2009 Kids on Campus Annual Report by Ohio University College of Health Sciences and Professions

AN ATHENS COUNT Y COMMUNIT Y PARTNERSHIP • 2009 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.

Program Director Donna Jensen Besaw (2009) Leslie Moss (2008-2009) Assistant Director Ty Engle Program Manager Tina Lenigar Program Coordinators Misty Cole Crystal Smith Jamie Sullivan Beth Elasky 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 and Federal Hocking local school districts, Athens County Department of Job and Family Services, JPMorgan Chase Foundation, Ohio University’s College of Health and Human Services, and many others. ©2009 by the Ohio University College of Health and Human Services Editor Jody Grenert Art Director Julie Elman Correspondence regarding Kids on Campus can be sent to: Donna Jensen-Besaw program director Kids on Campus W361 Grover Center Athens, OH 45701-2979 Telephone: 740-593-9703 E-mail: jensen-b@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.

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

Coming home to join KoC has been special J

ust as I remembered, the people who live in Athens County are genuinely friendly. I feel I’m getting to know the Kids on Campus programs through the stories I’ve heard from parents, school professionals, teachers, the postman, my friends, my family and other community members. It has been as if everyone has heard of the afterschool or summer programs, and many have a story to tell. I grew up in Athens County and Donna have returned after living 26 years Jensen-Besaw in Upstate New York (where there is LOTS of snow). I have been providing leadership to partnerships much like Kids on Campus, where a blending of community resources provides benefits to at-risk youths and their families. The Kids on Campus program is an important school-improvement model that supports whole child development. Academic institutions, not-for-profit agencies, local businesses and many community volunteers have joined together in KoC programming to be agents of change in providing a whole family approach to community learning centers. I’m also getting to know KoC through its history as well as the future vision of those who care about our children’s opportunities. The Community Partnership Initiative started KoC in 1996 with the vision of collaboration, caring and sharing of resources. The sixweek camp provided nutritious meals to 200 underserved elementary school children. As we look to the future, we know that community partnerships made this program a reality. Through the blending of resources provided by our school partners and the generosity of our sponsors,

Members of the Kids on Campusstaff are, from left, Crystal Smith,Donna JensenBesaw,Jamie Sullivan,Beth Elasky and Tina Lenigar.

the program has produced unique, desirable outcomes for youngsters, their families and even entire school districts and communities. Across the state of Ohio, there is a need to leverage and maximize resources in support of positive youth development, academic learning activities and family support initiatives. Students who need the extra help and resources get it. Kids on Campus is an expression of our belief that children are our greatest asset. Although extended learning opportunities stand to benefit all children, young people from low- and moderate-income families are special priorities. These benefits justify our need to search for multiple avenues of funding, as well as continue our

dedicated efforts to continuously improve staff preparation and overall program quality. Enjoy reading more in the enclosed pages. We hope the smiling faces of the children say it all. Sincerely,

Donna Jensen-Besaw, KoC program coordinator

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AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAM: OVERVIEW

Focus is on homework help and nutrition M

ore than 350 children in first through sixth grades participated in the Kids on Campus Afterschool Program during the 2008-2009 school year, most of whom qualified for free or reducedprice lunches. The program operated at six schools: Alexander Elementary in Albany; Amesville, Chauncey, Coolville and The Plains elementaries in those cities; 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 comes from state and federal grants administered through the federal and state Departments of Education and the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services. Programming takes place in gyms, libraries, cafeterias, playgrounds and classrooms at each school. 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. The Afterschool Program’s core mission is providing tutoring and homework assistance, and each school devoted at least 45 minutes a day in this area. Each school’s program also included enrichment

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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, music, science, computers, multicultural activities cooking, dancing, physical exercise, community 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 R O G R A M : I M PA C T

Testing shows how much students improved S 82% everal academic tests and surveys were conducted during the 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. In 2007, KoC implemented the LeapFrog intervention system of interactive software. LeapFrog improves reading and math skills by providing personal learning paths to accelerate student mastery of state academic standards.

of parents agreed that their child does better in school when attending the program.

81%

of KoC participants who took a math test at or above their grade level improved from pretest to post test.

77%

improved in math from pre- to posttest on the LeapTrack math system during the 2008-’09 academic year..

76%

of elementary school teachers said the KoC participants in their classrooms had shown improvement (or that no improvement was needed) in turning in homework on time. This was a 3-percent increase over the previous year’s results.

