Turning The Page, Non-Profit Organization Serving Washington DC Public Schools

"The staff of TTP has shown that they truly are interested in our children east of the River. They have opened my eyes to the many available avenues to help educate our children."

TTP Newsletter

August 2010
Volume 8, Issue 8

Friends,

School is back in session! This past week marked the beginning of the school year and Turning the Page is excited to share our programs with families. On Saturday, we kicked off the year with a Parent Leadership Training, the first of many events that will take place this school year. We look forward to working with both new and returning families throughout the year!

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Funder Spotlight: Safeway Foundation

Turning the Page thanks Safeway for their support

The

Safeway Foundation is a great example of a nationally known and respected company that can skillfully craft an annual giving program and generate a positive impact within the local communities. The foundation’s mission highlights the need to address social disparities related to hunger relief, serving people with special needs, health and human services, and education efforts. Last winter, Turning the Page received a generous grant of $3,000 from the Safeway Foundation’s Eastern Division to strengthen and expand TTP’s programs in our partner schools.

Greg Ten Eyck, the Director of Public Affairs and Government Relations at Safeway, spoke passionately about the importance of a high standard of education in every child’s life. Safeway, he expressed, is committed to helping the most under served populations and unfortunately, children often fall under this category. He explained that with his own children, he emphasizes that the more successful they are in school, the more choices they will have in life. He also highlighted the importance of parent engagement in school, “Parents have a very strong influence on children, it reflects on how their schoolwork relates to success in life—teachers can only do so much.” Turning the Page is grateful for the Safeway Foundation’s commitment to supporting efforts to engage parents in their child’s education.

Summer Museum Trip Series Ends on a High!

Families enjoyed the final two field trips at the Frederick Douglass House and Ft. Stanton

Fredrick Douglass House

Turning the Page had a record turnout—74 parents and children—attended the fourth summer field trip to the Frederick Douglass House on July 31st! Everyone was excited to tour the home of the “Sage of Anacostia.” Families gathered early Saturday morning and were met with a surprise—six new VISTAs! TTP’s newest staff appreciated the opportunity to meet the families for the first time. “It was fun to meet families first outside of school,” said Dawn Culpepper, TTP AmeriCorps*VISTA Fellow. She and the other VISTAs led small groups of parents and children through book discussions, a short film and finally a tour of Frederick Douglass’ last home. “It’s not often that you meet an organization where you genuinely like every person that works there,” remarked Phyllis Johnson, PTA President and parent at Payne Elementary School.

TTP held our last museum trip two weeks later on August 14th at Fort Stanton in Anacostia. Families from Browne, Garfield, Payne and MC Terrell schools participated in a tour of forts that once made DC the most defended capital in the world. Our tour guide, National Park Ranger Homer Thomas, was a true Civil War enthusiast! We learned how Eli Whitney’s rifling invention contributed to the Civil War’s distinction as the most deadly conflict in American history. Children enjoyed the nature walk to the man-made earthworks and were all impressed by the panoramic view that made the fort a strategic placement. We brought our historical journey and the summer to a close with a barbecue nearby the Anacostia Community Museum, complete with a best dessert taste test. Ms. Wilma White’s berry cobbler won the dessert contest, hands down!

Fourth Annual Turning the Page Gala
TTP’s gala fundraiser will take place Wednesday, October 13th

Turning the Page is planning a weeknight soiree to raise money in support of TTP programs, families, and teachers in our partner schools. Our fourth annual gala will be held on Wednesday, October 13th, at 6:30pm at the Carnegie Institute of Washington! We have a lively evening planned—a silent auction, live jazz and dancing, wine and specialty martinis, as well as a catered dinner by Purple Onion of Virginia. Attire for the gala is black-tie optional.

Turning the Page has been hard at work in securing another wide selection of fun silent auction items. This year’s silent auction will feature items including a one night stay at the Ritz Carlton in D.C. complete with a complimentary breakfast, Nike golf clubs, and four tickets to the Jimmy Fallon show in NYC. These are among the many items that will be available for bidding throughout the night’s festivities. Stay posted for a pre-auction offer on limited items at the Turning the Page website by checking here.

Tickets are on sale now for $150 per person and can be purchased here. Beginning Monday, October 4th, ticket costs will go up to $175. Tables of eight are also available for purchase. We hope to see you all there and continue to thank you in advance for your support!

Turning the Page Welcomes our 2010-2011 VISTAs!
Six new AmeriCorps*VISTAs from around the country joined TTP last month

This July, Turning the Page welcomed six new VISTAs (Volunteers in Service to America) to the team. Each VISTA will act as a school liaison to one of our partner schools. Welcome to Danielle, Dawn, Liz, Molly, Shauntá, and Sylva!

Danielle Royster is a recent Northwood University graduate originally from Flint, Michigan. She joined TTP because she is interested in providing equal learning opportunities for all children. Danielle will be working with Garfield Elementary and looks forward to meeting more parents from her school. She recently attended a Redskins football game, which has been her favorite DC experience so far!

Dawn Culpepper is a recent University of Virginia graduate originally from Northern Virginia. She will be working with the parents, teachers, and families at Aiton Elementary and joined TTP because of her interest in pursuing a career in education policy. Dawn loves college basketball and going to concerts. The best thing she has done in DC thus far has been attending the TTP summer field trip to the Frederick Douglass House.

Liz Lewis is a Delaware native who recently graduated from University of Delaware. She looks forward to working with the community at MC Terrell and wants to create a positive learning environment for parents and children attending the school. Her hope for the year is that the Terrell PTA will find success in their projects and initiatives. Liz has really enjoyed getting to know the TTP staff and other VISTAs since moving to DC.

Sylva Jones relocated from Seattle, Washington to join TTP. She will be working with community members at Browne Education Campus and is most interested in providing children with the education that they deserve and need to thrive in the world. She looks forward to meeting more parents and students from our TTP partner schools. As of yet, Sylva’s favorite thing to do in DC has been to go out and socialize.

Molly Joseph just finished a year working as a City Year Corps member in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. She is originally from Phippsburg, Maine and was excited to see the White House for the first time here in DC. Molly will be working with King Elementary for the year and is excited to get to know parents and teachers for the betterment of each student’s educational experience.

Shauntá Morris is a DC native who recently graduated from Winston Salem State University in North Carolina. She will be serving at Payne Elementary, and joined TTP because the organization serves the community where she herself grew up. Shauntá is excited to meet and build relationships with new parents and children. Her favorite TTP activity so far was attending the Washington Nationals baseball game.