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Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque - Iowa Reading Corps Agreement Copyright 2014 City of Dubuque Consent Items # 12. ITEM TITLE: Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque - Iowa Reading Corps Agreement SUMMARY: City Manager recommending approval of a grant agreement with the Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque for Summer Academy 2016 AmeriCorps programming and wrap around care. SUGGESTED DISPOSITION: Suggested Disposition: Receive and File; Approve ATTACHMENTS: Description Type Campaign for Grade Lew:l Reading Summer Academy- City Manager Memo MVM Memo Staff Memo Staff Memo Grant Agreement with CFGD Supporting Documentation Summer Academy 2016 Supporting Documentation THE CITY ODubuque AI-AmericII a Ciry DUBi&E r Masterpiece on the Mississippi 2007-2012-2013 TO: The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members FROM: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager SUBJECT: Campaign for Grade Level Reading Summer Academy Programming and Wrap Around Care Grant Agreement Approval DATE: April 10, 2016 Leisure Services Manager Marie Ware recommends City Council approval of a grant agreement with the Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque for Summer Academy 2016 AmeriCorps programming and wrap around care. I concur with the recommendation and respectfully request Mayor and City Council approval. Micliael C. Van Milligen MCVM:jh Attachment cc: Barry Lindahl, City Attorney Cindy Steinhauser, Assistant City Manager Teri Goodmann, Assistant City Manager Marie L. Ware, Leisure Services Manager THE COF Dubuque DtUB EAII•AmericaCitY Masterpiece on the Mississippi 2007•2012 •2013 TO: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager FROM: Marie L. Ware, Leisure Services Manager SUBJECT: Campaign for Grade Level Reading Summer Academy Programming and Wrap Around Care Grant Agreement Approval DATE: April 8, 2016 INTRODUCTION The purpose of this memorandum is request approval of a grant agreement with the Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque for Summer Academy AmeriCorps programming and wrap around care after the Academy. BACKGROUND The Third Grade Reading Initiative began with the development and now implementation of the Community Solutions Action Plan (CSAP) that resulted in an All- America City Award. Leisure Services staff was highly involved in the development of the plan and has continued to be involved in the overall Campaign committee as well as the summer learning committee. The Leisure Service Department has been engaged in work related to the City Council 15-17 Management in Progress Social Cultural Vibrancy Goal related to Campaign for Grade Level Reading. This work is also equity work in our community. 3rd grade is a critical milestone for students academically and socially. Up until 3rd grade, students are learning to read. Therefore, students focus mostly on reading which includes letter recognition, letter sounds, word recognition, blending words, reading fluently, etc. After 3rd grade, students transition into reading to learn. Therefore, in order for students to understand their science problems, social studies problems, math problems, students have to read them. And if students can't read, they are going to struggle in these subjects. When school is difficult for students, students can become disengaged and potentially disruptive. In the summer of 2013, the Leisure Services Department partnered with the Summer Learning Committee members to offer the Summer Academy Pilot program. This academy was a summer long program dedicated to morning education and afternoon activity. The main focus of this pilot was to combat the "summer slide" and measure the programs effect on a student's ability to retain or improve his/her reading scores during the summer months. Leisure Services along with numerous community have partnered on the Summer Academy since its inception. Last year due to Chapter 62, the Dubuque Community School District led the morning early literacy summer school and partners assisted with afternoon activities. DISCUSSION A Summer Learning committee of the Campaign for Grade Level Reading has been meeting since the summer program ended last year planning for this summer planning for the 2016 summer program. Representatives include all the partners listed above. The Dubuque Community School District runs the early literacy summer school from 8:00 a.m. to noon which will be for 200-250 children entering 1 sc and 2nd grades. The Greater Dubuque Community Foundation has partnered to provide a Summer Program Facilitator Emily Blue. Ms. Blue is coordinating the entire day's activities for children involved in the Summer Academy. Evaluation of the program last year showed that parents and guardians needed access to early drop off (before care of 7:00-8:30 a.m.) and extended pick up (after care of 3:00-6:00 p.m.) in order to facilitate their children attending Summer Academy. This before and after care would happen in the schools where the Academy takes place. There is a requirement that organizations handling before and after care in School District facilities meet Iowa Department of Human Services rules. The City of Dubuque Leisure Services currently offers after care during the school year in school district facilities. Leisure Services worked with Eric Dregne of the Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque to search for resources that would allow the Leisure Services Department Recreation Division to take the lead on before and extended care. Iowa Reading Corps is an AmeriCorps program sponsored by the United Ways of Iowa. Eric reached out and found that the Iowa Reading Corps had availability for placement of 8 members (positions) for 300 hours each. This number of hours would cover the reading portion of the day (morning) as well as the enrichment portion of the day (afternoon) and some after care for the six week Summer Academy. The members would be contracted through the United Ways of Iowa to the City of Dubuque Leisure Services Recreation Division for the Summer Academy programming and extended care. Generally the Iowa Reading Corps members would serve from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. or 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Recreation Division staff along with Ms. Blue will supervise the Iowa Reading Corps members. Additionally Recreation Division playground staff and AmeriCorps Partners in Learning members will support the before care from 7:00-8:30 a.m. and extended care from 3:00-6:00 p.m. when hours are not covered by the Iowa Reading Corps members. 