University of Iowa and Chalmers Elementary

2008-2009 Activities

The "Grand Re-Opening" of the Chalmers Library

Erin Bloomquist, an Iowa alumna and the Director of The University of Iowa Chicago Center, brought twelve current Iowa students to Chalmers to fix up the school's library. These Iowa students dedicated their entire spring break to bringing the library from dusty shelves and boxes of books to a beautiful, user-friendly center. They cleaned up the entire space, organized every last book, and decorated the walls with posters and inspirational quotes. On the final day, students came in class-by-class to greet the Iowa group and see the new library. The Iowa group taught the Chalmers students how to use the library and answered questions about college life.

News Coverage on the Event:

• KCRG Channel 9 News Story
• UI Students Can Participate in Chicago Service-learning Spring Break Project, University of Iowa News Services

"WOW...just WOW." -- Chalmers Principal Patricia Vaughn-Dossiea commenting on the dramatic difference she sees in the library

The Chalmers librarian and an Iowa student, Oren, laugh about the great week they've had together.

A Cerficate of Appreciation was given to each Iowa volunteer to thank them for their hard work. The basket of blue sticks on the right is Iowa's creative way to mark the place of a book on the shelf so, when a student takes a book off the shelf, he can be sure to put it back in the right spot.

Chalmers students are eager to ask questions about college

Future Activities

• Provide one-on-one tutors for students working on science projects
• Provide judges for the science fair
• Provide volunteers for weekly or periodic math and reading tutoring
• Bring students on a day trip to the University of Iowa to introduce them to a college campus and what it means to be a part of a college opportunity
• Bring speakers to Chalmers' Youth Motivation Day
• Give students the opportunity to job shadow various Iowa professionals for a day
• Coach a K through 2 soccer team twice a week starting in the spring

Page updated 24 March 2009