2013 Kids on Campus Annual Report

An Appalachian Community Partnership

ABOUT KIDS ON

2013 Annual Report

College of Health Sciences and Professions

A B O about U T K Ikids D S on ON CAMPUS campus

Our mission Kids on Campus is a community-university partnership that empowers underserved, at-risk children and their families in the realization of their full potential through educational, nutritional and recreational opportunities.

Our goals Provide children with the opportunity to enhance academic and life skills through high-quality out-of-school programming.  Although open to all students, we will give priority in enrollment to children determined to be academically and/or economically at risk.  Maintain or increase students’ mastery of concepts taught in reading, science, technology, engineering, math and medicine.  Expand educational experiences for families, schools and communities.  Demonstrate healthy approaches to resolving conflicts, solving problems and making decisions.

Serve as a model program that will encourage and challenge other communities to develop partnerships to provide services for economically disadvantaged children.  Bring together educational insti-

tutions, businesses, agencies and community members to aid in the governance, implementation and evaluation of the Kids on Campus programs.  Provide transportation for all students who need it.  Create and implement a multidisciplinary and multicultural curriculum.  Provide nutritious meals and snacks to all participants.  Ensure a safe environment for program participants.

Secure the necessary funding to make Kids on Campus programming available to all at-risk children and families.  Diversify funding streams.  Maintain and expand partnerships to leverage resources.  Provide an annual report to stakeholders to justify continued funding.  Develop an advisory board to promote stewardship and sustainability.

Our Staff

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About this Report 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 Trimble, Athens City, Federal Hocking and Southern local school districts, Ohio Department of Education, Ohio University’s College of Health Sciences and Professions, and many others. ©2013 by the Ohio University College of Health Sciences and Professions

Contact Us Correspondence regarding Kids on Campus may be sent to: Timarie Francis, program manager Kids on Campus 145 Columbus Rd., Suite 102 Athens, OH 45701-2979 Telephone: 740-566-8543 E-mail: francist@ohio.edu

Acknowledgements Much of the information for this report was gleaned from two lengthy studies by the Voinovich Center for Leadership and Public Affairs. The center provides applied research and technical assistance to government and development organizations, and has worked with Kids on Campus for several years on the program’s evaluation efforts. In compiling its studies, the Voinovich Center team conducted site visits, interviewed program participants, and analyzed data from surveys and tests.

Contents Message from Program Manager | 4 Afterschool Program | 6-7 Letters from Home | 8-9 Summer Program | 10-11 Call to Action | 12-13 Partners and Supporters | 14-15 Find Us on the Web For more information about Kids on Campus, go to: www.ohio.edu/kids

Members of the Kids on Campus staff are, from left, Chris Fulk, Crystal Smith, Jennifer Woods, Tamara Toomey, Timarie Francis and Amanda Brooks.

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A B O Message U T K I Dfrom S O NtheC program A M P U S manager

Help us grow to meet local children’s needs T

here were 6,753 students attending the school districts that Kids on Campus (KoC) served last year.

Roughly half of them lived in economically disadvantaged situations, according to state statistics. Of these disadvantaged children, KoC had the resources to serve only 1 in 3.

With the need for KoC’s academic and nutrition support so high in southeast Ohio, we know that isn’t good enough.

So in 2013, we Timarie worked hard to exFrancis pand our reach. KoC secured grants that put us back in Athens schools, where our goal is to serve 100 students. We also received a grant to serve Trimble Middle School, with a goal of teaching at least 60 students about college and the career options they have after graduating from high school.

The good news doesn’t stop in Athens and Trimble. We were also able to secure a grant for the Nelsonville-York School District that will enable us to begin serving 30 students in an afterschool program.

While receiving these grants was good news, the program expansions we have embarked on also create challenges. We must keep striving to find financial support to secure the future for these new programs,

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because their grant funding will be exhausted in a few years.

We will continue to seek state and federal funding. We also ask the communities we serve to help by making an investment in the future of our children. KoC is here to help the young grow and learn through active educational experiences while meeting their nutritional needs.

