New Initiatives Grant Final Report
“Sunshine Days”
Please provide a brief narrative explaining your project and its outcomes.
The Sunshine Day program has been exceptional! Our school functions on a six day schedule. Each day 6 of the cycle is Sunshine Day. Each grade level gathers together to participate in the Sunshine Day activity for the day. The Sunshine Day activities focus on building connections between students and community, recognizing the service of others, character development and social emotional learning. We brought guest speakers into the school from charitable organizations such as Make-a-Wish and helped raise money for their organization. We made cards and decorations for local nursing homes, veterans agencies, and businesses. Local business have come to work with students and discuss the importance of agriculture and science in the community.
The biggest challenges have been around planning. Coming up with an assembly every six days of school is hard. It has been rewarding! We would like to bring some multi-cultural performers to our school in the future, but have been unable to find performers that are able to work with the schedule.
What is the most remarkable accomplishment or finding of your project?
We have found the project has brought the entire school together through common experience. The most remarkable aspect has been the opportunities afforded to the students that are beyond those normally afforded to them in the classroom. We have seen students shine that are shy in school because they are able to participate in subject areas not normally covered in class.
Please provide a brief summary of your evaluation activities and/or results, if available.
We won the Promising Practice Award from Character.org and will be recognized in Washington, D.C this November.
Jackie Alex
Library Media Specialist, Bolivar Road Elementary – Chittenango Central Schools
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