Dates to Write Down

 Angel Tree

November 14 UMW Bazaar, first chance to pick up your angels!

December 9 Angel Tree gift deadline

December 12 Angel Tree gift delivery


Sweet Shoppe Dates

December 2

December 9

December 16

December 23


Parents' Night Out

December 8

Work Hard to Show the World for Whom You Are Working

What we've been up to recently, and what we'll be up to in the next couple of months: 

We helped organized funds to pay for the funeral services of Audenn Salcido. His passing was a tragedy that deeply affected his family. They continue to be in our prayers.

We purchased coats for two students in our high school who did not have them, and we are looking into purchasing basketball shoes for those students who can't afford to buy them and may not go out for the team as a result.

We  purchased and donated two large metal signs from Davis Designs and donated them to Russell Child Development for their annual Fantasy Tree Festival. These signs have biblical quotes on them and are quite cool. They also have a lovely one with the Lord's Prayer on it.

We plan to provide rolls for the chicken and noodle dinner being served by DISCO on October 28 to benefit Jeanette Crump, daughter of Elmer and Chris Clymer. We pray that Jeanette's tests will reveal what needs to be done to restore her to full health.

We continue to prepare for our first 5K, which we've dubbed The Great Pumpkin Fun Run. We look forward to working with Satanta High School's FCCLA group on this project and building a partnership with this organization.

We plan to donate $100 toward Operation Christmas Child, which is being locally organized by Lana Clawson and Shirley McDonald who are leading the Chrysalis UMW Circle. These funds will help these young ladies ship as many as 100 boxes overseas this year.

We've begun initially planning for our annual Christmas Angel Tree project. Rachel Lee will take the lead on getting the names for the ornaments. It will be a push, but we'd like to have these ornaments out at the November 14 UMW Bazaar with gifts being returned to us by December 9 with a tentative delivery date of December 12. We are working to coordinate this event with the Pairs and Spares class, which is organizing the delivery of food baskets to needy families. Eventually, we'll want to find a Santa to go along with us on this adventure. We've also begun discussing the possibility of having another Christmas Sweet Shoppe to support our Christmas giving. That means it'll soon be homemade peanut brittle time again!

Finally, we've planned our first Parents' Night Out with the help of Jim and Pat Shearman. We plan to eat out in Garden City (or Liberal) at Las Margaritas (or Vallarta) without our children. We wonder if you know what you've gotten into Pat and Jim! It is our prayer that by inviting other young couples to events such as these that we might begin to expand our group.

At the urging of Jim and Pat Shearman, the 21st Time is looking into its first Parents' Night Out. The plan is relatively simple: Jim, Pat, and other from the New Genesis class will provide babysitting while current and prospective members of the 21st Time dine out in Garden City or Liberal. Ryan, of course, is thinking Las Margaritas in Garden or Vallarta in Liberal, but that decision can be made pending a decision on a date for the event. Having had some discussion of conflicts, we're now looking at December 8.

Here's the guest list we developed this morning. Please let us know names that need to be added as well as correct spellings for them. :)

Ryan and Karen Burrows
Brent and Leanne Howie
Lynn and Tiffany Koehn
Doug and Kelly Delaplane
Mark and Mendy Howe
Matt and Rachel Lee
Chris and Stacey King
Philip and Stephanie Frank
Chris and Cathy Gardner
Joe and Ashley Heatherman
Jared and Ashton Wenta
Tim and Melissa Dusin
Craig and Sarah Stockhaus
Travis Leonard and Michelle Kuhn
Brandon and Brittany Barnhardt
Chris and Millie Glenn
Dale and Janis Grover
Jeremy Hazen
Alyssa Hardinger
Terri Jones
Abbie Patton

Great Pumpkin 5K Preparations

Karen has begun to create a list of items that we need to get done in advance of the 5K on November 3. Here's the list:

Buy: 

safety pins
orange spray paint
pumpkins (Kelly will provide 10 medium to large ones)
gold and silver spray paint
cups of water
posterboard

To Do: 

Place signs and entry forms around town
Email entry forms to area churches
Touch base with FCCLA concerning pie for 80

Start thinking about: 

registration table
water stop--cooler, cups, and truck

Parenting Classes

Stephanie Frank has suggested we look into some dates for three 1.5 hour parenting classes that would be led by employees of Russell Child Development. If this is something we'd like to see in our community, we need set up dates and times, consider whether or not we'd be willing to cover the cost of childcare, and decide on whether or not we would like to provide food for those in attendance. Stephanie will fill us in on the details once we've laid the groundwork for this class.

