2015-2016 be a part of the...

NEWSOME-BAILEY PROJECT ,inc.

EDUCATIONAL THERAPY

TUTORING PROGRAM

PARENTING PROGRAM

CHARACTER-BUILDING ACTIVITIES

Holistic Interventions for East End Students

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NEWSOME-BAILEY PROJECT, Inc. 245 William Faulkner South

Newport News, VA 23606

Dear Prospective Donors and Volunteers,

Thank you for taking the time to consider being a part of the Newsome-

Bailey Project through your financial contribution, volunteer service, or both!

In 2007, a group of concerned citizens envisioned a holistic intervention

program to help at-risk students in the East End of Newport News to succeed

academically. Thanks to a dynamic partnership between community volunteers,

the Park Place School in Norfolk, and the Newport News Public Schools, the

“Newsome-Bailey Academy” (NBA) pilot program was established. On

October 31, 2011, the NBA Team began working with its first group of students

from the Newsome Park Elementary School in the East End. After 18 months

of operations, the NBA Team formed a corporation and applied for 501(c)(3)

status. The application was approved by the Internal Revenue Service on

January 22, 2013; thus, the Newsome-Bailey Project, Inc. officially became a

non-profit organization.

As you read through this proposal, we sincerely hope you will be moved

to become a part of the Newsome-Bailey Project through your financial support

and/or active participation in one of our many volunteer opportunities. Your

willingness to take these steps will greatly help “at-risk” students to succeed

academically and in life!

Sincerely,

the Newsome-Bailey Team

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TABLE OF CONTENTS NEWSOME-BAILEY PROJECT OVERVIEW ........................................... 4

PROGRAM CONTENT ........................................................................... 5

ACADEMIC INTERVENTION ................................................................. 6

HOLISTIC ACTIVITIES ......................................................................... 7

TRAINING ............................................................................................ 8

SUMMARY ........................................................................................... 8

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

LEADERSHIP TEAM ............................................................................. 9

A VISION OF PARTNERSHIPS ............................................................. 10

CONTACT INFORMATION .................................................................. 11

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NEWSOME-BAILEY PROJECT OVERVIEW

A NEED In 2007, a group of after school tutors and others who were concerned about the excessive dropout rate of students attending public school in the Southeast Community of Newport News, Virginia began to seek solutions to reverse this disheartening trend. For almost 20 years, volunteer tutors had worked with elementary school students in the “East End” to improve student abilities in their failing subjects. Sadly, a large number of these children were unable to read, but they did not qualify for special education services. Without help from the free tutoring program these students had little hope of success in middle school and high school. The free tutoring program, while effective in the short-term, was not addressing the long-term need to develop skills that would empower students to become independent, life-long learners. In fact, a few of those students later dropped out of school, and got into serious trouble with the law. The need for a long-term solution led to the eventual formation of the Newsome-Bailey Project—a holistic intervention program designed to bring positive changes to at-risk students through the application of educational therapies, mentoring relationships, and character-building activities.

THE VISION and MISSION The vision of the Newsome-Bailey Project is to empower at-risk students to become life-long learners. The methodology behind the vision is to create a holistic three-year intervention program targeted to help at-risk elementary students in grades 2 through 4 in the 23607 zip code area—the East End. A typical candidate for the Newsome-Bailey Project is a child from a low-income household who struggles in at least one or more core academic subjects (reading, writing, spelling and math), and one who is not eligible for special education services.

Question: What is special about grades 2 through 4? Answer: Reading!

By the 3rd grade, it is critical for children to master

reading. Reading underpins future learning in Middle and High School. A 3rd grade student who cannot read at grade-level is four times less likely to graduate high school by age 19 than a student who reads proficiently. Add poverty to the mix, and a student is 13 times less likely to graduate on time, and is at great risk to drop out of school.

