PRR Students Celebrate Lights on Afterschool With Fall Festivals
Kids and parents partnered to make spooky paper spiders, decorate cookies and pin the bow tie on the skeleton at two recent Lights on Afterschool fall festivals aimed at celebrating after school programming.
Project Read and Reach, the district’s after school program for children in kindergarten through 4th grade, organized the fun for families who participate in the programs at Lincoln and Blackhurst Elementary Schools on Oct. 15 and 22. Each October since 2000, the Afterschool Alliance organizes Lights on Afterschool events to highlight the importance of keeping the lights on and the doors open for after school programs. More than 30 community volunteers from St. Charles National Honor Society, OASIS CATCH Healthy Habits and the greater community volunteered to help make the two fall festivals a success. More than 40 families attended and participated in Halloween-themed activities including arts and crafts, face painting and carnival games. The Optimist Club of St. Charles, which supports St. Charles youth programming, was the sole sponsor of the event. “The goal was just to bring families together,” said Chrissy Fitzpatrick, Project Read and Reach Coordinator. “We wanted to draw attention to the many ways PRR supports students and their families by providing a fun night for the entire family.” After school programs, like Project Read and Reach, provide students with a safe place to go after the school day ends, inspire kids to learn and relieve the worries of working parents. Project Read and Reach serves about 70 students in the St. Charles District, 22 percent of which qualify for a discount based on family income. PRR is funded through tuition as well as state grants. “After school programs provide a valuable extension to a child's school day,” District Superintendent Jeff Marion said. “Many students need more academic support than can be provided during the regular school day and Project Read and Reach bridges that gap. We are so fortunate to have quality after school programming that is both fun and meaningful.” |
PRR Kids Develop Respect for Cultural Diversity through
“People Everywhere” Study,
Students Examine Malnutrition and
Partner with Project Peanut Butter
to Save Lives in Malawi, Africa!
Click here to view Lincoln's PPB video
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PRR recently partnered with Project Peanut Butter to help malnurished children in Malawi, Africa. Above: Lincoln School Project Read and Reach Program celebrates with Mardi Manary of Project Peanut Butter. Below, left: Blackhurst School PRR Students show Mrs. Manary their video they created called "The Project Peanut Butter Story".
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During PRR’s recent service learning project: “People Everywhere”, little did PRR Kids know they were about to begin a journey that would ultimately help save lives on the other side of the world! Students now can look back with pride on their contributions towards reducing world malnutrition through two video creations and fundraising efforts that yielded $1188.
“People Everywhere”, a study of world cultures, began last November and ran through April, giving PRR Kids opportunities to study about people of other nations. PRR invited local international community members to their before/afterschool program to learn firsthand about the diversities of world cultures. PRR students met and interviewed Lindenwood University International Students from Colombia, Mexico, Honduras, Ghana, and Zimbabwe. Also, several PRR Parents and local citizens shared about their homelands, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Mexico and France. Students learned about traditions and customs of other cultures’ family life. Similarities and differences to our own American way of life were highlighted on a variety of cultural topics such as: geography, climate, foods, dress, languages, storytelling, art, music, and everyday life. This research helped foster a respect and appreciation for people of other nations.
As “People Everywhere” unfolded, PRR Kids discovered some cultures face devastating life threatening problems on a daily basis, such as malnutrition. Through time spent with representatives from Project Peanut Butter, a St. Louis foundation started by Dr. Mark Manary of Washington University, students learned life in Malawi, Africa has taken a turn for the better! Dr. Manary and his team, through their life saving “peanut butter therapy” have helped over 875,000 children recover from acute malnutrition in Malawi and several other African nations!
PRR students decided to take action and support Project Peanut Butter’s efforts. As a team, students created two documentary videos on the “Project Peanut Butter Story” to raise awareness about worldwide childhood malnutrition. Students also created handmade items to sell as a fund raiser at their Community/Parent Night for PPB. In tandem, PRR Kids enlisted the help of their school communities, Blackhurst and Lincoln Schools, by hosting a “Hat Day for Project Peanut Butter”. Lastly, Midtown Market, a local grocery allowed the Lincoln PRR team to continue selling their PPB crafts to the public for an afternoon. PRR students wildly exceeded their goals, donating over $1100 to Mrs. Mardi Manary, Executive Director of Project Peanut Butter! PRR children were quick to compute this meant over 40 children in Malawi would now have the nutrition it takes to beat the odds of this tragic disease.