Operation Christmas Child

The Satanta United Methodist Church’s Chrysalis Circle is again assembling boxes for Operation Christmas Child. These young ladies and their leader, Lana Clawson, welcome your complete boxes, small gifts, and monetary donations. Some suggestions include school supplies, small toys, hygiene items, ball caps, jewelry, and flashlights with batteries. The categories for these gifts are as follows: boys and girls ages 2-4, boys and girls ages 5-9, and boys and girls ages 10-14. A $7-per-box delivery fee is required for each box sent, and monetary donations can be designated for this purpose. Please have items and/or money to the church before November 7. For further information on this project, visit the Operation Christmas Child website at www.samaritanspurse.org/occ or contact Lana Clawson or Shirley McDonald. 

The 21st Time has pledged to donate $100 toward shipping these kits.

Update! See boldfaced additions

1. We solidified our plans for the Great Pumpkin 5K and Little Pumpkin Fun Run on Saturday, November 3, at 9:00 a.m. at the Satanta United Methodist Church. We're asking 5k runners to pay a $10 entry fee and supply a non-perishable food item to enter the race. (Preliminary advertising has been done, but we'll want to create more flyers, distribute more entry forms, and get a newspaper ad ready.) The $10 entry fee will provide runners with a commemorative coffee mug and access to our pumpkin pie, hot chocolate, and coffee bar following the race. Pumpkin prizes will be given to overall and age-group winners. (We've ordered 72 coffee mugs!) Kids who run the "Little Pumpkin Fun Run" will be asked to bring a non-perishable food item to enter the race. If they would like a mug, they may donate $10 to the cause. All children who participate in the "Little Pumpkin Fun Run" will receive a mini-pumpkin. The Satanta High School FCCLA organization (under the leadership of Mrs. Judy Stuckey) will be making and serving the pie, hot chocolate, and coffee.   All proceeds from this event will go directly to the SUMC food pantry.

2. The Satanta Arts Council has asked us to donate $150.00 in support of their efforts to bring Native American performer Dennis Lee Rogers to the Satanta Elementary School on September 21 @ 10:00 a.m. Rogers performs traditional Native American dances and delivers an anti-bullying message. This fits nicely with the TRIBE concept that our elementary school has developed and implemented. The total cost of this program is $500. (We've made a $150 contribution this program!)

3. We are in the process of exploring whether we can arrange a mud volleyball pit for the September 30 hayride and weenie roast at Stalker farms. A good quality net is available at Hibbett if this is something that we are interested in helping with. (If this works, we'd be responsible for setting up the equipment for the game.) This would cover the month of September in terms of our pledge to help provide programming to DISCO one Sunday night a month. Perhaps we could carve pumpkins and bob for apples in late October.

4. The Satanta High School National Honor Society is developing a positive behavior initiative in conjunction with several other student organizations. While this project is in its beginning stages, the general idea is to provide a fun night with games, food, and prizes for students who remain in good standing for a nine-week period. (NHS has received tentative approval for this program, pending BOE approval at the September meeting. The first "fun night" will likely be a bowling a pizza party in Sublette at the end of the first nine weeks. The kids may need our financial support to help  make this a reality.  The group is looking at allowing students who have had no more than five total tardies the first nine weeks, no grades lower than a "C," and no office referrals to attend these events.Let's pledge to support our kids' pursuit of academic excellence!)

What "Labored" on over the Labor Day Weekend!

