Franklin Crowder
Educator/Aspiring Administrator
SCHOOL/COMMUNITY PLANNING
A school's community usually refers to the different individuals, groups, businesses, and institutions that are invested in the welfare and vitality of a public school and its community such as the neighborhoods and district served by the school. I feel that schools, parents, and the community should work collaboratively to promote the health, well-being, and learning of all students. When schools actively involve parents and engage community resources, they are able to respond more effectively to the needs of students.
DINWIDDIE COUNTY FIVE FORKS 5K RACE
5K MEETING MINUTES
In 2018 and 2019, Dinwiddie County has hosted the annual Dinwiddie Five Forks 5K Run/Walk for the community. Participants ran/walked on the same route that the Civil War Battle of Five Forks was fought along Courthouse Road in Dinwiddie, Virginia.There were nine different age categories that participated and prizes for the top winners. A variety of vendors were also present including Boars Head, McDonalds, and other various local businesses. When planning
, the committee were conscious of course safety regulations, zoning off the highway for runners, transporting runners to the starting line via school bus, and promotion of the event through social media to name a few. We worked with our local parks and recreation to help promote the event, register participants, collect payments, and help mobilize resources. My role in planning meetings were to ensure that the course was adequate for participants, organize bib numbers that participate, collaborate with the transportation department to provide buses to shuttle particiants to the start line, map out a course that measured 5K, and assigning duties to volunteers around the course. When planning such an event, many things need to be taken into consideration and lots of preparation has to be conducted. This experience helped me to have a better understanding of the details that have to be planned in order for a community event to be successful for a large population.
MONSANTO FUND GO RURAL GRANT: PLANNING & WRITING
Sutherland Elementary School was nominated to participate in the construction of the Monsanto Fund Grant program to incorporate STEM in schools. The Grow Rural Education program allows eligible farmers to nominate their local public school district for grants to help enhance STEM education. Once nominated, school districts submit applications to compete for $10,000 or $25,000 grants to help fund projects that enhance their STEM curriculum. These grants are helping to improve test scores, but better yet, they’re getting kids to think bigger about their tomorrow. Along with the Elementary Curriculum Director, we drafted and published an entry for Dinwiddie County. Even though we did not receive the grant, this was an excellent learning experience in terms of leadership as I applied my knowledge in leadership and building a needs assessment for an entire school district.
MONSANTO GRANT TEMPLATE
6TH GRADE TRANSITION CAMP
Over the summer of 2018, I had the opportunity to participate in this year's transition camp for rising 6th graders at Dinwiddie Middle School. Over 150 students attended the camp and participated in such events as the Open Forum, Arts & Crafts, and a scavenget hunt. Welcoming students, assisting in registration, and teaching a STEM project were my main duties for this event. This was a great opportunity for my students from Sutherland Elementary to be greeted by a familiar face during this crucial time in their life. When planning such an event, there were numerous aspects that must be considered.
These include:
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Preparations - Have the teachers had time to prepare materials and classrooms? Have administrators made sure that all of the supplies needed have been purchased/obtained? Have the parents/community been well informed about the day, time, etc.? Is everyone in place to receive their group? How do we split the students into groups (by gender, elementary school, etc.)? Is technology working appropriately for presentations?
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Presentation - In the Open House session, who will be responsible for presenting? What will be needed for delivering classroom/school expectations? How and where should it be presented? Should we have one informative presentation at the beginning, end, or both? Do we want each group to have their own presentation of expectations?
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Follow Up - Most importantly, this first step in building a school community should not be the only or last connection with families. Are there other family nights in the schedule? What can be planned to meet the needs of the students while bringing the community together?
PARENT/TEACHER CONFERENCES
At Sutherland Elementary School, we strive to ensure that our parents, students, staff, and families have an opportunity to gather as a school community and share in the excitement of a brand new school year. During these times, students get acquainted with their teacher, classroom, and school. Also, teachers get to know their students and families. Administrators get to set the tone for the new school year. After discussing the purpose of such events with my mentor, I have discovered the many benefits it brings such as, connecting stakeholders, informing the community, and gaining support.
DINWIDDIE BASEBALL DUGOUT BOOSTER CLUB
As a coach, community planning takes on a role in itself as one has to aid in maintaining a budget, managing appropriate resources, scheduling, and repesenting Dinwiddie High School in various venues across the state. One of the committees that has formed to help make this more organized is the Dugout Booster Club. As a member of the coaching staff, attendance is required to aid in the operations of the baseball program as a whole. In addition, the emphasis of the club is to raise funds for baseball equipment, supplies, field maintenance and improvements, & special projects for the Dinwiddie High School Baseball Program.
As a special send-off for the Class of 2020 due to the Covid-19 Pandemic, Dinwiddie County Public Schools distributed celebration signs for each graduating student. This experience was one that was very special to me because it reminded me of my "WHY" in education. Seeing the surprise and enlightenment in each senior's eyes llet me know how special the moment was for them even though it may not have been the "traditional" celebration.
Dinwiddie County has made a conscious effort to ensure families have hot meals during the abrupt closure of schools due to the Covid-19 Pandemic. I had the opportunity to help my community by delivering meals to families that had transporttion issues. In addition to this service, we provided a curbside pick-up option to allow community members to stay in their vehicle while we brought them their meals.
SENIOR SIGN DISTRIBUTION
COMMUNITY MEAL DISTRIBUTION
