EAST RAMAPO TEACHERS' CENTER
PARENT PARTICATION GRANT

Writing a Good Grant

1. STATEMENT OF NEED/INTEREST
        The Grandview staff has made literacy the top priority for the 2001-2002 school year, based on last years test scores. With the focus on balanced literacy, the faculty has been working closely with education consultant Dale Gordon. Though the faculty has embraced balanced literacy and is implementing it into their classrooms, they also recognize the importance of parental involvement in the success of their student's academic achievements.
        Recent test data indicate a large achievement gap for Grandview's students. Many (over 40%) are reading below grade level. At the start of the school year, the Grandview Family Resource Center conducted a needs-based survey to assess the needs and interests of all Grandview families. More than 80% of the families who responded to the survey indicated that they want to see more programs like family reading nights, workshops on how to help their children succeed in school, as well as parent support groups.
   

2. PROJECT OVERVIEW
        The Grandview Family Resource Center has developed the Project Family Literacy model as an outreach program to provide the more than 350 Grandview families, as well as families that have not yet entered Grandview, with a foundation of literacy.
        Project Family Literacy is a true literacy experience. Through the use of "Big Books", students and families are exposed to the world of reading. We plan to purchase Big Books to use as a focal point for Family Reading Nights, pre-school play group, and parenting workshops. It has been well documented that children who are read to on a daily basis learn to read. Sharing big books in different settings that involve parents and children provides us an opportunity to model good reading behavior for parents. Using big books in our outreach programs will not only reinforce the importance of parent's reading with their children but also ensure that it is done in a way that will obtain the maximum benefit.

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3. OBJECTIVES OF PROJECT
        The objective of Project Family Literacy is to build student achievement through the involvement of parents by providing them with the fundamentals of literacy. As research has shown, parental involvement and academic success does increase when programs like Project Family Literacy are implemented.
   1. Provide opportunities for parents to visit Grandview with their children in a relaxed and non-threatening setting.
   2. Provide opportunities for informal interchange between teachers and parents to build lines of communication.
   3. Provide opportunities for parents to support their children's education.
   4. Provide materials to parents to develop good reading habits with their children.
   5. Demonstrate good models of reading for parents to emulate.
   6. Increase the amount of home reading.

4. DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC ACTIVITIES
        The Grandview Shared Decision Team, in conjunction with the Grandview Family Resource Center, has identified the following activities in which Project Family Literacy will be integrated into:

   Grandview Pre-School Playgroup
   Grandview Family Reading Night
   Parenting Workshops/Support Groups

        The Grandview Pre-School Playgroup, which meets every Wednesday, presently serves more than 2 dozens Grandview families, plus several families that will be entering Grandview over the next few years. The themed-based curriculum designed for the playgroup uses literacy as the core. From the "Big Book of the Week" to the multiple activities that surround the book, parents are exposed to the many different ways literacy can come alive. There is talk to expand the playgroup to two days a week because of its growing popularity.
        The Grandview Family Reading Nights, planned for two evenings this year, will be a literacy encounter. Families will be entertained by a short theatrical rendition of a favorite children's story, as well as several guest readers. FRT (Families Reading Together) gives each family the opportunity to read together, while members of the staff provide assistance in book selections and reading techniques. After a snack of milk and cookies, each family returns home with a "literacy packet". From recommended reading lists to a Family Journal, the packets are filled with a wealth of information for the parents, as well as the children. Each child brings home a brand new book to keep.
        The Parenting Workshops provide another opportunity to use big books. Based on the results of the needs assessment survey, the Family Resource Center is busy organizing and hosting a variety of parenting workshops and support groups. The Center is currently running two six-week EPIC workshops and has plans to add more. It is kicking off their first of 5 parenting support groups on November 15, 2001 with "Single Parent Network Group". Our goal is to use these opportunities to facilitate the importance of literacy, while providing resources for the parents.

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5. ASSESSMENT
   Assessment is a vital and intricate part of Project Family Literacy. Any program in which Project Family Literacy is integrated into will be assessed and analyzed using an assessment tool design by Vanderbilt University. This tool provides a pre- and post- summary of the various programs and their effectiveness in meeting the objectives of the project. We will monitor attendance at the above activities. Last year's numbers ranged from 150 to 350 at the family nights. Ultimately, of course, we look for improved performance of all our students on their achievement tests.
   
   
6. SHARING OF RESULTS AND FOLLOW-UP
   The results of the Project Family Literacy assessment will be shared with the Shared Decision Team, Grandview Staff and Parents, the Superintendent of Schools, the Board of Education, Rockland 21st Century, as well as the Teachers' Center.
   
   
7. TIME LINE

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8. BUDGET
        The funds provided through this grant will be used to purchase a collection of Big Books from various publishers, such as Pacific Learning, Wright Group, Rigby, Mondo and New Bridge. These books will be utilized in the various programs and activities that Project Family Literacy will be integrated into. They will supplement the school's supply of big books used in the classrooms.

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32 Big Books
Shipping & Handling    

9. NAMES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF PROJECT MEMBERS