Saturday in school no drag for Reavis Elementary students

Story by Richard Muhammad of LISC/Chicago

Feb. 3, 2009 – Saturday and school could be the worst two-word combination ever for youngsters eager to get away from teachers, homework and cafeteria food. But these unspeakable words sparked excitement at Reavis Elementary on the South side as energetic students devoted time to beautifying classrooms.

Pencils, notebooks and pens were put aside as students, volunteers and staff lugged brushes, drop cloths and painter’s tape – alongside paint cans labeled “Niagara Falls” and “Utah Sky” – from room to room. “Fun. Interesting,” said Kayla Barrett, a 12-year-old 7th grader describing her feelings about the Saturday session. She hadn’t wanted to stay home and enjoyed meeting new people and bonding a little more with teachers.

For Joseph A. Kemp, another 12-year-old in the 7th grade, the service day was a way out of punishment and staying cooped up in the house. But, he added, spending the day painting, eating and relaxing was great. Volunteering will also look good on a high school or college application, he said.

Volunteers from the Quad Communities Development Corp., Alderman Toni Preckwinkle’s 4th Ward office, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Saints congregation in Hyde Park, the University of Chicago, Expeditionary Learning Schools and Chicagoland alumni from Stanford University lent a hand.

But plenty of students dressed old clothes and shoes signed in at the front desk of the school and were dispatched to classrooms.

“We just don’t want to wait for people to do stuff for us,” explained Principal Michael Johnson, who sees the beautification project as another chance to teach students about community-building and a way to strengthen neighborhood partnerships. The day was a balance between having students see the value of doing things for themselves and working with others-not having others simply do a job and go home, Principal Johnson noted. “It’s really exciting to see how excited they are. It gives students the opportunity to take on leadership roles,” he said. Nearly 70 students signed up for morning and afternoon sessions and by the time workers took a midday break, half of all the students who signed up had showed up for work.

School staff used two-radios and the school intercom system to manage the operation and direct the troops. Ed Stratford, of the Church of the Latter Day Saints, joined about 30 members of the congregation volunteering at the school. Students are taking ownership and the outside help shows people care, he said.

“We know that Reavis has a very dedicated staff and they love their students, but they could use some help. We’re very happy to provide the manpower and service for that,” said Sara Stevens, who added that volunteering is fundamental to her religious beliefs.

Latifah Allen, of CleanSlate, gripped a paint brush and applied a fresh coat of yellow paint near a chalkboard in a kindergarten classroom. “The children are like motivating me too because they could be anywhere else but they are here. There are a lot of children here, it’s surprising,” she said.

Joseph Kemp found Saturday volunteering at school exciting and enjoyable. Photo by Richard Muhammad.

The work was done over two days and in different shifts, with desks and equipment pushed into the center of classrooms. Baseboards, electrical outlets and door frames were taped and peeling paint scraped away. Teachers and students chose classroom colors based on research that showed which colors complement learning.

Genise Smith, a 7th and 8th grade math and science teacher sacrificed part of her weekend because of her students’ willingness to sacrifice. “Since they were coming I had to come too,” she said. “Some kids, especially at the middle school age, are like ‘all about me, what am I going to get out of it?’ That’s not the question they (students) asked. They were like ‘we’ll do it,’ no questions asked. It shows that the work that we do they really do care and they care about their community,” she said.

“This year has been all about change, that’s the big campaign thing. Since I’ve been here I’ve seen a lot of change in them and even just giving of themselves. Just being able to do for others is one of things I believe they will take from this experience,” Smith added. She has been at Reavis for nearly a year and has been teaching for five years.