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Good Nature Project

REACH grant proposal submitted by Alternative Education/Perseus House.

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PSLA Special Education Application

Name of School: Alternative Education/ Perseus House
Name of School District: Erie, PA
Name of School District Business Manager: Mark Amendola
Name of person submitting grant: Melissa Ramer
Title/Position: Teacher
Title of Project: "Good Nature Project"
# of Students participating: 20-30
Dates of project: Jan 15, 2001-9/1/2001

REACH Grant Proposal

Mission Statement: To provide each student with a variety of opportunities to experience success through a humanistic approach that address individual needs with the goal of providing positive reinstatement of students into an appropriate school setting.

"Good Nature Project"

Students at the Alternative Education Program in the City of Erie will take part in the "Good Nature Project" to assist the high population of senior citizens in the community who live alone or of limited physical ability to care for their homes by planting flowers or vegetables in their yards, by cleaning up leaves or snow, by performing odd jobs such as window washing or assorted small repairs and household and/or yard tasks.

Feedback provided in the form of telephone requests to and from named community agencies reflects the high number of seniors in need of this assistance. These agencies will provide a listing of those most in need and will assist in scheduling an initial contact. Through the "Good Nature" team, students will aid in beautifying our community areas where seniors lack both the physical and financial resources to make the needed changes. Students will assist in cleaning and recycling yard debris, and will build community friendships with older, wiser members of the community with the hopes of lasting, mutually beneficial relationships.

The Erie Center on Aging, The Housing Authority of the City of Erie and the Sisters of St. Joseph Community Outreach programs will provide the demographic information from which the students will research needs of the community; Waste Management of Erie will provide information on recycling sites and environmental statistics; Perseus House, Incorporated will supply transportation vans.

Students will enrich their knowledge and capabilities in planning and creating geometrical landscape designs, budgeting available time and financial resources through which to reach designated goals, the benefits of recycling to individuals and communities, written and verbal communication of their project and accomplishments, interaction by and among group members with cooperating community members, idea sharing, team work, and team support.

Through the "Good Nature Project", students will develop competencies in, and perhaps excel, in the given areas addressed in the English, Social Studies, and Mathematical curriculum, but most importantly, the students will hopefully develop self confidence and a lifelong interest in helping in the community, helping to beautify the community, building relationships in the community.

Through portfolio projects, graphs, posters, print and electronic media, mapping, written reflection, direct observation, or other student-generated means of assessment, students will explore possible career avenues and pathways for expression.

Students possessing individual education plans will be incorporated into the program via initial inclusion at the composition of the IEP, those presently enrolled will be included via an IEP addendum.

Students in higher grades, and of higher competencies will work with teachers and community agencies to ensure student ownership and direction of the "Good Nature Project".

Proposed Budget

Gardening supplies: rakes, wheel barrows, plant containers, gloves
$300.00

Flower bulbs, seeds, plants, trees
$300.00

Winter supplies: shovels, salt
$100.00

Van fuel/lunches
$300.00

TOTAL: $1000.00