Chapter 11: Partnershp is Going Strong, New Rector Dives In

SEPTEMBER 2008-AUGUST 2009

One-hundred fifty students participated in YMCA’s Bright Beginnings this August, returning to school with new clothes and school supplies and ready to learn. Volunteers helped with opening day. Mrs. Taylor continued as principal, Betsy Carr as Outreach Coordinator, Carol Sabatino as On-site Coordinator and Buford Scott as St. Paul’s Micah Committee chair.

The Seal Team returned for a week in October to work with the fourth grade, focusing on team building and physical fitness. This program was again coordinated by Micah volunteer, Anne Rusbuldt.

New to Woodville this year was an exciting partnership with The Virginia Treatment Center for Children (VTCC) at Virginia Commonwealth University, through a collaboration initiated by St. Paul’s parishioner, Dr. Michelle Whitehurst-Cook. A psychology intern and psychiatry fellow worked with Woodville students every Tuesday and participated on the Student Assistance Team (SAT) which provided students with holistic case management services. The VTCC staff also conducted staff in-service training, teacher consultation about classroom behavior management, and worked with Woodville to strategize on more effective methods to promote parent and family involvement.

Carol Sabatino, On-site Coordinator, worked on volunteer training, orientation and tracking. All volunteers used Keep-N-Track, a computer system in the office for signing in and out and for capturing volunteer hours. Also, all volunteers were required to complete the 2008-2009 volunteer application, a two-part RPS volunteer application and the CPS and criminal background check (if not already completed).

At that time, we had 77 total weekly volunteers at Woodville, with 19 being from St. Paul’s. New partners joined the Micah Ministry, including ECPI College of Technology, Nationwide Insurance, and the Association of Legal Administrators, who completed a beautification planting project in front of the school. A dogwood tree was planted in memory of Phyllis Moyer.

In November, Micah volunteers used St. Paul’s vans to provide transportation for Woodville parents to vote in the presidential election. Also in November, all of St. Paul’s Church welcomed our new rector, Wallace Adams-Riley. Wallace quickly joined the Micah Ministry by  mentoring a child at Woodville each week. We were delighted with his support and welcomed him as a member of the Micah Committee. His continued support in promoting the importance of our partnership with Woodville has proved invaluable.

In January, the first Learners’ Jamboree was held at Woodville as a response to the Micah Committee’s desire to encourage outstanding students to continue to excel and to perhaps consider learning options for middle school. Third, fourth and fifth-grade honor roll students and their parents were invited to attend. Twenty-seven students attended the first session and only seven attended without parents. Students had rotating sessions in reading, writing and math, while parents had time in the computer lab and discussed effective parenting. Both parents and students were enthusiastic so another session in March was planned. Sixteen volunteers and seven administrators/teachers helped at one or both sessions.

An afterschool program in connection with the Learners’ Jamboree was offered by two teachers from the Visual Arts Center to help students learn to improve their writing skills and foster a love of writing. Two groups had five sessions each. Nine third-graders and nine students from fourth and fifth-grade participated.

Carol Sabatino reported in February that 104 volunteers worked regularly at Woodville with 30 regular mentors/tutors coming from St. Paul’s.

Scholar Roll and Student Enrichment Trips by grade continued (see highlights for details). Eight students, chaperoned by Ms. Haliburton and Mr. Ingram and Page and Adrian Luxmoore, traveled to Washington, D.C. for two days and one night. They visited the Capitol, Rep. Bobby Scott’s office, monuments, the Natural History Museum and the National Zoo; rode on a canal boat; and had an overnight in a hotel.

Class enrichment trips selected by teachers for 2008-2009 included: K—Maymont and picnic; 1st –Theatre IV; 2nd—Science Museum with Wonderplace; 3rd—Science Museum with IMAX and Lab; 4th—Pamplin Historical Park; 5th—Virginia Aquarium.

UPS Freight sponsored a Kids Run in the spring. P.E. teacher Ms. Johnson helped coordinate 17 Woodville students to run in the popular Monument Avenue 10K Race. Each participant received a free entry fee, a new pair of shoes (some donated by parishioner Mary Kay Huss’s brother-in-law at Runner Bill’s), socks, and a UPS t-shirt. Each student who finished the race got a medal. A school bus transported runners and volunteers from Woodville to the race and back.

An enlarged and very successful Field Day was held for all students on May 22. Many Micah volunteers helped staff booths and stations and served lunch.

Betsy Carr, St. Paul’s Outreach Coordinator, was elected to the Virginia General Assembly.

SUMMER 2009

A free health clinic was held again in April at Woodville Presbyterian to provide physicals and help to fill out paperwork for summer camp. Volunteers from the Micah partnership along with Dr. Michelle Whitehurst-Cook and staff from MCV made the day possible.

Our three loyal employees—Mary, Brenda and Erik returned and provided strength and stability to our program and to campers. This was our first year to collaborate with Peter Paul Development Center, which offered nine weeks of camp for 21 children. In all, 211 campers enjoyed 364 camping experiences at 33 different camps (10 residential; 23 day camps). The generosity of donors, especially the $11,600 raised by the “Put Happy on a Face” and other gifts, plus the efforts of 57 volunteers supported this amazing program. Page Luxmoore and the camp committee work all year long to make summer camp a reality for so many campers.

OTHER HIGHLIGHTS:

• On-going training for new volunteers was provided throughout the year by Virginia Mentoring Partnerships.
• St. Paul’s Youth continued “Saturday Sisters” with 11 fourth and fifth grade girls from Woodville in the fall, winter and spring.
• Woodville boys in grades 4th through 7th (former students) participated in St. Christopher’s Saturday Academy. Ten to 12 boys participated in sessions in the fall, winter and spring. Six volunteers ride/drive the van to assist with the two Saturday programs.
• The SPARC Core program continued for two students in the fall, and two students continued with the Greater Richmond Children’s Choir.
• Woodville Holiday dinner was a success with a large turnout. Micah volunteers helped serve and Micah funded the food.
• Volunteers participated in Read Across America Day.
• Scholar Trips for 2008-2009 included:
  • Full-year Scholars and parents went to Virginia Beach (2nd-5th only)
  • Young Audience show at school and Chinafest at VMFA (1st and 2nd)
  • Theatre at University of Richmond, visit to Main Library and Mad Science (3rd)
  • Capitol, Maggie Walker House, John Marshall House, Science Museum, Agecroft Hall and Henricus (4th), Virginia Historical Society, Black History Museum and State Library (5th)
  • 165 students, 26 parents (fewer this year since two programs were held at school) and 32 volunteers participated.
• Volunteers Phil Huss and Lew Holley treated Ms. McDowell’s kindergarten class to an outing to Brandermill Lake.
• Volunteers helped with planning and decorating for the Fifth Grade Dinner.
• The Outreach Board end-of-year celebration at the Warsaw was fun for all.

OTHER CHALLENGES:

• We continued to face the on-going challenge of retaining volunteers to the Micah Ministry and attracting new volunteers.
• We now had competition for volunteers and financial support from new and reenergized local and global outreach efforts at St. Paul’s.