Please help support us so we can continue to nurture and educate this vulnerable population.

My experiences in working with local school systems have shown me how important community support can be in helping children succeed.

Before I became KoC’s program manager, I worked as a student teacher at Trimble Elementary, a lead teacher at Sycamore Run preschool, and a KoC homework coordinator.

These experiences have given me the unique opportunity to understand the perspectives of those in both the school systems and in KoC. These partnerships are critically important. And we will keep reaching out to nurture and expand them.

Please join us.

Timarie Francis, KoC program manager

On our horizon: Widening our reach

W

e have extended programming into Athens and The Plains and will be starting a program for the Nelsonville-York School District at The First Presbyterian Church, thanks to support from Rocky Community Improvement Fund and Osteopathic Heritage Foundation.

We will continue seeking the federal 21st Century grants that support our afterschool programs. For the 2014-2015 school year we are applying for funding for Trimble Elementary in Glouster, Millcreek Elementary and Miller High School in Corning, as well as seeking new partnerships

in Washington and Meigs counties.

We’ll also be on the lookout for new fundraising and grant opportunities.

We are also pleased to continue offering our free summer program, and to add two weeks and 50 students to the 200 enrollees we can usually accommodate. The summer program will offer a familiar array of themes and activities: reading, swimming, sports and games, arts and crafts, team time, nature, STEM (science technology, engineering, math) and cooking. There will also be weekly special events, guest speakers and field trips.

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A B O afterschool U T K I D S Oprogram N CAMPUS

Focusing on nutrition and academic help D

uring the 2012-2013 school year, Kids on Campus afterschool programs served elementary schools in Coolville, Amesville, Millcreek and Trimble, as well as Federal Hocking Middle School and Miller High School. At these sites, KoC served more than 450 students, most of whom were either academically or economically at risk.

Each site was overseen by a program coordinator who, with the help of a certified teacher, developed plans to serve the school site. There were also 20-30 other staff members working at each site, including community members, parents, school staff and college students. Each site varied its programming to meet the needs of that particular school, but all had the overarching themes of homework help, intervention in reading and math, and enrichment activities.

Kids on Campus keeps true to its mission of serving students by providing recreation activities and nutritious snacks. Each day, students receive self-selected active play – outdoors whenever weather permits – and a snack that follows USDA guidelines.

Student empowerment is a focus in the enrichment activities at each site, giving children a hand in experiences that align with the school day.

This is also where guest speakers visit. Activities can range from a hik6

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ing field trip to a local watershed to playing drums as a way of learning about a different culture.

KoC also holds four family events each year to bring everyone together. The goal is to create an environment where all participants feel welcome and supported.

E

ach year, Kids on Campus compiles a report for the Ohio Department of Education that summarizes the results of KoC’s afterschool programming. The figures on this page are some of the highlights from the 2012-13 school year:

140,000

nutritious snacks provided to participants in all programs.

225

hours of homework help per student.

56

hours of STEM instruction (science, technology, engineering, math) per student.

51

hours of recreation time per student.

44

hours of art activities per

student.

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A B O letters UT KID S Ohome N CAMPUS from

KoC has become like family

M

y name is Margaret Baker and I have been a KoC parent for a number of years. The program has really helped my family out a lot and has also been really educational for my children.

When our oldest daughter was around 15, she had started to go down a bad road. KoC really helped out with her. It not only gave her someone to talk to, it gave her help with homework and a place to be. We went through our ups and downs, but KoC really did help. She is now 18, and she can still tell you fun stories about KoC. Our children have done the summer programs, and we now have three other children in the program as well. Brianna, our 10-year-old, is in fifth grade; Brandon, our 8-year-old, is in third grade; and our youngest, Zachary, is in first grade.

I see the way they interact with all the staff at Coolville, and It’s amazing how these complete strangers come into your child’s life and a week later it’s like they’ve known my kids for years.

I started volunteering at the 8

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school about three years ago and really enjoyed working with all the kids. Through volunteering, I became part of the amazing staff at the school by subbing for the aides, cook staff, janitors and librarian.

