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St. Mark Support for After-School Prog~ati,~ti 1201 Locust Street Dubuque, Iowa 52001-4709 FAX 563-582-0220 E-mail smccdbq@yahoo.com Web Site: smccdbq.org January 16, 2007 The Honorable Mayor and City Council City of Dubuque 50 W. 13`e Street Dubuque, Iowa 52001-4864 Dear Mayor and City Council Members: ~ ~W ~ I' ~P,~ ~P~ /-,. SMCC Office Develop. Director Kids Connection THINK Together 582-6211 Ext. 100 582-6211 Ext. 105 582-5655 Ext. 102 582-5655 Ext. 103 With the assistance of the Department of Education Federal and State grants, St. Mark Community Center has been able to provide before and after-school programs, mentoring programs, family literacy and summer school programs for youth and their families in the downtown Dubuque area. Our goals have been to improve student achievement in reading, math and science; improve social competency; and to provide mentoring and family enrichment programs. These services are provided to over 250 children coming from the following schools: Prescott, Fulton, Audubon, Marshall, Lincoln, Jefferson, Washington and Roosevelt (right now, we have a waiting list of 70 youth we cannot take due to space, staff and financial needs.) Over a two year period, of the students enrolled in the St. Mark Community Center after-school program, 52% have improved in math and 61 % have improved their scores in reading -which shows you that what we've been doing is working! We also know that a number of families in the downtown area during the critical hours of 3-7 p.m. would not have a safe place with caring adult supervision for their children -and that homework and reading assignments would often not be completed without the assistance of St. Mark's staff. Unfortunately, cuts on the federal and state level have reduced our funding this year and will be phased out by 2008. Community members (leisure services, schools, police, DHS, etc.) have formed a sustainability committee where we have narrowed down our services to the most necessary. We have also begun fundraising efforts and are asking Dubuque businesses, individuals, government agencies and service clubs, etc. to garner local support for the Community Center activities. We will continue these efforts so that local, consistent funding will ensure that the children and families in downtown Dubuque will receive the support they need to be successful, productive citizens of society. The Sustainability Committee rated the after-school programs at Fulton, Prescott and Audubon as the most critical to sustain. We ask the City of Dubuque to sponsor or assist with the after-school programs at these three sites and place us on your 2008 budget as a line item. Thank you for your consideration. Sincerely, Sister Inez Turnmeyer, Executive Director Sandi Helgerson, Development Director Executive Director - Sr. Inez Turnmeyer, OSF Trustees: Karen Chadwick • Doug Fisher • Dick Landis Marvin O'Hare • Angela Petsche • Janet Quick • Kim Roddick Mike Sisler • Chris Theisen • Suzanne Wright dark Commun1~ St. Mark Community Center City of Dubuque, Iowa Proposal for Funding Out of School Programs for Youth "Join the Cause, See the Effect" Vision and Desired Results Almost 20 years ago, when the doors of St. Mark Community Center first opened, we asked community leaders, human service agencies and families in the downtown Dubuque area what they needed from a community center: • They told us that they noticed more kids in the downtown area were hanging out, running around, and generally getting in trouble after school. • The schools told us that they could use some homework help, one-on-one mentoring and behavioral education for their students. • Others told us that we needed to meet the needs of not only the child, but the family as a whole. • Another thing that was important was that the families could afford the service. The vision of St. Mark Community Center is to enhance the academic and social development of children in order that they may reach their potential and become productive citizens of society. Results of such a vision are that children will succeed in school, model appropriate social behavior and have a safe place with caring adult role models during critical non-school hours. Our main strategies are providing before and after-school programs focusing on reading and math, assistance with homework, mentoring programs, behavioral modification activities and summer school with field trips. Our request for city funding is based upon providing not only quality recreational services, but also academic assistance during out of school hours for children needing assistance in Title 1 schools in the downtown area. When looking at the City of Dubuque's vision and goal statements, this request addresses many of the goals you have already identified: * Dubuque citizens have choices of quality livable neighborhoods and fun things to do and are engaged in the community. * Education must not be relegated to the schools alone but must become a collaborative experience that weds public and private sector, business and government, parent and child in partnership with each other and our educational institutions. A community's quality of life and ability to attract and retain both economic growth and residents often depends on the quality and quantity of educational facilities and services. * Continue an active partnership of business, educational institutions, community organizations and government to provide information to local businesses. * To create and deliver a quality education that allows all students to