It’s back-to-school for 1200 kiddos who attend Partners in Education’s (PIE) three partner schools; Jackson and Gilcrease Elementary and McLain 7th Grade Academy.
All Souls PIE volunteers have been busy supporting the teachers and administrators as they prepare for the school year.
Sweep the Hood was one of the first activities for PIE and teacher volunteers. Teachers loaded up on All Souls shuttles and walked their student’s neighborhoods—visiting with parents, and leaving notes welcoming families to the new school year.
Sweep the Hood took place on a hot, Oklahoma summer day. When the teachers returned to the school, gourmet popsicles were awaiting them. Special thanks to Roger Ames, Larry Wolverton, and Walter Armstrong for driving the shuttles to make Sweep the Hood a huge success!
Fifty percent of the staff of each of our partner schools are new Tulsa Public School employees/teachers and many are from Teach for America.
“With a such a large amount of new staff, we understand the importance of them building a unified team at each school,” said Nancy McDonald, PIE volunteer.
PIE sponsored dinners for Jackson and Gilcrease faculty. “We wanted to give them an opportunity to get to know one another in an informal setting and working on building a team.”
Backpack Packers
Graves-McLain Law Firm supported PIE partner schools by giving each student a brand-new backpack filled with school supplies! Backpacks were packed by PIE and faculty volunteers and many supplies were donated by All Souls members during PIE’s School Supply Drive. “I’ve seen children coming to school without supplies and appropriate school uniforms. I see
teachers, especially the new employees, scrambling for materials and books, pencils and papers,” said Nancy. “PIE is grateful to have our supply drive supplemented with a grant from the All Souls Justice Council and Tulsa Community Foundation’s Supplied for Success.”
Backpacks are being handed out at Meet-the-Teacher events, school assemblies, and Parent/Student orientations. PIE is providing ice cream, kettle corn, and lemonade at each event.
The students attending the McLain Seventh Grade Academy will have brand-new gray polo shirts this year thanks to PIE and the Assistance League donated Polo Shirts Jackson and Gilcrease elementary school children.
“PIE is always so supportive and we are so very grateful. McLain has the best Partner in Education and we could not do what we do without PIE’s support. Our teachers and students are so fortunate to have PIE volunteers care enough to invest their time and resources in our school. Thanks just doesn’t seem adequate.” – Tarsha Guillroy, Principal/McLain 7th Grade Academy
Make a difference in a child’s life with PIE.
“If we really want to make a difference, I know first-hand, that being in a classroom, helping a child learn to read, mastering math facts, learning a new game, providing them an opportunity to develop a lasting friendship makes a difference … for the child, for the teacher, and especially for me,” said Nancy. “I know that I am investing in their future and I know that my life has been enriched in doing so.”
If you’d like to become a PIE volunteer or support PIE partner schools, there is an opportunity for you to make a difference. Email Nancy McDonald at nancymcdo@aol.com to serve any of these volunteer or donation needs. If you would like to serve on the PIE Committee, please contact martha@cmgadv.com.
- Volunteers for TPS Eureka Math Pilot Program at Jackson Elementary | 1-2 hours a week
- Bus Drivers for Field Trips Needed | 1-2 times a month
- Bike Club Volunteers | 2 hours on Friday afternoons
- Food Bank Pick Up Drivers | 1-2 times a month
- Exercise Equipment Needed
- School Uniforms | All sizes of khaki and black pants & all sizes of black and gray polo shirts
Read more about PIE and our Community Resource Bank (CRB) from Brian Cross’s, Seeking an Oasis in Tulsa’s Food Deserts.
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[…] PIE volunteers also host “for teachers only” events. Read more about our latest teachers-only event, the Back to School Party! […]