2007 Kids on Campus Annual Report by Ohio University College of Health Sciences and Professions

An Athens County Community Partnership â&#x20AC;˘ 2007 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 Office Assistant Tina Lenigar Program Coordinators Misty Cole Jennifer Cooper Paul Kristofco Alexis Radcliff Brooke Schroeder Crystal Smith This report is published annually to summarize the accomplishments of the Summer 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, Federal Hocking and Trimble local school districts, Athens County Department of Job and Family Services, Athens Foundation, JPMorgan CHASE Foundation, Ohio University’s College of Health and Human Services, and many others. ©2008 by the Ohio University College of Health and Human Services Editor Jody Grenert Art Director Julie Elman Photographers and Artists Jody Grenert, Paul Kristofco, Rick Fatica and the KoC children Correspondence regarding Kids on Campus can be sent to: Leslie Moss, executive director Kids on Campus W361 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 communities to develop partnerships 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.

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 M E S S AG E F RO M T H E E X E C U T I V E D I R E C TO R

Even as we expand, community’s needs grow T

hose of you who have supported Kids on Campus for the past twelve years have demonstrated your commitment to improving the lives of our underserved and at-risk children and families in Athens County. A recent article Leslie Moss in the Columbus Dispatch reported that more and more children in rural Ohio are growing up poor. We see these children in our summer and afterschool programs, and while I would like to report that the need for our services is decreasing, in fact the opposite is true. The good news is that Kids on Campus continued to expand its programming to serve more than 700 children last year – about 400 in our afterschool programs and 325 in our summer program. During the 2006-2007 academic year, KoC partnered with the Athens County Department of Job and Family Services and the Athens City School District to secure funding that enabled us to serve an additional 40 children at our afterschool programs at West and Chauncey elementaries.

This funding allowed children attending the other three district elementaries to be bused from their local school to an existing afterschool site. While having a site at each school would be ideal, families who previously had no access to afterschool services appreciated the option. As you will read throughout this report, Kids on Campus played a significant role in improving children’s academic performance, but the program provided other benefits, too. Every afternoon, the children in the afterschool programs had a nutritious snack, and during the summer they received a healthy breakfast, lunch and snack. There were daily opportunities for recreation/physical activities, as well. As we hear almost daily, childhood obesity is a serious childhood issue, and with public schools reducing physical education programs, the opportunities provided by KoC are important. Providing children with enriching opportunities that they would not likely experience otherwise was another benefit many participants appreciated. This year, the children had the opportunity to spend a day at the Center

The Kids on Campus staff, from left: Jennifer Cooper, Alexis Radcliff, Misty Cole, Leslie Moss, Paul Kristofco, Brooke Schroeder, Crystal Smith and Tina Lenigar. of Science and Industry (COSI) in Columbus, visit water parks, roller skate, visit Hocking College, enjoy a movie (with popcorn and a drink), watch performances by hip hop dancers and a world champion jump rope team, and welcome visitors from the Columbus Zoo. I wish each of you had the opportunity to visit the program to see firsthand the difference Kids on Campus makes in the lives of our area’s children. This is possible only because of the support from you and our other donors,

partners and friends. Although poverty rates for children are increasing in rural Ohio, through the work of a dedicated staff and those of you who believe in the Kids on Campus mission, we continue to help prepare children who are most at risk for success in school and in life. Leslie Moss,

executive director

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A F T E R S C H O O L P RO G R A M : O V E RV I E W

Homework, health are central themes M

ore than 400 children in first through sixth grades took part in the Kids on Campus Afterschool Program during the 2006-2007 school year, most of whom qualified for free or reduced-price lunches. The program operates at six schools: Alexander Elementary in Albany; Amesville, Chauncey and Coolville elementaries in those communities; Trimble Elementary in Jacksonville; and West Elementary in Athens. The Afterschool 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. Programming takes place in gyms, libraries, cafeterias, playgrounds and classrooms at each school. Each schoolâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s program has a coordinator and 20-30 part-time tutors and program assistants who range in age from university students to retirees. The Afterschool Programâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s core mission is providing tutoring and homework assistance, and each school devoted at least 45 minutes a day in this area. Each schoolâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

