Do you want to make a real difference in a child’s life? It’s easier than you might think!
The Bradenton Kiwanis Club is seeking out volunteers to help with their Bring Up Grades (BUG) Program. This fun and exciting program recognizes elementary school students who work hard to bring up or maintain good grades from one grading period to the next.
This effort was made possible by Kiwanis International and is being provided through a partnership between Bradenton Kiwanis and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Manatee County.
The organizations are in need of volunteers to help students in setting up SMART goals and provide encouragement during the marking period. Think you might be interested? Here’s what you need to know.
Commitment Requirements
Volunteers must be able to commit to participating for a minimum of one school period and attend a series of three meetings either in-person or online with their assigned teacher’s classroom.
Prior to rolling out the BUG program, all volunteers must be pre-approved by completing a volunteer application online with Boys & Girls Clubs of Manatee County, pass a Level 2 Background Check, and attend a 45-minute training session which may be held in-person or online.
What to Expect
During the grading period, the program will include three sessions.
Session 1
When you arrive for your first session, you’ll meet with your assigned classroom to introduce and launch the Kiwanis Bring Up Grades program. In coordination with the teacher, you’ll show a video of the program and then distribute packets to each child so they can start working on their individual SMART goals. Each child will be asked to share their goal as a way to reinforce their commitment. This session should last no more than one hour.
Session 2
One month after the first session, you’ll set up a second session to offer the class support and encouragement. If necessary, goals may need to be re-framed to help the students get back on track.
Session 3
The final session is a celebration party! You’ll bring certificates and goodie bags to deliver to the classroom during a pizza party celebration. The Mayor of the City of Bradenton or Palmetto may also join you during this wonderful celebration.
If you’re interested in volunteering, there are two schools to choose from:
- Manatee (1609 6th Ave. E. Bradenton)
- Palmetto (1540 10th St. W. Palmetto)
To learn about how you can become a volunteer, contact Robert Rogers at volunteer@bgcmanatee.org or (941)761-2582 ext. 109.
This is an incredibly worthwhile program, and the Bradenton Kiwanis Club looks forward to working with community volunteers to help our students accomplish their academic goals!