2 The Community Foundation committed $22,500 of grant funding to pay for the Iowa Reading Corps positions. This will cover 100% of the cost of the contract between Iowa Reading Corps and the City of Dubuque Recreation Division. The grant agreement attached codifies the agreement for services and commitment of funds between the City and the Community Foundation. This agreement means there will be $22,500 of expenses and an offsetting grant of$22,500. This arrangement is part of a larger Summer Academy budget which is approximately $229,750. This larger budget is the total budget for the Academy which includes commitments of all partners. The commitment of additional staffing for before and extended care through the Recreation Division playground staff and AmeriCorps Partners in Learning members will be done within the current city budgets of each division. Leisure Services has AmeriCorps Partners in Learning; however, our current program did not have positions available as the programming positions during the 9:00 a.m. — 5:00 p.m. timeframe as hours were committed to serving the School District during the school year and summer programming with St Marks, the Library, Multicultural Family Center and Playground Explorations (the revamped summer learning playground). Additionally one AmeriCorps program may not serve or supervise another AmeriCorps program. Attached you will also find a white paper that outlines more details about the Summer Academy program. ACTION REQUESTED I respectfully request Mayor and City Council approval of the grant agreement with the Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque for Summer Academy 2016 AmeriCorps programming and wrap around care. cc: Mary Bridget Corken-Deutsch, AmeriCorps Partners in Learning Director Dan Kroger, Recreation Division Manager Shirley Horstman, Director of Student Services Eric Dregne, Vice President of Strategic Initiatives Attachment: Grant Agreement White paper on Summer Academy 3 April 4, 2016 Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque Grant Agreement Marie Ware Leisure Services Manager City of Dubuque, Leisure Services Dept. 2200 Bunker Hill Road Dubuque, IA 52001 Dear Marie, A check for $20,000 to City of Dubuque Leisure Services Dept. ("Grantee") will be awarded to you. This constitutes a grant to support Grantee's "Summer Academy 2016 AmeriCorps" programming and wrap around care. By accepting this grant, the City Leisure Services Department agrees to use the funds to support eight (8) Iowa Reading Corps, AmeriCorps positions which will be utilized by the Recreation Division for the Summer Academy taking place June 13 — July 29, 2016. The City Leisure Services Department Recreation Division will engage in any contracts required, support training and reporting requirements and provide supervision for the Iowa Reading Corps, AmeriCorps positions for the duration of their service. Iowa Reading Corps AmeriCorps members service hours requirements are 300 hours per position for 8 positions. This grant is made by Foundation subject to the following terms and conditions: a) Grantee is an organization that is a governmental entity. b) Grantee will utilize the grant's proceeds only for the work described above. c) Grantee will inform Foundation immediately of any change in or IRS proposed or actual revocation (whether or not appealed) of its tax status described above. d) Grantee will provide documentation of expenditure of funds for Iowa Reading Corps and copies of reports to Iowa Reading Corps. This grant is earmarked for the project identified above, as described in Grantee's funding proposal and related correspondence. It is not earmarked for transmittal to any other entity or person, even if Grantee's proposal or other correspondence expresses expenditure intentions. Rather, Grantee accepts and will discharge full control of the grant and its disposition and responsibility for complying with this agreement's terms and conditions. ION The Rash k Building Phones 583388X00 700 Street, Suite 195 t^aL 551.583 8619 Dubuque,, IA 52001 officeeldbqfoundatiumbr ar db faun41at trLorg This grant is not in any way earmarked to support or carry on any lobbying or voter - registration drive. If this grant is restricted to a specific project, Grantee hereby reaffirms that the project's current budget, as previously submitted or explained to Foundation, accurately reflects Grantee's present intentions to expend at least the amount of this grant (plus any other grant from the foundation this year for the same project) on project non -lobbying and non -voter -registration activities in Grantee's current fiscal year. Grantee's deposit, negotiation, or endorsement of the enclosed check will constitute its agreement to the terms and conditions set forth above. However, for Foundation's files, please have the enclosed copy of this letter reviewed and signed where indicated by authorized officer of Grantee and then returned to within 30 days. Sincerely, Nancy Van Milligen President/CEO On behalf of Grantee, I understand and agree to the foregoing terms and conditions of Foundation's grant, and hereby certify my authority to execute this agreement on Grantee's behalf. Signature: Name: Roy `D. Buol Title: Date: (PRINT) Mayor April 25, 2016 Dubuque Campaign for Grade-Level Reading: Summer Learning, Summer Academy 2016 A major factor that leads to academic achievement, including graduating from high school, is achieving reading proficiency by the end of 3rd grade. In fact, research tells us that when students fail to read proficiently by the end of 3rd grade, 74% of them won't graduate high school. Third grade represents the pivotal point where children move from 'learning to read' to 'reading to learn'. In