McCall Elementary
325 S 7th St, Philadelphia, PA
(215) 351-7350
Green Apple Day of Service
$1.00 - Any donation amount or help providing catering for our working volunteers
A local design firm, The Nelson Group, has stepped up with a very organized day of service. They are fronting all the
planning, implementation, and much of the fundraising. On Saturday, October 4, the team of engineers and designers will
be on hand to transform our school grounds with powerwashing, painting, playground repair, outdoor seating bench
building. This will be a community-wide event and our school is going to look amazing. A rendering is attached to give
you an idea of what it will look like, and all participating organizations will be displayed on our "Green Apple Thank You
Banner" that will hang in front of our school for weeks after this exciting transformation. More and more local
organizations are becoming involved in this day including staff from the 76ers Organization.
Play Works
$28,000 (but can be paid monthly at $2,800 and wed love to add even one more month than the few we have now)
Playworks is a program in which a dedicated coach organizes games and structured play during recess, teaches
complementary physical education classes, and coordinates intramural sports teams as extracurricular activities.
Playworks has created an environment at McCall focused on healthy, respectful play rooted in fun not necessarily
competition. Students are more inclusive, excited for recess and have even come up with their own games. With
Playworks, we are coaches, kids, teachers, parents and supporters who believe in the power of play to make kids,
schools and communities stronger. Everyone plays, everyone belongs, everyone contributes to the game. Playworks
encourages kids to bring out the best in themselves and each other, and kids learn the value of fair play, compassion and
respect. McCall is given very limited funding for physical education in the PSD budget, and recess and lunch is overall less
monitored by adults simply because there is less staff. Principals often say that nearly all discipline-related problems in
school occur during lunch and recess. With the Playworks program, kids return to class energized and ready to learn
instead of upset and unable to focus. When recess becomes a healthy, integral part of the school day, kids carry that
positive experience with them beyond the playground.
Library
$68,000
Our Library consists of K-8 books on the shelves and computers for the students to receive healthy and monitored
instruction to technology. Last school year, the Library remained closed until November, the shelves and computers
covered in blue tarps. It was at that point in the school year that the Home and School Association run by parents raised
barely enough money from McCall families and donations from local businesses to re-hire our Librarian Mrs. Phillips. The
Kindergarteners (and all upper grades) first visited their school library in November last year, and we are unsure of
when and if we will reach that goal for Fall of 2014.
The roles that Mrs. Phillips fills for McCall:
Maintains the current books.
Repairs damaged books.
Logs in, checks, and covers all donated books.
Handles all book check outs.
Follows up on all books that needed to be returned.
Re-shelves all returned books.
Teaches the Dewey Decimal System, card catalogue searching, and online catalog searching.
Holds weekly lessons regarding current events.
Maintains a Chinese-written book section of the library.
Helps all children develop a love of books.
Suggests series for appropriate learners.
Donation, Sponsorship, and Internship Programs
We would also like for you to consider any role you can play in coordinating these types of programs through your
various Hospital and University Departments. I would be happy to serve as a contact with any Supervisor that would like
to participate in donating the following items, time, or intern programs to strengthen our school.
Computer Reuse Program
Donating any used but usable Mac-based technology that can be put to use throughout the school. Some items that are
helpful: Chromebooks, Promethean projector bulbs, Batteries for Macbooks, Carts for chrome and Mac books. IT help:
could be on-site or remote, but if there are staff willing to donate just one hour of their time to help support the computer
needs of these students (in conjunction with Mr. Jacobs).
Office Supplies
Used, new, working, partially working; we will take it.
Student Classroom Volunteers
The lack of adult supervision, conversation, and modeling of proper behavior could be boosted by a reliable troop of
volunteers. Morning Schoolyard Buddies, Lunch Leaders, Recess Play Leaders, Reading Tutors, an Instructional Class on
Health Careers once a month. Even as little as 45 minutes before the bell rings at 8:30 could make a difference.
Playground/Landscaping Sponsor
Help beautify the students' surroundings and neighborhood.
All donations would be to the McCall Home & School Association which is a 501c3, and your donation tax deductible.