When several Duval County public schools received backpack donations from 1-800-ASK-GARY on October 12, administrators began to discuss ways to create incentives with the gifts.
The backpack giveaways were targeted to the Intervene elementary schools. Vicki Drake, technical manager and volunteer coordinator of DCPS’ Family and Community Engagement, trains the volunteer liaisons at the targeted schools. Vicki sent notice to the schools, announcing the arrival of the backpacks. Within a few hours, half of the backpacks had been distributed.
The volunteer liaisons who received the backpacks immediately started sharing ideas on how best to use the backpacks to keep students, teachers and parents engaged.
One liaison created the initiative, “Blessings in a Backpack.” The backpack would keep on giving after the supplies were used as it would be filled with church-provided food items each Friday, ensuring the student has ample nourishment throughout the weekend.
Another liaison decided to include the donation as part of the school’s new reading initiative. Books will be sent home in the backpacks on a weekly basis, allowing the students to read at home. Yet another school will use the backpacks and supplies as incentive to bring families out to the school’s reading celebration kick-off night.
Others suggested placing the backpacks in the school behavior store. Students will receive play money based on good behavior. Instead of candy for trick-or-treaters, backpacks will be handed out to students as a Halloween goody.
Duval County’s Intervene schools received more than just supplies; they received an opportunity to enhance learning and excitement in and out of the classroom.
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