One fourth grader in the PRR Program reflected afterwards, “I think five years from now, I will remember the goodness of saving children’s lives and how we (PRR) did it as a TEAM!” PRR Kids realized by making personal connections with people of other cultures, working together on big world problems can be achieved!
PRR would like to extend a special thanks to the individuals who helped enrich our “People Everywhere” service learning experience: Mrs.Ivonne Perez, Mr. Bourgeade, Mr. Okilee, Ms. Humera Qalboni, Lindenwood Students: Lorena Lozano, Alejandra Villareal, Kwaku Tawiah, ,Sandra Chimanda (and roommate Agnes), Angel Suazo, and Project Peanut Butter Staff: Margaret Loehnig, Mardi Manary, and Martin Histand.
For more information on Project Peanut Butter, please visit their website at www.projectpeanutbutter.org.
“People Everywhere”, a study of world cultures, began last November and ran through April, giving PRR Kids opportunities to study about people of other nations. PRR invited local international community members to their before/afterschool program to learn firsthand about the diversities of world cultures. PRR students met and interviewed Lindenwood University International Students from Colombia, Mexico, Honduras, Ghana, and Zimbabwe. Also, several PRR Parents and local citizens shared about their homelands, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Mexico and France. Students learned about traditions and customs of other cultures’ family life. Similarities and differences to our own American way of life were highlighted on a variety of cultural topics such as: geography, climate, foods, dress, languages, storytelling, art, music, and everyday life. This research helped foster a respect and appreciation for people of other nations.
As “People Everywhere” unfolded, PRR Kids discovered some cultures face devastating life threatening problems on a daily basis, such as malnutrition. Through time spent with representatives from Project Peanut Butter, a St. Louis foundation started by Dr. Mark Manary of Washington University, students learned life in Malawi, Africa has taken a turn for the better! Dr. Manary and his team, through their life saving “peanut butter therapy” have helped over 875,000 children recover from acute malnutrition in Malawi and several other African nations!
PRR students decided to take action and support Project Peanut Butter’s efforts. As a team, students created two documentary videos on the “Project Peanut Butter Story” to raise awareness about worldwide childhood malnutrition. Students also created handmade items to sell as a fund raiser at their Community/Parent Night for PPB. In tandem, PRR Kids enlisted the help of their school communities, Blackhurst and Lincoln Schools, by hosting a “Hat Day for Project Peanut Butter”. Lastly, Midtown Market, a local grocery allowed the Lincoln PRR team to continue selling their PPB crafts to the public for an afternoon. PRR students wildly exceeded their goals, donating over $1100 to Mrs. Mardi Manary, Executive Director of Project Peanut Butter! PRR children were quick to compute this meant over 40 children in Malawi would now have the nutrition it takes to beat the odds of this tragic disease.
One fourth grader in the PRR Program reflected afterwards, “I think five years from now, I will remember the goodness of saving children’s lives and how we (PRR) did it as a TEAM!” PRR Kids realized by making personal connections with people of other cultures, working together on big world problems can be achieved!
PRR would like to extend a special thanks to the individuals who helped enrich our “People Everywhere” service learning experience: Mrs.Ivonne Perez, Mr. Bourgeade, Mr. Okilee, Ms. Humera Qalboni, Lindenwood Students: Lorena Lozano, Alejandra Villareal, Kwaku Tawiah, ,Sandra Chimanda (and roommate Agnes), Angel Suazo, and Project Peanut Butter Staff: Margaret Loehnig, Mardi Manary, and Martin Histand.
For more information on Project Peanut Butter, please visit their website at www.projectpeanutbutter.org.
Highlights from PRR Kid's "People Everywhere" - Project Peanut Butter experience:
PRR Kids and St. Charles Optimist Club Partner for "Helping Hands" Holiday Drive
During the month of December, Project Read and Reach students enjoyed the opportunity to partner with the St. Charles Optimist Club to sponsor a community service project aimed at helping Lincoln and Blackhurst families in need. For the “Helping Hands” Holiday Drive, PRR students and Optimist Club members succeeded in organizing donations of over 1,300 “kid-friendly” food items for two local food pantries, First United Methodist Church and Powell Terrace Food Pantry. These two pantries help support an ongoing weekend backpack food program for select students and their families at both schools.