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program also included enrichment activities and healthy snacks. Fitness and nutrition are emphasized on the playground and in the classroom. All snacks provided in the program follow USDA guidelines and include choices from at least two food groups. Program coordinators also emphasize the importance of good behavior, and each school has its own rules regarding conflict management and consequences. Each program site pursues a different schedule that reflects differing timetables and needs within its community. The afterschool activities provide children with a variety of enrichment experiences including art, science, multicultural activities, cooking, dancing, yoga, physical exercise, public service 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.

A F T E R S C H O O L P RO G R A M : I M PA C T

Children’s reading, academic skills improve S 78%

everal academic tests and surveys were conducted during the Afterschool Program’s 30-week 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.

of the students showed an increase in word-recognition skills, as measured by the Slosson Oral Reading Test.

59%

of elementary school teachers said the KoC participants in their classrooms had shown improvement in turning in homework on time.

76%

of elementary school teachers said the KoC participants in their classrooms had shown improvement completing homework to the teacher’s satisfaction. This was a 12 percent increase over the previous year’s results.

55%

of elementary school teachers said the KoC participants in their classrooms had shown improvement in classroom academic performance.

85%

of parents agreed that their child does better in school when attending the program. This was a 6 percent increase over the previous year’s results.

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A F T E R S C H O O L P RO G R A M : T H E S C H O O L S

Each school takes its own path to success

ALEXANDER ELEMENTARY

AMESVILLE ELEMENTARY

CHAUNCEY ELEMENTARY

Address: 6105 School Road, Albany, OH 45710 Coordinator: Crystal Smith, who has an associ-

Address: S.R 329 N, Amesville, OH 45711 Coordinator: Jennifer Cooper, who has an as-

Address: 21 Birge Drive, Chauncey, OH 45719 Coordinator: Brooke Schroeder, who has a bach-

ate’s degree in applied science, joined the program in spring 2006. Before that she worked at Hocking-Athens-Perry Community Action Agency as a teacher and family day-care mentor. Program began: 2004 Children enrolled: 73 total; 17 first-graders; 13 second-graders; 16 third-graders; 15 fourthgraders; 12 fifth-graders.

sociate’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: 50 total; 5 first-graders; 6 second-graders; 9 third-graders; 17 fourth-graders; 13 fifth-graders

elor of science in social psychology, joined the program in 2007. Before that she was a children’s services caseworker in Florida. Program began: 2003 Children enrolled: 64 total; 10 first-graders; 12 second-graders; 12 third-graders; 13 fourth-graders; 3 fifth-graders; 14 sixth-graders

Program highlights:  At least 45 minutes of homework help daily  A nutritious snack that followed USDA guide-

lines  Recreation time on the playground  Enrichment activities involving computers, world cultures, environmental recreation, nutrition, arts and crafts, nature, scrapbooking, talent shows, karaoke and crafts  Three family nights in which parents took home information on nutrition and other helpful topics

lines  Recreation time on the playground  Enrichment activities included Spanish, health and wellness education, and crafts  A three-week walking program for the children and their parents to promote healthy lifestyles that drew 95 participation at its finial event  A Passport to Fishing program promoted by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources that taught children the basics of fishing and provided each participant with a free rod and reel

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Brief program description:  At least 45 minutes of homework help daily  A nutritious snack that followed USDA guide-

lines  Recreation time on the playground Program highlights:  Enrichment activities that included dancing with

the Ohio University Jitterbug Club; learning about Native American Culture; writing a book with an Ohio University student; and holding a luau, complete with food, decorations and costumes  A four-week walking event that involved researching destinations and learning the importance of a healthy lifestyle

