Want to get involved supporting Teach For America, but aren't sure where to start? Here are just a few project opportunities.
Backpack Attack
Each year, Phi Sigma Pi and Teach For America sponsor the Backpack Attack school supply drive. Chapters collect school supplies, stuff them into backpacks and then ship them to various Teach For America regions around the nation to students in need. Download the Backpack Attack handout for more information on how your Chapter can get involved!
Adopt a Classroom
Corps members have written to us with specific needs for their classroom. Below is a listing of the current projects that corps members have asked us to help support. If you'd like to support one of these projects, please contact tfa@phisigmapi.org.
NEW! Timi from WALIPP Preparatory Academy in Houston, TX needs for her classroom:
30 BIC Great Erase Grip Low Odor Dry Erase Makrer, Fine Point, Assorted Colors
30 NEOPlex Student Laptop Dry Erase Maker Board
Available from her Amazon wishlist.
Adopted by the Alpha Lambda Chapter - Colleen from Mastery Charter Mann Campus in Philadelphia, PA needs for her classroom:
Pencils
Erasers
Glue Sticks
Crayons
Scissors
Notebooks
Folders
Composition Books
Adopted by Capital Alumni Chapter - Carrie from Potomac Lighthouse Public Charter School in Washington, DC needs for her classroom:
18 pocket folders (or more, if possible)
18 spiral notebooks (or more, if possible)
Expo markers
Adopted by Capital Alumni Chapter - Dwight from Potomac Lighthouse Public Charter School in Washington, DC needs for his classroom:
Composition notebooks (the black and white ones)
Pencils
Loose paper
Two-pocket folders
You can also contact your nearest Teach For America Region asking them to put you in touch with any classrooms who are looking to be sponsored. Be sure to include your Region Consultant and your local Teach For America Recruitment Director on all of your correspondence.
Pen-Pals
Many times corps members are interested in having their students participate in pen-pal programs as a way to practice reading and writing. It also serves as an opportunity to expose young students to college students, which is a great talking point as many teachers are encourging their students to strive for college and beyond.
Throughout the year as opporunities arise, they will be posted here as well as mentioned on the pspservice Twitter account.
You can also contact your nearest Teach For America Region asking them to put you in touch with any classrooms who would be willing to participate in a pen-pals program. Be sure to include your Region Consultant and your local Teach For America Recruitment Director on all of your correspondence.
Here are a few tips for writing a good pen-pal letter:
* Remember that your pen pals want to know about you! Be specific and provide detail. For example, saying "I like to read Harry Potter" is better than saying "I like to read."
* Stick to a few interesting points per letter by revealing a little bit about yourself at a time. Three or four is usually good, depending on the length of your letter.
* Share information about your university, your major and college life. Inspire them to learn more about college.
* Ask questions so that your pen-pal can respond.
* Remember that you're representing yourself, Phi Sigma Pi, and your university to an impressionable age. Be a good role model.
On Campus Speakers
If you’d like a speaker to come to your campus to talk about Teach For America, ask your local Recruitment Director, Campus Coordinator or regional office. Be sure to share your Chapter’s availability well in advance, as it requires some coordination.
Realize that it’s not always possible for a speaker to come to your campus, especially if there's not a Recruitment Director or Campus Coordinator nearby, but if you can assure Teach For America that there will be at least 50 guests attending you will increase your chances. To arrange for a speaker, contact your local Teach For America Recruitment Director or regional office. Be sure to include your Region Consultant and your local Teach For America Recruitment Director on all of your correspondence.
Classroom Visits
Classroom visits require a great deal of coordination so the more preparation you can do in advance the easier it will be for everyone involved. To plan a classroom visit, contact your nearest Teach For America region to find out the best way to get started. Be sure to include your Region Consultant and your local Teach For America Recruitment Director on all of your correspondence.
Self-Learning
You can always get your Chapter more involved with Teach For America by learning more through one of their online events. These webinars touch on a variety of topics, but do require registration. When you register be sure to indicate that you’re a member of Phi Sigma Pi.
Brothers in Need
Natural disasters have impacted some of our Brothers and their classrooms, leaving them with a need to rebuild their school and their community.
Updated! Danville Middle School in Danville, PA - impacted by Tropical Storm Lee flooding in Central Pennsylvania
Due to flooding caused by Tropical Storm Lee last week, the levee and flood gate system around my middle school (Danville Middle School in Danville, PA) failed, and approximately 2 feet of water flooded our building. Basically anything that was touched by water is a loss, due to all kinds of chemicals, fuel, and raw sewage that were in the water. Fortunately, our district just completed a consolidation of our primary schools, and we had a functional building that we've been able to relocate to in the meantime while our board determines what the future of our middle school will be.
Although we lost a great deal of teacher and student materials and supplies, the biggest loss that we suffered was in our library, where our bottom two shelves were a total loss. Many other books on higher shelves were also ruined by the humidity. We have received donations from neighboring districts and our intermediate unit that are helping to get us through, but our library shelves remain bare.
Moral of the story; if any chapters are looking for a service project, I definitely feel like this fits into our traditions of supporting schools. Anything in the way of book donations or monetary support towards replenishing our library would be incredibly appreciated.
You can donate directly one of two ways:
From now until May 2012, particpate in the "Save our School Library" program. Anyone interested in making a donation through that site can either buy specific books off the wish list, or make a monetary donation that will go toward purchasing as many books as possible from the wish list.
From October 12, 2011 to November 12, 2011, donate through Follett Library Resources. Your financial contributions support our librarian's wish list. From the main page, you might need to type in "Danville" to find our specific donation page.
If anyone is interested in helping out in other ways, please contact me at sarahkline@danville.k12.pa.us.
I am so grateful to know that I have this brotherhood to turn to in a time like this for help!
Philia,
Sarah Kline (Alpha Pi Chapter '07)
If you know of other Brothers who are in need, please share their story with us at tfa@phisigmapi.org.