2012 Annual Report

TUTORS FOR KIDS, INC.
Annual Report – 2012
TUTORS FOR KIDS, INC.
Annual Report – 2012
Mission-TutorsforKids,Inc.isa501(c)(3)nonprofitcommunity-basedorganizationofvolunteerswho
supportthelocaleducationalprocessthroughdirectclassroomtutoringinreading,math,writing,andscience
aswellasfamilysupportandactivitiesthatenhancetheeducationalenvironmentleadingtoscholastic
achievement.
Background–Theprogramoriginatedinthe2009-2010schoolyearasagroupofdedicatedvolunteer
tutors.During2012,theprogramadoptedthename-TutorsforKids,Inc.-andwasofficiallyformedasa
corporationinthestateofFloridainMarch,2012.TutorsforKids,Inc.becameanofficial501(c)(3)nonprofit
publiccharitywithadeterminationletterdatedMay16,2012,fromtheIRS.
Ouroriginalgroupofvolunteersin2009numberedsix–during2012,thenumbergrew98.Startingwithone
schoolin2009,wehaveexpandedtosixschoolsin2012–fiveinSouthMarionCounty,Floridaandonein
SumterCounty,Florida:
• BelleviewSantosElementary,Belleview,Florida
• BelleviewElementary,Belleview,Florida
• HarbourViewElementary,Summerfield,Florida
• MarionOaksElementary,Ocala,Florida
• StantonWeirsdaleElementary,Weirsdale
• WildwoodElementary,Wildwood,Florida
BoardofDirectors–TheformationofacorporationandpubliccharityrequiredthatTutorsforKids,Inc.
establishaboardofdirectors.Theinitialdirectorsconsistofthetwooriginators,twononprofitconsultants
andexecutives,afinancialadvisor,aschoolmediadirector,andfourvolunteertutors.TheBoardofDirectors
helditsinitial/formationmeetingonJuly19,2012,atwhichboardmemberselectedofficersandapprovedbylaws.Theboardauthorizedformationofthreecommittees:
• Curriculum,Training,andBooks
• CommunicationandRecruiting
• Grants(aspartofthestandingFinanceCommittee)
AsecondboardofdirectorsmeetingwasheldonDecember11,2012.
SchoolOutreach–AsTutorsforKids,Inc.wasgrowingandexpanding,itbecameapparentthatthe
tutoringneedsinmoreschoolsweregreaterthanwehadmetduringthefirstthreeyears.Therefore,we
reachedouttothreeadditionalschoolsandcommittedtostaffingtheirclassroomswithvolunteertutorsinthe
fallof2012.
PublicityandRecruiting–Oneofourboardmemberspublishesaweeklycolumninalocalnewspaper,
TheVillagesDailySun,thatreachesawideaudienceinTheVillages,Summerfield,andSouthMarionCounty,
Florida.Sheincludedmanyarticlesinhercolumnaboutourtutoringprogramandtheneedforadditional
tutors.Inaddition:
• Shepublishedarticlesintwoothernewspapers–TheVillageCrierthatisdistributedtothreeretirement
communitiesandTheVoicethatisdistributedinBelleview.
• OnAugust20,2012,TutorsforKids,Inc.wasfeaturedwithafull-pagearticleandpicturesintheweekly
VolunteerSectionofTheDailySun.
• VolunteertutorslivingatStonecrestwerefeaturedonthefrontcoverofTheCornerstone,themonthly
newsletterofStonecrest.
Thecombinationofallthesearticlescontributedtoanearlydoublingofthenumberoftutors.
“Wordofmouth”andexistingtutorsalsogreatlycontributedtoacontinuingflowofnewinterestandtutors–
bringingournumberasofJanuary2013toover100.
