1. AN OVERVIEW OF OUR ORGANIZATION

2. P ublic E ducation N eeds C ommunity I nvolvement & L eadership  MISSION Linking community resources with Nashville public schools to help young people achieve academic success and prepare for life  VISION Community involvement and leadership in public education lead to academic success and life-sustaining careers for all Nashville citizens.

3. PENCIL Programs COMMUNITY-SCHOOL PARTNERSHIPS  PENCIL Partners  Reading Partners  Math Partners  CHOICES  CAT Student Writers Showcase  Saint Thomas Science Scholars SCHOOL-TO-CAREER TRAINING  Jobs for Tennessee Graduates WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT  Job Skills Training & Employment EDUCATOR RESOURCES  LP ® PENCIL Box  Volunteer Database

4. PENCIL...  Collaborates with Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools to ensure that our educational programs support the system’s strategic plan.  Designs our programs to align with district instructional and curricular standards.  Provides learning opportunities that help students achieve, foster positive attitudes, and recognize outstanding performance.

5. PENCIL Partners  PENCIL Partners are area businesses, organizations, universities, and faith communities that partner with and volunteer in Nashville public schools  Beginning with 37 “adoptions” in 1982, the number of PENCIL partnerships has grown to more than 450.

6. Reading Partners  Reading Partners volunteers help students (pre-K-4) improve their reading ability and increase their enjoyment of reading.  They serve as Classroom Readers and One-on-One Readers.

7. Math Partners  Math Partners volunteers assist students (5-6) in acquiring basic skills, improving math performance, and building self-confidence.  Volunteers work with groups of four students engaging them in interactive, hands-on activities.

8. CHOICES  CHOICES volunteers lead eighth-graders in seminars that help them explore the importance of making wise academic decisions.  Students learn that their decisions impact career options and that they can achieve their goals by applying “The Key to Success”—SELF-DISCIPLINE.

9. CAT Student Writers Showcase  SWS is a creative writing competition open to students in grades 3-12.  Professional writers judge student entries in twelve categories.  Competition winners receive cash prizes and gifts.

10. Saint Thomas Science Scholars  Ninth-grade students who excel in science and have an interest in healthcare careers are nominated by their schools for program participation.  During their sophomore year, selected students attend six hands-on, hospital-based learning sessions.  Saint Thomas staff design and lead the Saturday morning sessions focusing on topics such as the immune system and oncology.

11. Jobs for Tennessee Graduates  JTG staff help high school seniors acquire the employability and leadership skills necessary for transition to work and/or post-secondary education.  Students are selected based upon need for service and their desire to participate in the program.  Staff provide twelve months of follow-up services after graduation.

12. Job Skills Training & Employment Program  JSTEP staff provide education, employability skills training, and career placement assistance for economically disadvantaged adults.  The program has helped thousands of Nashville residents overcome economic, academic and career barriers.  Participants’ school-age children attend Nashville public schools.

13. LP PENCIL Box  LP PENCIL Box, developed in collaboration with Louisiana Pacific, is Nashville’s school supply partnership providing donated materials for students.  Using a voucher system, schools may select supplies free of charge for their students in need.  LP PENCIL Box, located at old Hickman Elementary, provides an additional means for community support of public education.

14. Volunteer Database  This online system is a user-friendly tool providing schools with ongoing information about parent and volunteer involvement.  It enables schools to document this involvement and generate important data for reporting purposes.  It provides a means for schools to list their needs and for local organizations to become involved in meeting those needs.

15. For more information about PENCIL, please visit www.pencilfoundation.org or call 242-3167. The PENCIL staff looks forward to hearing from you.