1. We solidified our plans for the Great Pumpkin 5K and Little Pumpkin Fun Run on Saturday, November 3, at 9:00 a.m. at the Satanta United Methodist Church. We're asking 5k runners to pay a $10 entry fee and supply a non-perishable food item to enter the race. The $10 entry fee will provide runners with a commemorative coffee mug and access to our pumpkin pie, hot chocolate, and coffee bar following the race. Pumpkin prizes will be given to overall and age-group winners. Kids who run the "Little Pumpkin Fun Run" will be asked to bring a non-perishable food item to enter the race. If they would like a mug, they may donate $10 to the cause. All children who participate in the "Little Pumpkin Fun Run" will receive a mini-pumpkin. Ryan is checking to see if the Satanta High School FCCLA group would be willing to help make pies and serve as volunteers at the morning event. We may need a dozen pies or more depending on the response we get. All proceeds from this event will go directly to the SUMC food pantry.

2. The Satanta Arts Council has asked us to donate $150.00 in support of their efforts to bring Native American performer Dennis Lee Rogers to the Satanta Elementary School on September 21 @ 10:00 a.m. Rogers performs traditional Native American dances and delivers an anti-bullying message. This fits nicely with the TRIBE concept that our elementary school has developed and implemented. The total cost of this program is $500.

3. We are in the process of exploring whether we can arrange a mud volleyball pit for the September 30 hayride and weenie roast at Stalker farms. A good quality net is available at Hibbett if this is something that we are interested in helping with. (If this works, we'd be responsible for setting up the equipment for the game.) This would cover the month of September in terms of our pledge to help provide programming to DISCO one Sunday night a month. Perhaps we could carve pumpkins and bob for apples in late October.

4. The Satanta High School National Honor Society is developing a positive behavior initiative in conjunction with several other student organizations. While this project is in its beginning stages, the general idea is to provide a fun night with games, food, and prizes for students who remain in good standing for a nine-week period. "Good Standing" is a definition the groups are still working on, but tardies, GPA, and office referrals will all be part of the mix. Our class's role would be to donate door prizes to help attract students to this event.

Not bad for a weekend off!

21st Time Announces New Study

The Satanta United Methodist Church's 21st Time Class will begin a DVD-based study of the book unChristian by David Kinnaman and Gabe Lyons this September. The book focuses on the (mis)perceptions that young people have about Christians and Christianity and what the church can do to transform the hearts of this generation. The publishers of the book put it this way:

Christians are supposed to represent Christ to the world. But according to the latest report card, something has gone terribly wrong. Using descriptions like “hypocritical,” “insensitive,” and “judgmental,” young Americans share an impression of Christians that’s nothing short of . . . unChristian. 

Groundbreaking research into the perceptions of sixteen- to twenty-nine-year-olds reveals that Christians have taken several giant steps backward in one of their most important assignments. The surprising details of the study, commissioned by Fermi Project and conducted by The Barna Group, are presented with uncompromising honesty in unChristian. 

Find out why these negative perceptions exist, learn how to reverse them in a Christlike manner, and discover practical examples of how Christians can positively contribute to culture. 

Please consider joining the discussion, which will be held on the following four Sunday mornings at 9:45 a.m. in the 21st Time classroom at the Satanta United Methodist Church:

• September 9
• September 16
• Septemeber 23
• September 30

Contact Ryan Burrows for more information. 

Thoughts on Our Recent School Fair:

What Worked and What Needs Improvement

What Worked

• Our numbers were strong. Eighty-two children attended along with their families.
• Having bags for each child worked well. There was a lot of stuff to cart home!
  
