November

Greetings,

In the month of November, I visited KIPP Charter School twice.  During my first visit, we were assigned to help the art teacher with assembling costumes for a school program.   On my second visit, we assisted with some organizational tasks and received a school tour.   The school tour was very interesting, because it gave the group an opportunity to see the larger impact of the projects we have been doing throughout the semester.  We were told many touching stories of the students and how the school truly functions as a safe haven for many of them. 

We met most of the faculty and the staff, and they each shared with us their multiple roles in the school.  Something I found very interesting is that each staff member wears multiple hats and pitches in whenever they are needed for a different job.  It was a testament of their true passion and love for the students.  One of the most touching stories we heard as a group was from the school’s social worker.  Due to there only being one social worker, some kids unfortunately cannot receive the help that they need.   The highest risk students receive assistance from the social worker, but some will still fall through the cracks.  It is one thing to read about these stories in articles or hear about it on the news, but to see it with your own eyes is incredibly distressing.  It made me realize that the small tasks that we do on Fridays are one less thing that these educators have to worry about, giving them more time to devote to the students’ needs.  As a volunteer, most people would like to make the largest impact possible, but sometimes it can be the most minor services that can be the most meaningful.

Best,

Arielle Johnson

November Hours: 5

Cumulative: 30