For their part of this project, Project Read and Reach students at Lincoln took their “Helping Hands” Holiday Drive schoolwide which was widely supported by students and staff. The St. Charles Optimist Club went shopping and contributed 36 cases of healthy food items, while Blackhurst PRR families, and Adult Education students and staff ,also brought in many food and clothing donations.
Earlier in December, Project Read and Reach students had designed art for “Helping Hands” note cards and prints. Thanks to “Helping Hands” card sales to PRR parents and friends, Blackhurst and Lincoln PRR kids raised over $200. At the December Optimist Club meeting, club members further supported our drive with the additional donation of $245 for the “Helping Hands”. On Dec.19, PRR students celebrated by proudly presenting Blackhurst and Lincoln Guidance Counselors, Mrs. Jenna Tate and Mrs. Nikki Berthold, each a check for $200. These ”Helping Hands” funds will be used by the school counselors to buy needed coats, shoes, or food for children at both schools..
For their part of this project, Project Read and Reach students at Lincoln took their “Helping Hands” Holiday Drive schoolwide which was widely supported by students and staff. The St. Charles Optimist Club went shopping and contributed 36 cases of healthy food items, while Blackhurst PRR families, and Adult Education students and staff ,also brought in many food and clothing donations.
Earlier in December, Project Read and Reach students had designed art for “Helping Hands” note cards and prints. Thanks to “Helping Hands” card sales to PRR parents and friends, Blackhurst and Lincoln PRR kids raised over $200. At the December Optimist Club meeting, club members further supported our drive with the additional donation of $245 for the “Helping Hands”. On Dec.19, PRR students celebrated by proudly presenting Blackhurst and Lincoln Guidance Counselors, Mrs. Jenna Tate and Mrs. Nikki Berthold, each a check for $200. These ”Helping Hands” funds will be used by the school counselors to buy needed coats, shoes, or food for children at both schools..
Pictured below: PRR Kids invited their school community, parents, and the St. Charles Optimist Club to donate to the “Helping Hands” Holiday Drive. Students presented their community service project in school assemblies, organized and recorded the food units donated, and designed “Helping Hands” note cards to benefit others in need at Lincoln and Blackhurst Schools.
Service Learning Project Fall 2013:
PRR Kids Learn the Meaning of "Emergency Preparedness"!
Project Read and Reach students kicked off the the 2013-14 school year with a service learning project centered around "Emergency Preparedness". Thanks to the efforts of state and local agencies, students learned first hand what it takes to keep themselves and their families safe during emergencies and disasters such as fire, tornado, and earthquake, plus how to call 9-1-1 and build a Family Emergency Kit. Afternoon Project Read and Reach students went through a six week training with the St. Charles Community Emergency Response Team Trainers, Glen Mayer and April Stout, in conjunction with the St. Charles Fire Department and FEMA. After completing activities through the "Sam, Ready I Am" curriculum, students earned an Emergency Kit Backpack to build their own personal emergency kit to keep on hand at home. Morning PRR students enjoyed presentations from Mr. Sebation Lury of the American Red Cross, Fire Captain Shalom Shoaf and members of the St. Charles Fire Department, and Mr. Kyle Gaines of the St. Charles County Ambulance District. Morning PRR Kids will also be taking home "Emergency Prepraredness Bags". All students made a "Family Emergency Plan Book" for their families with information of what to do during an emergency and how to develop a "family emergency plan". Students collaborated to write safety tips for their books.
Early October, during PRR's "Lights On After School" Celebration, students honored the St. Charles Fire Dept., the St. Charles County Ambulance District, the St. Charles C.E.R.T. Trainers and the American Red Cross for their work as "Emergency Preparedness Educators" and "First Responders" in the St. Charles Community. Students demonstrated to their trainers what they had learned during their "Emergency Preparedness" training and awarded trainers and first responders with certificates to show appreciation for their dedication to keeping families in the community safe.
Special thanks also goes to Leiber Heating and A/C for their donation of flash lights to all the PRR students, to Get Promoted for designing and printing the "Be Prepared Emergency Preparedness Bags", and to the State of Missouri for their contribution of the "Ready in 3" DVDs. Project Read and Reach wishes to thank again all the agencies and organizations who contributed to this service learning project. Our "Emergency Preparedness" Unit will certainly impact all the students for life!