A F T E R S C H O O L P RO G R A M : T H E S C H O O L S

Activities include quilting, circus, luau

COOLVILLE ELEMENTARY

TRIMBLE ELEMENTARY

WEST ELEMENTARY

Address: 26461 Main Street, Coolville, OH 45723 Coordinator: Paul Kristofco, who has a bachelor of

Address: Rt. 3 18500 Jacksonville Road, Jacksonville, OH 45732 Coordinator: Misty Cole, who has an associate’s degree, joined the program in summer 2005. Before that she was a family support specialist at Athens Head Start. Program began: 2005 Children enrolled: 60 in first through fourth grades

Address: 41 Central Avenue, Athens Coordinator: Alexis Radcliff, who has a bachelor’s

degree from Ohio University, joined the program in 2006. Before that she worked with young children at the Athens Community Center. Program began: 2003 Children enrolled: 63 total; 14 first-graders, 13 second-graders, 16 third-graders, 9 fourth-graders, 7 fifth-graders, 4 sixth-graders

Program highlights:  At least 45 minutes of homework help daily  A nutritious snack that followed USDA guide-

lines  Recreation time on the playground  Enrichment activities involved computers and technology, service learning, cooking, fitness, cultural diversity and recreation  A nutrition and exercise program created by the Barnum and Bailey’s Circus in which the children planned and performed a circus for their families

lines  Recreation time on the playground  Enrichment activities included cooking, arts and crafts, computers, board games, roller skating, dancing, a luau, visitors from the Ohio Valley International Council who shared cultural experiences, and OU science education students who conducted experiements with the kids

arts in history from Ohio University and is finishing a master’s in teacher’s education, joined the program in February 2005. Before that he worked at River Valley Community School in Athens. Program began: 2003 Children enrolled: 56 total; 8 first-graders; 9 second-graders; 16 third-graders; 7 fourth-graders; 16 fifth-graders Program highlights:  At least 45 minutes of homework help daily  A nutritious snack that followed USDA guidelines  Recreation time on the playground  Enrichment sessions included the health educa-

tion, nutrition workshops, computer work, arts and crafts, and interactive science  A quilt project involving Ohio University’s Dairy Barn, Ohio Arts Council, and a fabric artist in which the children created a quilt of their school that was showcased at the Athens Dairy Barn in May.

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S U M M E R P RO G R A M : O V E RV I E W

Learning, fun, exploration on OU campus K

ids on Campus completed its 12th year of summer programming in 2006 with a session that drew 380 children, most of whom qualified for free or reduced-price school lunches. The six-week program took place on Ohio University’s Athens campus from June 18 through July 27 and divided children into four age groups: Bobcat Camp for those entering first or second grade; Explorer Camp for those entering third or fourth grade; Adventure Camp for those entering fifth or sixth grade; and Teens on Campus for those entering seventh through 10th grades. Following are highlights of the overall program. Details on the program’s results and the activities for both age groups are on the next few pages.  Participants took part in activities that included reading, math, science, technology, health, conflict resolution, swimming and community service.  Field trip desitinations included area water parks, COSI, Columbus Zoo, The Grid Lab multimedia and game center, WOUB studios, Dow’s Roller Rink, Movies 10, Arts West and Robbins Crossing Living History Site.  One of every three children

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who began the program had special needs ranging from a learning impairment or physical or emotional challenge. These included attentiondeficit disorder and visual or hearing impairments. Some had aides assigned to them during portions of the day.  Most children in the program rode the buses that Kids on Campus provided, and 67 percent of participating families said that without bus transportation, they would not have been able to take part in the program.  Breakfast, lunch and snacks were provided by Ohio University Dining Services.  Median family income of those applying for the program was $24,000, which is below the $27,322 median income for the county. About 42 percent of the applications earned less than $20,000 per year.  Students came to the program from all five school districts in Athens County, with the Athens City School District accounting for largest proportion of participants at 41 percent.  A survey showed that 92 percent of parents rated the summer program as either above average or excellent.

