Education | United Way of the Bay Area Blog

Kids Get Parade to Celebrate Test Score Gains

December 5, 2011 By Beth Trimarco Leave a Comment

Everyone needs a little encouragement, especially elementary-school kids taking tests.

“I know that you are very intelligent and always try your best which is what matters. Do your best since each exam is a step towards being that great doctor you have told me you want to be.”

That’s just one example of the special messages that McPherson Elementary School students in Napa Valley received, when 435 parents participated in a note writing campaign. It was part of a neighborhood-wide effort to raise standardized test scores to meet federal No Child Left Behind targets.

Kids were also boosted by local vendors, who donated school supplies and treats. Students got extra tutoring, and firefighters, police officers, and elected officials delivered motivational messages every morning over the PA system.

McPherson is one of several Bay Area Community Schools that is supported by United Way. Our grant supports the school’s Family Resource Center, which makes it easier for families meet basic needs by locating services right on the school campus. When families are sustaining themselves, kids can focus more on learning.

After four months of parents, teachers, and the community joining forces, tests were taken, and McPherson was one of only three elementary schools in Napa Valley Unified School District to meet all testing targets required by No Child Left Behind.

To celebrate, the Napa City Police Department closed the streets and escorted more than 700 McPherson students with about 100 teachers and community members to the new high school football stadium to honor this shared achievement. Everyone was greeted by the Napa High School marching band and cheerleaders, and the school district treated everyone present to a BBQ.

Congratulations, McPherson!

Filed Under: Education, Pathways out of Poverty Tagged With: children, community project, Education, Napa, youth

Hometown Huddle Brings Smiles to Oakland Students

October 20, 2011 By Maria Stokes Leave a Comment

This past Tuesday (Oct. 18) United Way, the Oakland Raiders and UPS teamed up for Hometown Huddle at Oakland’s Garfield Elementary School.

Oakland Raiders Rock Cartwright and De Marcus Van Dyke joined UPS volunteers to promote active and healthy living among Garfield students.

Rock and De Marcus lead the students in a series of fun exercises, games, and storytelling. At the close of the day, each student received a bag of healthy food to share with their families. As you’ll see in the photos below, the kids who attended the event had a wonderful time!

Thanks to our partners at East Bay Asian Youth Center, who were the perfect hosts.

This month, NFL teams across the country are working with their regional United Ways to drive home the importance of community involvement by participating in hands-on volunteer projects in their communities. For the last eight years, NFL players and their families have participated in a variety of activities, ranging from building playgrounds for toddlers, to conducting skill-building sessions for teens, to serving lunch to senior citizens.

Filed Under: Pathways out of Poverty Tagged With: Education, food, partners, Volunteer

Teachers Rock – Story of the Week

February 18, 2011 By Maria Stokes Leave a Comment

United Way’s Teachers Rock campaign is underway! Thanks to all who have shared your stories so far, including Samantha from San Francisco, who shared her thoughts about Mrs. Shilstone. It’s our story of the week. Read more below about how to share your own Teachers Rock story.

Mrs. Shilstone – World’s Best Language Arts Teacher
When I entered NDV’s middle school, to say that I was scared would be an understatement. My whole class had no idea what to expect, and we were not familiar with any of our new teachers. Our first class was with Mrs. Shilstone, and everyone immediately fell in love with her. She knew that we were apprehensive about the 6th grade, and she calmed our nerves with her somewhat maternal way of teaching.

My class had been through a teacher whirlwind – constantly gaining or losing teachers throughout our middle school careers. But Mrs. Shilstone had been the only solid rock that we had to hold on to. She is always there if you need her, and she is always there if you don’t need her. She never picks favorites, and she is loved by all. Her sense of humor is one that appeals to everyone, and she stays “hip” in her literary choices, so that she knows what her students are reading. She has been at NDV for about thirty years, and I hope she could be here for another thirty.

Have a teacher who inspired you? One who made a difference in your life or of a child you know? Tell us about him or her! Click here to submit your story and read other stories.

Your story submission qualifies you for our raffle drawing toward a chance to win $200 in classroom supplies for a Bay Area school of your choice! And a chance to win a free DVD of the critically-acclaimed documentary film, Waiting for Superman.

Filed Under: Education Tagged With: community schools, Education