Project Description
The Toolkits, Books, and Backpacks Project was first initiated by MCPSRA in 2003 at the request of MCPS Superintendent Dr. Jerry Weast to help economically disadvantaged elementary school children who attend the Title I Extended Learning Opportunities Summer Adventures in Learning (ELO SAIL) Program at approximately 25 school sites each summer. The Project has grown in size and scope over the years from one that benefited some 800 students the first year to one that touched the lives of over 5,000 children last summer alone. Title I Summer School coordinators are anticipating the need for 32 school sites this summer to serve over 6,000 children in grades K through 5 during July and early August. This project has achieved local, state, and national recognition and many awards.
Toolkits
Lidded plastic box Toolkits containing a carefully selected and generous variety of school supplies are assembled and distributed to all Title I summer school kindergartners for use at home to support their learning at school. The number of kits needed each year has escalated from 800 the first year to 1315 last summer. Due to the severely recessed national economy, it is anticipated that the need will dramatically increase to close to 1500 this summer. The cost per toolkit is approximately $10 to $11. Once the kits are assembled and distributed to each school site, in-service training sessions for parents are offered to help them learn how to best use with their children the items and lesson plans provided in the toolkits.
Books
Mainly new and some gently used children’s Books are purchased and/or collected and distributed to children in Grades I through 5 to add to or begin a home library. Enough funds were raised to purchase every Title I ELO SAIL student in grades 4 and 5 a new paperback book last summer, some 1600 books. If sufficient funds are raised, new books will again be purchased this summer for children in as many grade levels as possible. The gently used books are distributed to each summer school site to be used for classroom reading and to be given to students at summer’s end.
Backpacks
Backpacks of school supplies and books are assembled and given to each homeless child enrolled in the Title I summer school programs. This component of the MCPSRA special project was added two years ago at the request of Title I coordinators when homeless children from non-Title I schools were invited to attend the ELO SAIL Program. More than 50 backpacks of school supplies have been provided by MCPSRA for these needy children since then.
MCPSRA Special Projects Committee Co-Chairs:
Joan Donovan and Trish Bendler
Updated May 25, 2009 | Maintained by Webmaster