Inadditiontomediacoverage,boardmembersalsowereinvitedtospeaktoseveralgroups,allofwhich
broughtnewtutorsandadditionalfunding:
• May1,2012–CarolynRuheandFrankRussoaddressedtheStonecrestVeteransClub
• September17,2012–CarolynRuhe,FrankRusso,andNancyMooreaddressedthemorningmeetingof
theTri-CountyOptimistsClubofTheVillages
• November8,2012–CarolynRuhe,FrankRusso,andCarolDunworthaddressedtheeveningmeetingof
theTri-CountyOptimistsClubofTheVillages
• November18,2012–CarolynRuheandFrankRussoaddressedtheSundayForumatTheUnitarian
UniversalistsChurchinSummerfield,Florida
Orientation,Training,CommunicationforTutors–Severaltrainingandorientationsessionstook
placebeforetutorsstartedinschools:
Kick-Off/Orientation Training(forreadingandmath) Tuesday,September11,2012
Thursday,September13,2012
Friday,September21,2012
Monday,September24,2012
Wednesday,September26,2012
Monday,October15,2012
TutorsforKidsproducesamonthlye-newsletter,senttoalltutors,teachers,principals,board
members,andotherinterestedsupporters.Copiesareavailableonthewebsite:
www.tutorsforkidsinc.org
SchoolStatistics–AsofJanuary5,2013
ActiveTutors
SchoolsServed
TutorsPerSchool
BelleviewSantosElementary
BelleviewElementary
HarbourViewElementary
StantonWeirsdaleElementary
MarionOaksElementary
WildwoodElementary
Total
TimeSlotsPerSchool
BelleviewSantosElementary
BelleviewElementary
HarbourViewElementary
StantonWeirsdaleElementary
MarionOaksElementary
WildwoodElementary
Total
34
15
15
12
7
13
64
25
15
15
8
16
98
6
96
143
SpecialRequestsfromSchools–SeveralofourschoolsrequestedspecialassistancefromTutorsfor
Kids,andvolunteertutorswereabletofilltheserequests:
Forthesecondyear,BelleviewSantosidentifiedthelowest25percentofreadersinGrades3,4,and5.
Weekly,studentsineachofthesegradesspentanhourinthemediacenter(library)workingonliteracy
projects.TutorsforKidsassignedtutorstothemediacenterduringthesetimes,andtheidentifiedstudents
receivedone-on-onereadingtutoring.Seventutorsfill15timeslotsweeklyworkingwiththesestudents.In
addition,tutorswereassignedtotheclassroomssothatthesestudentsalsoreceivedadditionalhelp.When
theschool’s2012gradewasdeterminedbytheStateofFlorida,itwasnotedthatgainsmadebythese25
percentreaderscontributedtotheschoolmaintainingastandingof“B.”
BelleviewSantosalsorequestedspecialassistancewithGrade3writingskills.Theprincipalwantstoenhance
studentswritingskillsduringthethirdgradesothattheywillbebetterpreparedtotakeGrade4FCATwriting
tests.Threetutorsarefillingfourtimeslots.
BelleviewElementaryrequestedspecialhelpwithtwoHungarianstudents(twobrothers–oneinGrade5and
oneinGrade1)whoneedspecialhelpwithEnglishreadingandwriting.TutorsforKidspublicizedthisneed
throughthemedia–andtwonativeHungarianscameforwardtovolunteer.
TutorsforKidsprovidedbooksfortheannualSeptemberRead-InatStantonWeirsdaleElementary.This
annualeventoccursonemorninginSeptemberinwhicheveryelementaryclassroominMarionCountyhasa
volunteerreadastoryorbooktothestudents.InSeptember,TutorsforKidsprovidedthreebookstoeach
classroom–toreadandtoleavewiththeclass.
EachFebruary,HarbourViewElementarycommemoratesthe100thdayofschoolwithalloftheirKindergarten
studentswithspecialactivitiesandreadingprojects.EachclasscomestotheMediaCenterwhere8-10
readersread100bookstogroupsofchildren.Thebooksarethenplacedonatablesothatstudentscansee
themall–andarethenchallengedtoread100booksbeforetheendoftheschoolyear.OnFebruary2,
TutorsforKidsprovidedsomeofthereaders–anddonatedabookforeachofthe130Kindergarteners.
