Outreach to Teach

NEA Student Program members each year join retired educators, education support professionals, and active teachers to clean up a local school in the host city of NEA's Representative Assembly.

Past sites include New Orleans, Dallas, Los Angeles, Chicago, Orlando, Atlanta and Philadelphia.

There are lots of ways your chapter can make a difference in your community year-round. You don't have to wait for the Annual Meeting. Here are a few ideas to get you started.

For more information, contact Kimberly Anderson at 202-822-7163 or kimberlyanderson@nea.org.

Highlights from Past Outreach to Teach Events

2007: Philadelphia

Hundreds of NEA Volunteers Revitalize Philadelphia Area Elementary School in Annual ‘Outreach to Teach’

More than 300 college students, teachers, retired educators, higher education faculty, and education support professionals picked up shovels and dug in June 26 to give Gotwals Elementary School a much needed facelift. Students from as far away as Hawaii  participated. Outreach to Teach gives a free makeover to a needy school in the host city of NEA's annual meeting. This is our 12th year.

SLIDESHOW | VIDEO | NEWS ARTICLE

2006: Orlando

NEA Members Granted Wishes for Needy School

'Extreme Makeover: Home Edition' had nothing on our annual pre-Representative Assembly ‘Outreach to Teach’ event. See for yourself how this school beautification project transformed Orlando's Eccleston Elementary School. Every shrub planted and each stroke of paint  made ‘Outreach’ remarkable and heartwarming for school staff and their students.

Nearly all the children who attend Eccleston receive free or reduced-priced lunches. Many are from one-parent families or are being raised by grandparents. Principal Ruth Haniff says that for many students, the school is the safest and nicest place they'll be all day.

2005: Los Angeles

Hundreds of Members Revitalize Compton Middle School in Ninth Annual
‘Outreach to Teach’
Teachers, retired educators, higher education faculty, students preparing to become teachers, and education support professionals picked up shovels and dug in to give a needy school in our Annual Meeting's host city a much-needed face lift.
Check out our slide show and see us in action! 
 

2004: District of Columbia NEA Student Program and Retired members joined other educators to spruce up Longfields Elementary School in Forestville, Maryland. Volunteers will painted, cleaned, landscaped and made other repairs at this this urban school outside our Nation's Capital.	NEA gave Longfields a bright new sign and our members were on hand to plant colorful flowers around it. Inside, we updated classroom bulletin boards. Click images for larger views.
This is what the school looked like before we arrived. Click images for a larger view.

2003: New Orleans
Student members get down and dirty. More than 250 volunteers last month converged on the St. John Child Development Center, about 30 miles outside of New Orleans, to do landscaping, painting, cleaning, and repairs. The NEA Student Program along with our Retired, Higher Education, and ESP Quality members sponsored the project. The Louisiana Association of Educators and the St. John The Baptist Parish Public Schools also supported the efforts.  

2002: Dallas
Outreach to Teach plants long-term improvements. We sponsored our eighth annual Outreach to Teach Project at the N.W. Harllee Elementary School in Dallas. Volunteers from NEA's Student, Retired, Education Support Professional, and Higher Education programs joined the Texas State Teachers Association, the Dallas Independent School District and the local community to give the school a facelift. Volunteers painted, made repairs, cleaned, gardened, and decorated bulletin boards.
Watch the highlights. Length: 4 min., 37 sec. 56K, Broadband

2001: Los Angeles
More than 200 volunteers repaired, painted, cleaned, swept, landscaped, and re-decorated bulletin boards at the David Starr Jordan High School in Los Angeles. This was a collaborative that involved Retired, ESP, and Higher Education members. The United Teachers of Los Angeles and the California Teachers Association also pitched in. Local press and other media outlets covered the event.

2000: Chicago
Our sixth project was in Chicago at the Calumet Park Elementary School. More than 185 members who represented all facets of NEA, banned together to paint, clean, sweep, landscape, rake leaves, and re-decorate bulletin boards.
Photos: Nan Coulter

States Also Reach Out

Oklahoma: Willowbrook Elementary Gets A Facelift

State student members during their annual spring convention worked inside and outside this Oklahoma City school. By the looks of it, they did a good job. See for yourself.

