The Portage Title I serves six elementary schools in the Portage Township School District. Title 1 programs (Part A of PL 107-334 of the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001); provide funds to districts in order to assist schools with the highest levels of economically disadvantaged youngsters to:

1. improve in student achievemthn for all participating children,

2. improve staff development and

3. improve parental and community involvement.

In Portage, Brunetta Stanley is the Parent Involvement Coordinator. As such, she is responsible for planning, organizing, and carrying out a variety of Title I sponsored family activities. These activities focus on bringing together the Title I students and their families for an enjoyable and educational evening. There is always something for the children to take home with them n a book, a game, or a craft that they have worked on with the adult who brings them to the event.

This year Stanley organized a "Bingo for Books" night at South Haven Elementary School on Nov. 11. Approximately 90 people, adults and children, attended the event. On Nov. 18 the same event was held at Saylor and 130 people attended. On Nov. 20, Stanley held a huge "Bingo for Books" event at Woodland Park. Four of the schools eligible for Title I services were invited to this event: Aylesworth, Central, Crisman, and Myers. Over 300 people were in attendance. Having this many people in attendance requires much planning and organizing. Title I assistants who work with the children during the school day in the Title I eligible schools help out at the parent activities. They assist by helping to set up for the event, registering those who attend, passing out materials, and distributing food.

The "Bingo for Books" event has become a tradition for the Title I parent activities for several years. It is very popular with both the students and adults. Bingo is played and the winners get to select books, provided by Title I, to take home with them. This allows kids to choose books that interest them and which they take home to become part of their own library. One of the primary goals of the Title I program is to help children improve their reading skills, and having books of their own can motivate children to want to read n or be read to by an adult in the family.

To make the parent activities even more attractive, dinner is served for everyone who attends. At Saylor and South Haven, pizza was served, and at Woodland Park, a hot dog dinner was enjoyed by all.

Because the event at Woodland Park was so successful, Stanley is planning another event there in the spring. On May 13, Aylesworth, Central, and Crisman will be invited while Myers, Saylor, and South Haven will be in attendance on May 14. Again, dinner will be served. The event will certainly be something that will be enjoyed by all n kids and adults!

Submitted by:

Mary Kay Stanton

Title I Director

Brunetta Stanley

Parent Involvement Coordinator