Photos below show special moments during the "Emergency Preparedness" Service Learning Project with all the E. P. Trainers who assisted PRR Kids to "Be Prepared"! Click on any photo to enlarge picture.
Early October, during PRR's "Lights On After School" Celebration, students honored the St. Charles Fire Dept., the St. Charles County Ambulance District, the St. Charles C.E.R.T. Trainers and the American Red Cross for their work as "Emergency Preparedness Educators" and "First Responders" in the St. Charles Community. Students demonstrated to their trainers what they had learned during their "Emergency Preparedness" training and awarded trainers and first responders with certificates to show appreciation for their dedication to keeping families in the community safe.
Special thanks also goes to Leiber Heating and A/C for their donation of flash lights to all the PRR students, to Get Promoted for designing and printing the "Be Prepared Emergency Preparedness Bags", and to the State of Missouri for their contribution of the "Ready in 3" DVDs. Project Read and Reach wishes to thank again all the agencies and organizations who contributed to this service learning project. Our "Emergency Preparedness" Unit will certainly impact all the students for life!
Photos below show special moments during the "Emergency Preparedness" Service Learning Project with all the E. P. Trainers who assisted PRR Kids to "Be Prepared"! Click on any photo to enlarge picture.
February Begins New Service Learning - "Operation Wildlife"
Did you know that some Bald Eagles live year round near St. Charles, Missouri?Photo by Shelley Geiger
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Click here for our "Operation Wildlife" BlogWe have been learning through service learning about wildlife in Missouri and other parts of our country and the world. We have begun to realize our wildlife needs protecting or else certain animals will become endangered or extinct eventually. We have been very focused on the success story of the Bald Eagle and also spent time studying about the Red Wolf and the Mexican Gray Wolf. Of course there is so much to learn about: ecosystems, animal habitats, life cycles, conservation and much more to understand how wildlife can survive and what citizens of Missouri can do to help protect them. Through this blog we hope to share some of our research and ideas to help make Missouri wildlife safe for future generations to enjoy.
Project Read and Reach Students and Staff 3-11-13 |
PRR Kids Extend "Helping Hands" to St. Charles and Beyond!
Five Good Deeds! Project Read and Reach Kids spent their Service Learning time in November and December learning about organizations that help people in need in our community and beyond. Here's a summary of PRR's "Helping Hands" Unit as students explored carrying out five good deeds.
ONE: We met a volunteer from the American Red Cross, Miss Violet, who told us what it’s like to live through a disaster! We helped bring food and water to Hurricane Sandy Victims by organizing a “Hat Day” at Blackhurst and Lincoln Schools. We donated $242 to the American Red Cross!!! TWO: We met Mrs. Kloeppel who volunteers her time sewing quilts together for “Operation Four Freedoms Quilts” for wounded soldiers.We made our own quilt squares with words of encouragement to help make a wounded soldier feel better. Two Blackhurst PRR students plan out their quilt square designs for the "Four Freedoms Quilt" for wounded soldiers.
Mrs. Gerri Kloeppel shows students what their "Four Freedoms Quilt" for wounded soldiers might look like after it's sewn together.
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THREE: We visited the St. Charles Crisis Nursery Center and learned about how it works from Miss Amy. For the holidays we organized at both Lincoln and Blackhurst Schools "The Giving Chain" for donations of much needed items for the Crisis Nursery. We also designed and sold "Helping Hands" cards to donate money to the Crisis Nursery. Between Blackhurst and Lincoln Schools $370 and over 300 new items were donated!
Lincoln PRR students pack up new donated items from fellow Lincoln classmates and teachers for the St. Charles Crisis Nursery.
FOUR: We learned many senior citizens need extra help with day-to-day living. Often "seniors" live in nursing homes. We enjoyed making over 100 Holiday cards and decorations to bring cheer to St. Charles "Seniors" at Mt. Carmel Nursing Home! See photo below.
PRR students designed and sold "Helping Hands" cards to benefit the St. Charles Crisis Nursery and the Salvation Army.
FIVE: In late January Blackhurst PRR will be learning about the contributions the Salvation Army makes to the St. Charles area. Students plan to donate $75 they raised from the sales of their "Helping Hands" cards to the Salvation Army to assist families locally.
