Announcing an RFP for an Excellent K-8 School Partner

Announcing an RFP for an excellent K-8 School Partner

SquashWise is one of Baltimore’s most unique youth development programs, with strong support from Dr. Alonso, School Board Chairman Neil Duke, and the Office of Engagement. We provide long-term academic enrichment and athletic programming with the ultimate goals of high school graduation, college access, and life planning. SquashWise is seeking applications for an additional school partner serving K-8 students in Baltimore City. Don’t miss this chance to provide life-changing opportunities to your students.

About SquashWise

Students attend three after-school and weekend sessions per week which consist of academic enrichment and squash coaching. Academic sessions consist of homework tutoring and enrichment (book club, vocabulary, nutrition, creative writing, geography and world cultures, etc.). Squash opportunities such as tournaments, sleep-away summer camps, and travel provide strong incentives for academic effort and progress in the classroom. Our short-term goals include attitudinal and behavioral improvement, better grades, and improved fitness and nutrition. Our long-term goals are to ensure 100% high school graduation and to promote college completion and life planning.

SquashWise Students

We currently work with 40 students from ACCE, Civitas, and Poly at two facilities: Meadow Mill Athletic Club (Hampden: Light Rail, Woodberry) and Johns Hopkins University. We are looking to expand to younger grades in the 2012-2013 school year. Students will join in 4th or 5th and remain in the program through high school graduation. By starting with students as early as 4th grade, we will have a longer impact on them and an earlier development of academic achievement, squash skills, and teamwork. We also hope to encourage even younger students in K-3 to reach for the opportunity to try out for SquashWise once they are in 4th grade. By doing this, SquashWise will encourage families to anchor themselves in your school’s community.

SquashWise Results

Our students show impressive growth in terms of academic effort, grade improvement, athleticism, and teamwork.

·  SquashWise students complete over 30% more homework than their classmates.

·  The majority of students improved their grades in core subjects last year, many by more than 10%.

·  SquashWise students are nationally-ranked squash players.

·  SquashWise engages students in school choice and helps them gain entrance to best-fit high schools and colleges.

·  30+ students earned scholarships to attend sleepaway squash camps at Princeton, Navy, Vassar & others.

·  SquashWise “runs in the family.” We have many sibling and cousin pairs, with younger siblings eager to join.

·  Older urban squash programs in NYC and Boston show 100% HS graduation and 93% college graduation.

·  SquashWise provides valuable support to teachers:

“Not only do SquashWise students have virtually perfect completion of out-of-school work, they are more willing to do extra credit and enrichment. SquashWise holds real weight with the kids.”

– Ms. Johnson, Social Studies Teacher.

School Profile

Applicants should fit the following guidelines:

·  K-8 model, with 4th-5th grade enrollment to recruit 15-20 students across both grades.

·  School should serve students with economic need (75%+ qualify for free/reduced lunch).

·  Ideal school location: within a 15 minute drive of our facilities: Meadow Mill Athletic Club (3600 Clipper Mill Rd., Hampden) and Johns Hopkins University. Schools with their own transportation are encouraged, but this is not a requirement. (SquashWise will be able to provide weekday transportation. If a school is further than a 15 minute drive, you may still apply and transportation logistics will be reviewed.)

·  Strong leadership and dedicated teachers, with stability and longevity.

School Partner Roles & Expectations

·  Principal or designated administrative liaison, must lead the partnership and be available for bi-annual progress meetings with SquashWise Executive Director.

·  Teachers will communicate with SquashWise’s program directors on a regular basis.

·  Teachers will agree to complete SquashWise’s survey of student progress three times per year.

·  School leaders must show general support to SquashWise by attending events and tournaments when possible.

·  School must allow SquashWise to utilize school facilities, with permission, for tryouts and parent meetings.

·  School will provide student achievement data with parental permission secured by SquashWise.

·  School will provide a financial investment at a negotiated per-student cost. In the past, schools have provided an average of $350 per student per year, which represents 6% of SquashWise’s total per-student cost. This includes year-round programming, summer squash/academic camps, teacher support, assistance with high school choice, and deep social, academic and athletic support provided to each student.

How to Apply

1.  Complete enclosed application by March 1, 2012. Make sure to complete all sections. Return to SquashWise by email or mail at the address below.

2.  SquashWise will contact the top 3 applicants to schedule site visits to the school in April.

3.  Site visit includes: meetings with Principal, teachers, and other key staff; school tour; classroom visit; meeting with parent representative(s).

4.  Decisions will be made by May 2012, with outreach to students beginning before the end of the school year to begin student recruitment.

Contact

Abby Markoe

Executive Director

443.682.7126

www.baltimoresquashwise.org

3600 Clipper Mill Rd., Suite 107

Baltimore, MD 21211

Application begins on next page.

Application (You may fill out by hand or electronically in MS Word. Please complete all sections.)

School Name: ______Address: ______

School Telephone: ______School Website: ______

Principal Name: ______# Years at School: ______

Principal Email: ______School Operator? ______

Grades Served: ______Enrollment in 4th & 5th Grades: ______

% of Students who qualify for Free/Reduced Lunch: ______

School Focus/Mission. What makes your school special?

Partnership

Why do you want to become a SquashWise School Partner?

Current School Partners: (please describe partnerships and explain how many students participate):

Current After-School Activities, including athletics:

(cont’d)

School Community

Are students and families actively seeking after-school programs? Please explain.

Please include the contact information of an involved parent (or Parent Association) willing to speak with SquashWise about your school and community.

Describe your physical education program. Is it offered to all students? As an elective? (Note: SquashWise does not have a PE requirement for school partners).

Transportation

What transit lines are close to your school?

What are the most common ways that students get to school? If need be, differentiate by age or grade.

Schedule: Please give the daily schedule.

Mondays: Start Time: ______End Time: ______

Tuesdays: Start Time: ______End Time: ______

Wednesdays: Start Time: ______End Time: ______

Thursdays: Start Time: ______End Time: ______

Fridays: Start Time: ______End Time: ______

Saturdays (if any) Start Time: ______End Time: ______