For a change of pace for my blog this week, I thought I’d share a bit of the statistics of the work we are doing at LIST. To start with, as of yesterday, we have completed 267 sessions since our opening in September. This does not include the dozen or so students that have come to use the computer for various school projects. Our current schedule includes students from first grade to fourth grade. Interestingly enough, the majority of the students currently attending are in second grade. Our waiting list is up to a total of 14 students and continues to grow weekly.
As I have been observing the impact of LIST for the past several months as well as observing the needs of the community, I have spent this past week researching and forming plans for programs we will run in the future, especially this summer. I will use this research to develop initiatives for writing for grants. The two initiatives I have been spending the most time working on are the “Internet Initiative” and the “Intensive Program Initiative”. The “Internet Initiative” is exactly as it sounds: an initiative seeking money for bring wireless internet access to LIST as well as 2-3 laptops for students use as well as administrative use. The “Intensive Program Initiative” is much more involved and we will need the help of the principal and teachers of the local elementary school. This program will take place during the summer, and will be for students entering kindergarten, first and second grades for the school year 2009-2010. I will invite those students that were close to retention, or behind grade level, or those students that have tested as not being prepared for kindergarten, and work with them in a small group setting throughout the summer. The sessions will be no more the 2 hours twice a week. I plan to cover mostly reading, but will include some math skills when necessary to the students needs. In addition to pricing out materials for each initiative, I have also been researching various foundations that align with our goals. If you know of any potential foundations, feel free to email me, Kim Vellenga, at kvellenga@listhelps.org. Also, if you know of additional resources, please email me.
Finally, just another reminder, “Laugh With Kids . . . Not At Them” is coming, March 6th. If you are in the area, come and join us! For more information go to www.listhelps.org and click on the “News” tab.
