Sheridan School's "Make a Difference Day"
The Guide Newspaper
October 28, 1999
Lisa Shaat
Parents, teachers, students, AmeriCorps volunteers and neighbors all came out on Saturday, October 23 to help out in Sheridan Elementary School's "Make a Difference Day", at "G" and Ontario Streets.
Seven volunteers with the National School and Community Corps, a branch of AmeriCorps, organized the activities of the day, which included the painting of the schoolyard for organized recess. They painted seven "stations" which included areas for hopscotch, dodgeball, kickball and kingball. The plan is that when the kids come out for recess, they can pick an activity in which to participate, and one of the volunteers will be stationed at each activity to supervise and keep order, and also to teach the kids to interact with each other in a safe, positive way.
In addition to the painting, there was a massive clean up, a Tai Chi and self-defense demonstration, and a tasty lunch for all who participated, complete with a raffle for door prizes.
The volunteers from the National School and Community Corps have been at Sheridan since September 1. Led by team leader Shelly Thomas, the volunteers have been striving to make a difference in both the school and the community. "We offer in-class aid, tutoring, mentor programs, before and after school programs, homework help and socialized recess, we may even be starting a day camp in the summer," explained Thomas. "Volunteers from the National School and Community Corps are in 20 Philadelphia schools, and we really feel good about what we're doing."
Thomas explained how she became involved in the Corps. "I saw a girl in my neighborhood crying and I asked her what happened. It turns out she had been jumped and she was in pretty bad shape, I stayed with her when she went to the hospital and when she went to the authorities and gave her comfort and support, but she was so shook up, she wanted to quit school, I talked her out of it. The principal later spoke with me and thanked me for saving this girl, My reply? What more can I do? How can I help more kids to stay in school? How can I help make schools safer?" The rest is history.
She now leads the team at Sheridan and takes pride in what she does. She and the other volunteers earn a $4,725 education grant and a $8,740 stipend for living expenses per year. Some of the volunteers are focused on earning the education grant, but they all share a main goal, and that is to help the school and surrounding community. "The volunteers all love to work with kids," said Thomas, "and this is a good way to earn experience in that field." In addition to everything they are doing for the school, they plan to go out into the community and organize food and clothing drives, and to offer GED and ESL classes for adults as well.
Ruarri Blake, an NSCC member, spoke at the luncheon and thanked all the students, teachers and parents who came out to help. "You didn't just help one child today," she said, "you've made a difference in the lives of 1,200 children!". Blake was referring to the huge student population at Sheridan school which is suffering from an overcrowding problem. The new principal, Cheryl Eisenberg, explained in a phone interview that there is a need to find adequate space for several classes of fifth graders. She is exploring possible solutions, such as bussing them to a nearby school or perhaps getting some trailers. A decision has yet to be made, and she is open to suggestions from parents. In recent years, the school's student enrollment has increased greatly, and subsequently, some of Sheridan's kindergarten classes are held at near by Ascension Catholic School.
Assistant Principal Ms. Guy was there on Saturday to help out, and she is thankful to everyone who came to lend a hand. In addition to the National School and Community Corps volunteers, also in attendance was their regional manager Greg King; Sheridan teachers Mr. Firestone, Mrs. Murphy, Mrs. Rivas, Mrs. C; the school nurse, Mrs. Robinson; and many parents and students. One parent, Nancy Leach Jones, explained why she was there on a chilly Saturday morning painting in the schoolyard. "These people are helping our kids every day, so we should be here helping them today." Student Jeanette Valero felt the same passion about helping out at her school, so she woke her mother up and brought her along to help too. "My daughter has been going here since Head Star, and she's now in the fifth grade," Said her mother, also named Jeanette. "I care about the school and I'm always willing to help out." Student Timothy Zambrana put it simply, "I'm just here because I want to help my school."
The day was a big success, and there will be more clean up days in the future. Also scheduled are Saturday morning Tai Chi and self defense classes taught by Brandon Blake, a black belt in Karate and the brother of Ruarri Blake.