Today, the Newport News high school graduation

rate remains low compared to other Virginia school districts. Dropping out of school is linked with an increased chance of unemployment, childbirth outside of marriage, poverty, and increased involvement with the legal system. What if we could change this outcome? The Newsome-Bailey Project seeks to help!

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A PARTNERSHIP In August 2011, the Newsome-Bailey team partnered with the Newport News Public Schools to implement an intervention program at the Newsome Park Elementary School on Marshall Avenue. In October 2011, seven second grade boys became the first group of students to participate in the Newsome-Bailey Project. Six of the seven boys graduated from the Project in May 2014, having made significant academic and behavioral advances.

PROJECT OVERVIEW The Newsome-Bailey Project offers a free three-year, holistic intervention program at no cost to qualifying students. The Project trains students academically using methodologies designed by the National Institute for Learning Development (NILD)1. Further, the Project teaches students problem solving strategies and logical thinking and reasoning skills needed to master reading, writing, spelling, and math. The holistic approach to intervention embodies intellectual, emotional, moral, social and physical development. Through mentoring relationships values

such as honor, responsibility, and good behavior are taught and modeled to the students. The Project also equips the parents and guardians of our students with skills needed to help their children succeed at school and in the community. If students successfully complete the three-year intervention program, they will be equipped with the learning skills needed to succeed academically in high school.

PROGRAM CONTENT

Program Overview: The Project’s

academic intervention program is based on NILD educational therapies designed to stimulate students’ cognitive and perceptual weaknesses. Each student’s academic strengths and weaknesses are determined through initial testing. Once testing results are evaluated, an NILD therapist designs an individualized program to address student weaknesses, while stimulating the strengths.

Student Testing: Each student applicant is tested prior to admission to the Project using

the Woodcock-Johnson (WJ) Cognitive assessment. At the end of each school year students are administered the Woodcock-Johnson III Achievement assessment. At the end of the three-year program, each student will again be administered the WJ-Cognitive assessment to measure academic progress and provide metrics for program reviews.

Program Specifics: In close partnership with the Newport News Public Schools, the

Newsome-Bailey Project’s 2015-2016 therapy program will be conducted during the school day. In this setting, 13 students will receive one hour of educational therapy twice a week. Students will also receive after school tutoring and homework assistance twice a week.

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NILD Educational Therapy® was developed to treat assumed, underlying causes of learning difficulties rather than simply

treating the symptoms. It is a true therapy in that it aims the intervention just above the student's level of functioning and raises expectations for performance. Students are trained to view themselves as competent, confident learners. The goal of NILD Educational Therapy® is to help students develop tools for independent learning in the classroom and in life.

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ACADEMIC INTERVENTION

Educational therapies are designed to provide students with

individual and/or group therapy twice a week. Therapy begins in September and ends in April. The therapy curriculum develops student cognition, perceptual abilities (both visual and auditory), academic achievement and emotional well-being. Therapy is administered to students by a certified NILD therapist. In addition to educational therapy, students also participate in a Rhythmic Writing exercise at a chalkboard during each therapy session. The purpose of Rhythmic Writing is to develop directionality skills, visual perception skills, focus and attention abilities, visual-motor control, and multi-tasking abilities. Educational therapies and Rhythmic Writing are proven to produce positive outcomes.2

Tutoring: The Newsome-Bailey Project

provides after school homework assistance and tutoring twice a week to its students at the Newsome Park Elementary School. Volunteer tutors work one-on-one and with small groups of students to reinforce classroom learning. Special focus is placed on reading and math proficiency so critical to academic success.

Our tutors also help students to learn healthy values, manners, and interactive skills needed to become responsible citizens of character at home and in their communities. Tutors regularly meet with classroom teachers to coordinate lesson plans and learning needs. They also assist students with special assignments such as book reports, exam preparation, and science fair projects.