I had always watched the KoC “crew” from afar, how they got to interact with the kids. I have known Crystal Smith (KoC program coordinator) for many years, and she finally asked me if I wanted to work with KoC. I was overcome with joy.

The activities that we get to be involved with are just amazing. I learn new things every day, and so do the kids. Whether its adopting a tree or making sea creatures, the kids are always up for the challenge.

I also get to be more involved with my kids because they are all in KoC. I love it. Honestly, I don’t believe that we would be at such a great place in our lives if it wasn’t for KoC. This is no ordinary afterschool program. We are like a family, and I would not have it any other way.

Sincerely, Margaret Baker

Homework help — and lots of fun

K

ids on Campus staff is awesome, because they help me when I’m confused. They help with cooking skills and other fun activities. The staff at Kids on Campus is friendly to me. KoC is a place to help with my homework, having fun and making friends.

Sincerely, Heidi Henderson

A safe place to learn and grow

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e would like to take a few minutes to tell you about our experiences with the KoC program.

Our children, Reese and Alisa, have attended the KoC program for many years. During this time, the program has helped them with many things. The staff and coordinators are doing a great job keeping our kids provided with the tools they need to thrive in school.

Both our children have struggled with math and reading skills. KoC has helped them keep their grades up and helped them with homework. The activities KoC provides, such as family night and literacy night, are very interesting for our kids.

Our kids have been given books to keep, and science and craft projects to do at home. We have also participated in these same events during family nights. We have learned about other cultures and their traditions. I believe it is important for

our kids to learn about the people they may come into contact with.

In addition to the many wonderful services KoC provides, it is knowing that our children have a safe place to go after school. Thank you, Kids on Campus, for all that you do for our children and for our family.

Sincerely, Melissa and David Arlington

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A B O Summer U T K I Dprogram S ON CAMPUS

Fun learning activities keep kids’ skills sharp K

ids on Campus held another successful summer camp on the Ohio University Campus. For four weeks, more than 250 students attended from Athens, Trimble, Federal Hocking, Alexander and, for the first time, Southern Local school districts.

Participants were in the first through 10th grades, and activities included reading, cooking, gardening, technology, team-building, swimming and recreation.

Each student received more than four hours of reading instruction per week to ensure that KoC reached its goal of preventing “summer slide” in children’s academic skills. Seventyseven percent of participants showed no skills loss during the summer, data showed, and 30 percent actually gained in reading skills over that time.

The second main goal of the Kids on Campus summer camp is to meet students’ nutritional needs. During camp, each student received a nutritious breakfast, lunch, and snack prepared by the staff of Grover Center’s Atrium Café and workers in Americorps VISTA, a national service program designed to fight poverty.

Each meal followed USDA guidelines, and fresh, local ingredients were used whenever possible.

A fun benefit that each student received while attending camp was 10

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the opportunity to take part in two field trips, a field day, and a carnival at the end of camp. The field trips included a walk uptown to the Athena to watch a movie, as well as a trip to Splashdown water park in Jackson.

Students also enjoyed activities such as painting and Hula Hooping.

There was also a pirate-themed field day and an end-of-camp carnival at which families got to join in the festivities.

The summer program could not have taken place without generous gifts from Bob Evans Farms, Sisters of St. Joseph Charitable Fund, Osteopathic Heritage Foundation, Rocky Community Improvement Fund and the support of Dean Randy Leite of Ohio University’s College of Health Sciences and Professions.

T

o measure the success of the summer program, Kids on Campus collected data from parents, students and staff in the form of surveys and evaluations. Here are highlights of the results.

“My son has really enjoyed KoC and likes telling us about cooking and planting things.”

— Parent

99%

of parents rate the program as excellent or above average.

91%

of parents feel their child is more prepared for the upcoming school year.

86%

of parents report that KoC met the nutritional needs of their family during the summer.

85%

of parents reported an increase in their child’s self-esteem.

