KIPP Experience- September 2016

Now that the Tulane students have spent more time at KIPP, we have begun interacting a little more with the teachers and staff. All of the KIPP staff are incredibly friendly, and seem overwhelmingly appreciative to have us volunteers helping out week to week.

Earlier this month, I helped out on several different tasks. The tasks ranged from making copies, handing out flyers to the classrooms/teachers, and even changing the display board (which is out front of the school) to remind those driving/walking by about the labor day holiday (since schools were closed). Last week, we were responsible for organizing boxes of KIPP T-shirts. By the end of the day, we had not only organized all the different shirts, by size and color, into different boxes, but had also provided a count of # of shirts /color/size.

Today, a couple of us: Anuj, Steve, Sammy, and I, were put in charge of delivering various school supplies to all of the elementary-grade classes. We were given a cart to load supplies: paper towels, glue sticks, pencils, Lysol wipes, tissues, and large canvases/pads. We went from class to class dropping off the supplies (see picture below). I personally was in charge of delivering the pencils and glue sticks.

As we entered classrooms, we did out best to not disrupt what was going on, but of course, the students were very interested in why we were there and what we were doing; it was interesting seeing what different classes were doing. One class in particular was watching Shrek (combined with 'nap-time'), while another class. was having a pie-eating contest.

Total Time - 12 hours

KIPP Experience - August '16

The past two Fridays, I partook in going to KIPP (Knowledge is Power Program) Leadership Primary, a public, charter elementary school here in New Orleans. The school serves grades K-4, and was founded in 2011. With being a relatively new school, they are in need of individuals to help in advancing certain "projects" and tasks.

My first week at KIPP we were stationed in the library. We worked on posters that indicated the bus assignment/# of several students. This consisted of placing velcro on laminated posters (which other Tulane volunteers had produced in the week prior) and cutting out students names to then stick onto the boards.

This past week, three volunteers and myself were stationed in a storage room on the third floor. The storage room was filled with KIPP apparel (shirts, vests, sweaters), and was in need of some upkeep. The other three volunteers worked on organizing the shirts, by size and color, into boxes. I worked on organizing the cabinets that stored the sweaters.

I thoroughly enjoyed the experience as it allowed me to interact more closely with both educators, as well as, other individuals in the program. I believe that our (the Tulane volunteers) presence in the school, though on the surface may appear to be of small significance, is in reality very important. By working on some of these tasks, we are able to free up the teachers, providing them more time to focus on what really matters-- educating the students.

In a way, the KIPP experience 'hits close to home,' as I have two brothers, twins, that recently started middle school. My brothers struggled somewhat in their early elementary years, and when I moved closer to them after my undergraduate education, I immediately engaged in working closely with them (reviewing homework, giving extra assignments, etc.) to improve their scholastic performance. I am proud to say that they both have been straight-A students the past three semesters, and have received a variety of academic awards.

I throughly enjoyed the KIPP experience. I look forward to returning to KIPP next Friday. I am thrilled to involved in something that aims to better the local youth.

Total Community Service: 4 hours