Wisconsin: Student, Retired Members Fix Up Local School

Here's 2007 Outreach to Teach video from the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh student chapter of the Wisconsin Edcuation Association Council. Student members in this state have a long history of supporting Outreach:

About 180 Student Wisconsin Education Association members, on April 13, 2002 painted walls, created murals, and built shelves at Westside Elementary as part of their fifth annual "Outreach" event.  NEA, the Wisconsin Education Association Council, and the Kimberly Education Association supported the event. [more... ]

The Jack Kinnaman Scholarship

Jack Kinnaman

This scholarship was created in memory of our NEA-Retired Vice President and former Advisory Council member, Jack Kinnaman. He also represented NEA-Retired with NEA's Fund for Children and Public Education and held during his career several other local, state, and national Association positions.

He is most fondly remembered for wearing the "Cat in the Hat" costume during NEA's Read Across America events. He cared about students—especially ones who needed a helping hand financially. His family wanted scholarships to go to these students.

Applicants must submit the following documents:

• Completed application form
• Up to 200 word essay describing your NEA Student Program activities on the local, state and/or national level
• A brief paragraph demonstrating your financial need and how this scholarship will help you complete your degree in education
• Two (2) letters of recommendations -- one from a faculty member or your NEA Student Program Advisor and one from someone who is not a relative
• A copy of the most recent transcript with evidence of a 2.5 or better grade point average

Print and submit a completed application  by April 7.  For additional information, contact NEA-Retired at (202) 822-7149.

NEA Student Program Annual Awards

Download the program/forms for 2007-08 entries.

The NEA each year recognizes the excellence of our Student Program projects during the Student Program Honors Dinner at the NEA Annual Meeting. Recognition is given in the following areas:

• Outstanding Local Advisor
• Outstanding State Organizer
• Outstanding Local Student Leader
• Outstanding Local Rookie Leader (new) 
• Outstanding State Student Leader
• Outstanding State Rookie Leader (new) 
• Outstanding CLASS Project
• Local Excellence
• State Excellence
• Outstanding Local Newsletter
• Outstanding State Newsletter
• Outstanding Local Web site

In addition, recognition is given to:

• New Local Chapters

All nominations, applications , and supporting documents  must be postmarked or received in the NEA Student Program office on or before April 15. Where indicated, nominations may be sent electronically.

Judges

The NEA-SP Chairperson, Organizational Specialist, and Senior Program Assistant will judge:

• Outstanding Local Advisor Award
• Outstanding State Organizer Award
• Outstanding Local Student Leader Award
• Outstanding Local Rookie Leader Award
• Outstanding State Student Leader Award
• Oustanding State Rookie Leader Award
• Outstanding CLASS Project
• Local Excellence Award
• State Excellence Award

NEA Communications Staff will judge:

• Outstanding Local Newsletter Award
• Outstanding State Newsletter Award
• Outstanding Local Web site Award

Please send entries and/or questions to:

Anthony Daniels, Chairperson
NEA Student Program Awards
1201 16th Street, NW
Washington, D.C. 20036-3290
Phone: 202/822-7915
Fax: 202/822-7624
E-mail: adaniels@nea.org

SOAR Grants:
Student Organizing Assistance and Resources

Building a strong presence on campus is one of the biggest challenges that NEA Student Program chapters face. NEA provides financial assistance in the form of SOAR (Student Organizing and Assistance Resources) grants to encourage your efforts to recruit new members or organize a student chapter. 

Applications for first-semester efforts are due August 31 and ones for the second-semester are due January 31.

Chapters may apply for funding to recruit in the following areas:

• Urban institutions
• Minority populations and historically minority campuses
• Community colleges
• High school future teacher programs

Priority is given to student locals working with UniServ units.

Apply Now!

Questions? Contact Kimberly Anderson, Organizational Specialist.

Outreach to Teach: Project Ideas

Host a Pajama Party: Invite a local day care center (3-and 4-year-olds) to join younger elementary children for a pajama party at the local library. Children can come in pajamas carrying their favorite plush animal or blanket. NEA student members can provide a one-hour reading of selected children's books. Readers can dress as characters from the books, or even act out parts of the book for entertainment.

Senior Citizen Clean Up: Provide a one-week "student on call" service for senior citizens. Students can do small jobs such as raking leaves, washing windows, and helping with seasonal house cleaning.

Coordinate Campus Visits: Invite high school students who are interested in becoming educators to visit your campus and attend one of your regular meetings. You could also invite them to attend a state meeting.

Sell Food: Sell food as a fundraiser during special community events.

Have a Yard Sale: Team up with another campus organization and conduct a yard or garage sale.

Host a Campus Networking Event: Plan a general chapter meeting with a guest speaker or special interest topic and invite other campus educational organizations to attend.