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A B O call U T KtoIkids D S on ON CAMPUS about action campus

Due to a decrease in funding from the Ohio Department of Education, Kids on Campus is losing funding for the Trimble Elementary and Southern Local afterschool programs.

Without additional funding, 1 in 3 students now served by KoC will lose their afterschool programming.

Would you want to have to choose the 5 students on the right who will lose their program?

Please consider helping Kids on Campus today to prevent up to 160 at-risk students from losing academic and nutritional support.

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A B O U T Partners K I D S Oand N Csupporters AMPUS Donors, COMMUNITY ACEnet and ACEnet Ventures Alexander Local Schools AmeriCorps Athena Cinema Athena Grande Athens City Schools Athens City-County Health Department Athens County Child Advocacy Center Athens County Children Services Athens County Historical Society and Museum Athens County Humane Society Athens County Job and Family Services – WIA Program Athens County Public Libraries Beck, Charles and Judy Benderich, Janelle Big Brothers Big Sisters of Athens County Bob Evans Farms Inc. Boyd, Roy Gene and Sara Brown, Duncan H. Casa Nueva Chauncey Dover Lions Club Cochran, James Community Food Initiatives Inc. Corporation for Ohio Appalachian Development Couladis, Peter G. and Maria Dollar General Literacy Foundation Doxsee, Gifford B. Eliason, Lenny

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Federal Hocking Local Schools Fletcher, Marvin E. Foster, Sue Good Works Inc. Grover, Ann Halliday, Mark and Rosser, Jill Health Recovery Services Inc. Hocking College - Youth Tutor Program - Dave Sagan Hocking-Athens-Perry Community Action Jageman, Larry W. and M. Tracy Kiser’s Barbeque Knauerhause, Suzanne and Rinehart, William Kropf, Katherine J. Live Healthy Appalachia Mitchell, Bruce A. Mohlenkamp, Adriane and Martin Moy, Paul W. Nelsonville Aquatic Center Oches, Barry Ohio Association of Food Banks Ohio Department of Education - Office of Federal Programs Osteopathic Heritage Foundation Pandya, Sneha Parsons, Thomas and Sharon Petland Inc. Ping, Charles J. and Claire O. Play Soccer Appalachia Precision Imprint

Riedel, Alan E. and Rudy P. Rocky Community Improvement Fund Rowan, Shelly Rural Action Schumacher, Gary M. and Kathleen S. Sisters of St. Joseph Charitable Fund Snowville Creamery Southern Local Schools, Perry County Southern Ohio Copperheads, presented

by O’Bleness Memorial Hospital Stempell III, Guido and Anne Stuart’s Opera House Sunday Creek Watershed Group Teske, Ann E. The Athens Foundation The Athens Messenger The Athens News The Dairy Barn Arts Center The Ohio State University Extension, Athens County Tri-County Mental Health Trimble Local Schools UNICEF USDA Summer Food Service Program Weinberg, Mark and Wanda Witham, Kevin Lee Wright-Stover, Patricia (In memory of Dr. Charles T. Wright)

OHIO UNIVERSITY Alden Library Aquatic Center Atrium Café Bird Ice Arena Campus Involvement Center College of Health Sciences and Professions - Dean Randy Leite - Dr. Jennifer Horner - Dr. Cheryl Howe COMCorps Compost Facility Copeland College of Business Department of Plant Biology Finance and Administration Division Greek Life Hearing, Speech and Language Clinic Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine Intercollegiate Athletics Kennedy Museum of Art Office of Legal Affairs Office of Student Financial Aid and Scholarships Parking and Transportation Service Patton College of Education and Human Services - Marcy Keifer-Kennedy Police Department President’s Office - Dr. and Mrs. Roderick McDavis Upward Bound Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Affairs Ohio Valley International Council

Athens C ity School District

T r imb le Lo ca l S ch o o l Distr ict

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An Appalachian Community Partnership

Timarie Francis, program manager 145 Columbus Road, Suite 102 Athens, OH 45701-2979 Telephone: 740-566-8543 francist@ohio.edu

College of Health Sciences and Professions