• The food was excellent! Kudos to Kelly for providing healthy foods presented in a fun way. Kids WILL eat fruits and veggies. The Finney County Extension Office's booth on hidden sugar and fat in "ordinary" foods was excellent.
• The school supplies went over well. Our count indicated that 111 elementary students in grades K-6 took advantage of our kits. About 60% were given away while 40% were purchased at cost. Having a table at enrollment was very helpful! Did we over order? Perhaps, but unclaimed kits went to the elementary school to supply students who enrolled late and to replenish supplies that run low.
• Twenty-one children received dental screenings courtesy of the Koehns. Tons of toothpaste, toothbrushes, and floss were given away. 
• The car seat safety booth that was provided by Haskell County Health was great. 
• The Gideons reported giving away 97 New Testaments.
• The book fair ensured that every child would go home with at least one new book. Books that remained at the end of the fair were given to USD 507 for use in classrooms and in our building libraries. 
• It was great to have Russell Child Development on hand along with Learn and Play. 
• The table advertising the work of the Satanta United Methodist Church was very successful. 
• Jose's personal hygiene table was very good.
• The haircut coupons seemed to have gone well, but we'll need to see how many come back via Vanity so that we can gauge the success of this element of our project.
• The grant from the KLC, our garage sale proceeds, and support from our congregation meant that funding was not an issue. 
• Our celebratory pool party for those who helped at the fair went well. We strengthened our connections as a group.

What Needs Improvement

• Our signage could have been better. We should have created a map of the event that could be handed to each guest at the door. 
• We should have found greeters to help "direct traffic."
• We should have had all those present sign in so that we could generate more accurate attendance numbers.
• We should have found a Spanish-English translator in addition to Jose. 
• Our used clothing was successful, but it was unclear to our guests that these items were to be given away at no charge. Once again, signage could have alleviated this confusion. 
• We need to develop the roles of the organizations we invited. Haskell County Health, for instance, might be asked to take on a larger role next year by assisting with HealthWave forms and NeedyMed registrations.
• Too few families took advantage of our offer for a free 8 x 10 photo from Studio 113. Less than 20 photos were taken. It may been unclear that these photos were free, and some families did not come prepared for a family photo. 
• Very few, if any, members of our German-Mennonite community were present. Our advertising focused on our Spanish-speaking community but not our Mennonite neighbors. 
• Our outside games might have been better if they weren't across the street. They worked well but were disconnected from the rest of the event.
• We did little to help students at the junior high and high school level. If funds remain once bills are paid, we need to explore ways to serve ALL our students.

On August 4, 2012, the Satanta United Methodist Church’s 21^st Time class hosted a back-to-school fair that focused on three areas of service: education; health and wellness; and personal development. Eighty-two children and their families attended the back-to-school fair, which ran from 4:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. The event began in our church office, where members of the 21^st Time class encouraged families with students in grades K-6 in the USD 507 Satanta school district to register for school supply kits.

These kits, which matched local school supply lists, were purchased from Kits for Kidz. Families could purchase them for $15-$20 (depending on the grade level) or request a scholarship to cover the expense. These scholarships were provided by $1,500 in grant money from the Kansas Leadership Center—an amount that provided 100 free school supply kits. That evening 52 children (about 25% of the children in grades K-6) requested kits. Church members distributed the remainder of the kits at school enrollment the week following the fair. Before families left the office, they were encouraged to take $5-off-a-$10 children’s haircut coupons for use at Vanity, a local salon. Finally, children were given a complimentary “Satanta Indians” reusable shopping bag as they headed out into the larger fair.

The first stop outside the office was a free book fair which featured new reading materials purchased from First Book, an organization dedicated to helping underprivileged children build their own home libraries. Representatives from Russell Child Development and Learn and Play met with families about the services they offer. Ron Lucas, and SUMC member and representative of Gideons International, distributed 97 Bibles.

Families then visited the United Methodist Mexican-American Ministries (UMMAM) food pantry and clothing closet, which, for the evening, had been transformed into a used clothing store for children. UMMAM community developer José Olivas was on hand to distribute soap, shampoo, and deodorant to each child in attendance as well as to supply information on Healthwave, Kansas’ free-and-reduced lunch program, and NeedyMeds, a web-based organization that helps individuals who need help lowering the cost of their pharmaceuticals.