Start a Newsletter: Create a newsletter to keep members and the college community informed about the meeting and upcoming community and college events.

Volunteer with The Special Olympics: Provide an opportunity to work with special needs students. Students at this event could also raise funds by selling food and beverages.

Tutor Students: Volunteer to tutor "at-risk" students who local elementary, middle, and high schools.

Read Out Loud: Volunteer to read to people at local hospitals and nursing homes.

The Jack Kinnaman Scholarship: Application

Kinnaman Scholarship Scholarship Application

Name:

Social Security Number:

Address:

Phone:

E-Mail Address:

College or University:

Year in School:

Major or Concentration:

Signature:

Date:

Applicants must submit the following documents:

• Completed application form
• Up to 200 word essay describing your NEA Student Program activities on the local, state and/or national level
• A brief paragraph demonstrating your financial need and how this scholarship will help you complete your degree in education
• Two (2) letters of recommendations -- one from a faculty member or your NEA Student Program Advisor and one from someone who is not a relative
• A copy of the most recent transcript with evidence of a 2.5 or better grade point average

Send complete information to:

Jack Kinnaman Scholarship Committee
c/o NEA-Retired,  Room 410
1201 16th Street, NW
Washington, DC 20036

For additional information, contact NEA-Retired at (202) 822-7149.

Submitted documents should be clear and easy to read, i.e. typewritten or printed.

Hook Up!

Networking with others in the education profession is one of the greatest benefits of NEA membership. Hook Up! gives student leaders with the tools and skills they need to build cooperative relationships with each other at the college level and the opportunity to partner with NEA-Retired, Higher Education, Education Support Professionals and other active members. We are building Association capacity by linking our future new teachers with our experienced educators and Association leaders.

Hook Up! Toolkit:

To help your chapter start your own Hook Up! program, we've provided these tools:

• Talking Points
• Flyer

Learn how student leaders in other states are Hooking Up! 

Hooking Up on the State Level

NEA Student Program members are using the Hook Up! program to connect with State Associations, NEA-Retired, Higher Education, Education Support Professionals, and other active members. Here are a few examples:

Building Relationships

• Illinois: In Bloomington, the UniServ Director's wife—a teacher at lab school—invites student teachers to join.
• Idaho: A Boise State University student attends Region 7 Boise Education Association meetings.
• Missouri: Missouri NEA's State Board has a voting student member.
• Michigan: The Michigan Education Association includes Student members on committees and offers the option to choose "Student" on all Association forms.

Sharing Resources

• Wisconsin: Rock Valley United Educators publishes and mails UW-Whitewater's Student Wisconsin Education Association newsletter.
• California: The Service Center Councils of the California Teachers Association fund student members' attendance at CTA conferences.
• Virginia: The Education Association of Norfolk UniServ supports the Student Virginia Education Association's meetings and seminars with food, copies, and other resources.
• South Carolina: Local Associations and students attend professional development workshops together.
• Pennsylvania: "EDGE" is a Pennsylvania Student Education Association speakers bureau designed for use by student chapters.

Joint Projects

• South Dakota: South Dakota Education Association's Student Program, Retired and Active members share the Pitching in at Plankinton project.
• Connecticut: The Connecticut Education Association's Student Program and Connecticut Education Association share Borders Benefit Day.
• Texas: Texas Tech Chapter and Lubbock Education Association jointly host local events for NEA's Read Across America.
• North Dakota: North Dakota Education Association state lobbying day includes student members.
• Pennsylvania: Student members participated in the state's "Campaign 2000" phone banks. In addition, student, active, retired, higher education, and ESP participated in Outreach to Teach.

Ongoing Efforts

• Illinois: Illinois Education Association's Student Program and Illinois Education Association-Retired participate in "Mentoring Educators for Tomorrow's Successes."
• Kentucky: Eastern Kentucky University, Kentucky Education Association, and NEA Member Benefits sponsor a student Member Benefits specialists team.
• Kansas: Kansas State University and the Manhattan Education Association support collaboration with Association advisor selection, joint projects, and other ongoing relationships.

CLASS Grants: Community Learning Through America's Schools

CLASS Grants are the NEA Student Program's answer for two of today's most vital needs:

1. Building community support for public education, and
2. Addressing critical educational and social problems that face our communities.

Across the country, NEA student members just like you are making a difference in their own communities. To support our student members who are making this effort, NEA provides grants of up to $1,000 to support the efforts of our student chapters who want to launch CLASS projects.