S U M M E R P RO G R A M : I M PA C T

Reading, academic skills show improvement A

series of reading tests and surveys were conducted during the six-week schedule to evaluate the program and the children’s learning progress. First- through sixth-graders were tested on oral reading fluency at the beginning and end of the six-week program. They had improved an average of 15 words per minute. One survey, conducted by Ohio University’s Institute for Local Government Administration and Rural Development, or ILGARD, polled 84 parents and caregivers about outcomes of their children’s involvement in the program.

59%

of parents reported that their child’s reading skills had improved.

55%

of parents reported that they believed their child’s social skills had improved.

94%

of parents reported that their child was more prepared for the coming school year after attending the program.

99%

program.

of parents said their child liked the

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S U M M E R P R O G R A M : B O B C A T camp

Reading lab, field trips keep youngsters busy The youngest children in the program, those entering first or second grade, were called the Bobcats. There were slightly more than 100, and they made up nearly a third of the program’s total. Following are highlights of this group’s activities:  Lesson plans were grouped in six thematic areas: Wacky Water; Wacky Weather; Mythbusters; Around the World; Appalachian and Proud; and Neighbors Helping Neighbors.  Reading activities included a daily lab in which tutors assessed each student’s progress and provided activities to improve each child’s reading skills. “Reader Theater” enabled groups to read aloud their favorite stories or perform plays or skits.  At least two hours per week in swimming, water safety and water recreation at Ohio University’s Aquatic Center.  Field trips to destinations that included Marietta Aquatic Center (water park); Movies 10 theater in Athens for a viewing of “Ratatouille”; Robbins Crossing Living History Site, which relives Ohio’s pioneer days; Splashdown, a water park near Jackson; and the Nelsonville public pool.

91%

percent of the children surveyed in this age group said they wanted to attend the Kids on Campus summer program next year.

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S U M M E R P RO G R A M : C H A S E E X P L O R E R A N D A DV E N T U R E R C A M P S

Varied topics help keep students engaged S

tudents in the CHASE Explorer and Adventurer groups, those who will be entering grades three through six, made up about half the students in summer program. The programming for these groups was divided into three topic areas for the entire six-weeks: art, science and technology. The children’s activities focused on these three tracks. Following are highlights of Adventurer and Explorer groups’ activities:  Children in the art track created a “claymation” video; the technology track worked on Microsoft PowerPoint presentations; the science track took short field trips to local parks and nature areas.  Reading activities included a lab in which tutors assessed each student’s progress, as well as “Reader Theater,” in which groups read aloud their favorite stories or performed plays or skits.  At least two hours per week in swimming, water safety and water recreation at Ohio University’s Aquatic Center.  Field trips to destinations that included Marietta Aquatic Center (water park); Movies 10 theater in Athens for a viewing of “Ratatouille”; Dow’s Roller Rink; Splashdown, a water park near Jackson; and the Nelsonville public pool.

86%

percent of the summer program participants improved their swimming skills by at least two levels.

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S U M M E R program : T E E N S O N C A M P U S

Envisioning a future on a college campus T

his was the second year of the Teens on Campus program, which enrolled about 70 youths from ages 12 to 16. They took part in a range of activities designed to demystify the college experience and expose them to potential career options. Following are some highlights of the program.  The teens took field trips to destinations that included Marietta Aquatic Center (water park); Movies 10 theater in Athens for a viewing of “Ratatouille”; Dow Roller Rink; Splashdown, a water park near Jackson; the Nelsonville public pool; and the Kennedy Museum of Art.  At the end of the program, nearly threequarters of the teens surveyed said they planned to attend college, compared with about half at the beginning of the program.  About a third of the teens surveyed indicated they could see themselves in a career that they learned about in the program. They explored careers in fields such as astronomy, engineering, dance, music, technology and journalism.  Each teen spent two weeks at Ohio University’s Grid Lab practicing math skills, designing their own video game and exploring a potential career in technology.  The top reasons teens cited for coming to Kids on Campus were : (1.) I have fun here; (2.) My friends come here ; (3.) I get bored at home.