72%

improved in reading from pre- to post-test on the LeapTrack reading system during the 2008-’09 academic year..

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AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAM: THE SCHOOLS

Each school takes its own path to success

ALEXANDER ELEMENTARY

AMESVILLE ELEMENTARY

CHAUNCEY ELEMENTARY

Address: 6105 School Road, Albany, OH 45710 Coordinator: Crystal Smith Program began: 2004 Children enrolled: 68 total; 15 first-graders; 13

Address: SR 329 N, Amesville, OH 45711 Coordinator: Crystal Smith Program began: 2003 Children enrolled: 64 total; 13 first-graders; 15

Address: 21 Birge Drive, Chauncey, OH 45719 Coordinator: Jamie Sullivan Program began: 2003 Children enrolled: 67 total; 13 first-graders; 9

second-graders; 18 third-graders; 13 fourth-graders; 9 fifth-graders 2009 highlights: Technology activities were popular for each of the age groups, but the fourth- and fifthgraders were particularly excited about a movie-making project they undertook. Students made abstract splatter paintings similar to the style of the artist Jackson Pollock. Other enrichment activities included cooking, arts and crafts, technology, recreation, science club, book club and nature club. The children really enjoyed visits from the Ohio Valley International Council each month and learned just how big the world really is.

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second-graders; 13 third-graders; 9 fourth-graders; 14 fifth-graders 2009 highlights: The program offered a variety of enrichment activities, many incorporating art, science and cooking. Students wrote and illustrated their own science fiction stories, then made 3D versions of their main characters using scraps from donated electronic equipment. They learned about the importance of healthy food and how to prepare it. Through a partnership with Ohio University’s College of Business, they participated in the “More Than Money” Junior Achievement Program, which focused on money management and making sound financial decisions. The Ohio University women’s field hockey team taught students about teamwork and responsibility.

second-graders; 14 third-graders; 9 fourth-graders; 9 fifth-graders; 13 sixth-graders.

2009 highlights: Among the most successful events were guided visualization and yoga to help manage negative emotions and deal with them in a healthy, positive way. The students also dissected dried owl pellets to help them understand human and animal digestive systems. The youngsters received a visit from state Rep. Debbie Phillips of Athens. Community service projects were also a focus of the fifth- and sixth-graders in the program, who partnered with Ohio University students.

AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAM: THE SCHOOLS

Activities are fun, healthy and educational

COOLVILLE ELEMENTARY

THE PLAINS ELEMENTARY

WEST ELEMENTARY

Address: 26461 Main Street, Coolville, OH 45723 Coordinator: Crystal Smith Program began: 2002 Children enrolled: 57 total; 16 first-graders; 14

Address: 90 Connett Rd.

Address: 41 Central Avenue, Athens, OH 45701 Coordinator: Jamie Sullivan Program began: 2003 Children enrolled: 50 total; 9 first-graders; 8 second-

second-graders; 10 third-graders; 11 fourth-graders; 6 fifth-graders. 2009 highlights: Students took part in activities involving science, fitness, technology and literacy-based enrichment. They used donated computer parts to build robots. After learning about prehistoric cave paintings, they made their own using sandpaper and pastel crayons. First- and second-graders participated in literacy projects based on children’s books. They also learned about orchestras and created their own instruments and classical music. The third- through sixth-graders created paper collages inspired by French artist Henri Matisse. They also learned about the human body on a Web site that enabled them to perform virtual orthopedic surgery.

The Plains, OH 45780 Coordinator: Jamie Sullivan Program began: 2007 Children enrolled: 63 total; 12 first-graders; 16 second-graders; 16 third-graders; 8 fourth-graders; 7 fifth-graders; 4 sixth-graders 2009 highlights: Successful events included “I amrubbings” art projects and paper airplane design and test flights. During the “I am” art project, students made textured designs that could be used to make rubbed designs. They used their shapes along with those of their friends to make designs of what their relationships look like. They also designed paper airplanes, tested them and measured their flight distance, weight and speed. They participated in various cooking events in which they worked with their parents to come up with innovative recipes based on books they were reading.

graders; 10 third-graders; 7 fourth-graders; 9 fifthgraders; 7 sixth-graders 2009 highlights: Because the school year was also an election year, one of the most successful activities involved the students watching the presidential inauguration and learning about children who have lived in the White House. As part of this lesson, students wrote letters to the president and his family wishing them good luck and suggesting a name for the new first dog. During a science activity, the children studied the layers of the Earth and did multiple cooking activities that focused on making the layers of the planet out of food. Fifth- and sixth-grade students partnered with a community-service organization at Ohio University to work on school and community projects.

