FOCUS School

What is the FOCUS program?

A year-long second grade classroom that takes at-risk children out of area schools to participate in an enrichment experience designed to better prepare the student for success in either third grade or in the regular second grade.

What type of student would be served?

FOCUS is intended to serve those students who are behind in their education, but who are not likely to be served through special education programs. These children do not have the prerequisite skills to be successful learners because they need more time and attention or different learning strategies.

In school, teachers must move on when the majority of the students have understood a concept, creating for those who don't yet understand a feeling of frustration and failure. These students perform significantly below grade level and are considered to be at-risk for success in school and for graduation from high school. In addition, many feel like they can't learn or be successful in life.

What is the focus of FOCUS?

The three prongs of the FOCUS program include Christian education and nurture, individualized instruction in literacy and mathematics and parent involvement.

1. Exposing each child on a daily basis to the knowledge that he/she is a special child of God's. The program will affirm each child's gifts and honor all different abilities and talents. The goal is for each student to realize that some aspects of school may be difficult for them, but that they are meant to be successful people who are valued in the world.
2. Teaching each child individually in literacy (reading, writing, speaking, listening, thinking) and mathematics. Instruction is based on fixing the missed pieces of knowledge and challenging children to move to a greater understanding of the material.
3. Requiring parent to participate in their child's education by attending regular meetings on child rearing, managing behavior in productive ways, and supporting literacy development.

How can volunteers help FOCUS?

Volunteers who love watching children learn can support the efforts of the FOCUS program in many ways:

• Help prepare the monthly birthday lunch
• Help make learning activities
• Mentor a student
• Share a talent
• Serve as a contact person for a student's family
• Read to children
• Listen to children read
• Help chaperone a field trip
• Help with craft projects
• Quiz students on addition facts
• Help prepare a newsletter
• Take and print pictures
• Purchase school supplies
• Pay for a student's lunch for a month
• Make a financial contribution to the program