TheBookProgram–Sinceearly2010,wehavebeenparticipatingwithFirstBook,anonprofitbasedin
WashingtonD.C.,thatconnectsbookpublishersandcommunityorganizationstoprovideaccesstonewbooks
forchildreninneed.Todate,FirstBookhasdistributedmorethan100millionbooksandeducational
resourcestoprogramsandschoolsservingchildrenfromlow-incomefamiliesthroughouttheUnitedStates
andCanada.
A14-monthstudybyFirstBookof2,564studentsfoundthatthebooksfromFirstBook:
•
•
•
Improvesinterestinreading.Studentsdemonstratinga'highinterest'inreadingnearlytripledafter
receivingbooksfromFirstBook.
Increaseschildren'sdesiretolearn.69%ofprogramadministratorsfoundbooksfromFirstBookwere
"veryimportant"inchildren’sdecisionstoreadmoreandimprovetheirreadingskills.
Increasesreadingathome.Morethan70%ofchildrenreportedincreasedhomeliteracyactivitiesafter
receivingbooksfromFirstBook.
Thebooksdistributedtoorganizationsarefree;wepayonly45centsperbookforshipping.Thebooks
receivedbyTutorsforKidsduring2012havearetailvalueofover$35,000.
Tutorsusethebookstorewardchildrenforachievementandprogressintheirwork–aswelltheygiveevery
childineachclassroomwheretheyworkseveralbooksthroughouttheyear.Since2010,ourprogramhas
received9,660booksandhasdistributedover9,000tothestudentsinoursixschools.
BookBowl–TheMarionCountyBookBowlisanannualcompetitioninwhichstudentsinGrades3,4,and5
fromeachschoolread15booksandcompetebyansweringquestionsaboutthebooks.Ourfounders,Carolyn
RuheandFrankRusso,servedasimpartialjudgesforthesecondyearatthefinalofthecompetitiononFriday,
May4.
Recognition/Rewards–OnMay8,CarolynRuhewasinvitedtoattendtheMarionCountySchool
CommitteemeetingatwhichshewashonoredastheOutstandingSenior–StatewideVolunteer.
FinancialStatistics–Withtheformationofthenewcorporation,TutorsforKids,Inc.neededanew
bankingrelationship.InApril,2012,ano-feecheckingaccountwasestablishedatMerrillLynchinOrlando.
BeginningBalance
$2,131.09
Donations
3,798.62
TotalReceived $6,029.71
BookShippingCosts $(1,780.20)
CashBalance12/31/2012
$4,149.51
Priortoestablishingthisaccount,theprogramhadreceivedseedmoney,amountingto$2,131.09,thatwas
depositedintotheMerrillLynch.
Duringtheremainderof2012,TutorsforKidsreceived$3,798.62indonationsfromorganizations,board
members,tutors,interestedsupporters,andinterestontheaccount.
TheonlyexpenditureschargedtoTutorsforKidscashwerefortheshippingontheFirstBookdistributionsin
April,July,andSeptemberwhichcost$1,780.20,andpurchased4,172books.
In-KindDonations-Consideringtheretailvalueofthebooksasin-kinddonations,thenetvalueofthe4,172
booksreceivedduring2012is$35,229.80.Otherstart-upandoperatingexpendituresamountingto$1,449.12
werecontributedasin-kinddonations.
Tutors for Kids Reading Tutor, Brian
Farley
FeedbackfromTutors,Teachers,andSchools
“Iwrappedthebooksforthechildrenandhandedthemoutinclasstoday.Theyweresoexcited.Imustsay
thatbeingSantamustbethebestjobever!ThishasbeenthemostrewardingexperienceI'vehadsince
movingtoFlorida.Thankyousomuchforputtingthisorganizationtogether.”CharGriffin–WildwoodTutor
“Itwasamazing!Ahelperfromtheschoolgotahandcartandwheeledinthebooksandstockingsintothe
classroomforme.IfeltlikeMrs.Claus.AfewofthestudentscameupandgavemeahugasIsatmakingnotes
forthebooks.Istillreceivedhugs,asIwasleavingmorehugs,whenonestartedanotherseemedtocopy.It
Volunteer Appreciation Breakfast at
Belleview Santos Elementary School,
May 2012
wassuchanicewaytoendthisyearoftutoring.Thank-yousomuchforlettingmebeapartoftheteam.”
