Hello my name is Kent Felts and I am the School Outreach Worker for Alexander Elementary School (PreK-5th). As an alumni of this district I am proud to now have the opportunity to give back in this role. I am a graduate of Ohio University and am now employed by Athens County Children Services. Children Services has expanded its role in community outreach and prevention services while maintaining its primary mission of protecting children and strengthening families. I look forward to helping the children and families of the Alexander School District and enhancing their school experience.
Our Mission: School Outreach seeks to strengthen families and promote positive school relationships to enhance student school success. We do this by supporting students, families, and teachers, increasing access to community resources, skill building, crisis intervention, improving communications between school and community and providing opportunities for children.
http://www.athenschildrenservices.com
Community Resources
Albany Baptist Church
Address: 5331 State Street Albany Ohio 45710
Basic Needs Ministry: This Ministy was developed to help meet the basic needs of the people in our community. Staffed by volunteers, it is primarily devoted to assisting those in need with food and clothing. The facility is open the 2nd Monday of the month from 10:00 am to 11:30 am and the 4th Monday of the month from 6 pm to 7 pm except for holidays. Our regular schedule is adjusted to work around holiday weeks. If you have questions or need information concerning this ministry please call 740-698-3163. Volunteers will return phone calls to verify needs and answer questions.
Community Dinner: Every Wednesday night at 5 pm
Albany United Methodist Church
Address: 5174 West Clinton Street Albany Ohio 45710
Contact Person: Pastor Matt McKee 698-2341
Community Dinner: Served last Thursday of every month from 5:30 to 6:30 pm
Emergency food relief available on an as needed basis
Christ Community Wesleyan Church
Address: 6275 Kenney Memorial Lane Albany Ohio 45710
Contact: Marilyn Dodrill or Staff 698-2292
Community Dinner: Served on the third Thursday of the month
Emergency Financial Assistance when available
Alexander Lions Club
Meetings Held 2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month 7:30 pm
Albany Grange Hall 1939 Mill St. Albany Ohio
President: Barbara Skinner Email: bskinner003@hotmail.com
Vice President: Tim Mace Email: tmace@pnarch.com
Mission Statement: To empower volunteers to serve their communities, meet humanitarian needs, encourage peace and promote international understanding through Lions clubs.
History: Founded in 1917 by Melvin Jones and a nationwide group of business men that sought to be a national and global leader in community and humanitarian service. In 1925 the organization was challenged by Helen Keller to become "Knights of the blind in the crusade against darkness". From this time on the Lions Club has been dedicated to providing aid to the blind and visually impaired.
At Alexander Elementary: This organization has provided aid to children in our district in need of glasses or other vision related issues.
Albany AmVets Post 93
Address: 1055 Setty Road Albany Ohio 45710
Phone: 740-698-7212
The Regular Members, Auxiliary and Sons of the AmVets have donated holiday food boxes to families in our district. We also appriciate the recent 200 dollar donation for back to school supplies. Thank you for being involved and supporting your community.
Events
Open House Back to School Community Dinner
This event was planned and organized with the support of the Alexander Elementary Staff, Administration and School Outreach Program. Hosted during our yearly open house this event encourages families to meet staff, familiarize themselves with the facility and enjoy a community dinner here on campus. The School Outreach Program will provide school supplies for those families in need and sign children up for our shoes program. Please come out and enjoy the evening.
Elementary Carnival
Alexander Elementary School hosts a carnival for studnets and famiies each year. This event will include door prizes, games and other fun activities. Food and drinks are provided. Please plan to come and enjoy this school function. This event is made possible by the Alexander Elementary PTO, School Outreach program and the wonderful staff.
Movie Night
Alexander Elementary in collaberation with its PTO holds a yearly movie night. This is a free event with popcorn and water provided. Families are welcome to bring blankets and pillows for this drive in style showing. Keep an eye out for flyers comming home with more information on this years event.
Programming
Peanut Butter and Jelly Summer Program
We will be expanding this long standing program to the Alexander district this year. This program allows families in need to show up at the designated distribution site. Families one jar of peanut butter and jelly per child with bread to supplement their children's nutritional needs during the summer months. More information will become available for interested families toward the end of the school year. Those who are interested in donating to this program can contact the School Outreach Worker at the elementary school or at Athens County Children Services 592-3061.
Clothing and Hygiene Bank
We have started collecting items through donation that will be used to assist children and families with basic need issues as quickly as possible. These products also go toward informational sessions and demonstration with students on keeping good hygiene. If interested in donating please contact the School Outreach Worker at the elementary school.
School Supplies
Children of the district who are in need of school supplies or other essentials will find assistance through this program. Athens County Children Services has provided supplies for Pre-K through 5th grade and supported teachers in the classroom with supplies such as tissues, markers and other basics.
Fourth Grade Hygiene Education
The Outreach program in collaboration with AmeriCorps/COMCorps will provide our fourth grade students with an introduction to basic hygiene. The topics covered will include general self maintanance, hand washing, dental care and physical changes during puberty. As a part of this presentation each child will receive a small gift bag of products to sample and explore their own personal hygiene.
Alexander Elemenaty Beautification Day
Held on Earth Day this event provides students, staff and families the opportunity to roll up thier sleeves, get dirty and help keep our school looking great. Also as part of our Positive Behavior Intervention System (PBIS) we utilize this event as a way for students to serve thier community and complete their service learning project on route to becomming a Super Spartan. For more informaiton or if you would like to volunteer please contact the elementary school.
Fifth Grade Girls Circle Groups
This evidence based curriculum allows small groups of our fifth grade girls to work together and discuss topics such as: Body Image, Self Esteem, Confidence, Healthy Lifestyles, Friendships and Dealing with Conflicts. These groups help create confident and strong young ladies that can excell in the classroom and at life.
Social Skills Groups
Also rooted in evidence based research these groups help teach our younger students how to navigate the school experience and help to builds stronger more resilient children. These groups focus on subject areas including: Identifying Emotions, Self Control, Personal Space, Making Friends, and Social Expectations.
Blessings in a Backpack
This program is a nationwide initiative to provide children in need with easy to prepare, ready to eat foods over the weekend throughout the school year. Our local coordinator Kara Hanning has worked with School Outreach and other staff to provide this service to 100 children in the elementary school. If you would like to know more about this program or would like to donate to it please contact me at the elementary school office so arrangements can be made.
www.blessingsinabackpack.org
2016-17 Elementary Food Drive
Elementary Principal Melissa Guffey and PTO President Jenny Stotts
Alexander Elementary Shoes for Students Program
This program has been arranged with the support of Alexander Staff and Students. A yearly shoe drive allows the district to provide new shoes to those children who are in need. Our most recent drive collected 80 pairs and allowed students to focus on their studies not their feet. If you would like to know more about this program or would like to donate to it please contact your Alexander Elementary School.
2017 Elementary Shoe Drive
Elementary Principal Melissa Guffey and School Counselor Ben Shultz
A special thank you to Mrs. Doubravas 3rd Grade Class for helping put on the drive this year
Athens Rotary Club Thanksgiving Assistance
Provides food for Thanksgiving dinner to families in need throughout the district. School Outreach assists in selecting the families and delivering the boxes around the holidays.
Athens County Children Services Santa Tree
Provides assistance to families during the holidays to assure that children in the county have gifts. The School Outreach team selects families each year to participate in the program and delivers the gifts during the holidays. Open enrollment is available at Athens County Children Services. Additional information is available by calling the agency at 740-592-3061.