Harvard University and Walter Payton College Prep

Harvard's program is run by a group of eight coordinators, each of whom oversees a particular area of volunteer activities or program administration (i.e., volunteer recruiting or web site maintenance). Volunteers in the Harvard Adopt-A-School program at Payton, known as "Harvols," provide assistance for students in several main areas: academic tutoring, college counseling, debate team coaching, and athletic coaching. Over 200 volunteers have registered with the program, with about 40 active during the 2006-2007 year.

2008-2009 Activities

• On October 1st, the Harvols held an Adopt-A-School Kick-Off Pizza Party in conjunction with a Friends of Payton (FOP) parents' committee meeting. This evening gathering gave Havard program coordinators and volunteers an opportunity to meet each other in person and to meet some of the Payton parents whose sons and daughters may work with our volunteers.
• On October 30th, Harvard alum, Ked Fairbank, attended Payton for Principal for a Day (PFAD). Learn more about how PFAD and how you can get involved by visiting the PFAD website.
• Harvols will tutor students one-on-one again throughout the year.
• Dick Sullivan, a member of the Harvard Club, is, once again, committed to coaching the Payton Debate Team.

2007-2008 Activities

• Harvols tutor students one-on-one in several subjects every week for a total of 35 weeks. Subjects include math, science, English, and development of study skills and organization.
• Kuumba, a Harvard singing group, came to Walter Payton and invited both Harvard and Walter Payton friends to the event.
• Dick Sullivan, a member of the Harvard club, commits his time to coaching the Payton Debate Team
• Harvols helped out in Payton's 2007-2008 science fair.

2006-2007 Activities

• Harvols tutored students one-on-one in several subjects
• Harvols assisted with college counseling during weekly 45-minute advisory periods. View an example of the College Advisory Lesson Plans and read about one Harvol's experience with planning the advisories, which was discussed at an APS workshop in December 2006.)
• Four to six Harvols helped with Payton's athletic teams
• Several Harvols helped conduct a personal finance seminar for Payton students

Previous Activities

• Harvol Dick Sullivan, along with seven other volunteers, helped the Payton Debate Team become one of the most popular and successful student activities at Payton. They have assisted the team as coaches, advisors, judges, and tournament chaperones.
• Starting in the 2005-2006 school year, volunteers have begun participating in Payton's College Counseling Advisories for seniors. Harvols also work with students twice a week and continue assisting individual students as needed throughout the year.
• At the beginning of the 2005-2006 school year, the coordinators organized a Pizza Party for new and returning volunteers. This gave volunteers an opportunity to meet each other, learn about the program, and share experiences--both successful and challenging--from previous years.
• Coordinators hosted a breakfast for faculty in the fall 2005 to meet and discuss likely student needs and potential volunteer involvement.
• Coordinators participated in Payton's Fall 2005 Parents' Night Open House to meet parents and speak about the Harvol Adopt-A-School program's offerings for students.
• In fall 2005, Payton's English department elected to require students struggling in English to attend a Tutoring Center staffed by Harvols. The English tutoring center is up and running now with 8 volunteers helping 16 Payton students before and after school.
• Before the 2005-2006 school year, some volunteers were matched with students to provide one-on-one college counseling ("College Counseling Buddies").
• Staffed an after-school drop-in tutoring center.
• Joined informal lunches with students.
• Participated in Payton's seminar program.
• In past years, volunteers have served in athletics as head coaches for JV volleyball and freshman basketball teams.

Page updated 31 October 2008