Alongside the UMMAM services, families found a representative from Haskell County Health who was on hand to assist with car seat safety. The next stop found children receiving complimentary dental screenings courtesy of Tiffany Koehn, a local dental hygienist. Koehn provided kits containing toothbrushes and floss and information on UMMAM dental clinic. Twenty-one children received these services.

Families were then greeted by Jean Ann Troutt, a long-time member of the church, who gave small gifts to each child and encouraged them to attend the church’s Connect Sunday on August 26, which will include a mini-Olympics for children. After leaving Jean Ann, families were encouraged to take a family photo with local photographer Danelle Groth, owner of Studio 113 photography. Groth provided a free 8 x 10 to each family, which was mailed out following the fair.

Finally, families reached our “food court,” which featured fresh fruit kabobs, a variety of vegetables, homemade breads, deli meats, cheeses, and crackers. As individuals passed through the line, they heard from a representative from the Finney County Extension Office who spoke on cutting unneeded sugar and fats from diets. After the meal, children who hadn’t already done so participated in a “Get Moving!” obstacle-course challenge in the public park across the street from the church.

Those involved deemed the evening a success and are already planning a follow-up event next year. We serve a loving God, and we are perhaps most like him when we too choose to serve. For more information on the Satanta United Methodist Church, visit www.satantamethodist.com.

School Fair Reminder!

Don't miss the back-to-school fair at the Satanta United Methodist Church on Saturday, August 4 from 4:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. (come and go.) Children who attend the fair will have an opportunity to sign up for low-cost  (or free) USD 507 school supplies, select free books, connect with groups like Russell Child Development, receive complimentary dental screenings, “shop” for gently used clothing, get a complimentary family photo taken, eat a free healthy meal, and much more! Bring the whole family!

School Fair Plans Continue to Take Shape

We've decided to do general set-up for the August 4 Back-to-School Fair starting at 1:00 p.m. the day of the event. This would involve members of the 21st Time Class.

Other volunteers should feel free to drop in any time that afternoon to set-up their areas. Some areas will take more time than others. We'll expect guests by 4:30 p.m., so please be at the church by 4:00 at the latest. :)

Here's a breakdown of who is doing what:

Ryan Burrows and Leanne Howie will man the welcome table and work on getting families signed up for school supplies.

Doug and Kelly Delaplane will head up the kitchen with assistance from Lorna Geist.

Melissa King, Monet Howe, Andrea Wagner, and Alex Howie will work in the nursery.

Tiffany Koehn and team will take care of the dental room. Tiffany will also remind Bertha of her role.

I've scheduled Kelvin and Donna Heitmann for our church table, but I am working to get volunteers to free them up for other jobs: Kelvin taking photos and Donna working in the kitchen.

Lynn Koehn will man the personal hygiene table.

I plan to ask Jose Olivas to be on hand to work in the MAM room.

Danelle Groth and Cathy Gardner will work in photography.

Michelle Miller (and/or someone else from HS CO Health) will work a table.

Stacey King will work the book fair. Ron Lucas and the Gideons will also be on hand in the book room.

Mendy Howe and a representative form Russell Child Development will set up a table for information and do an activity.

Karen Burrows, Brent Howie, and Chris Gardner will take care of games in the park/information on combating childhood obesity. Kristin Penner and Lacey Noterman may work in this area as well.

Our goal is to serve 100 children and their families, so we've been working on a total number of guests that might exceed 300.

Please keep in mind that we've scheduled a pool party on August 5 at 6:00 p.m. to reward ourselves. An hour of swimming at the city pool will be followed by a potluck picnic at Ryan and Karen's house.

Pool Party Time!

 Please plan to help us celebrate our school supply event success by attending a pool party at the Satanta City Pool on Sunday, August 5 from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. followed by potluck food at the Burrows home.

Anyone who helped with our event, wished that they could have helped with our event, or seriously thought about helping with our event is invited to attend. :-)

Feel to bring your family, a friend, or a significant other.

Come out and see what the 21st Time is all about!

More Information on Our Back-to-School Event!