2 Positive outcomes include: Near-point copying, proofreading skills, long-term visual memory, auditory memory, understanding of paragraph structure, reading comprehension and language processing, application and transfer of spelling rules, visual-motor integration, hemispheric specialization for language, ability to do intermodal tasks, sensory integration, directionality skills, formation and retention of visual images, auditory attention and listening skills, problem solving ability, mathematical reasoning and logical thinking, mathematical vocabulary and concepts, basic math facts, and language processing.

Tutoring and character building programs reinforce classroom learning!

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HOLISTIC ACTIVITIES

Student Character Development: The Newsome-Bailey team is

committed to helping students become responsible citizens of character at home and in their communities. Therefore, character-building activities inside and outside of the classroom are a key component of the holistic intervention program. Holistic activities include:

Art programs Equine rescue Field trips Swim lessons Service projects Summer camp

Mentors: Volunteer mentors3 serve as positive role models in the lives of students. A high

percentage of children in Southeast Newport News are raised in a single parent or guardian environment, and are usually raised by the mother or grandmother. Each mentor accompanies their assigned student on field trips and community activities to provide guidance and encouragement, and to reinforce citizenship values. One of our most popular field trips is to the “Diamonds in the Rough Equine Rescue” stables in Windsor, VA.

Parent Program: Research shows that parent involvement in student education results in

higher grades and test scores, better school attendance, higher graduation rates, increased motivation and better self-esteem. The Newsome-Bailey Project strongly supports parental involvement in their child’s education; therefore, it provides training to equip parents with the tools needed to help their child succeed academically. Our parent program is designed to help parents improve interactive skills with their children, and to help make parenting and teaching fun and rewarding, instead of stressful and chaotic. Thus, parents gain practical tools and techniques to help achieve respectful, healthy relationships with their children.

3 Criminal and sex offender background checks are performed on all individuals working one-on-one with students.

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TRAINING Equipping our volunteer force to effectively serve our

students and their families is paramount for Project success. Therefore, the Newsome-Bailey team provides training to volunteers on key topics including: an introduction to NILD therapies, cultural diversity and sensitivity training, safety and disaster preparedness training, and media interaction training. These sessions equip volunteers with the skills needed to build healthy relationships with our students and their parents.

SUMMARY The Newsome-Bailey Project team believes each participating student is uniquely gifted

and capable of achieving academic success despite their initial struggles in school. The Project provides a nurturing environment, individualized attention, and certified NILD therapists to equip students to become successful lifelong learners. Students who attend the Project will be more self-assured and better equipped to tackle not only school, but also the myriad of life situations that require logical thinking and reasoning disciplines.

The Newsome-Bailey Project would not be possible without generous financial support and the dedication of volunteers who serve at-risk students and their families.

Thank you for considering a tax deductible donation to the Newsome-Bailey Project and/or becoming a volunteer. Checks should be made out to “Newsome-Bailey Project, Inc.” Donations of $500 or more may qualify for a 65% state tax credit through the Virginia Department of Education’s Neighborhood Assistance Program.

The Newsome-Bailey Project strives to provide a relationship-based, holistic intervention program

to help “at-risk” children break the chains that hold them back! Will you please help?

Video links:

1. Summer Learning (2:12 minutes) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ahhj3wxxkdM

2. Newsome-Bailey Project (10:51 minutes) http://vimeo.com/102644380

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The Newsome-Bailey Project's team has over 100 volunteers from the Hampton Roads area.

The following volunteers serve in key leadership positions.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS – CHAIRMAN

Ken Surles-Law is a physicist at the Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility with extensive experience in operations, research and development. He has been a mentor and tutor in the Southeast Community of Newport News for 20 years, and is committed to helping struggling students and families.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS - VICE CHAIRMAN

John Crawley is a retired Air Force pilot, and continues defense work as a government civilian specializing in information technology solutions. He has been a student mentor and family advocate in the East End for four years, and serves as the Newsome-Bailey Project's business manager and fundraising coordinator.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS - TREASURER

Lawrence Myers is a licensed CPA and the Vice President of Finance for Basic Construction Company, LLC, a road building and utility installation contractor. He has tutored students in the East End of Newport News for five years.

