Meeting Minutes
The Goddard School’s Summer Program
Wednesday, March 11th
Attendance: Marion Guerra, Ann Marie Walsh-Pierozzi, Rick Whitefleet-Smith, Rev. Dan Wilson (Aldersgate), Jon Wortmann, Sally Fodor
Next Meeting: Wednesday, April 15th 12 Noon, Goddard School (Lunch will be provided)
We had a productive meeting last week as we began discussing this year’s summer program. Below, I have summarized what we know at this time:
Theme: Three Cups of Tea (Pennies for Peace) www.penniesforpeace.org.
In June, all students at the Goddard School will either be reading Listen to the Wind (K-4) or Three Cups of Tea (Young Reader’s Edition 4-8) by Greg Mortenson. (He also wrote an adult version too). This book is about one man’s mission to promote peace…one school at a time. Pennies for Peace have provided funds to help build over 57 schools in Pakistan and Afghanistan to date. This book will be our inspiration as we create the theme for this year’s summer program.
When: The summer program dates are not yet set but will most likely begin on Monday, June 29th and conclude Thursday, July 23rd; four weeks versus five, Monday – Thursday with the exception of the July 4th week being three days.
Time: 9am – 2:30pm / 3pm; our volunteers will be arriving at noon.
Group Size: Similar to last year (100-125) students.
Segments:
1. Community Garden- Always a Staple!
2. Reading – There is a big emphasis on reading at the Goddard School. The kids have been actively participating in the ERA program (Everybody Reads at Home). This has made a tremendous impact not only on the child’s confidence and comprehension but also with their parents and relationship at home. The Principal would like to continue to build on this over the summer as kids will read to us their favorite books, have reading buddies, share their favorite things, etc.
3. Arts & Crafts – Projects will be tailored around reading (bookmarks, decorating book bags, construct or build something, etc.) and the story Three Cups of Tea.
4. Music – Kelli this segment was a huge hit last year. We could introduce more multi-cultural music, etc. The talent show will need your expertise and we will have access to the house system this year.
5. Three Cups of Tea – This segment could be anything relating to the story: Leadership, Science (building a spaghetti bridge), Invite a Pakistan Family to speak to the kids on customs/culture, topics relating to teamwork, common goals, donating and tracking pennies, sipping tea / with cookies, a speaker from Heifer Int’l., etc.
The program will end with both the BBQ lunch and talent show. This year, the luncheon will be organized by the members of Aldersgate Methodist Church.
We asked both Principal Guerra and Vice Principal Walsh-Pierozzi for their help in providing specific program activities / ideas so we may better prepare our volunteers in advance. Additionally, they will try to give us general information on the children attending the program so we may have the opportunity to get to know each one a little bit better (i.e. interests, hobbies, likes/dislikes, goals, etc.).
Jon and I will speak with Verrill to see if our K-4 Sunday School kids can read Listen to the Wind in May/June. We will also speak with Wendy to see what we can do to piggy back on the same idea with our 5th and 6th graders. It would be great if we all have a basic understanding about this book so we may connect with the Goddard School students and to the theme surrounding this year’s summer program.