CLASS Grants have funded local efforts to:

• Have a book drive
• Conduct a fund-raiser for school supplies and materials
• Offer after-school tutoring
• Work with a center for at-risk children
• Participate in adult-learning programs
• Support Big Brothers-Big Sisters of America Inc.
• …and more!

Tell us how your chapter would like to make a difference in the community, and you could be the recipient of our next CLASS grant!

Already have a CLASS project? Apply for our award!

Members with CLASS

Stevens Point (Wisc.) Students Win Top Honors ... Again!

This 304-member chapter of the Student Wisconsin Education Association won — for the fourth consecutive year — National Chapter of the Year recognition during a ceremony at the NEA Representative Assembly in New Orleans. Stevens Point also won statewide CLASS Project recognition for their after school latchkey program. [more...]

CLASS Grants: Working with Volunteers

Volunteers are the heart and soul of any community outreach effort and are key to the success of your CLASS project. These suggestions will help you recruit, motivate, and retain your volunteer team!

Recruiting Volunteers

• Ask!
• Pass around sign-up sheets.
• Promote ownership.
• Show the value of getting involved: Remind potential volunteers that your project will help them become better teachers and make a real contribution.
• Demonstrate incentives (class credit, party, resume building, helping others, etc.).
• Actively seek out underclassmen, who may have more time and a greater need for the experience.
• Ask folks about volunteering during your membership campaign.
• Have a booth that promotes your CLASS project and recruits volunteers at the same time.

Motivating and Retaining Volunteers

• Promote the importance of the project to those it's helping.
• Create ownership. They won't want their project to fail.
• Tap the volunteers' strengths. Get them to make posters if they are good at art or in graphics. Use them for public relations if they are good speakers.
• Conduct occasional group goal-setting and self-motivation sessions, and provide time for volunteers to share their experience with the project.
• Invite inspirational speakers to motivate your volunteers.
• Listen and respond to volunteer input.
• Give them responsibility. Put them in charge of subcommittees, work groups, etc.
• Ask them make progress reports at local meetings.
• Encourage them to recruit more volunteers.
• Let volunteers know they are needed and appreciated.
• Always remember to say, "Thank You!"

Six Ways to Thank Your Volunteers

1. Tell them how much they're needed and appreciated.
2. Throw a party to recognize them.
3. Organize personal "thank-you's" from project benefactors.
4. Develop a system of rewards and promotions.
5. Create opportunities to recognize volunteers, end-of-project goals, and media successes (local paper, college newspaper).
6. Recognize volunteers at your chapter meeting.

Managing Your Project

• Recruit enough volunteers to cover all the work your project is committed to accomplish.
  
  
• Don't overload individual volunteers. Rotate people from task to task to avoid burnout.
  
  
• Make sure volunteer assignments are clear, specific, and manageable. Develop an orientation sheet that lists key information including event schedules, addresses and phone numbers of project coordinators and volunteers, parking locations, bus and transportation schedules.
  
  
• Hold training sessions and insist that every volunteer attend before working on your project. Remember training will be ongoing because there will always be attrition from your volunteer ranks.
  
  
• Make sure working conditions are good and safe and that volunteers know where to get any materials they need to complete their assignments.
  
  
• Provide adequate supervision and feedback. This helps ensure the job gets done correctly and gives volunteers the feeling that what they are doing matters. Incorporate volunteer feedback to further develop the project.

CLASS Grant Toolkit

We've compiled several handy tools to help you make your CLASS project successful:

• Getting Started: Five Steps to Successful Project
• Project Ideas
• Sample Completed Application
• Working with the Media
• Working with Volunteers

CLASS Grants: Sample Application

 Download a PDF (324K) version of a completed sample application.

1. Description

The State Department of Transportation sponsors an "Adopt-a-Highway" program. There are several roads leading in and out of our community that still have no one cleaning them. These dirty roadsides bring down the value of our community—in our own eyes and to the eyes of visitors. There is also a local shelter for homeless children and families. They do not have community activities. Many children do not have significant adult role models to learn from or spend time with.

2. Expected Results

Our student local by adopting a highway will increase the pride of our community—including our own pride in knowing that we took actions to make our community a clean place where we can be proud to live. We will also be making a difference in the lives of the families and children at the shelter by including them in our activity. They will gain a sense of belonging, importance, and community ownership. Finally, through a social activity following each clean-up day, volunteers will spend time with the children and parents and form friendships.