EDUCATION ADVISOR TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Wanda Parks is the Director for Discovery Program, Inc., the Virginia subsidiary of the National Institute for Learning Development (NILD). She works with educators, parents, and students to help them understand how brain functions impact learning. Wanda develops intervention plans to help students strengthen vulnerable areas of the brain and change the way it processes information.

EDUCATIONAL THERAPY PROGRAM COORDINATOR

Christina Kieser is a former public school teacher who specialized in working with at-risk students. Today, she is an educational therapist at Discovery Program, Inc., and is the lead therapist for the Newsome-Bailey Project. Christina designs, coordinates, and supervises all NILD educational therapies for our students.

TUTORING AND CHARACTER BUILDING PROGRAMS

Sheree Perkins has worked in elementary education for over 13 years, and was formerly employed by Summit Christian Academy, in Yorktown, VA. Since 2012, she has volunteered full-time as the Committee head for after school and summer tutoring programs. These programs include homework assistance, tutoring, character building experiences, parent-teacher engagement, and student transportation. Lisa Blessing assists Sheree in the leadership role of the Tutoring and Character Building programs. Over the past 30 years she has served the elementary school population as a speech pathologist, Christian educator, and classroom volunteer. She also teaches healthy values and interactive skills.

PARENT PROGRAM

Catherine Hoyt operates a residential design business, and is also a photo album and journaling consultant. Over the last six years she and her husband, Mike, have coached multiple soccer teams in the East End. Catherine is a student tutor and mentor, and leads our Parent Program. Bob and Donna Walsh plan meals and recruit volunteers for our Parent Program dinners. Bob is a retired government civilian, now employed at WOCO Oil Company. Donna is an NILD therapist, and leads the student swimming program. Bob and Donna are also tutors, mentors, and holistic activity planners.

TRAINING AND PARTNERSHIP COORDINATOR

Cheryl Clapp has extensive experience as a special education teacher, NILD therapist, and homeschool educator. She has worked with at-risk students and families in the East End for nine years. Cheryl plans, coordinates, and implements all volunteer training events and partnership opportunities. She also serves on the Board of Directors for Diamonds in the Rough Equine Rescue in Windsor, VA.

LEADERSHIP TEAM

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A VISION OF PARTNERSHIPS Meeting the needs of struggling students and families in the East End cannot

be accomplished by one organization alone. The Newsome-Bailey Project is

committed to forming partnerships with other civic-minded people, businesses,

and organizations to provide a broad range of desperately needed services to

East End residents. Partnerships must be based on trust, transparency, and

shared core values. The following diagram establishes a vision for potential

partnerships. Please join us in the vision!

OUR PARTNERS

INDIVIDUALS DONORS

ALLIANCE SOLUTIONS GROUP, INC.

BETHEL BAPTIST CHURCH

BEULAH TABERNACLE

CHAD’S DAD’S BBQ

MIDTOWN AQUATICS CENTER

DIAMONDS IN THE ROUGH EQUINE

RESCUE

DISCOVERY PROGRAM, INC.

DOWNING GROSS CULTURAL ARTS

CENTER

GENESIS COUNSELING CENTER

KIWANIS CLUB – MERCURY 64

NEWPORT NEWS PUBLIC SCHOOLS

NOLAND FOUNDATION

PENINSULA COMMUNITY CHAPEL

PENINSULA EAST END CHURCH

PENINSULA PILOTS BASEBALL

ROTARY CLUB OF NEWPORT NEWS

ST. ANDREW’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH

ST. KATERI TEKAKWITHA CATHOLIC

CHURCH

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CONTACT INFORMATION

MAIL

Newsome-Bailey Project, Inc.

245 William Faulkner South

Newport News, VA 23606

EMAIL

newsomebaileyproject@gmail.com

Thank You