ConstanceCordingly–StantonWeirsdaleTutor
“IamsohappytheVillagesnewspaperranthearticleaboutthewonderfultutoringprogramthatyoutwohave
started.Iwouldnothaveknownabouttheprogramotherwise.IlovevolunteeringatWildwoodElementary
Schoolandthechildrenaresoappreciative.IamextremelyfortunatetohavetwowonderfulSecondGrade
teacherstoworkwith,Ms.C.WhiteandMs.M.Soloff.”DanMiller–WildwoodTutor
“Thatisanawesomeshowingofsupport.Iappreciateallyoudo.LetmeknowifIcanhelpyouinanyway.
Thankyou.”TeresaForsyth,Principal,BelleviewSantos
“ItissoawesomethatyoufoundsomeonefromHungary.Thankyouforyourhardworkanddedication.”Vicki
Godbee–BelleviewElementaryTeacher
“YouaresogenerouswithTutorsforKids.GettingintoWildwoodwasdefinitelyworththewait.Myteacher,
Ms.Beeler,isawesome;weareonthesamewavelengthandaremeetingafterschoolonTuesdaytodevelop
ourprogram.Iamveryimpressedwiththeschoolandespeciallythekids.Thereadingprogramisimpressive
andeventhekidsIamworkingwithhaveskillsfarabovemyexpectations.Iamplanningonabookexchange
justbeforeChristmasvacation.Thanksfortheopportunitytoworkwiththesekids.”BobLapadot–Wildwood
ElementaryTutor
“Thankyouforallowingmeinyourclassroom,Iconsidertheopportunitytoassistyouinyourteachingefforts
tobeaprivilege.“JimKelley–MarionOaksElementaryTutor
“IwouldLOVEforBillSmithtocomeandvolunteerinmyclassroom!ThankyoutoyouandMr.Billforyour
kindness.”CariLamperski–BelleviewElementaryTeacher
“Thankyou,thatwouldbegreat–Ihaveseenarealimprovementwithmotivationtocompleteworkfromthis
student-soyes,pleaseIappreciateallthesupportyourprogramoffersmystudents–Itreallydoestakea
village!”LyndaLovett–BelleviewSantosElementaryTeacher(ingivingastudentabook)
“GladtohelpanywayIcan.Childrenareourfuture.”MaryEllenBelanger,WildwoodElementaryTutor
utors for Kids Reading Tutor, David Hegarty
“Bytheway,Ithoughtyoumightliketoknowthatseveralofmystudentsfromlastyearsothoroughlyenjoyed
thebooksthatyousentwithMrs.Brownleethat"cousins"ofthosechildrencametomyroomthisyear
inquiringaboutthem.Youcertainlymadeanimpression!THANKYOU!!!”AmandaPatton–Belleview
ElementaryTeacher
“ThesetimesareperfectandIamlookingforwardtoworkingwithallyouthisyear.ForthosewhoIworked
withlastyear-Thankyouforjoiningmeagain.”JerriPotts–BelleviewSantosTeacher
“It’sbeenwonderfulseeingTutorsforKidsbackonourschoolcampus!Asweworkoutthelittlekinksinthe
beginning,Iknowthiswillonceagainbeasuccessfulyearoftutoringforourstudents!”TerriRobinson-
BelleviewSantosTeacherandBoardMember
“Thankyousomuch.Mychildrenhavebenefitedeachyearfromyourvolunteeringwiththemandnowwith
yourtutorsfromthetutoringcompany.Thankyouforyourcontributiontoourworld.”–ElizabethSchol,
BelleviewSantosTeacher
ChangingourWorldbyEducationChildren
HelpingKidsMoveForward
TUTORSFORKIDS,INC.
VolunteersinourCommunitySchools
12085SE175thLoop
352-245-9709
[email protected]
www.tutorsforkidsinc.org