We will evaluate the project by interviewing the children and adults from the shelter after the project. Questions will include:

• How did you feel about this community?
• Do you like living in this community?
• How do you feel now after meeting other people and cleaning up the community?
• How did it feel to join in and help?
• Will you do this again?
• Would you like to get together for other activities?

3. Activities/timeline

March:

• Contact the State Department of Transportation for details
• Meet Student Program members to discuss the project and assign responsibilities
• Contact the homeless shelter to see if there is interest · Contact Active and NEA-Retired members and/or Education Support Professionals to discuss the project and gauge interest. · Apply for a CLASS grant

April:

• Attend local meetings of interested groups and present the idea.
• Recruit volunteers and gather their phone numbers.
• Post flyers with a contact number.
• Leave a sign-up sheet at the shelter.
• Contact local businesses for discounts/ donations on materials for project.
• Contact the media; send out Press Releases .
• Coordinate volunteers - drivers, walkers, full bag collectors, snack organizers, etc.

May:

• Buy materials, snacks and beverages for the day first Saturday
• Meet for the official "Adopt-a-Highway" Ceremony at City Park Clean-up (1:00 - 4:00), then dinner at the park (4:00 - 6:00)

4. Roles and Responsibilities

• Program Coordinator: Serves as contact person and oversees project coordination - Mark Robinson

• Volunteer Coordinator: Attends meetings, explains the time commitment and activities, and organizes teams and drivers for clean-up day - Terry Jones

• Fiscal Manager: Purchases materials and contacts local businesses for discounts - Barb Boling

• Public Relations Coordinator: Contacts all media, writes press releases, organizes volunteers to create and hang posters, removes posters, takes pictures, follows up to thank volunteers and community supporters. Contacts the mayor to possibly 'cut the ribbon.' - Melvin Plott

• Ceremony Coordinator: Sets-up the ribbon-cutting ceremony - Edith McCray

• Shelter Contact: Coordinates our shelter efforts - Carlos Padilla

5. Budget

Estimated number of participants:

• 15 Student members
• 8 Retired members
• 30 participants from the shelter

Total: 53

Expenses:

• Garbage bags - Donated by Jerry's Hardware 2 boxes @ $4.60 /box $ 9.20
• *Soda and Juice - 2/persons $1.25/person x 53 = $66.25
• *Snacks - Pretzels, chips, etc. 10 bags @$3.00/bag $30.00
• Napkins ($2), Plates ($6), for dinner $ 8.00
• Lemonade (and cups) for dinner Donated by McDonald's $50.00 value
• PIZZA Xpress - 25% discount 8 pizzas@$9.00 $72.00
• 10 vehicles reimbursed $5.00 each for gas $50.00

Total expenses: $285.45

Contributions:

• Garbage bags donation $ 9.20
• *10% discount from Juan's Grocery $ 9.62
• Discount from PIZZA Xpress $18.00
• McDonald's drink donation $ 50.00

Total contributions: $86.82

Amount requested from NEA-SP CLASS: $198.63
Total budget for our project: $285.45

6. Publicity

See attached Press Release and PR Contact Sheet

7. Ongoing Projects

We will repeat this project 4 times each year. We hope to collect/solicit contributions from local department stores to advertise and subsidize the project in the future.

Sample Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Local College Student Group Administers New Community Service Program

CITY - ______________ (project description) is ______________ (date, place) to address ___________ (problem/issue) with the help of a grant of $ ______from the National Education Association (NEA) Student Program's CLASS Grant program.

CLASS stands for Community Learning through America's Schools and is simply NEA Student members volunteering time and energy to help improve their community, and at the same time, gaining practical experience and growing as professionals. NEA CLASS programs address key educational issues in the community. Since 1989, college students on more than 100 campuses across the country have become involved in giving thousands of children hope and the promise of a better tomorrow.

The NEA Student Program (NEA-SP) is a grassroots organization that serves 50,000 members nationwide—and includes students preparing for jobs in the education profession. NEA-SP goals include providing opportunities for professional development and leadership training and advocating for student members and their concerns.

According to ________________ (name, local president or coordinator or volunteer) "____________(what the project means to the school, the kids, the community, etc.)

CONTACT_________________________

CLASS Grants: Working with The Media

Working with the media to get news coverage of your event can be tricky. Here are a few tips:

Reporters

• If a reporter calls you and you don't know the answer, say so. If you have the time, volunteer to check it out and get back to the reporter. Be sure to follow through promptly on your commitment.
  
