding Kids on Campus can be sent to: Leslie Moss, executive director Kids on Campus E362 Grover Center Athens, OH 45701-2979 Telephone: 740-593-9703 E-mail: mossl@ohio.edu
College of Health and Human Services