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Fall 2012--PRR Kids Investigate: What does "Go Green" mean?
Click here to see how much we've Recycled!Blackhurst and Lincoln PRR students have been busy
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PRR Students Learn the 3 R's! PRR Kids hope to apply what they have learned about taking care of the earth's environment. On October 15th students are beginning their action plan for their school communities to recycle paper at Blackhurst and single stream recycle at Lincoln! Click on the video above to see the Lincoln PRR Kids' recycling plan.
Watch for more updates on the PRR Kids' progress as they explore being a part of the solution to solve one of the biggest problems of our times: protecting our natural resources! The average American throws away 3-4 lbs. of trash per day!Blackhurst PRR Kids begin working on their recyling art project of "spinners" from old CDs with Deborah Christensen of St. Charles County Division of Environmental Services. Below a PRR student creates a "Go Green" sculpture out of recycled materials.
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PRR Students Collect 795 Pairs of Shoes for the Shoeman Water Project!!!!
Proceeds from Shoes will go to Shoeman's Kenya Water Drilling Operation
PRR students recently finished up their second major service learning project for the school year, "The Water Study". Between both PRR programs at Lincoln and Blackhurst Schools, nearly 800 pairs of shoes were collected. Mr. Rich Kim of the Shoeman Water Project assured the students that the shoes they collected would serve two purposes: one, provide shoes to people who wouldn't otherwise be able to afford shoes, and two, the money from the shoe sales would go towards bringing water purification and water well drilling for people in Kenya, Haiti and other places. Students shared their water movie they had made during their "Water Study" with Mr. Kim and presented him with the shoes they had collected during a school assembly in May.
Click here to read the PRR Students' Water BlogPictured: Above, Lincoln PRR Students with Rich Kim of the Shoeman Water Project. Left, PRR student proudly shows her "I made a difference!" medal for working on "The Water Study" service learning project. Below, Blackhurst PRR Students at their shoe presentation to Mr. Kim and the Shoeman Water Project.
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PRR Spring Service Learning Project began Feb. 21:
The Water Study - click here for more info on our project
Ever wonder where our water comes from in St. Charles City? Students will be exploring how important water is to all life and how water is not always readily available to people in some parts of the world. Students will learn about the water cycle, water purification, water conservation, how water is related to good health, water pollution and what some people are doing to help countries who need clean water. Students will gather background information on water through books, videos, guest speakers, a field trip, internet research, and skyping with a third world country for a first hand account about water conditions. Students will make an educational presentation on water through their findings. Lastly, The Water Study will give students an important opportunity to be part of the solution to the global problem of clean drinking water for all. Watch this site for upcoming events on how parents and the community can get involved in The Water Study too!
PRR WATER STUDY
Project Read and Reach students have spent the past month learning about all aspects of water. The students have learned about where their local water comes from, to what people in third world countries do for drinking water through the use of library book studies, interactive websites, guest speakers and field trips. The culminating project for their "Water Study" was a shoe collection drive partnered with Shoeman Water Project. The shoes collected from their shoe drive will go to be sold to third world countries to people that do not have access to shoes. The money raised by selling the shoes will go to drill for safe, clean drinking water in those same third-world countries such as Haiti and Kenya. Our PRR students have become global-citizens by being a part of the "Water Study." As of April 27th, the PRR students had collected over 480 pairs of shoes!!
Service Learning Project 2011 - Animal Protection and Care
Click here to view video: PRR Kids talk with Miss Brittany of Five Acres
Students Raise $528 to Benefit Five Acres and St. Charles City Animal Shelters by Teaming Up with Community Partners and Their School Communities!
PRR Students are learning about how to care for pets and about the problem in our community of homeless dogs and cats. Students designed cards to sell at local businesses to raise money to donate to two animal shelters in St. Charles to help pay for food and medical expenses of homeless animals. PRR also had a "Pennies for Puppies" drive and a "Wear a Hat, Save a Dog and Cat" Day at school. Presently PRR Kids are creating a webpage about homeless pets and their service learning experience..
PRR Students recently visited the Five Acres Animal Shelter in St. Charles to learn about homeless pets and community helpers.
PRR Students recently visited the Five Acres Animal Shelter in St. Charles to learn about homeless pets and community helpers.