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In the Fall of 2012, Great Schools Partnership launched a community school at Norwood Elementary with Liz Thacker as the Resource Coordinator. Norwood is a diverse school with many different challenges and needs. Approximately 85% of the students are classified as economically disadvantaged and many come from homes where English is not the primary language. A world map on the wall at Norwood shows the diversity of its student body, with students from Central America, South America, Africa, and the Middle East.
The community school offers support to children and their families. Through partnerships with neighborhood and community groups, programs are offered after school to academically help the students. In addition, a meal is served each evening to participants and their families. Students enrolled in the community school's after-school program are experiencing academic growth, better attendance and fewer tardies than non-attending students.
One partnership has been with the sorority Pi Beta Phi at the University of Tennessee. A group of women from Pi Beta Phi visits the school on Fridays and works with the 3rd-5th graders to enhance their reading skills and then to participate in fun activities with the students. On March 1st, the entire sorority showed up to throw a "Happy Birthday, Dr. Seuss" party for the children. Members of the sorority wore bright yellow Dr. Seuss t-shirts and came armed with several box loads of new board games and puzzles for the Norwood Community School. Resource Coordinator, Liz Thacker, and Norwood Principal, Beth Lackey, were overwhelmed by the number of new games the sorority was able to provide through a game drive they held at UT.
 
In addition to bringing the games, the sorority women gave medals and books to the participants in their reading program. After the medal ceremony, students were able to pick their favorite game to play with sorority members. A party-like atmosphere ensued with cupcakes, cookies and face painting. This is just one example of a successful partnership between Norwood Community School and a community organization.
If you or your organization wants to get involved, Norwood can use volunteers to demonstrate activities like crafts or a musical instrument. Volunteers are also needed a couple of evenings a week to help serve meals to the students and their families. If you would like to volunteer or would like more information, please contact Liz Thacker at lthacker@greatschoolspartnership.com
You're never too old,
Too wacky, too wild,
To pick up a book and read to a child!
-Dr. Seuss, from the back of the Pi Beta Phi t-shirts |