reach their highest potential. -1- St. Mark Community Center Conditions and Causes There are a number of reasons why academic based programs for critical non-school hours are important: • All the schools that are served through St. Mark Community Center are Title 1 schools indicating a great percent of their families are on the free and reduced lunch program and in need of extra reading assistance. • Two of the schools served are part of the "No Child Left Behind" act and on the watch list of schools needing academic improvement (Prescott & Fulton.) • Some parents have little or low education and cannot provide homework assistance to their children. • These schools serve a major segment of transient populations from inner cities. • Families are racially diverse and in need of diversity programs to accept and embrace differences. • More children have special needs such as autism, ADHD that need additional supervision from caring adults. • Between the hours of 3-7 p.m. are times where children are often unsupervised due to single parent families with multiple jobs and in other cases both parents are working. • Most of the families at these schools cannot afford to pay for child care or supervision while at work. Current Programming In order to meet the needs identified by the downtown community, our programs address the areas of academic improvement, enrichment, and family literacy. We are currently providing before and after school programming at Fulton, Prescott and Audubon schools (meeting at the schools), along with on-site summer school to over 250 students in the downtown Dubuque area. There is also a waiting list of almost 70 students that there wasn't room to accommodate this year. The goals of the project include: improving student achievement in reading, math and science; improving social competency; providing mentoring and family enrichment programs. Children meet for an hour and a half before school starts and receive homework help. Our after-school programs meets for 3 hours where we provide certified teachers, paraprofessionals and mentors who assist with academics and provide small group and one-on-one mentoring activities. Children also participate in a variety of enrichment activities that include substance abuse prevention, social skill development, nutrition and heath, diversity, and the fine arts. During summer school, we provide field trips to places like the Museum of Art, the Mississippi River Museum, the Mathias Ham House, Crystal Lake Caves, etc. so that students may broaden their horizons and experience things they may not otherwise have an opportunity to come in contact with. -2- St. Mark Community Center We chose to provide these programs for the downtown schools because no one else was. Our programs are free -providing access to all families, regardless of income. Most of our families are worried about providing the bare necessities and can't afford the extras. Program Evaluation With the help of certified teachers in our before and after-school programs, we have documented student improvement in grades, basic skills test scores, and teachers have noticed behavioral improvement during classroom time. In fact, over a two year period, of the students enrolled in the St. Mark Community Center after school program, 52% have improved in math and 61 % have improved in reading. Funding Need In the past, St. Mark Community Center has received two major grants through the Iowa Department of Education for before and after-school care, mentoring, and family literacy types of programming. At the time that we applied for and received funding for these programs, we were told these grants would be renewable. After several cuts on a federal and state level, unfortunately this is no longer the case. We are working hard to let local businesses, individuals, government entities and schools know about our funding dilemma and to ask them to "Join the Cause, See the Effect" by becoming financial partners with St. Mark Community Center. We have successfully implemented our first fundraising luncheon in November of 2006, and plans are in place to start a marketing committee and business partner campaign. We believe non-school hours of programming are important, that we need to expand upon recreational activity and provide academic assistance and social behavioral modification. We believe successful students become successful employees. We believe acceptance, diversity and respect for authority, others and self needs to be taught. We believe the City of Dubuque would want to set the pace and role model a financial commitment to the success of children and families in the downtown area that need our help the most. We do know that other cities in the state of Iowa have budgeted and sponsored after-school programs needing this assistance. -3- St. Mark Community Center City of Dubuque Budget Request City of After-school Program Fulton Audubon Prescott Dubuque St_ Mark 2Para-professionals per school $6,800.00 $6,800.00 $6,800.00 $20,400.00 Taxes & Benefits $691.00 $691.00 $691.00 $2,073.00 Inservice $204.00 $204.00 $204.00 $612.00 1 Certified Teacher per School $7,200.00 $7,200.00 $7,200.00 $21,600.00 Taxes & Benefits $769.00 $769.00 $769.00 $2,307.00 Inservice $108.00 $108.00 $108.00 $324.00 2/3 Site Coordinator $7,327.00 $7,327.00 $7,327.00 $21,981.00 Insurance $1,207.00 $1,207.00 $1,207.00 $3,621.00 Taxes & Benefits $850.00 $850.00 $850.00 $2,550.00 Professional Development $400.00 $400.00 $400.00 $1,200.00 Materials $1,000.00 $1,000.00 $1,000.00 $3,000.00 Administration $1,000.00 $1,000.00 $1,000.00 $3,000.00 