1. Energy Express … where breakfast, lunch, and learning don’t take a summer break.

2. During the Summer Many Children: Fall Behind Academically Suffer Nutritionally Lack a Safe, Secure Environment

3. Energy Express Mission Energy Express promotes the school success of children living in rural and low-income communities by providing summer learning experiences and nutritious meals.

4. The Energy Express Model 1.Place-based 2.Print-rich 3.Family Style Meals 4.Service 5.Small Groups 6.Parent and Community Involvement 7.Collaboration

5. Place-based Curriculum Using Weekly Themes Myself Family Friends Home Place Community Making my World a Better Place

6. Focus on Reading in a Print-rich Environment Literature Language experience Writing Art and drama Take-home books

7. Nutritious Family-style Meals Teaches Responsibility Develops Cooperation Encourages Conversation

8. Service Through AmeriCorps College student mentors College student and community member community coordinators Community service projects

9. Small Groups Children Entering First Through Sixth Grades Vertical Age Groupings – 3 grades in each group Non-competitive environment

10. Family and Community Involvement Family Visits Weekly Connections with Parents Volunteer Opportunities

11. An Energy Express Site 32-64 Children 4-8 Mentors Community Coordinator Sometimes a teen community coordinator Site Supervisor Family and Community Members as Volunteers Local Collaborative

12. Typical Day 8:00-9:00 a.m. Site team arrives, prepares for the day and meets 9:00-9:30 a.m. Children arrive, family- style breakfast 9:30-noon Print-rich activities: Reading, writing, art, drama, recreation Noon-12:30 p.m. Family-style lunch, children leave 12:30-2:00 p.m. Site team reflects, learns, and plans

13. After Hours family contacts, volunteer contacts, preparations, and AmeriCorps group community service project, gathering resources for the next day

14. Energy Express 2014: 74 Sites 37 Counties 2456 Children attended 15+ days 73% on Free/Reduced Priced Meals 23% with IEPs 23% Minority 20,225 Take-home books 139,520 Meals

15. Collaboration Local Partners State Partners

16. Local Partners Often Include: Boards of EducationParent Organizations BusinessesRead Aloud West Virginia Faith OrganizationsRetired Seniors Civic OrganizationsVolunteer Programs Community Action Agencies4-H Organizations Community Service GroupsFamily Resource Networks Foster GrandparentsWVU County Extension Offices Libraries West Virginia Community Educational Outreach Services West Virginia University Extension Service Provides Leadership

17. Major State Partners Volunteer West Virginia – The State’s Commission for National and Community Service West Virginia Department of Education West Virginia Department of Education and the Arts West Virginia University West Virginia University Extension Service Provides Leadership

18. The Impact of Energy Express Reading Nutrition Mentors Parents Volunteers Community

19. Significant increases in reading scores The average child gains: 3 months broad reading Summer Slide!

20. The Impact of Energy Express Children are served 58% of their daily nutritional requirements.

21. The Impact of Energy Express Increases in personal efficacy and commitment to community service for AmeriCorps Members.

22. Helps parents see their children as learners. The Impact of Energy Express

23. Offers opportunities for parents and community members to actively support children’s learning. The Impact of Energy Express

24. Strengthens community collaboration to support children’s learning. The Impact of Energy Express

26. Energy Express West Virginia University Extension Service 706 Allen Hall Post Office Box 6602 Morgantown, West Virginia 26505-6602 Telephone:(304) 293-3855 Facsimile:(304) 293-3866 E-mail: Energy.Express@mail.wvu.edu Web: http://energyexpress.ext.wvu.edu/