Alternative Spring Break 2003
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Two Rivers Public Charter School

first-time ASB host
see tworiverspcs.org

Three SI students spent their week helping to establish Media Center and Information Technology Services at the newly chartered Two Rivers Public Charter School in the Capital Hill neighborhood of Washington, D.C. Because the school had yet to move into their building, students worked in a board member's basement. After acclimating to the unusual work environment, the students were able to make a real difference in the future policies and practices of the school.

Eboni Curry and Kelly Tyler's major projects in Media Center Development included writing a collection development policy, a guide for material selection, a reading list for elementary students, in addition to researching and a writing grant proposal. Matthew Dull created user interface design mockups for the school's Student, Application, Hiring, Donation, and Personnel databases. He also made recommendations on improving the use and design of Excel spreadsheets. The three students also worked together to design a lending system for books in each teacher's classroom.

  • “The assignment was a good match. I had latitude to do work that I really thought would make a difference at a brand new non-profit. I felt like everything I was contributing was helpful.”
  • “It was very rewarding knowing that I was helping a new school have a good, solid IT system. I also had almost free-range to design as I wanted, and the supervisor highly praised my efforts.”
  • “During the week I had a chance to visit the Foundation Center in Washington D.C., which gave me a deeper insight into the world of philanthropy. I had to research everything I could about the school to provide information for the grant; as a result, I felt a deeper respect for the work I was doing, and the school as a whole. With less than a week to complete the grant, I was a little stressed, but I definitely developed my skills in working under pressure.”
  • “I enjoyed the opportunity to learn about the different aspects of public education, and of the intricacies surrounding this particular school, such as the concept of a public charter school and expeditionary learning. I also had the chance to see what impact people of other specializations were able to have on the media center.”

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