After School Subtotal $27,556.00 $27,556.00 $27,556.00 $72,297.00 $10,371.00 City of Before School Program Fulton Audubon Prescott Dubuque St. Mark 2 Para-professionals $6,120.00 $6,120.00 $6,120.00 $18,360.00 Taxes & Benefits $634.00 $634.00 $634.00 $1,902.00 1/3 Site Coordinator $3,664.00 $3,664.00 $3,664.00 $10,992.00 Inservice $204.00 $204.00 $204.00 $612.00 Materials $300.00 $300.00 $300.00 $900.00 Before School Subtotal $10,922.00 $10,922.00 $10,922.00 $32,766.00 Summer School City of Dubuque St. Mark 4 Para-professionals 3,780.00 1 Teacher $3,600.00 Planning Time $510.00 Inservice $324.00 Taxes & Benefits $806.00 Materials $1,000.00 On Apple Bee Pond $240.00 Travel $525.00 Field Trips $3 500.00 Summer School Subtotal $14,285.00 St. Mark Community Center City of Dubuque Budget Request Family Literacy -Read, Eat & Do - 2 Sessions City of Dubuque St. Mark Teacher + planning time $720.00 Helper $360.00 Child Care $306.00 Books for parents & kids $1,200.00 Materials and supplies $300.00 Meals $2,700.00 Family Literacy Subtotal $5,586.00 THINK Together Mentoring Program Site Coordinator $23,710.00 Taxes & Benefits $3,576.00 Transportation $600.00 Phone $720.00 Materials, Supplies, Printing $3,319.00 Family Nights $1,000.00 Summer Activities $2,500.00 Professional Development $1,200.00 Administration & Screening $2,900.00 Advertising $500.00 THINK Together Subtotal $40,025.00 Totals Requested & Matched $72,297.00 $103,033.00 '~ C~ommuni Schools ~ January 3, 2007 Sister Inez Turnmeyer St. Mark Community Center 1201 Locust Street Dubuque, IA 52001 Dear Sister Inez: Learning• Leading•Living I am happy to write this letter of support for the work of Saint Mark Community Center on behalf of the Dubuque Community School District. Without doubt, Saint Mark Community Center has become not just a valuable community partner, but an essential partner for our schools. Hundreds of students from our downtown schools have benefited from the before- and after-school programs and summer school programming initiated and conducted by the Center. The programs offered through Saint Mark address instructional, nutritional, and recreational needs that would otherwise go unmet. In addition, Saint Mark has developed programs that reach out to parents to educate them in ways they can support their children in developing literacy skills and make their homes better places for children to learn and grow. The Saint Mark Community Center staff members are creative, energetic, and committed to service. They have a proven track record of success as illustrated by their Apples for Students program and their leadership in the Dubuque Mentoring Initiative. An investment in Saint Mark Community Center is an investment in our children, in our community and in our future. Because of the expiration of funding from the 21S` Century 21St Community Learning Center Grant, it will be important for our entire community to step forward to provide support for the programs provided by the Center. I encourage the City of Dubuque to help provide a role model for the kind of broad-based support that is essential. Yours truly, ~~ ~~~ John L. Burgart Superintendent of Schools Dubuque Police Department Law Enforcement Center P.O. Box 875 Dubuque, Iowa 52004-0875 Phone (319) 589-4410 Fax (319) 589-4497 December 28, 2006 Sister Inez Turnmeyer St. Mark Community Center 1201 Locust Street Dubuque, !A 52001 RE: Letter of Support Dear Sister Inez, THE CITY OF DUB E ~%.~-!~ The purpose of this letter is to express my admiration and appreciation for the work done by the St. Mark's Community Center. I have been fortunate to observe your dedicated staff as they work to provide important educational opportunities for our children. St. Mark's Community Center has become a cornerstone in the enrichment of community partnerships for the improvement of children education and learning. St. Mark's Community Center promotes comprehensive learning and quality programming from the "basics" to the use of today's computer technology to enhance children learning and understanding. St. Mark's Community Center remains committed to the individual child to capture their imagination and to expand their potential. Through an enthusiastic staff, St. Mark's Community Center provides a safe and quality environment for children to invest in themselves for a brighter future. Thank you St. Mark's Community Cuter for all that yob do and for the difference you are making. Sincerely, -~ - Kim B. adding Police Chief Service People Integrity Responsibility Innovation Teamwork ~~ ,~ Dubuque, "" ;~-w COlIllYllll'llty Shirley Horstman "' '~ '`" ' SC~l00LS Director of Student Services Dubuque Community School District 2300 Chaney Road Dubuque, IA 52001 Phone: (563) 552-3083 Fax: (563) 552-3102 shorstman@dubuque.kl2.ia.us Learning• leading• Living January 3, 2007 Sister Inez Turnmeyer St. Mark Community Center 1201 Locust Street Dubuque, IA 52001 Dear Sister Inez, The Dubuque Community Schools have been fortunate to have St. Mark's Community Center provide before and after school programs for five of our elementary schools for the last four years. St. Mark's also offers summer school programming that students from our downtown schools are able to attend. St. Mark's offers on-site enrichment activities along with math, reading, and science assistance five days a week to students at Prescott, Fulton, and Audubon. These services are provided twice a week to students attending Marshall and Lincoln. In addition, healthy snacks are provided to all students enrolled in these after school programs. Our youth need