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SUMMER PROGRAM: OVERVIEW

Making exercise, learning and nutrition fun K

ids on Campus completed its 14th year of summer programming in 2009 with a session that drew 186 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 24 to July 31 and divided children into three age groups: Bobcat Camp for those entering first or second grade; Explorer Camp for those entering third or fourth grade; and Adventure Camp for those entering fifth or sixth grade. Following are highlights of the overall program. Details on the program’s results and the activities for all age groups are on the next few pages.  Participants took part in activities that included reading, science, technology and physical activities such as swimming.  The program introduced two new activities this year: Green Time, which stressed recycling and conservation, and woodworking, which enabled the children to build their own toolboxes, birdhouses and other wood items.  The program hosted a field day that involved nine recreational stations for children to enjoy, and

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a talent show in which teams took turns performing.  The program organized field trips and visits from various artists and performers.  About a quarter of the children who began the program had special needs, including attention deficit disorder or a learning disability.  Most children in the program rode the buses that Kids on Campus provided, and 68 percent of participating families said that without bus transportation, they would not have been able to take part in the program.  Ohio University Dining Services, provided the program with breakfast and lunch.  The median family income of program applicants was $22,085, which is below the $27,322 median income for Athens County.  Students came to the program from all five school districts in Athens County, with the Athens City School District accounting for nearly half of participants.  A survey showed that 95 percent of parents rated the summer program as either above average or excellent.

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

Engaging activities help children to grow 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 84 parents and caregivers about outcomes of their children’s involvement in the program. The children also took tests aimed at measuring wordrecognition and fluency, including the survey Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills (DIBELS). Following are highlights of these surveys and tests.

99%

of parents said their child liked attending the Kids on Campus summer program.

93%

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

71%

“I would recommend this program to anyone. It makes (kids’) summer fun and enjoyable and still involves learning at the same time. Keeps them in a routine school environment, yet isn’t just all work.” — Parent

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

84%

of students improved at least two skill levels in swimming.

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SUMMER PROGRAM: ACTIVITIES

Woodworking, recycling, swimming popular S

ummer program activities included two new topics this year — Green Time and woodworking — as well as the perennially popular swimming.  Green Time involved teaching environmentally friendly topics such as recycling and energy conservation. One activity involved the construction of solar cookers by the youngest campers, the Bobcats. They covered plastic dishes with aluminum foil and taped them together. All the campers understood how this would save energy used in cooking.  During the woodworking activity, campers used boards, nails and basic tools to build items such as toolboxes, shelves, wall decorations, bird houses and airplanes. The children wore safety glasses and were closely supervised when hammering and sawing. The children worked in small groups and were able to take their projects home with them at the end of camp.  Swimming took place at Ohio University’s Aquatic Center. Campers were divided into groups of four to six, where they practiced specific skills.

“I think it is time well spent for my son, who would have been in front of video games all summer while I was at work.” — Parent

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SUMMER PROGRAM: ACTIVITIES

Reading Lab keeps youngsters’ skills sharp C

hildren in the summer program participated in the Reading Lab at least four days per week for an hour a day. Each student was placed in a group led by a reading tutor, and students with similar abilities were grouped together. Each child was given an obtainable reading goal for the summer. At several points during the summer, children were tested on their progress toward meeting their goal. Reading tutors worked with students on six comprehension strategies: clarify, question, predict, visualize, connect and evaluate. The groups completed a different strategy each week. The Reader’s Theater activity allowed children to sign up to perform in front of their group. The performances included reading from books, sharing stories, singing, displaying artwork and performing skits. The Reading Lab consistently rates as one of the children’s top three favorite activities.

