2008 Kids on Campus Annual Report

An Athens County Community Partnership • 2008 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 Program Manager Tina Lenigar Program Coordinators Misty Cole Crystal Smith Paul Kristofco Cori McCarthy 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. ©2008 by the Ohio University College of Health and Human Services

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.

Editor Jody Grenert Art Director Julie Elman Photographers and Artists Rick Fatica, Jody Grenert, and KoC children and program coordinators 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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W H AT ’ S I N S I D E Contents Message from the executive director | 3 Afterschool Program | 4-7 Summer Program | 8-11 Program partners and supporters | 12 What’s ahead | 13 Photo gallery | 14, 15 On the Web For more information about Kids on Campus, go to: http://www.cats.ohiou.edu/kids/index.html

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

Kids need our programs — and we need you I

recently came across an article addressing the gap in academic achievement between disadvantaged students and their more affluent counterparts. A body of research has shown that much of the gap is rooted in what occurs outside of formal schooling.

By and large, lowincome students learn Leslie Moss as rapidly as more privileged peers during the hours spent in school. Where they lose ground, though, is in their lack of participation in learning activities during afterschool hours and summer vacations.

Kids on Campus (KoC) has been working to close this achievement gap for the past 13 years. With an emphasis on extended learning opportunities continuing to increase, I am proud to say that KoC has been ahead of the curve in providing both summer and afterschool programming, helping thousands of Athens County youths and their families since 1996.

Unfortunately, as I write this message, a national news broadcast indicates that funding for afterschool programs, as a result of current tough economic times, is expected to suffer significant cuts at both federal and state levels. While this is not surprising, it certainly is disappointing, as we see on a

daily basis the difference that programs like KoC make in the lives of at-risk children and their families.

Kids on Campus suffered funding cuts during the 2008 program year, resulting in the need to cut services for 100 children this past summer. While we were able to add an additional afterschool site during the 2007-2008 school year, we have lost another in 2008-2009.

Although the current economic situation is gloomy, I am happy to report that we still had the opportunity to provide out-of-school extended learning opportunities for more than 550 children this past year.

The 2008 Annual Report is full of highlights of the wonderful experiences that our area’s neediest youths were provided this past year. While our resources are shrinking, the reports from children, parents, teachers and staff indicate that their satisfaction with our programming has never been higher.

The children are demonstrating gains in their academic skills, as measured by assessments administered through our recently implemented LeapFrog program during the academic year, and during the summer the DIEBLS, Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills.

They had the opportunity to participate in community service projects, took a trip to the Shriner’s Circus in Columbus, and welcomed international visitors

The Kids on Campus staff, from left: Leslie Moss, Misty Cole,Tina Lenigar, Crystal Smith, Paul Kristofco and Cori McCarthy. who shared music, dance, food and their country’s customs.

The Ringling Brothers Barnum & Bailey CircusFit curriculum was implemented this summer, addressing health and wellness issues among the children.

The kids practiced “circus skills” during recreation time and then planned and performed their own Circus Spectacular for families and friends on the last day of the program. I don’t know who enjoyed this performance more – the children or the audience.

Through our experiences throughout the past 13 years, we know that Kids on Campus has positively impacted the lives of thousands of local children, and we attribute our success to the collaborative nature of our program. The support of our donors, partners and

friends continues to be essential as we plan and implement enriching experiences for children that lead to longterm increases in school attainment and achievement by building resiliency, initiative and engagement in learning.

We truly appreciate your past, and future, support of Kids on Campus.

Sincerely,

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

Since 1998, helping youngsters to achieve N

early 340 children in first through sixth grades participated in the Kids on Campus Afterschool Program during the 2007-2008 school year, most of whom qualified for free or reducedprice lunches.

The program operated at seven schools: Alexander Elementary in Albany; Amesville, Chauncey, Coolville and The Plains elementaries in those cities; 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 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

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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, 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 RO G R A M : I M PA C T

Stress on academics shows positive results S 70% 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.

This year, 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.

improved in math from pre- to posttest on the LeapTrack math system implemented during the 2007-’08 academic year..

73%

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 14-percent increase over the previous year’s results.

70%

of elementary school teachers said the KoC participants in their classrooms had shown improvement (or that no improvement was needed) in completing homework to the teacher’s satisfaction.

70%

of elementary school teachers said the KoC participants in their classrooms had shown improvement (or that no improvement was needed) in classroom academic performance. This was a 15 percent increase over the previous year’s reults.

84%

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

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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 Address: 6105 School Road, Albany, OH 45710 Coordinator: Crystal Smith Program began: 2004 Children enrolled: 86 total; 17 first-graders; 17 second-graders; 18 third-graders; 13 fourth-graders; 22 fifth-graders 2008 highlights: Three of the most successful events were the Olympics, friendship chain and quilt, and an international fair. Enrichment activities included crafts, cooking, computer, gym and dancing. Several activities centered on nature, with students learning about animals and their habitats and making clay footprints. Sports was a popular theme, and students held their own Olympics, in which they researched and represented four different countries.