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D O N O R S , PA RT N E R S A N D S U P P O RT E R S

Community effort keeps program thriving COMMUNITY

The JPMorgan Chase Foundation presented Kids on Campus with a $90,000 check to help fund its Summer Program. Holding check from left are Jeff Lyttle, vice president for CHASE’s Midwest Region; Leslie Moss, KoC executive director; and Gary Neiman, dean of the College of Health and Human Services.

KoC ADVISORY BOARD Jeff Cullum, Alexander Local School District Linda Burson, Federal Hocking Local School District Debbie Guess, parent representative Mary Mitchell, 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

Alexander Local School District Amesville Volunteer Fire Department Appalachian Nutrition Network Arts/West Athens City Fire Department Athens City Police Department Athens City Schools Athens County Dept. of Job and Family Services Athens County Historical Society Athens County Library System Athens County Sheriffs Department Athens News JPMorgan Chase Foundation Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Athens County Bob Evans Farms COAD Early Care and Education Division COAD Foster Grandparent Program Coolville Volunteer Fire Department Corporation for National Service (AppalCORPS) Dairy Barn Southeast Ohio Cultural Arts Center Federal Hocking Local School District Federal Valley Resource Center Don and Mary Anne Flournoy High Five Jump Rope Team Hip Hop Congress Hocking College Junior Achievement Ohio Arts Council Ohio Department of Natural Resources Ohio Valley International Council Precision Imprint People’s Bank Sisters of Saint Joseph Charitable Fund Trimble Local School District Patricia Wright-Stover USDA Summer Food Program

OHIO UNIVERSITY Appalachia Reads Alpha Phi Omega Atrium Café Catcab Chauncey Literacy Partnership Child Development Center College of Education College of Arts & Sciences College of Business College of Engineering College of Fine Arts College of Health and Human Services Computer Network Services Eco House Facilities Management Hearing, Speech and Language Clinic Hudson Health Center Intercollegiate Athletics Jitterbug Club Kennedy Museum of Art Legal Affairs Office of Community Service Office of Finance & Administration Office of Financial Aid Office of Institutional Equity Office of Research and Sponsored Programs Office of University Events Police Department Scripps College of Communication Upward Bound WOUB Center for Public Media

…and many other generous community members

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looking ahead

Focusing on health, technology, teens  We will be implementing an exciting new inter-

vention program at all six of our afterschool sites. LeapTrack, a product from LeapFrog School House, is a program that delivers hundreds of engaging learning activities designed to promote a student’s desire to learn.The interactive instruction provides for multiple learning levels in reading, math and language arts.This new technology is welcomed by the schools and will provide regular progress reports for both teachers and parents.  With the concerns about the childhood obesity epidemic, it is even more important that Kids on Campus provide programming that addresses this serious health concern. As we plan future activities, there will be an even stronger emphasis on physical activity and nutrition education.We will pursue funding that will support our efforts to educate children and their families about making healthy lifestyle choices..  The last two summers have demonstrated the success of the Teens on Campus (ToC) program.

We hope to continue ToC and enhance the programming by engaging even more partners from both Ohio University and Hocking College to provide participants a wider variety of experiences that increase their desire to pursue additional education after completing high school.  We will continue to seek additional funding to support and expand services to schools where there are currently no afterschool programs. While we were fortunate to successfully partner once again with both the Athens City and Federal Hocking Local School Districts to secure federal 21st Century Community Learning Centers grant funding for the next five years, the maximum funding amount was decreased by 50 percent from past years.This will require an even more vigorous effort to secure supplemental funding to support both our afterschool and summer programming. — Leslie Moss, KoC executive director

“My daughter gets to experience a wide variety of different activities while getting time to complete her homework and improve her social skills. This is a very unique program.” — Parent of afterschool participant

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F A C E S O F F U N AT K I D S O N C A M P U S

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Correspondence regarding Kids on Campus can be sent to: Leslie Moss, executive director Kids on Campus W361 Grover Center Athens, OH 45701-2979 Telephone: 740-593-9703

College of Health and Human Services