Wednesday, March 7.2001
Community Service
Section A - Page 9
Elementary volunteering yields reciprocal benefits
After-school program offers student rewards
By Jennifer Hall
Kansan correspondent
KU sophomore Lindsay Gross is back in elementary school. She works directly with students in an afterschool program at Woodlawn Elementary.
As an instructor, Gross starts preparing at about 2:30 every Monday, Wednesday and Friday afternoon. The Seoul, South Korea, student makes snacks, organizes the daily projects and sets up the room.
The action begins when she picks up the children from their classrooms.
The group has a snack, then Gross leads the children in an academic activity or project that involves the community, arts and crafts, stories, recreation or something else hands-on. After a short recess, Gross prepares the children for their parents to pick them up.
"I call them 'my kids,'" she said.
"The they are the easiest part of my job.
The kids are completely honest and genuine with you. So much progress is shown."
Gross stumbled on her job at a job fair in the Kansas Union. A friend knew Gross enjoyed working with children and urged her to apply. Two months later, Gross was offered a position as an instructor.
Abby Payne, after-school coordinator for Woodlawn Elementary, supervises Gross' work and encouraged other college students to get involved with the program.
"Experience is a plus," she said. "We examine how they react and respond to problems. I also look at their personality and responsibility. Most important is their enthusiasm and passion for life. It's not just to watch the kids." Payne said, uniting elements.
Payne said uniting elementary school children with college students was a good combination.
"The kids teach me patience, consistency, organization and spontaneity," she said. "Every day is different. You must be prepared. I enjoy every aspect of my job. I would do it even if I wasn't being paid."
Gross said her job was preparing her for the future by teaching her responsibility through working closely with parents, children and supervisors.
Gross said her work also complemented her major in journalism. As a result of her experience with the program, she is thinking about working for children's magazine.
"Iam realizing that you can do more than just be a journalist," Gress said. "I am providing the kids with more individual time than they can get in the classroom. Here, their voice can be heard, not lost in the shuffle. This experience is extremely good for my resume, but I'm also giving to the community."
The job, although rewarding, also comes with difficulties. The children involved in the program often come from less fortunate families. Gross said the toughest part of her job was knowing that when the children went home, she couldn't help them anymore.
Payne praises the instructors for being so patient with the new program. Through lessons of trial and error, she
"I call them 'my kids.' They are the easiest part of my job.The kids are completely honest and genuine with you."
841-PLAY
1029 Massachusetts
Lindsay Gross
Seoul, South Korea, sophomore
hopes to build a strong and rewarding program.
"It's not a daycare," Payne said. "Parents need to realize that it is a beneficial extension of the school day. We need to get parents involved and spread the word."
"My job is important because it caters to the communication needs of the students, parents and instructors," she said. "I help work with others to increase academic, social, and physical behavior."
Payne oversees the entire project, making sure the instructors have adequate training and resources. She also stays in close contact with the parents and students.
Gross believes in open communication with Payne. They work together to establish techniques that create a positive atmosphere for the kids.
"Lindsay is awesome," Payne said. "She is responsible, yet not afraid to suggest new things. She offers me great ideas. She is just sensational and understanding. The kids take to her so well."
Edited by Jacob Rod
--center and gated entrance
We Buy, Sell & Trade USED &
NEW Sports Equipment
PLAY IT AGAIN
SPORTS
The Ladies of Delta Gamma Wish Everyone The Best of Luck Congratulations!
Show Your Jayhawk Pride!
32” diameter Glow in the Dark Red, White, Blue, and Yellow Jayhawk Basketball Rug
$29.95
Decorate with a New KU Rug or Flag from Jayhawk Bookstore!
Also Your Source For:
- Pennants * Windsocks
* Clocks * Blankets
  * And More!
Red and Blue Flag With Applique Interlocking KU Logo
Jayhawk Bookstore
www.jayhawkbookstore.com
(785) 843-3826
1 (800) 846-3826 (Outside Lawrence)
1420 Crescent Rd.
Lawrence, Kansas 66044
...at the top of Naismith Hill
Jayhawk Bookstore supports Local Community Service Organizations.
WANTED:
Endumistic news funties, cellophiles, and aspiring broadcasters! Kansas Audio Reader Network,a radio reading service for the blind and print-disabled, is now accepting applications for summer volunteers. We're looking for young people with good vocabularies Volunteer times available include
M, T, W, Th, or Friday mornings
T, W. Th., or Friday afternoons
- M, W, T, F, or early evenings
from 5pm-6pm, 6pm-7pm, or 7pm-8pm
Several volunteers are also needed to help water the Audio-Reader Sensory Garden once or twice a week during the summer months; times flexible.
Contact Audio-Reader for more information by calling 864-4600 or e-mailing us at arnet@ukans.edu.
Learn more about us at our web site:
Audio-Reader
Sometimes you're not sure who can help... call us at 841-2345
HEADQUARTERS Counseling Center
24 hours any day
www.hqcc.lawrence.ks.us
--center and gated entrance
Tuckaway
2600 W 6th Street Harper Square Apartments 2201 Harper Street
HAWKER APARTMENTS
10th & Missouri
Washer/Dryer
Alarm System
Fully Equipped Kitchen
Fireplace (not at Hawker)
Built in TV (not at Harper)
Tuckaway has two pools, hot tubs, basketball courts, fitness center and gated
entrance
Call 838-3377 TODAY Leasing for Summer & Fall