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AMESVILLE ELEMENTARY

CHAUNCEY ELEMENTARY

COOLVILLE ELEMENTARY

Address: SR 329 N, Amesville, OH

Address: 21 Birge Drive, Chauncey, OH 45719 Coordinator: Cori McCarthy Program began: 2003 Children enrolled: 52 total; 11 first-graders; 5 second-graders; 11 third-graders; 7 fourth-graders; 5 fifthgraders; 12 sixth-graders.

Address: 26461 Main Street, Coolville, OH 45723 Coordinator: Paul Kristofco Program began: 2002 Children enrolled: 45 total; 9 first-graders; 9 second-graders; 14 third-graders; 6 fourth-graders; 7 fifthgraders.

2008 highlights: Among the most successful activities were art sessions and the CATCH (Coordinated Approach to Child Health) curriculum. The children created invitations for teachers and faculty to attend the “Lights On Afterschool” event, in which attendees could get acquainted with the KoC program and engage in a Halloween craft activity. A Family Literacy Night event was held at Coolville Public Library, where families could sign up for library cards.

45711 Coordinator: Paul Kristofco Program began: 2003 Children enrolled: 44 total; 8 first-

graders; 8 second-graders; 10 thirdgraders; 8 fourth-graders; 10 fifthgraders 2008 highlights: Three of the most successful events were structured recreation, a walking program and NASA seed projects. Enrichment activities offered art, computers and recreation.

Structured recreational activities were offered twice weekly and were a blend of the Coordinated Approach to Child Health (CATCH) curriculum and an exercise program. The physical activity was helpful, since the school didn’t offer physical education during the first nine weeks of the school year.

2008 highlights: Among the most successful events were visits from members

of the Ohio Valley International Council, who taught the students about African culture and songs. Members of Ohio University sports teams also visited and talked to the students about their sport. The children also participated weekly in a sign-language club formed by a KoC volunteer, where they learned how to sign the “The Star Spangled Banner.”

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

The Plains Elementary joins lineup

THE PLAINS ELEMENTARY

TRIMBLE ELEMENTARY

WEST ELEMENTARY

Address: 90 Connett Rd The Plains, OH 45780

Address: Rt. 3 18500 Jacksonville Road, Glouster, OH 45732 Coordinator: Misty Cole Program began: 2005 Children enrolled: 60 total; 14 firstgraders; 15 second-graders; 16 thirdgraders; 15 fourth-graders 2008 highlights: Among the most successful activities were Pennies for Patients, a visit from the Ohio University men’s soccer club and bubble art. In the Pennies for Patients project, students collected $200 from classmates and teachers to donate to children with cancer. At one family event, participants made hats and oscillating woodpeckers, and at another event parents learned how to use everyday household items to teach kids literacy skills.

Address: 41 Central Avenue, Athens, OH 45701 Coordinator: Misty Cole Program began: 2003 Children enrolled: 50 total; 9 firstgraders; 8 second-graders; 10 thirdgraders; 7 fourth-graders; 9 fifth-graders; 7 sixth-graders 2008 highlights: Among the most successful activities were a demonstration of the Brazilian martial art of capoeira. Enrichment-activity themes included geography, cultural awareness and creativity.Visitors from the Ohio Valley International Council talked to the children about Brazil, Botswana, Nigeria and Chad. A cultural-awareness event focused on Paraguay, Brazil, Spain, Mexico and Honduras.

Coordinator: Crystal Smith Program began: 2007 Children enrolled: 67 total; 12

first-graders; 10-second-graders; 14 third-graders; 9-fourth-graders; 11 fifth-graders; 11-sixth-graders 2008 highlights: Successful events included KoC Goes Green, an international fair and a papier mache activity. Students exchanged letters with KoC participants at Alexander Elementary. They also researched and played various sports, made paper and created a passport that included items they learned about different countries.

A Mexican literacy event included a speaker and family activities.

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

Blending fun, exercise, learning and nutrition K

ids on Campus completed its 13th year of summer programming in 2008 with a session that drew 248 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 to July 25 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, math, science, technology and swimming.  A new garden project this year provided students in grades one through four and their families with gardening basics in an effort to increase their intake of fruit and vegetables.  The program organized field trips and visits from various artists and performers, and hosted a circus event that included games and performances by the children.

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 In line with KoC’s effort to

improve children’s health, 176 children received speech and hearing screenings at Ohio University’s hearing and speech clinic, and 26 were examined by a mobile dentist.  About a quarter of the children who began the program had special needs, ranging from attention deficit disorder to hearing impairment.  Most children in the program rode the buses that Kids on Campus provided, and 61 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, lunch and snacks.  The median family income of program applicants was $20,282, 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 94 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

Activities keep children engaged 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 word-recognition and fluency, including the survey Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills (DIBELS).