positive, nurturing, and caring adults to guide, mentor and assist them in their daily lives. Students enrolled in the St. Mark's programs are also able to expand their creative skills by working with clay and paints. Field trips to local museums and to the arboretum are great ways for students to learn history and also practice positive social behavior. As the 21St Century Grant Funds sunset, new monies are needed to provide valuable programs to students both before and after school and also in the summer. Students who have positive role models, a safe place to be, and meaningful academic experiences are more likely to experience success later in life. Community funds that are invested to provide meaningful activities in non-school hours for our youth are dollars well spent. The City of Dubuque will be able to reap the benefits from such programs for many generations. Sincerely, Shirley Horstman Keystone Area Education Agency ---- ~ Division of Instructional Services • Field Office ~- - ~- 2310 Chaney Road • Dubuque, IA 52001-3090 i~ S~O~Q' .Phone: 563-556-3310 • FAX: 563-587-0268 Area Education Agency t7 http://www.aea l .k 12.ia.us 'ir,' r- I!)1~)1'U1'lll~ ~_Nl!/'I!/Il,~ .-1 i1 (j f.l h/11:; f UI": ~j>' ,S~1111/P/11,1' Sister Inez Turnmeyer St. Mark Community Center 1201 Locust Street Dubuque, Iowa 52001 Dear Sister Inez, As the Director of Curriculum Services for Keystone Area Education Agency (AEA} and as a former elementary school principal, I am very aware of the importance of quality before-and- after-school programs. I remember the number of children who were dropped off early and picked up well after hours when I was a classroom teacher and a school principal. In the small community I was in we were not fortunate to have a place like St. Mark's to provide .support to our many working parents. I have only heard wonderful things about the program at St. Mark's. My colleague, Barbara Olson, and my good friend, Sue Riedel, have supported St. Mark's on various boards and have great things to say about the program and the staff. I know that you offer homework assistance, a tutoring program, and other opportunities for the children served to interact with each other and adult models.. I know that St. Mark's is dependent on donations, fund raisers, and grant funds to support your work. I ask you to share this letter with the appropriate persons at the City of Dubuque and request that they invest in this successful program and in the future of the young people in the community. Respectfully submitted, Geor e Wm. Holland Director of Curriculum Services Keystone AEA Field Office 2310 Chaney Road Dubuque, Iowa 52001-3090 563-556-3310 ext 601 gholland@aea l .k 12. ia.us Keystone Area Education Agency ' ~ ~ Division of Instructional Services • Field Office -- 2310 Chaney Road • Dubuque, IA 52001-3090 S~O~~./ •Phone: 563-556-3310 • FAX: S63-S87-0268 http://www.aeal .k 12.ia.us Area Education Agency 1 I_ ~- Iri/hr•rtriu~ l_t'CU'!lllly rl,)ld Li-~irt:; Fur,lll ,S'tr~r/r~-rts Sister Inez Turnmeyer St. Mark Community Center 1201 Locust Street Dubuque, Iowa 52001 Dear Sister Inez, A_s an Early Childhood/Elementary Education Consultant for Keystone Area Education Agency {AEA} and as a former elementary school principal, I am very aware of the importance of quality before-and-alter-school programs. Serving on the Center's Educational Board and having observed activities at St. Mark's, I know that you offer a quality program for students in the downtown area. A recent news article published in the Christian Science Monitor on January 3, 2007, entitled: "An after- school struggle to juggle kids and world' notes that the workplace productivity of U. S. parents suffers when they are worried about what their kids are doing after school. The article notes the following statistics: • Despite progress, many communities still face a serious shortage of affordable, high-quality after-school programs. More than 14 million students between kindergarten and 12`h grade take care of themselves after school. • More than a third of the U. S. labor force consists of parents of minor children. Almost three-fourths of those children are between S and i 8 years old. Two-thirds of these parents are employed full-time. The gap between the time school lets out at 2 PM or 3 PM and the time most full-time employed parents get home at 6 PM or 7 PM adds up to 15 to 2S hours a week. • Far too many people still think it's just child care. It gives kids all sorts of opportunities. It includes homework help, tutoring, hands-on learning, physical fitness, internships, and apprenticeships. • Parents had eight fewer unscheduled absences a year when children were in after-school programs. The program at St. Mark's offers homework help, a mentoring program, and many oilier learning and social opportunities for the youth of our community. Because of the location, the hours open, and the number of individuals assisting at the center, I see this as a safe and secure environment. St. Mark's before-and-after-school program is provided at no charge to parents/guardians/care givers. However, in order for St. Mark's to provide this no charge service they are dependent on outside sources of funding. I ask you to share this with the appropriate persons at the City of Dubuque and request that they invest in this successful program and in the future of the young people in the community. Respectfully submitted, ~~~c~ Barbara E. Olson Early Childhood/Elementary Education Keystone AEA Field Office 2310 Chaney Road Dubuque, Iowa 52001-3090 563-556-3310 ext 621 bolson@aeal .kl2.ia.us