At Risk Schools Project
Avenue of Service _Community Service__ Project Title: At Risk Schools Project
Avenue of Service Chair: Elizabeth Fielder and Steve Fonda
In 2010-2011, the Reno Central Rotary club completed a "schools assessment project" – identifying and filling specific needs of local schools that would otherwise go unmet because of funding constraints or other reasons. Our Community Services Committee (comprised of 10-15 Rotarians) performed most of the work. The project involved indentifying the more "at risk" or "needy" schools in our community, working with school officials to identify specific needs within their school, analyzing information gathered, and finally, choosing the schools and the needs to receive assistance from our club. The project was completed over the course of approximately 8 months, and involved applying for and receiving a $2,000 District Simplified Grant. Below is a list of the schools and the needs selected:
Sun Valley Elementary School (Uniforms; Science Camp):
• Provided $1,050 used to purchase new school uniforms for the neediest families at the school, thereby allowing all students to have uniforms for the 2010-11 school year.
• Provided $4,000 used to offset costs for 80 fifth grade students to attend a hands-on Science Camp at Camp Galilee in South Lake Tahoe, May 31-June 3, 2011. It is run by Great Basin Outdoor School. We also applied for and received a District Simplified Grant for this project; in total, we provided $6,000 of the $8,000 needed to send all fifth graders at the school to this camp.
Hug High School (Marching Band Uniforms): Provided $5,000 used to purchase new marching band uniforms and sheet music, and to offset costs for entry fees for off-site music competitions.
Glen Duncan Elementary School (Choral Risers; Playground Equipment): Provided approximately $5,000 which was used to purchase risers for music classes and performances (approx. $4,100), and badly needed playground equipment (approx. $575).
Echo Loder Elementary School (Guitar Program): Provided $3,200 which was used to purchase guitars, cases and music books for an after school music program that is part of the Echo Loder school/community center program.