  
• You don't need to answer every question posed. The idea is to tell your story. Try to answer questions that you feel are off-target by redirecting your reply. Watch successful people on television for redirection techniques.
  
  
• With electronic media, answer with the point you want the audience to remember. Make every answer count.

Newspapers

• Know the daily and weekly deadlines of the newspapers you work with. Give reporters with as much lead time as possible before deadlines. Do not call them when they're on deadline.
  
  
• After a story has appeared in print, remember to thank or congratulate the reporter for a job well done, if that's the case. Or, write a letter to the editor. Your compliments may be the only praise the reporter receives.
  
  
• If the story contains misinformation that you feel needs correcting, tactfully bring this to the attention of the reporter. Do not go directly to the editor.

Radio

• Radio is a medium that depends entirely on what is heard rather than what is seen and you must tailor your comments accordingly. While the information supplied to radio may be very similar to information you supply to newspapers and television, it should be packaged differently.
  
  
• Your message in radio interviews needs to be brief, to the point, and pleasing to the ear. In most cases, radio will give the average story only a 20-second or 30-second play. Your comments must be short enough to fit within a larger story.
  
  
• If you prepare a news item to give to a radio station, practice it before you call them and know how long it takes to read (30 seconds, 45 seconds, less than a minute).
  
  
• Ask to speak to the newsroom or the news department when you call. At most small stations the disk jockey fills this position.

Television

• Television is an excellent, immediate, and reliable means of communication. Television reporters want you to get to the point quickly. Remember, you'll probably only have 10 seconds on camera!
  
  
• Television is visual. If you know in advance that you will be on TV, dress in muted colors. Make sure your appearance doesn't detract from what you have to say.

CLASS Grants: Project Ideas

• Idea Brainstorm
• Idea Detail: Homeless Children

Idea Brainstorm

These are just a few ideas to get your local started in community service. You can:

• Have a book drive
• Conduct a fund-raiser for school supplies/materials
• Offer after-school tutoring
• Have a clothing drive
• Start a food bank
• Encourage students to pursue higher education
• Work with a center for at-risk children
• Get involved in the DARE program
• Participate in adult learning programs
• Start a literary/library circle
• Promote the teaching profession
• Get involved in Special Olympics
• Have a fund-raiser for March of Dimes, etc.
• Start a recycling program
• Be a Big Brother/Big Sister
• Have skill-building seminars on topics such as baby-sitting, child care, conflict resolution, etc.
• Promote math and science for women and minorities
• Work with Boy and Girl Scout groups
• Work with enrichment centers for gifted and talented students
• Serve as tour guides and field-trip chaperones
• Visit the children's ward at the local hospital and read to patients
• Adopt a classroom

Idea Detail: Homeless Children

The Challenge

Homelessness is affecting more children and families. This presents difficult challenges for school-age youth and creates a huge demand for volunteer activities that can ease the pain and long-term damage.

Forty-three percent of homeless children do not attend school. Those who do find it very difficult to get the special services they need to cope and to succeed. Homeless children confront abject poverty every day and must also often endure the ridicule of their peers. Studies have revealed a life on the streets may inflict deep psychological damage.

Educators and volunteers can meet the needs of homeless children by adapting any of the ideas below to fit your situation.

1. Find out if there are any shelters or hotels/motels housing homeless families in your area. If there are, contact the shelter staff. Discuss the feasibility of having volunteers work with the shelter's homeless children.

2. Arrange to shadow the shelter staff for a day to gain an insight into their responsibilities and how the shelter works.

3. Make a list of school-age children in the shelter and check to see which ones are not in school. Work with parents and shelter personnel to enroll these children. Use volunteers to help improve school attendance. Ask shelter personnel to inform you when a child moves into their facility and to let you know when children are planning to move out of the shelter.

4. Help improve communication between the school and the shelter. Send a copy of all school newsletters, notes, and calendars to the shelter. Advertise in the shelter. Put up posters that describe special programs your local schools offer in areas such as adult and vocational education.

5. Try to work out an agreement with the shelter allowing volunteers from your project to visit parents in order to encourage them to become involved with their children's education. Help parents enroll their children in school, explain school policies, and describe upcoming activities.

6. Work with the school district's homeless liaison/contact. If your local district doesn't have one, try to get one appointed. Encourage shelter personnel, social workers, and homeless families to call the school district as questions and problems arise.

7. Set up a home-reading program in the shelter. Donate books and establish a specified number of volunteer hours to be spent organizing and running the reading program.

