Strengths

The Delta View Elementary School CARES is a well established program with strong support from our community partners as well as from our school site and administration. This support stems from a history of excellent programming, coordination, and strong program leadership. Financially, we are supported by grants from both state and city initiatives. One of the greatest assets that the Delta View CARES program possesses is a string connection with the regular school day staff. The principal, provides valuable assistance, support, and guidance that is vital to sustaining a well rounded program. Regular school day teachers also provide assistance in the form of student updates, homework support, and help with behavioral issues. With the addition of a 21st Century Community Learning Centers grant award, we were able to serve an additional 40 students during the 2009-10 school year. Tis federal source of funding is available for 5 years.

Challenges

In order to maintain high quality services being offered to our students and families, additional funding sources are continually being pursued. There is an ongoing need to maintain high quality training and mentorship for CARES staff to ensure qualified staff are serving our students. Opportunities for culturally diverse and enriching opportunities prepare students with life experiences.

Programs for Students and Families

Homework Help, Academic Intervention Program, Nutrition Education, Cooking, Dance, Art, Crafts, Clubs, Gardening, After School Research Reading Program, Talent Shows, Family Nights, and Community Information Nights.

Daily nutritional snack provided in partnership with Food Services Department and the USDA.

• School day teachers instruct the Intervention portion of CARES.
• Representative of CARES in Student Care Team (DV) and attends faculty, Leadership, and grade level meetings.
• Informal and formal means of communication in place to facilitate discussion between CARES staff and school day teachers.

• Homework Help: 1 hour HW assistance which includes 20 minutes of Daily Interactive Read Alouds, Journal Time and Graffiti Walls.
• Intervention Program: 1 hour of academic Intervention with a Credentialed teacher in either English Language Arts or Mathematics. Student to teacher ratio is 17:1. This program has eligibility requirements, inquire within.
• My Skills Tutor: Computer based academic program by Houghton Mifflin leveled to challenge student academically in Grades 1 - 8.
• Peer Tutoring: Students in 4th and 5th grade who complete their homework are selected based on leadership skills and good behavior to tutor students in younger grades who experience homework difficulties.

• Enrichment opportunities: 1 1/2 hours structured enrichment or recreation. Enrichment programming includes arts and crafts, athletics, leadership, and home economics programs. Programming focuses on the youth development model.
• Nutrition Education: Standards based curriculum developed from UC Cooperative Extension, Power Play and Harvest of the Month. 45 minutes daily of mild vigorous physical activity promotion. Students participate in nutrition lessons, cooking classes, and field trips to the Gardens.
• CARES Gardens: Our one CARES Garden host daily classes in the garden, serving all 14 CARES After School programs integrating nutrition, youth development and community development. An on-site garden has been established in SUmmer 2010.
• Clubs: A wide variety of clubs are offered to students every Friday during enrichment time. The clubs are selected and led by the recreation specialists based on their own interests. Clubs include Basketball, String Art, Science, and Art. A new selection of clubs is available to students on a rotating cycle every 4 weeks.

• High School Service Learning Students: 12th graders from Mount Diablo High School and Ygnacio Valley High School performed 50 to 100 hours of volunteer work with elementary students to complete elective credits. In 2009-2010 17 Seniors were able to earn credits to graduate on time. In addition, several students were hired on to become Recreation Staff in the Summer and Fall of 2010.
• Digital Safari Academy (DSA) at Mount Diablo High School: A new partnership developed in conjunction with the DSA launched in Spring of 2010. 12th grade student volunteers in the DSA performed 50 hours of community service projects teaching movie-making and editing to 4th and 5th grade CARES students at Sun Terrace.

• Family Nights: Parents are given a variety of opportunities to attend events at the school to educate or support their students in areas of nutrition (5 a Day Night), cultural diversity (Diversity Dinner), visual art education (CARES Art Extravaganza!), seasonal celebrations (Fall Fest) and athletic competition (Bay Point Soccer Jamboree).
• Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano Counties: Families are given weekly free fruits and vegetables throughout the school year and during the summer program. During the 2010-11 school year, Sun Terrace families were given 19,981 pounds of free produce valued at $31,969.60.
• Parent Volunteers: Throughout the year, parents volunteer their time to assist with homework tutoring and enrichment activities as well as volunteering time and supplies for special events such as Fall Festival.

Who We Serve

Number of Students served:
Male: 57%
Female: 43%
Free & Reduced Lunch: 52%
English Learner: 82%
Special Education: 20%

Demographics
Asian: 2.5%
Latino: 51%
African American: 12.1%
Pacific Islander: 2.9%
Other White: 23.6%
Other Non-White: 9.9%

How We Serve
Staff to student ratio: 1:20
Number of credentialed staff: 1
Number of volunteers: 4
Number of CARES staff: 13
Number of subcontractors: 1

Community Partners

• City of Concord Parks and Recreation
• MDUSD
• Bay Area Community Resources (BACR)
• Concord Police Department
• First Tee
• Wells Fargo
• Amy Sarabi
• Mad Science