Following are highlights of these surveys and tests.

75%

of students improved at least two skill levels in swimming.

76%

“My son got to do a lot of things he wouldn’t have; great exercise, friendships, field trips. This program reaches out to lowincome families, and I appreciate everything KoC does for my boy.”

— Parent

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

97%

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

100%

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

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S U M M E R P RO G R A M : AC T I V I T I E S

Kids dive into science, art, technology, fun S

ummer program activities focused on four themes: science, art, technology and recreation.  The science program introduced students to the scientific method; life cycles of plants and animals; water pollution; the water cycle; food groups; the human circulatory system; and sugar content in gum.  The art program had a circus theme, with projects geared toward the participants’ age groups.Younger students, for instance, made clown masks or watercolor paintings, while older students made animal sculptures out of salt dough or made layered papier mache sculptures over balloon bodies.  In the technology program, students learned how to use computer software such as Microsoft Excel, Word and PowerPoint. Students scoured the Internet for images on various topics related to healthy living, and each kept an electronic journal that was copied onto a CD for them to keep.  Recreation activities followed the Ringling Brothers Barnum & Bailey CircusFit curriculum, and also included swimming lessons — three out of four participants improved at least two skill levels in swimming.

“We listen to the children and honor what they have to say. Behavior is tied to value, and we tie in to the kids’ thinking. They feel valued.” — KoC staff member

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S U M M E R P RO G R A M : AC T I V I T I E S

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.

“I think KoC helped maintain skills learning during the academic year. I was very pleased with my son’s experience.” — Parent

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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

With community support, programs thrive COMMUNITY

Jeff Lyttle, center, vice president of JP Morgan Chase’s midwest region, presents a $90,000 check in May from the bank’s foundation to the Kids on Campus 2008 Summer Program. Also pictured are, from left, Roderick McDavis, Ohio University president; Cathy Lyttle, Jeff Lyttle’s wife; Gary Neiman, OU College of Health and Human Services dean; and, of course, OU Bobcat mascot Rufus.

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

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Alexander Local School District Amesville Volunteer Fire Dept.

Arcadia Nursing Center Athens City Police Dept.

Athens City Schools Athens County Dept. of Job and Family Services Athens County Library System Athens News JPMorgan Chase Foundation Charles and Judy Beck Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Athens County Bob Evans Farms Boy Scouts of America COAD Early Care and Education Division COAD Foster Grandparent Program Coolville Lions Club Coolville Volunteer Fire Dept.

Corporation for National Service (AppalCORPS and ComCORPS) Federal Hocking Local School District Federal Valley Resource Center Don and Mary Anne Flournoy High Five Jump Rope Team Junior Achievement Mobile Dentist Ohio Dept. of Natural Resources Precision Imprint People’s Bank Rusty Rittenhouse Sisters of Saint Joseph Charitable Fund Shriners Trimble Local School District USDA Summer Food Program West Elementary PTO White-Schwarzel Funeral Home Patricia Wright-Stover …and many other generous community members

OHIO UNIVERSITY

Alpha Delta Pi Atrium Café Capoeira Club 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 Global Leadership Center Hearing, Speech and Language Clinic Hudson Health Center Intercollegiate Athletics Kennedy Museum of Art Legal Affairs Literacy Center 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 University Events Ohio Valley International Council Police Department Russ College of Engineering Scripps College of Communication Telecommunications Systems Management Association Upward Bound Women’s Rugby Team WOUB Center for Public Media

looking ahead

Lean times require resourceful thinking  In response to a significant reduction in funding, we will be restructuring the Kids on Campus administrative staff. With the resignation of one of the program coordinators and the addition of an assistant director, we will be making adjustments to staff roles and responsibilities. With these changes, we believe that KoC will be an even more efficient and effective afterschool and summer program.  We will continue to pursue new funding sources.

Like the rest of the country, Kids on Campus has been affected by the current economic crisis, and we realize that it will be even more challenging to secure fund-

ing. With the financial crisis facing the state of Ohio, we have been advised not to be optimistic about the future of our current Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) funding.  We will again submit a proposal for 21st Century Community Learning Center funding to re-establish services at Trimble Elementary, and we will explore the possibility of partnering with Nelsonville York City Schools to submit a proposal to implement afterschool services in that school district.  In our desire to implement afterschool programming “best practices,” we will continue to solicit input from

program participants and their parents so that our activities are more responsive to the interests of the individuals whom we serve.  As executive director, I will continue my involvement as a Strategic Leadership Team member of the Ohio Afterschool Network, the state’s afterschool/ out-of-school time provider’s professional organization.

Through my participation with this group, I will continue to advocate for the need for sustainable investments in safe, healthy and nurturing afterschool services.

— Leslie Moss, KOC executive director

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P H O T O G A L L E R Y : afterschool program

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P H O T O G A L L E R Y : summer program

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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