News and information for staff members and the Madison community
Vol. II No. 9 - August 6, 2007
The volunteer coordinator for Leopold Elementary School had her hands full this summer. Josie Golembiewski worked with 19 volunteers who helped in the K-Ready Summer School Program.
MMSD launched the program in 2004 to help students prepare for kindergarten. A spring screener evaluates upcoming kindergarteners' basic skills in order to select students for the 6-week summer program.
"These are high-need kids," Golembiewski said. "During K-Ready, they need more adults in the classroom. VISTAs are an integral part of the program."
VISTA volunteers serve as a "domestic Peace Corps" through the Schools of Hope project. This collaboration of MMSD, RSVP of Dane County and the United Way provides 32 summer VISTAs and 13 full-year VISTAs who serve in the six Madison schools that host K-Ready this summer.
Summer VISTA volunteers play a unique role because they work with K-Ready full-time, allowing them to connect with students and interact more effectively. MMSD teachers lead the K-Ready classes, consisting of 10 to 12 students, in literacy and math activities every weekday morning. Some classes also have part-time community volunteers.
K-Ready volunteers assist with small- and large-group activities and also provide much-needed individual attention. Leopold teacher Cheri Van Ert said the children thrive with such a narrow student-adult ratio. She explained that the VISTAs have a significant impact on the children's social and academic learning, and that all volunteers enrich the classroom atmosphere.
"VISTAs bring a different life experience, and RSVP volunteers bring a whole vast knowledge," she said. "It's important for kids to learn from this range of experience because they are just filled up with a broader knowledge."
Children learn through consistency and routine, and with intensive training and teachers' guidance, summer VISTAs can help keep kids on track.
"My VISTA has been amazing at picking up what I do in the classroom and following through with it in other situations," K-Ready teacher Maya Martinez said.
"Having a VISTA is so incredibly helpful for K-Ready," emphasized Martinez, who has worked with VISTAs for the past two years. "The philosophy of the VISTA program is about allowing children to have a better chance in school, and the VISTAs enjoy children and believe in summer school. They are really committed to the program."
Last Updated: Thu Nov 1 13:37:06 2007
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