Youth Literacy, Education, and Development
The Otterbein Cardinal welcomes Avalon Elementary fifth graders to campus for their first day of college.
Public school systems in central Ohio have struggled under recent budget cuts with low teacher retention, curriculum revisions, course depletions, and increasing demands for higher levels of academic achievement. To meet the needs of our local public schools, Otterbein has partnered with Columbus Public Schools and Westerville City Schools. We have programs in place at over 15 schools to meet the following goals:
Increasing Aspirations toward Higher Education
The Linden Education and Aspiration Partnership, LEAP, enhances student achievement and aspirations toward college through three programs. Project SAIL is a summer professional development academy for CPS teachers. In partnerships with Big Brothers/Big Sisters, the Otterbein Indianola Mentoring Program serves middle-school youth through after-school mentoring, computer-enhanced tutoring, and career exploration activities. The new College Club at Indianola Middle School invites students to learn about the opportunities Higher Education offers, sharing financial aid information, career choices, and social activities.
Enhancing Academic Achievement
Our service-learning students and community service volunteers provide tutoring and mentoring programs throughout both school systems. We partner with the nationally recognized program America Reads at Avalon Elementary school tutoring at-risk third graders in an after-school program. Education majors serve the needs of Head Start programs at CPS feeder elementary schools. Club Whittier, an after-school enrichment program at Whittier Elementary School in Westerville, offers tutoring and educational learning opportunities for elementary age children.
Enriching Functional Literacy
Both of our partner school systems are serving increasing numbers of ESL students. We are helping to meet these needs through service-learning programs that pair Otterbein students with needy children at local schools. Through holiday celebrations, scrapbooking, and family trees, ESL students gain functional literacy skills at our Whittier and Hawthorne Elementary sites.
Developing Creative Literacy
Our most recent initiative is the Genoa Otterbein Creative Literacy Alliance. This new partnership with Genoa Middle School in Westerville will provide a summer institute for teachers, workshops, poetry circles for middle school students, and an annual Creative Literacy Festival hosting nationally recognized poets. These programs will help students gain the literacy skills needed to achieve at higher reading levels and become proficient writers at the high school level.
Encouraging Parental Involvement
At several of our school sites in both Westerville and Columbus, we involve parents through Family Fun Nights, Summer Send-Off Programs, and Family Literacy Nights. In addition, we host programs for parents on the Pathways to College, including discussions of necessary high school curriculum and financial aid options.