The Satanta United Methodist Church was recently awarded a $1,500 grant from the Kansas Leadership Center to assist the 21^st Time class in hosting an all-in-one back-to-school fair to be held at the Satanta United Methodist Church on Saturday, August 4 from 4:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Children who attend the fair will have an opportunity to sign up for low-cost  (or free) school supplies, select free books to begin building their own home libraries, and to connect with local representatives from groups like Parents as Teachers and Learn and Play.

 

The fair will also focus on the field of health care. The back-to-school fair will offer children complimentary dental screenings, courtesy of a local dentist office; lessons (including a physical activity) on combating childhood obesity; information on the health and dental clinics operated by United Methodist Mexican-American Ministries; and information on the services provided by the Haskell County Health Department. Those in attendance are invited to enjoy a light, healthy meal, and a nursery will be provided. 

Children and families in attendance will also have the opportunity to “shop” for good, clean clothing to begin the school year in and will be given basic hygiene items such as shampoo, soap, and deodorant. Local photographer Danelle Groth will be on hand to take complimentary family photos, and the church will offer high-value coupons for children’s haircuts at a local salon. The Gideons will be present to distribute New Testaments in both Spanish and English, and the church will have representatives from the Satanta United Methodist Church’s active Sunday school and youth programs on hand to encourage the participation of all our community’s children in these programs. 

Those interested in helping at this event are encouraged to contact Ryan Burrows at 649-3416. To donate directly to the cause (just $15 will buy a school-supply kit for a needy child), send checks to the Satanta United Methodist Church (PO Box 157, Satanta, KS 67870) with “21^st Time” in the memo line.

Satanta United Methodist Church Back-to-School Fair

Saturday, August 4 from 4:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Drop in and enjoy the following:

Dental and health services
Access to low-cost (or free) school supplies (USD 507 students)
Free books!
Coupons for $5 off children’s haircuts
Free family photography
Free gently used children’s clothing
Free hygiene items
Free outdoor games for kids
A light, healthy meal will be served
Nursery available

KLC Grant Request

LEADERSHIP&FAITH

TRANSFORMING COMMUNITIES

Matching Grant Request

NAME OF CHURCH: Satanta United Methodist

NAME OF PERSON MAKING APPLICATION: Ryan Burrows

ADDRESS: PO BOX 74, Satanta, KS 67870

TELEPHONE: 620-649-3416 or 620-649-7167

EMAIL: rburrows@usd507.org

GRANT PAYABLE TO: 21^st Time Satanta United Methodist Church

PROJECTED BUDGET: $3,010

ANTICIPATED DURATION OF PROJECT: August 4 through school year 2012-2013

AMOUNT REQUESTED FROM KANSAS LEADERSHIP CENTER: $1,500

ANTICIPATED SOURCE OF MATCHING GRANT MONEY: Satanta United Methodist

 Providing leadership for healthier Kansas communities

Our purpose for this project mirrors the larger purpose of our faith-in-action group: To free families from the cycle of poverty by supporting their children’s education; providing underprivileged families access to quality health care, dental care, and nutritious food; and seeking to aid in their personal development. For many years, our church has worked closely with United Methodist Mexican-American Ministries by providing families in need access to a food pantry and clothing closet as well as help with utility bills and rent. While these emergency services are a vital part of our ministry, we have come to realize that they neither move the families we serve out of the cycle of poverty or serve to create opportunities for a new generation of leaders to emerge. 

Thus, our newest project—an all-in-one back-to-school fair that brings together all our efforts in these three areas. The fair will be held at the Satanta United Methodist Church on Saturday, August 4, and will run from 4:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. In terms of education, it is our desire to provide the children who attend our fair an opportunity to sign up for free school supplies (for which we’ll use Kits for Kidz), to offer free books to students to begin building their own home libraries (for which we’ll use First Book), and to bring in local and regional and/or local representatives from groups like Russell Child Development and Parents as Teacher to give parents the tools they need to build successful futures for our children.

