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Terrace Elementary Manners Party
Nomination for Letha H. Brown Literacy Award
May 23, 2013
Altrusa International, Inc. of Richardson, Texas PO Box 832101
Richardson, Texas 75083-2101 USA
District Nine
2012-2013
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Letha H. Brown Literacy Award Entry Form District Nine
Name of Club Altrusa International, Inc. of Richardson
Club Membership 87 Members plus 2 Emeritus Members
Date of Entry May 23, 2013
Name of Contact Person Kimberly D Kierce, 2012-2013 Club President
Email Address [email protected]
Address PO Box 832101
City Richardson State TX
Country USA Zip/Postal Code 75083-2101
In 1,000 words or less, describe your project (typed, double spaced, and printed on plain white paper). Please refer to the judging criteria for this award. Use the following as a guideline in preparing the entry. A. Selection of Project (20 points)
1. Describe the aims and objectives of your project: a) What was the purpose of the project? b) What segment of the community was the project designed to help? c) What provisions were made for member participation in carrying out this project?
2. Explain why your Club chose the project: a) How was the need for the project determined? b) Was this need being met by any other community group or agency? c) What were the reasons for choosing this project? d) How was the membership involved in the selection of this project?
B. Development and Implementation of the Project (60 points) 1) Describe how your project was carried out (proposals, action plans, communication, etc.)
a) How was the project structure developed (guidelines, timetables, work assignments, communication, and record keeping)?
b) How was each party informed on the progress of the project? 2) What resources were required?
a) What resources and fundraising were needed for the project? 3) How was the Club membership involved in the project?
a) How were the talents and abilities of Club members utilized? b) What percentage of Club members actively participated in the project? c) How many hours of personal service were contributed by Club members?
4) How was the project supported by individuals and/or organizations in the community? a) What was the extent of participation or support by individuals and/or organizations in the
community? C. Evaluation of the Project (20 points)
1) Were the original objectives of the project achieved? 2) What was the estimated number of people who were helped by the project? 3) What were the benefits to the community? 4) Did the project promote community awareness of Altrusa and its commitment to Literacy?
Supplementary information should not exceed six pages (0 points)
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Terrace Elementary
The Richardson Club adopted Terrace Elementary School and conducted
several projects during the year to support and supplement the learning experience
for children at the school. Terrace Elementary is an ethnically diverse school (15%
Asian, 26% Black, 36% Hispanic, 18% White, and 5% more than one race, or
other). Most of our activities are provided for students in the Pre-K classes
because the teacher is an excellent instructor who embraces creative approaches to
enhance the curriculum and greatly appreciates our support. Children qualify for
Pre-K based on poverty or English as a second language; therefore, language
development is a major challenge and objective of the curriculum. Terrace has
over 500 students enrolled and the Pre-K classes had 43 children last year.
During the school year, the Education Committee devoted over 800 volunteer
hours to support projects at the school. In addition to volunteering in classrooms
and hosting the Manners Party, other projects included:
Backpack Program – Altrusans planned and created 13 different homework
activity backpacks that are taken home on loan each week by Pre-K students.
The activities are interactive and creative to keep the interest of 4 - 5 year
olds. And, simple instructions are included with each backpack to guide
parents in working with their children. We inventoried and replenished the
backpacks weekly.
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Teddy Bear Time – We partnered with Richardson Adult Literacy Center
(RALC) to implement their family literacy program. For sixteen weeks in
the Fall and Spring, 15 Pre-K kids and their parents attended evening
sessions coordinated by Altrusans. The lessons focused on improving
reading, math, letters, sounds, and motor skills. Parents were given tools to
continue the work at home and the children received a new book at every
session.
Wednesday Club – Sixteen students selected by their teachers for their
attitudes, abilities and conduct participated in creative activity sessions led
by Altrusa volunteers every Wednesday. The students studied fossils,
created felt mitten puppets, staged a play with their puppets, flew kites, and
other activities. Altrusans leading this group frequently heard “I love
Wednesday Club” from these eager learners.
