OUTLET: Inside Business
Students lined up in front of Seatack Elementary in Virginia Beach early on July 21, eager to shake hands with teachers and administrators. Shaking hands with teachers, administrators and military personnel from NAS Oceana will be a part of students’ new daily routine.
These handshakes marked the beginning of a two-week intersession, designed to prevent summer learning loss and acclimate students to their new classrooms and teachers.
They also marked the beginning of the school’s transition into becoming Seatack Elementary, An Achievable Dream Academy.
Seatack will receive additional resources of about $2,200 per child from An Achievable Dream, a nonprofit organization designed to empower underprivileged children. An Achievable Dream currently operates two K-12 public schools in Newport News.
The new partnership makes it possible for Seatack to extend school days and field trips and implement a new holistic curriculum that focuses on social, academic and moral aspects of education. Goals include boosting attendance and retention rates, reducing suspension and improving reading skills.
This coming school year, grades K-2 will participate in Achievable Dream Academy. Teachers and administrators will also share the Achievable Dream message with the remaining students. One grade will be added each subsequent year and in three years an additional school will be established to ensure that students continue on with the program until graduation.
The organization was founded in 1992 by the late Newport News businessman Walter Segaloff, who had a vision to unite the business, military and public school communities to benefit underprivileged children of Newport News. What started out as a summer tennis program morphed into a full-time, award-winning K-12 program.
Success stories in the Newport News schools that include a 100 percent graduation rate with 100 percent of students moving on to higher education or the military induced Virginia Beach to reach out to Achievable Dream.
“Our mission is to reach as many students as possible, so when Virginia Beach came to us for help, we wanted to meet their needs,” said Lee Vreeland, vice president of academics for Achievable Dream.
Not everyone was initially thrilled about the program. Some parents felt apprehensive, saying their kids did not need extra help, or that an extended school day would be too strenuous.
“Parents want what’s best for their children,” Vreeland said. “Some didn’t like the program initially but once they got to know us and understand what we would bring to the school, they were sold.”
Funding for Achievable Dream comes from partners in the private sector, fundraisers and donations, all in effort to invest in the children of Hampton Roads. Millions of dollars are raised annually by Achievable Dream in Newport News, with funding under way for Virginia Beach as well.
After the morning handshakes, “dreamers” lined up in four single- file lines.
“I am kind. I am smart. I am important,” echoed loudly throughout Seatack Elementary’s gymnasium. These positive affirmations energize the students for learning, something vital to the program.
Achievable Dream strives to set a culture of high expectations where students believe that college is attainable. In addition to self-confidence, Achievable Dream focuses on etiquette, conflict resolution and “speaking green,” which refers to business English.
Mary Daniels, Seatack principal of five years, says she can feel the difference already.
“They’re shaking my hand; they’re looking me in the eye. It has been a phenomenal feeling,” Daniels said. “There’s a feeling of excitement and energy in the air. It’s a warm feeling. The kids have really found a sense of purpose and a sense of belonging.”
By Virginia Lascara
Virginia.lascara@insidebiz.com
