TTP Newsletter

June 2010
Volume 8 Issue 6

Friends,

As the school year comes to a close, Turning the Page is excited for these months of transition and growth as we move forward with summer events and program planning for the upcoming school year. This weekend kicks off our Summer Museum Trip series with a trip to the National Zoo. Next month, we look forward to welcoming eight new AmeriCorps*VISTAs to Turning the Page. Enjoy your upcoming holiday weekend!


Linus Foundation Holds Happy Hour Fundraiser
Wednesday, June 30th 5-8pm

Please join the Linus Foundation as they host a second fundraiser on behalf of TTP. The event will take place at 19th Bar, DC's newest after work destination. A $10 donation at the door gets you drink specials all night long. 100% of your donation goes to supporting our programs.

For the address and additional information, visit the Linus Foundation event page.

Please join us in thanking the Linus Foundation for their generous support of our programs!


Funder Spotlight:  Venable LLP
Much more than a law firm

With more than 100 law firms in the DC area, Venable LLP stands out for their contributions to the community. Not only is Venable known for providing excellent legal services—in 2009, it was ranked among the top 25 Washington, DC law firms—but they also rank number one in giving among local firms.

These contributions include generous support for Turning the Page since 2001. This past year, Venable gave a generous donation of $4,000 in support of TTP’s expanding programs. Such grant money comes directly from the firm’s partners—part of their earnings go directly to the firm’s foundation. However, Venable’s commitment extends far beyond financial giving. For the past 9 years, Venable employees have given their time and space to ensure the success of TTP’s annual book sale, Carpe Librum. Since the first annual Carpe Librum, Venable has happily consented to being a book drive host each year.

When asked what it is that compels Venable to open its doors to TTP year after year, Jackie Bottash says, “It’s the end result that keeps us involved. We want to help Turning the Page fulfill its mission of supplying better educational tools to families. Through Carpe Librum, we can make sure that tangible gifts get to the communities that need them the most.” Indeed, TTP’s dedication to providing parents and teachers with the resources and knowledge they need to empower their children has drawn Venable into the TTP community and kept them there for nearly a decade. Bottash also adds, “Plus, it’s wonderful to see the whole process…the whole circle that starts with an email from Jason King [TTP President]asking if Venable can be a drop-off point for Carpe Librum.” And then of course, the answer is always "yes."

Venable’s service and contributions extend far beyond Turing the Page. Their leaders set high standards for their lawyers, emphasizing the importance of not only being a good attorney but also of being a good citizen. Every Venable lawyer is expected to make an impact on the community by doing extensive pro-bono work and community service. Additionally, their foundation provides financial support for a wide range of organizations and programs that are vital to the life and well-being of traditionally underserved communities. Turning the Page thanks Venable for their continued generosity and contributions!

Local Authors Make Big Impressions
TTP Author Visits bring together families and authors

Through TTP’s Community Nights – Author Visits program, our partner schools host two local children’s authors each year. This past school year, nine different authors volunteered their time to share their stories with TTP families. From singing about the American Constitution to tasting mangos and nori (dried seaweed) these visits were a big hit! Each visit consists of a family read-aloud of the author’s most recent work and a question/answer session for the parents. At the end of the evening, TTP provides each family with a personalized autographed copy of the author’s book. 

Jacqueline Jules, author of Unite or Die, a book about the US Constitution and many other notable children’s books, shared her impressions of her unique experience with us, “Turning the Page Author Visits are special because they are family events. Talking to children sitting beside parents who took an equal interest in my book's topic was a thrill for me as a children's author. Usually, authors talk to students during the school day or at bookstores where parents wait in the background. At [TTP] Author Visits, parents are full participants helping to create an atmosphere of excitement for literacy and learning.” 

Every author brings a unique story to tell and interesting experiences to share, making each visit distinctive and memorable. Elisa Carbone, who writes historical fiction and non-fiction stories, shared what it was like to travel around the country to research for her books and put herself in the shoes of her characters. Some authors even shared words of wisdom from their own experience as parents. The daughter of Kwame Alexander, a local poet and publisher, was only allowed to watch one TV show for every two hours of reading she did…and ten years later she rarely watches TV and landed herself a full scholarship to college!

Author Visits are often the most popular and most memorable Community Nights.  Parents were asked what the most important information they learned at an Author Visit was and topics ranged from healthier eating habits and vegetarianism to sportsmanship and self-esteem. Overall, the most common answer was the value of reading and telling stories with children. A huge thank you goes out to all of the authors who volunteered their time this year: Kwame Alexander, Fred Bowen, Elisa Carbone, Lulu Delacre, Corkey DeSimone, Zaccai Free, Jackie Jules, Robyn Ringgold and Vera Oye Yaa-Anna.

Community Visions Opening Exhibit
Teacher program grows in new, collaborative, direction

Chatter, excitement, and class performances filled the morning as children, teachers, and parents celebrated the culmination of TTP's Community Visions (CV) program on Wednesday, June 2nd, hosted at the Charles E. Sumner School. This year, CV was implemented by four classroom teachers from three of TTP's partner schools. Participating teachers included Ms. Chu (2nd & 3rd grade, Browne EC), Ms. Mitchell (Kindergarten, Browne EC), Ms. Parker (Special Education, M.C. Terrell ES), and Ms. Whitseyjohnson (6th grade, King ES). The 32 week program included TTP-led classroom visits, student photography, writings in journals, and field trips to the National Building Museum, the National Postal Museum, and The Phillips Collection.
 
Community Visions takes advantage of the fact that, for many students, photography can serve as a crucial connection between classroom learning and real world concepts. Through digital cameras, many kindly donated by Best Buy and Olympus, students captured immeasurable visions of their own communities, small and large, which were viewed for the first time at the celebration.  The displays were custom-built by TTP staff members especially for the exhibit. As Ms. Parker shares, “when students take pictures capturing their own experiences in various communities, it allows them to demonstrate how ‘a picture is worth a thousand words.’ The pictures motivate them to talk and write about their lives. Students light up when they see their words making real contributions to the literary world.”   
     
The proud faces and vibrant energy that filled the room as students, teachers, and families reminisced about their CV experiences that Wednesday morning, remind us of the value of arts-integrated programs. It is TTP’s hope that many more share in this appreciation. Ms. Chu expressed a similar sentiment, “[CV] is an exceptional program that empowers students, families and teachers. The students realize their power as writers and communicators. Families become invested in the chance to learn alongside their children through the use of current and relevant technology. Teachers are challenged and encouraged through collaboration and professional development to increase student engagement and achievement. I know that [CV] helped improve student achievement and classroom culture and I am grateful for the opportunities that [TTP] gave our classroom and community!”

Community Visions students’ photography and writing of will be on exhibit at the Charles E. Sumner School until September 1st, located at 1201 17th St. NW.