Title: Sisterhood Program at Village Academy Elementary School

Description:

• The purpose of the Sisterhood Program, funded by the Sara Jo and Arthur Kobacker Donor Advisory Fund at the United Way of Palm Beach County, is to provide a cohort of 20 high-risk, black females in 4th & 5th grade with the opportunity to participate in after-school academic & social development activities designed to improve their personal success.
• Students selected for participation were identified as the most high-risk females in their grades due to the display of several risk behaviors including low academic achievement, frequent discipline problems and poor socialization skills.  The mission of the Sisterhood is to immerse these high-risk students in a positive environment to teach them the critical academic and social skills needed to achieve future success.
• The Sisterhood is a year-round, after-school program that will operate during the school year Monday through Friday from 2:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. and during a six-week summer program Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
• While in the Sisterhood Program, students will participate in 4 primary program components: 1) Homework Zone - students take time to complete their daily homework assignments, which is the first step to achieving academic success; 2) Sisterhood Briefing - provides students with a nutritional snack and creates an opportunity for peer social interaction; 3) Cooperative Learning Centers - independent learning stations that provide small teams of five students with a wide array of activities that encourage them to work together in collaborative groups; 4) Jeopardy - uses the popular Jeopardy game to increase student academic skills in a variety of academic subjects.
• Three goals have been developed for the Sisterhood Program: 1) Improve attachment to school, 2) Improve academic achievement; 3) Improve social behavior.
• The goals and outcomes of the grant activities will be evaluated by statistically analyzing the results of attendance data, FCAT and SRI scores, school discipline referrals and pre and post character education assessment scores.
• Grant funds will be used to pay for personnel, educational supplies, experiential field trips, incentives and transportation.

Recommendation:
I recommend the approval of the Sisterhood Program at Village Academy Elementary School.

Financial Impact:
Village Academy to receive $40,000.

For Additional Information, contact:
Tammy Ferguson/Carole R. Shetler/Ann Killets/(akillets@palmbeach.k12.fl.us)

Attachments (list):
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