“It was an extremely positive experience for me and my son. Much more than what I expected. Thank you.” — 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

With community support, programs thrive COMMUNITY Alexander Local School District Arcadia Nursing Center Athens City Police Dept. Athens City Pool Athens City School District Athens County Children Services Athens County Dept. of Job and Family Services Athens County Library System Athens Farmers Market Athens High School Dance Team Athens Humane Society Athens News Beck, Charles and Judy Big Brothers Big Sisters of Athens County Bob Evans Farms Boy Scouts of America Boyd, Roy and Sara Brown, Duncan COAD Early Care and Education Division Community Food Initiatives Corporation for National Service (COMCorps) Doxsee, Gifford Factory Street Dance Studio Federal Hocking Local School District Fletcher, Marvin Flournoy, Don and Mary Anne Foster, Ted and Sue Garbo, Robert Hickory Creek Nursing Home

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Hocking College – Dave Sagen Hocking, Athens, Perry Community Action JPMorgan Chase Foundation Junior Achievement Knauerhase, Suzanne Knisley, Christine Koonce, David & Elizabeth Lowe’s M&M Inflatable’s Mitchell, Bruce Mobile Dentist Movies Ten Nelsonville City Pool Nelsonville York School District New-To-You Thrift Store Ohio Dept. of Natural Resources People’s Bank Precision Imprint Rittenhouse, Rusty Sisters of Saint Joseph Charitable Fund Stempel, Guido & Anne Teske, Ann Third Sun Trimble Local School District USDA Summer Food Program Work Station – WIA Program Wright-Stover, Patricia …and many other generous community members

OHIO UNIVERSITY Alpha Delta Pi Atrium Café Auxiliary Services Chauncey Literacy Partnership College of Education College of Arts and Sciences College of Business College of Fine Arts College of Health and Human Services Computer Network Services Facilities Management Gymnastics Team Hearing, Speech and Language Clinic Legal Affairs Literacy Center Men’s Basketball Team Men’s Soccer Team Office of Community Service

Office of Finance and Administration Office of Financial Aid Office of Institutional Equity Office of Research & Sponsored Programs Office of Sustainability Office of University Events Ohio Valley International Council Omicron Delta Kappa Police Department Recycling Center Russ College of Engineering Rufus – OU Mascot Scripps College of Communication S.L.I.C.E. Community Service Telecommunications Systems Management Association Upward Bound Women’s Rugby Team WOUB Center for Public Media

LOOKING AHEAD

Defining our needs, building community  Afterschool programs matter. They keep

our children safe during the most dangerous part of their day. These programs are where we can improve students’ performance in school and support working families by providing nurturing places for children while their parents are at work. We know the importance of offering a program where children engage in activities that interest them and which parents value as an important part of their child’s education. The staff at Kids on Campus will continue to seek and respond to student, parent and teacher recommendations, as well as increase communication and understanding of the program’s benefits to our stakeholders.  Staff professional development is an ongoing process. Just like our students, we take advantage of opportunities to acquire new knowledge and gain skills in our profession. This year, we will build a professional learning community to provide teachers and staff the opportunity to develop best practices in supporting children’s improvement in reading and math skills through our LeapFrog intervention program.

 Finding sustainable sources of funding is a

challenge. Given the increasing challenges to children’s lives and the increasingly more complex set of skills and abilities required for success in the 21st century workplace, we need to revisit investing in Athens County’s children. Unfortunately, KoC is suffering from the economic crisis along with the rest of the country. During soft economic times, state and federal funding becomes scarce and programs like ours are vulnerable – a problem that forced KoC to reduce by more than 175 the number of children it served during the last two years4. We know that our friends and supporters recognize the value of the services that KoC provides. Help is now more critical than ever.  Community effort keeps our programs thriving. Always impressive has been the collaborative nature of Kids on Campus. The success the program enjoys is a result of the collaboration of numerous partners concerned about the future of our area’s youth. They demonstrate their support through financial and in-kind donations as well as volunteer hours.

Kids on Campus could not have thrived for the past 14 years without this strong base of support, and we are grateful that the community is committed to our program and its participants. We will continue to seek out community partners and respond to their feedback.  Your support matters. We welcome your input as we continue to prepare our children to achieve happy, successful and productive lives. Please contact me if you are in the Athens, Ohio, area and would like to visit the program or meet to discuss Kids on Campus. I look forward to leading this valuable community-based organization and thank you for your support. Yours in education,

Donna Jensen-Besaw, KoC program coordinator

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PHOTO GALLERY

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PHOTO GALLERY

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Correspondence regarding Kids on Campus can be sent to: Donna Jensen-Besaw, program director Kids on Campus W361 Grover Center Athens, OH 45701-2979 Telephone: 740-593-9703 E-mail: jensen-b@ohio.edu

College of Health and Human Services