For more than 30 years the Art Appreciation program at Olde Providence Elementary has empowered students to look closely, think critically, and discuss respectfully!

Once a month, beginning in October, volunteers present a 30-minute lesson and facilitate discussions about art in each class. This program may be on hold due to the pandemic and lack of participation.

 

*If you are interested in leading or volunteering for Art Appreciation, please contact Janae Britt at janae.britt@gmail.com.

 

 

OP's Garden Program started about 15 years ago with Cheri Powers and Deborah Mullen, two second grade teachers.  Using PTA funds, the tradition has continued and it has since expanded to include every student at OP! OP students are thrilled to have a chance to learn hands-on how the world around them works while helping to make their school more beautiful.

Grades 3-5 plant a Fall garden with a focus on research.  Grades K-2 plant a Spring garden with a focus on information.  Both curriculums allow students to discover and learn how the world around them works.  They are approximately 10 week programs.  Volunteers meet with a class for 30 minutes once per week.  Families have an opportunity to contribute by donating plants, by lending a blanket for students to sit while they record in their journals, or by volunteering to work with a class. To sign up to help, please click here!

*If you have questions, please contact Heather.

 

 

International Walk to School Day is a global event that involves communities from more than 40 countries walking and biking to school on the same day. It began in 1997 as a one-day event. Over time, this event has become part of a movement for year-round safe routes to school and a celebration – with record breaking participation – each October. Today, thousands of schools across America – from all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico – participate every October and throughout the school year.

 
Why Walk or Bike?
Communities and schools are using Walk or Bike to School Day as the first step to change community culture and to create options for getting around that are more inviting for everyone, both young and old. Here are some reasons to support walking and bicycling to school:
  • Its Fun! - Walking and bicycling bring a sense of joy and independence.
  • Healthier Habits - The trip to school is a chance for children (and adults!) to get the physical activity they need.
  • Cleaner Environment - Replacing car trips to school with walking or bicycling can reduce congestion and air-polluting emissions.
  • Promoting Safety - Building sidewalks, providing education programs and adding traffic calming measures are some of the ways to improve safety. Encouraging walking and bicycling to school   can help build support for infrastructure improvements in the broader community.
  • Community Benefits - Reducing traffic congestion, boosting a sense of community, and improving neighborhood connections benefit the community.
 Click here to learn more about the Walk/Bike to School movement.
 

SCHOOLMATES

SchoolMates is a CMS-created strategic collaboration of local schools that provides an opportunity for mutual support and service between partners. OP's SchoolMate is Idlewild Elementary. OP organizes a uniform drive in the Fall and hosts a staff appreciation luncheon for Idlewild's staff in the Spring. Our Helping Hands funds are sometimes used to provide resources to Idlewild students in need. 2nd grade participates in a book drive to benefit their students as well.
If you're interested in helping out, please contact Brandi Hooven.

 

Paideia Seminar

Olde Providence is proud to be a Paideia Seminar Nationally Certified School! A Paideia Seminar is defined as a collaborative intellectual dialogue facilitated with open-ended questions about a text. Specific learning objectives for the Paideia Seminar include both intellectual and social skills. Each seminar nurtures proficiency in both thinking and communication. Consistent implementation of seminar practice across a school community results in:

  • significantly improved achievement scores in reading and writing, especially among traditionally underserved populations;
  • improved student motivation due to increased student voice in an active environment;
  • a more respectful school culture with fewer behavior problems.

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