Leaving a Lasting Impact: SIOP Members Make Over Elementary School Library in New Orleans
Stephany Schings
SIOP Communications Specialist
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| Curtis Walker and Sumona Basu show off the days’ activity, a painting with University of Louisville’s mascot. The school has created college logos to put up around the campus, encouraging kids to be excited and plan for college at an early age. |
SIOP members took away numerous benefits from this year’s annual conference—from knowledge of recent research to networking with fellow members—but this year many also took the opportunity to give something back.
In conjunction with the conference Saturday Theme Track on corporate social responsibility chaired by SIOP Member Sara Weiner, the Saturday Theme Track Committee coordinated a special volunteer event—a school library makeover at Langston Hughes Academy Charter School in New Orleans.
About 75 SIOP members volunteered for the makeover the Sunday after the conference.
“The event was more than I expected,” said SIOP Associate Member Michele Ehler, an organizational effectiveness manager at the Target Corporation and a member of the Saturday Theme Track Committee’s volunteer activities subcommittee. The subcommittee also includes SIOP Members Peter Bachiochi and Ashley Guidroz. “It was a huge success, making a difference for the 467 children who attend the school in kindergarten through 6th grade.”
Among the volunteers’ accomplishments for the day were the following:
- 36 outdoor murals (college/university logos and Langston Hughes themes)
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| Ashley Guidroz, Denison Culture; Peter Bachiochi, Eastern Connecticut State University; and Michele Ehler, Target. |
- Cases of books barcoded, sorted, and covered
- 10 bulletin boards hung around the school
- 10 bookshelves built and stained
- 4 picnic tables built and stained
- 1 outdoor classroom built and stained (8 benches, 1 podium)
- 12 students created their own books and bookmarks
- 34 beanbag seats purchased (valued at $2,500.00)
- 25 boxes of books purchased (valued at $2,500.00)
“Everyone has been so excited by the tables, benches, bookshelves, signs,” said Lisa Sirgo, Lower School Principal at Langston Hughes Elementary. “Everything is admired, appreciated, and USED DAILY! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!”
After giving their day to the elementary school and students, many of the volunteers said they felt they also received something in return. SIOP Student Affiliate Alecia Billington said she appreciated the event.
“I was able to participate and really enjoyed myself,” Billington said. “The experience was very powerful for me, and I feel very passionately about the importance of SIOP and its members being more involved in work like this.”
Most volunteers agreed they enjoyed the event. Almost all of the volunteers, 97%, said they are very or somewhat likely to participate in another service project with SIOP. They are likely to get that chance.
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Library makeover event opening speakers, from left to right: Mark Martin, Langston Hughes Elementary School Principal; Toni
Mobley, Human Resource Manager for Target; Gary Latham, SIOP Past President. |
“We’d like to make a tradition of organizing a volunteer event at the conference,” Ehler said.
This activity would be coordinated through the conference chair each year, though it may not be a library makeover every year.
“I think we have set a precedent,” Weiner added, “that in any city SIOP visits we would like to have a community outreach/volunteer activity.”
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