Field Trips – We escorted Pre-K, Special Needs, and Kindergarten students
to Santa’s Village, a park with kid-size houses with special themes, and took
Wednesday Club students to Perot Museum of Science and Nature for an
interactive experience.
Bubble Lady – we brought Texas’ only “Bubble Lady” to perform in an
assembly for Pre-K through 2nd grades that included loads of scientific
lessons, fun, and bubble blowing.
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Terrace Elementary Manners Party
Big Bird was there. So were Ernie, Cookie Monster, Elmo, and Abby
Cadabby. All attended the Manners Party held on March 19th for the morning and
afternoon Pre-K classes at Terrace Elementary. Forty-three excited children
enjoyed the decorations, ice cream sundaes, gifts, and opportunity to practice
“good manners”. The Altrusa Richardson Education Committee coordinated and
hosted the 4th annual Manners Party to give the 4 and 5-year olds a chance to put
into practice the good manners their teacher had emphasized throughout the year.
The Manners Party is a two-day event. The day before the party, each child
carefully selected a book to present as a gift to a classmate from books donated by
Altrusa Richardson. Then, Altrusans helped them giftwrap and label their
presents. This year, the wrapping paper and ribbons continued the Sesame Street
theme that was used throughout the party. The next day, while the students were
outside on the playground, busy Altrusans quickly decorated the classroom with
crepe paper and all things Sesame Street. Two children (recognized by their
teacher for especially good behavior) stayed inside to help set the tables. When the
children came back in, they were delighted with the transformation of their
classroom to Sesame Street with wall hangings, table cloths, and dinnerware.
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The first order of business was presentation of gifts. One at a time, each
child presented his/her gift to a friend; the friend said “Thank you” and the gift
giver responded “You’re welcome”, thus reinforcing a basic lesson in etiquette.
Once all the children had opened their gifts, they took a seat at a table for the rest
of the party. The children made their own ice cream sundaes with toppings of their
choice and enjoyed cookies, fruit, and drinks. They had many chances to practice
saying “please” and “thank you” as Altrusans helped serve the treats. And, as a
courtesy, each table waited until everyone had their ice cream sundae before they
started to eat. Naturally, when they were done, the children helped clean the area
by busing their own tables. In addition to the gift of a book specially selected for
them, each child received a Sesame Street medallion necklace with a picture of a
muppet and sayings like “you’re terrific”, “you did great”, “you’re stupendous”,
etc. The kids had a ball, so at the end of the party, they thanked the Altrusan
helpers and we heartily said “You’re welcome!” We were as delighted as they
were and impressed with how mannerly they were. Plus, we loved the many hugs
we got as they were leaving.
Of all the support we provide through the year, the pre-K teacher said she
loves this event the most. She invited the school Principal in to see the party in
action and she left the decorations up so that when parent-teacher conferences were
conducted later in the week, the parents learned more about the party and the
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progress their children made in learning and practicing manners. Eight Altrusans
devoted approximately 50 hours to support this event. The party decorations and
food cost $200 and 45 books (some donated) had a value of about $250. The
smiles on the faces of 43 students made it all worthwhile! Later, the children
presented us with a “bouquet” of quotes to tell us the one thing they liked most
about the party. About half noted the ice cream, but at least 25% said the books.
“I love my Princess book”, one student remarked. All in all, it was a pretty special
event!
Respectfully Submitted, _____________________________________ Kimberly D Kierce, 2012-2013 Club President
PLEASE NOTE:
Optional Supplemental Material (No points) Judges place primary importance on the written narrative. Substantiating materials do not earn points and are considered only in a supplementary
perspective.
ENTRY SUBMISSION: Please submit one (1) original and three (3) copies of this nomination
postmarked on or before June 1st to:
Letha H. Brown/Governor’s Literacy Award Coordinator
Jo Henderson, Lubbock Dawners 2813 52nd St.
Lubbock, TX 79413