8. Provide volunteers to be after-school tutors for homeless children. Work with the children's shelter to organize the program. Ask local libraries to donate space for the tutoring sessions.

9. Sponsor a "materials/clothing drive" to collect school supplies (crayons, pencils, paper, glue) and clothing to start the school year. Homeless parents may not be able to afford these materials. Having these resources available will help get kids off to a good start and help them avoid embarrassment.

10. Help children celebrate their birthdays by bringing treats like cupcakes or cookies to share with their classmates. Homeless children probably will not have the resources to bring in such goodies.

11. Conduct regular after-school activities to help build self-esteem for homeless children.

12. Provide monthly cultural or other enrichment activities for children. Those activities might include a visit to a local zoo or a museum.

CLASS Grants: Getting Started

Five Steps to A Successful Project

Starting a CLASS project need not be a complicated, difficult, or grand-scale endeavor. Students just like you have developed projects and successfully applied for NEA funding.

Whether you're sponsoring a holiday party for disadvantaged children or operating a daily tutoring service, you are reaching out and making a positive difference in your community. Your local affiliate can establish a terrific, rewarding project if you and your members are willing to put in the time and effort, then follow the project through.

Here are five steps you can take to make your CLASS project a success:

1. Build interest.
One person can't make a CLASS project succeed. Start your efforts by discussing your interest in CLASS with your Local Association's leaders. Place CLASS on the meeting agenda of your Local Association's executive committee. Once you have a local commitment to CLASS, organize a committee of people interested in rolling up their sleeves and getting to work.

2. Do your homework.
At your first committee meeting, discuss possible timelines and objectives of CLASS. Go over the suggested topics for CLASS projects included here and discuss how they and others may relate to your community.

As a student chapter, think about projects that will give your members experiences they don't get in their formal teacher education programs. Ask yourselves which projects can meet an educational need in your community and also provide high, positive visibility for your Local Association. Be sure to involve your chapter advisor in all discussions.

Find out what other NEA affiliates are doing in your area. Pre-K-12 teachers, education support professionals (ESP), and retired members will be especially valuable to your group. They have experience and knowledge—and they know people in the community. In fact, they probably have worked with similar projects through their own schools or associations.

The UniServ office can help your chapter make contact with other members.

Identify local social-service agencies and community groups, contact them, and find out what they do. They may already be doing things that your local would want to be a part of —and in that case, much of the hard work is already taken care of.

3. Make decisions.

• Sift through the information you collect and make a decision about the type of CLASS project you'd like to start.
• Be realistic and make sure you choose a task you can handle.
• Decide who will be responsible for the various aspects of the project.
• Decide on some timelines for development and implementation.

4. Plan and organize.

Volunteers are key to a successful project. You may need to designate students for the following positions:

• Project coordinator. This person will try to put all of the pieces together and produce a community-oriented, student-based CLASS project.
• Organizer. This volunteer is in charge of gathering, training, and retaining other volunteers for the project. This is a big job!

5. Follow-up and evaluate.

• Send "thank you" notes to your volunteers.
• Include copies of any newspaper coverage the project received for them to include in their files and portfolios.
• Thank all community contributors and media contacts.
• Complete evaluations and assess the overall project outcomes. Make notes on possible improvements if you plan to repeat the project.

CLASS Grants: Funding Guidelines

There are a number of points to keep in mind as you put together your CLASS grant application packet.

Developing Your CLASS Project Concept

Your proposed CLASS project:

• should be student-run and fulfill a need in the community

• must be a cooperative effort that involves an NEA student local chapter working with an NEA local that represents Pre K-12, ESP, Higher Education, or Retired NEA members

The grant is a one-time-only award. It is to be used to fund the start-up and maintenance of the project but we encourage the project to be on-going. Here's our application for the renewal of CLASS grants.

Your CLASS Application

It may simplify the application process if you write the Activities/Timeline (#3) first to "set the project up" for the group. Then explain to them why it's important (#l) and what you hope to achieve (#2). Then assign Roles and Responsibilities (#4). The budget (#5) works naturally off the Activities/Timeline (#3).

Itemize the program budget. Clearly explain what money is needed and how it will be used. This is a volunteer program, so the money is not to be used to pay participants, though it may be used to offset some transportation costs, if any. You may include items such as educational materials, training, resource materials, publicity funds, maintenance, and other items specifically related to your project. The Student Program office makes funding decisions and may revise the submitted budget.

