A volunteer paints a bench at last year’s Community Campus Day. Photo provided by United to Learn.
Dallas ISD and United to Learn are kicking off their annual Community Campus Day event today at neighborhood elementary schools.
United to Learn (U2L) aims to “accelerate student achievement and grow purposeful leaders” with three Community Campus Days held on January 20, March 4 and April 22.
“Research shows that the learning environment influences performance and shapes student aspirations,” a press release said. “In fact, a report by Professor Peter Barrett states that a school’s built environment accounts for 25% of a student’s learning progress.”
United to Learn will bring together hundreds of volunteers to install 15 leveled libraries, reinvigorate 10 outdoor learning environments, establish 10 spirit stores, set up eight care closets, design four calming corners and apply three hallway sensory paths.
“One of my favorite things about CCD is seeing the light and enthusiasm in our volunteers’ eyes, as they recognize they are contributing to the strength of our schools and creating more joyful spaces in which children in our city learn,” Abigail Williams, United to Learn founder and CEO said. “Engaging and activating businesses and community groups is a critical and fun way to sustain strong schools throughout Dallas ISD. Together, we can make a significant impact.”
At Nathan Adams Elementary, 30 United to Learn fellowers will work with 60 sixth graders to plant onions with 5th graders along with Farmer Kim. Thirteen other schools in the neighborhood will also participate in the Community Campus Day activities:
- Arthur Kramer Elementary – Spirit Store
- Preston Hollow Elementary – Garden Refresh
- F.P. Caillet Elementary – Hallway Sensory
- Everette DeGoyler Elementary – Book Bags for Students: Book bags allow students to take reading materials home and expand their personal libraries. Volunteers will create a designated area in a classroom to display books and store bags to encourage reading outside of the classroom.
- Marcus Leadership Academy – Dream Big: Makerspace Volunteers will assemble furniture, install whiteboards, and organize materials to create a maker space area where students can collaborate and experiment. Makerspaces encourage critical thinking, innovation, and curiosity, which are important competencies for learning STEM concepts.
- John J. Pershing Elementary – Classroom Reading Areas: A classroom reading area is a designated space for developing literacy skills. Volunteers will create classroom reading areas with rugs, furniture, and curated multicultural, age-appropriate books to promote a culture of reading.
- Harry C. Withers Elementary – Spirit Store
- David G. Burnet Elementary School – Dream Big: Match Grant for Playground
- Jose “Joe” May Elementary – Care Closet
- Julian T. Saldivar Elementary – TBD
- Nathan Adams Elementary – Garden Renovation: Volunteers will prepare two courtyard garden areas for spring planting. Additionally, an outdoor classroom, including seating, a chalkboard and a shaded area, will be constructed in one of the courtyard areas.
- Anne Frank Elementary – Spirit Store
- Tom C Gooch – Hallway Sensory
- Stephen C Foster Elementary – TBD