The fair will also focus on the field of health care. With the thought that we must focus on the mind and the body, our back-to-school fair will offer complimentary dental screenings, courtesy of a local dentist office; lessons (including a physical activity) on combating childhood obesity for the children who attend, courtesy of the Satanta District Hospital; information on the health and dental clinics operated by United Methodist Mexican-American Ministries; information on the services provided by the Haskell County Health Department; information on enrollment in HealthWave; access to and help with the NeedyMeds program; and a light, healthy meal courtesy of members of our church.

Additionally, it is our intention to foster the personal development of the students and families we serve by allowing them the basic human dignity of having good, clean clothing to begin the school year in as well as basic hygiene items such as shampoo, soap, and deodorant. For the fair, we will transform our clothes closet and food pantry into a mini “store” meant to serve the needs of those in attendance. A local photographer will also be on hand to take complimentary family photos, and we intend to offer high-value coupons for children’s haircuts at our local salon. A natural part of this process will include ensuring that those students who are participating in fall sports and activities have the shoes and other equipment needed to participate. This is something we have done in the past—up to and including purchasing a baritone for a student in band—and we hope to be able to continue to provide these avenues to success. 

Finally, because we believe in the transformative power of Christ, we will invite the Gideons to be present to distribute New Testaments in both Spanish and English, and we will have representatives from our church’s active Sunday school and youth programs on hand to encourage the participation of all our community’s children in these programs. We will seek, beginning in the fall, to actively participate in mentoring these young people, specifically those in grades 6-12, in a way that provides them with positive role models who are willing to help them find success. This event will serve as a kick-off for our school-year activities, which have included literacy fairs, coat drives, shoe drives, and many other activities. For the coming winter, we are also exploring launching a blanket drive through Church World Service. It our intention to get our church’s youth involved in these programs so that we begin to show them what a life of service looks like.

 Who will be served by this grant?

The short answer to the question is “The children of the Satanta community.”

The longer answer requires some background as to who these children are. Our school district’s “report card,” as reported by the Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE), was home to 365 students during the 2010-2011 school year—the latest year for which data has been reported. KSDE’s data shows that our student population is just over 52% Hispanic and that just under 68% of our students are classified as “economically disadvantaged.” During the 2010-2011 school year, our district was “on improvement” for failing to meet the requirements for adequate yearly progress (AYP) as mandated by No Child Left Behind. Test scores of students classified as English-Language Learners (ELLs) were of particular concern. The 2011-2012 school year saw significant improvement in these scores across grade levels, racial subgroups, and genders, and the district’s preliminary data reveals that we made AYP this year. Nevertheless, as our budgets have tightened and our number of ELLs has continued to climb at the elementary level, there is continued concern that our recent successes may not prove easy to repeat.

For this reason, this grant request is specifically targeted at the portion of our project that will provide school supplies to a minimum of 100 disadvantaged students who attend Satanta Elementary School in the USD 507 school district. The information on the following page reveals how we arrived at the working number of 100 when planning for this project:

Satanta Elementary School had 185 students in PreK-6 last year. Of those 185, 117 (63.2%) qualified for free lunches with an additional 6% qualifying for reduced lunches. This means, simply put, that 63% (roughly 117) of the students who attend Satanta Elementary are from households with incomes at or below 130% of the federal poverty level.

 

Projected Budget

School Supply Kits (www.kitsforkidz.org): $1,500 (100 at average cost of $14.75)

Books (www.firstbook.org): $400 (about 200 books)

Hygiene items: $300 (soap, shampoo, and deodorant for 100)

Haircut coupons: $500 (100 coupons valued at $5 each)

Photography: $60 (100 – 5 x 7 prints from Wal-Mart at .58 each)

Food: $250 (for 100 participants, plus volunteers)

Total projected budget: $3,010

Community Participants

Satanta United Methodist Church

United Methodist Mexican-American Ministries

Gideons International

Haskell County Health Department

Lark and Palmer Family Dentistry of Garden City

Parents as Teachers

Russell Child Development Center

Satanta District Hospital

Studio 113 photography

Vanity Salon

How many individuals will be served?

We hope to serve no fewer than 100 elementary students and their families.