Complete each section of the application fully. Be specific and clear when completing the form. Make sure your project fits all of the criteria. Provide:

1. A detailed budget
2. Measurable outcomes
3. An evaluation component for the project

Don't be afraid to ask for help.

Turnaround Time

Applications for first-semester projects are due August 31 and ones for second-semester projects are due January 31.You can expect a response to your CLASS application within six weeks. Approved grants are handled through the State Association office. The state will remit a check to the local student chapter program account to fund the project.

Frequently Asked Questions: CLASS Grants

• When are applications due?

• When will we receive a reply from NEA about our submitted application?

• What if we have a project but don't need NEA funding?

• What if there's no student chapter where I am?

• What if I'm an NEA Active or Retired Member, or an Association Staff Person?

• Who do I contact if I have questions about starting a CLASS project?

When is the application deadline?
Applications for first-semester projects are due August 31 and ones for second-semester projects are due January 31.

When will we receive a reply from NEA about our submitted application?
You can expect a reply within six weeks.

What if we have a project and don't need funding from NEA?
If you are planning or already have a community service project that is funded, you can register it as a CLASS project and receive national recognition. Just complete the application and enter a "zero" in the category "What amount are you requesting from the NEA-SP?" You will be listed in our publication of CLASS projects and recognized for your efforts to reach out to your community and overcome some of America's greatest challenges.

What if there's no student chapter where I am?
Contact your State Association office or the national Student Program office at (202) 822-7130 if you are a student and don't have an NEA Student Program chapter on your campus. Request the Handbook for Local Leaders.

What if I'm an NEA Active or Retired Member, or an Association Staff Person?
If you are an Active or Retired member, or an Association staff person, your first step is to reach out to the college or university in your area and determine if there is an NEA student local chapter. If not, you should help establish a local (call or write NEA headquarters to get of copy of the student Handbook for Local Leaders). Once the local is established and operating, you will have a base for operating a CLASS project. Your help to establish a local and your advice to local leaders will be invaluable. The student local, under your guidance, can develop and implement a CLASS project in your community. (A student local chapter must complete the application to receive assistance/grant monies.)

Who do I contact if I have questions about starting a CLASS project?
Contact Kimberly Anderson, Organizational Specialist, NEA Student Program.

CLASS In Action:
Students Making an Impact

With help from NEA Class Grants, Student Program members are positively impacting their communities nationwide. Here are a few examples of chapters who are making it happen:

Wisconsin: After-School Care for "Latch-Key" Kids

More than 1,600 children from Jefferson Elementary School have benefited from the Student Wisconsin Education Association-Stevens Point "Latchkey Program" since it was founded 10 years ago. Free to K-4 students who receive free or reduced-price lunches, the program offers a structured environment for students who would otherwise have nowhere to go or be left alone at home after school. Student Program members plan lessons, age-appropriate games, playground activities, art projects, and learning opportunities for more than 40 children per semester.

"Through Latchkey, we're able to put the lessons we're learning in school about diversity into practice right away," says Katie Krebsach, co-coordinator for the program. "It's invaluable experience that will enable us to reach more students once we have our own classrooms after graduation." Learn more…

South Dakota: Rebuilding After A Fire

More than 150 education students from across the state in 2001 volunteered to help rebuild a rural Plankinton Public School that had been destroyed by a propane fire. Using a CLASS grant, they funded "Pitching in at Plankinton." Student Program members installed bookshelves in classrooms, built a walkway to the playground, and moved equipment to a new play area.

"We kept getting praise from the Plankinton teachers and community, but little did they know that we received much more of a gift than what we gave to them," says Stefanie Shumaker, event coordinator and former president of the South Dakota Education Association-Student Program. "Our lives were touched and changed forever that day. We pulled together and made a difference, which is what teaching is really about." Learn more…

Illinois: Fighting Adult Illiteracy

When Tessa Brown, a senior at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, learned that 40 million adults in America were functionally illiterate, she knew she had to do something to help. "I was shocked to learn that more than 20 percent of the population can't read," says Brown, an avid reader.

"I knew if I could do something to instill a love of reading in young children, I could help curb that figure in years to come."

So Brown, former president of the Illinois Education Association Student Program at John A. Logan College, developed Reading Connection, a program that has been bringing books to low-income children and their parents for three years. NEA CLASS grant funds allow student volunteers to take a classroom of children - many who have never seen the inside of a bookstore or been read to out loud - to a local bookstore every year to choose two books: one for their classroom library and one to take home. Parents and family members also participate. Learn more…