Dubuque, local organizations and stakeholders are partnering to close the gaps separating low-income students from their peers; raise the bar for reading proficiency; and ensure all children an equal chance at success. Dubuque's Campaign for Grade-Level Reading has developed an action plan to improve grade level reading for 1", 2nd and 3rd Grade students and metrics to measure progress by 2015 in all three focus areas: School Readiness, Attendance ft Summer Learning. This paper will focus on our Summer Learning efforts and in particular a pilot program called the Summer Academy. Summer is a critical time for students; evidence shows that students experience summer learning loss during the long summer months when they are not engaged in learning activities on a regular basis. The problem is even worse for students of low-income families who often do not have access or resources to attend learning based summer programs or have less access to books and reading opportunities. An innovative initiative in Dubuque has will pilot a program to change that. Summer Academy During the pilot programs in the summers of 2013-15, the Campaign for Grade-Level Reading honed best practices and built the necessary partnerships to bring the Summer Academy to scale this summer. During this pilot period we learned what works towards the goal of preventing summer learning loss. Eighty-four percent (84%) of students maintained or improved their reading proficiency during the pilot period. Summer Academy deploys a replicable model that features summer learning best practices and utilizes certified teachers, teaching assistants, and AmeriCorps to support a research-based curriculum. The Summer Academy Experience The Summer Academy is a six-week long, full-day learning experience that combines academic instruction with fun and hands-on enrichment activities, field trips, and service projects. The program is designed to engage parents as partners and help students gain new academic skills to ensure they are prepared to enter school in the fall ready to excel. A day at Summer Academy starts with a healthy breakfast and community-building events. Students then transition into classrooms, where certified teachers and trained teaching assistants lead small-group instruction in reading. Summer Academy staff use research-based curricula aligned to Common Core standards, and apply differentiated instruction according to student's unique learning needs. After lunch, students take part in a series of enrichment courses and activities focused on topics such as STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math), creative arts, and health ft exercise. Examples include (robotics, digital music production, creative writing, drama, athletic activities, character development, and financial literacy). Fridays at Summer Academy are "Exploration Fridays" - students are out in the community taking part in field trips to local museums, parks or other fun destinations, as well as community service projects that provide experiential learning and fun! Wrap around care, will be available everyday in the morning (7a-8:30p) and afternoon (3p-6p) to support the needs of working families. Providing this extended childcare increases attendance by allowing working families to drop-off or pick-up students before and after work. Grade-Level Reading Focus Reading proficiency at the end of 3rd grade is a critical benchmark in a student's education. It is the point in time when students are expected to shift from learning to read to reading to learn. To help students master their reading skills and develop a love of learning, the Summer Academy includes an intensive summer learning model. It starts with a staff of outstanding educators, including certified teachers, trained assistants and reading mentors (AmeriCorps). Educators are equipped with curricula aligned to the Common Core and best practices for reading development. These resources, combined with differentiated instruction enable educators to adapt and adjust instruction to align with the individual needs of the student and the approach used during the school year, providing important reinforcement of literacy skills. Transportation to Summer Academy is available from "express sites" which are pick-up/drop-off sites located at neighborhood schools. Community Partners To address issues in the area of Summer Learning, an innovative group of community partners is using a collective impact model and building a best-practice model for summer programming, named Summer Academy. Together the group is learning how to integrate learning opportunities into existing summer programming and developing an intensive and separate summer learning program for students most in need. Summer Academy Task Force Dubuque Community School District (host site) Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque Every Child/Every Promise Dubuque Campaign for Grade-Level Reading Dubuque Community YMCA/YWCA City of Dubuque Leisure Services Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Loras College Boys and Girls Club In addition to the task force members the Summer Academy is supported by dozens of summer program providers who will provide enrichment activities for students. This program will bring together key community partners to increase the capacity and quality of afternoon activities. The partners will link the learning goals from the morning curriculum to interactive activities they will present in the afternoon. These providers will also learn best practices they can take back into their own summer programs to build in learning. When is the program? Summer Academy will run for six weeks, from June to July. Summer Academy 2016 Program Budget Expenses 200-250 children entering grades 1" and 2nd grade 6 week program receiving DCSD instruction/lunch 8-12 Monday - Thursday and all day Summer Academy program Monday - Friday including wrap around care everyday in the morning and evening Expenses Personnel $ 34,500 AmeriCorps (8 members) $ 20,000 Enrichment Programming $ 5,000 Supplies $ 2,500 Meals $ 36,250 Transportation $ 24,000 Communications $ 2,500 Intensive Reading Program $ 90,000 Evaluation $ 15,000 Total Expense $229,750