Timing of Academy (July 15 through August 8) – Even though we coincided with Ramadan, and various competing summer day camps, attendance and participation was robust. 2014 start date is set for July 15, 2014, Tutor Orientation July 14, 2014.
Venue –Jack Lowe Elementary was superb. We deeply appreciate the adequate space, cleanliness of facilities, professionalism and support provided VMSRA by the entire staff, and most especially Principal Yesevia Cardoza, Facilities, Transportation, and Summer Food Services. Student safety, comfort, adequate space, and play areas will continue to be high priorities. In December 2013, DISD District Director, Stephanie Elizalde, assured us that Jack Lowe will serve as our permanent Academy home for years to come.
Food – For the second summer, VMSRA received food through DISD Food Services. Students enjoyed 2 hot meals daily.
Curriculum – Received high marks from Tutors/Youth Leaders and students. We will continue to improve early earning lesson plans, and increase difficulty in upper stages in 2014, where we are seeing significant achievement levels. Cursive writing was introduced this summer, was a hit, and will be embedded throughout curriculum in 2014.
Puzzles and Gym – Before school puzzles were spread throughout the Jack Lowe cafeteria, and were a huge success as a pre-breakfast activity, as well as the gym for baseball and scooters. Before school activities coordination will be improved through the work of a Youth Leader’s Girl Scout Gold Award Project. Marnie Wildenthal has volunteered to enhance our puzzle inventory for 2014.
Youth Leaders – Youth Leaders were given more decision making authority and leadership responsibility this summer. They were actively engaged in all decisions regarding athletics, lunch, information distribution, and changes in pick-up routine. They were required to “clock in” each day, to gain an appreciation for Job Ready skills, and hours not recorded were not counted when preparing their individual Service Hour Reports. Emphasis was placed on real-world experience and performance. Following directions, being prompt, reporting out, working in your group in an inspiring manner, anticipating needs, all were a part of Youth Leader development.
In one Youth Leader’s case, when the experienced teacher who prepared curriculum could not volunteer for Academy this year, Kalen Doyle stepped up and lead her Team of six (two adults and three other Youth Leaders) to provide a meaningful experience for the largest group of students of any group, many of whom had not attended school before.
This year, we introduced a scholarship element to Youth Leadership, and one Youth Leader will be recognized with the First Republican Women’s Club Ethyel Stallings Founders Award, and a $500 scholarship.
Tutors – We recruited via the internet on several sites for the first time this year, resulting in stellar Tutor and Youth Leader additions. We were seen by a Masters in Education student who needed hours to finish her Masters Program, requiring classroom observation by her counselor. We will increase awareness of local universities that we are a superb “finishing school” for summer MEd Program students.
Students – Temple Emanu-El’s Nancy Lubar supported VMSRA 2013 with both funding and registration of 10 students from Pebbles/The Bridge. Word spread, and more than 10 students attended at any one time during the Academy, but only one achieved Perfect Attendance, and he was lauded as a stellar student. He is being rewarded by one volunteer with a new pair of tennis shoes, as he is also a great basketball player, but his shoes prevented his best performance.
Another VMSRA student, identified last summer as needing far more one-on-one attention, has been granted a Hillier School Scholarship. This eleven-year old girl has repeated Third Grade, so must be advanced, yet reads at a First Year Ninth Month level. Hillier will provide the nurturing, one-on-one environment for this dyslexic student, and VMSRA is beholden to Highland Park Presbyterian Church for scholarships for Hillier and After School Care, and to Preston Hollow Presbyterian Church for scholarship to provide transportation, incidentals, and books. The family is also partnering to contribute each month for the student’s education.
Parents – Parents were encouraged to come into the Academy to pick up their students this year, which permitted many mothers with small children to feed them while at Academy, both breakfast and lunch. We encouraged mothers to work as volunteers, and one was able to carve out time to do so. We will continue to emphasize parental involvement.
Baseline Measures and Outcomes – Will continue to be emphasized. 2014 will see even more emphasis by Tutors on pre and post measurements.
Book Donation – For the second year in a row, over 1,000 books of various interest levels were donated, this year by Parkland Legal Services Team, a special donor, and Preston Hollow Presbyterian Church members. Students loved “shopping” for books, which were given as incentives for work well done.
Tasby/Conrad Eagle Scholars – 1 Eagle Scholar arrived Fourth Week of Academy, providing solid role model/mentorship. This Eagle Scholar wrote that “Summer Academy is like her home every summer, and she sees VMSRA to be the same for many of our returning students.” Eagle Scholars will be invited for 2014, and we will provide more in-depth training.
Athletics – DinamoSports provided a wholesome, challenging soccer camp each Thursday. Basketball was added as an option Weeks Three and Four. Viewed as a solid weekly incentive for attendance, soccer and basketball will be continued in 2014.
Publicity – We introduced VMSRA tote bags for Tutors and Youth Leaders. We posted a story and photo in neighborsgo.com sections Park Cities, Richardson/Lake Highlands, and White Rock/Lakewood.
Website – www.vickery-meadow-summer-academy.com was a solid addition last year, was augmented with a recurring page this year, and we will continue to encourage even more usage by Tutors, potential Partners. We will add a webpage just for Youth Leaders: “What’s Happening with Youth Leaders between Summer Academies?”
Final Budget – We concluded the 2012 Academy $1500 under budget, due to savings through no need for transportation. VMSRA budget will be flat in 2014. Temple Emanu-El has pledged $500 for 2014.
