Schenk School
Door Creek Church has adopted Schenk Elementary School on Madison's east side, committing to support its students and teachers with human, material, and financial resources.
The needs at Schenk Elementary are great, and the exciting possibilities for Door Creek's partnership are endless. Schenk is located in a neighborhood that is rapidly changing from predominantly middle-income to mostly lower-income. At the same time that schools across Madison have faced budget cuts, Schenk's enrollment has increased dramatically, presenting special challenges to the teaching and administrative staff.
School officials have been thrilled with our decision to adopt Schenk, and have helped us create the following list of service opportunities, most of which are perfect for either individuals or small groups. Please consider joining Door Creek's Adopt-A-School team!
Ways to get involved:
Personal help:
*Tutor a student: Through the Schools of Hope Literacy Project, Schenk places regular tutors with children. This is a regular commitment of at least an hour a week. Students often read with their tutor, but tutors can also work with their students in other areas, depending on tutor preferences and student needs.
*Mentor a student: Some children just need a positive connection in their lives. This is a regular commitment of at least an hour per week. Activities could include shooting hoops, doing a project in the library, eating lunch together, or even just working together in the classroom.
*Help re-shelve library books: This opportunity could be at any time during the school day, including before or after school. It could also be a regular commitment, or it could be a one-time service.
*Help supervise the lunchroom (10:50-12:05): The lunchroom serves approximately 125 students at a time. The paid supervisors can always use extra help. Volunteers could make a regular commitment, be "on-call" when extra help is needed, or serve whenever they are available. Volunteers remind students of the rules, help open containers, answer questions, and interact with the children. They can stay for all or part of the lunch hour, and can serve every day or one day per week.
*Help supervise recess (11:05-11:45): Extra eyes are always helpful to help keep order. Volunteers help ensure the children are safe, talk and interact with students, and organize games with students if they desire. Volunteers could make a regular commitment, be "on-call" when extra help is needed, or serve whenever they are available. They can be involved any or all days of the week.
*Work with native Spanish speakers as tutor or mentor: Schenk has a very large population of students who are native Spanish speakers. Some are newcomers and need extra help to find their way. This would be a regular commitment of at least an hour a week.
*Help with yardwork: Volunteers are also needed in the fall to help prepare for winter. During the summer, volunteers can sign up for a week of weeding and watering on the grounds.
Material help:
*Save box tops: Box tops can now be found on many items besides cereal. Cut them out and drop them off at the Schenk office. The school gets 10 cents for every top.
*Save Campbell's Soup Labels: The Campbell's symbol is on many items besides soup. Cut off the entire label and drop it off at the Schenk office.
*Save Kemps or Morning Glory milk tops: Drop these off at Schenk, and they can turn them in for cash.
*Order from Market Day every month and designate Schenk as the school to benefit: Every month Schenk has a Market Day delivery. You can order online at www.marketday.com. Schenk gets a percentage of every purchase.
*Get a Target credit card, and designate your purchases to benefit Schenk
*Order SCRIPS gift cards: www.simplifiedscrip.com. Buy gift cards for stores you normally shop, such as groceries or restaurants. Schenk gets a percentage of each purchase.
*Donate clothing: used or new hats, mittens, boots, snowpants, winter coats, sweatpants, sweatshirts, or backpacks.
*Donate new or gently used children's books for our student run bookstore.
*Donate to the Schenk Endowment Fund: Schenk has an Endowment fund that was created in 2005. Every year, Schenk is able to write internal grants that draw on the interest of this fund. Checks in any amount can be made out to the Foundation for Madison Public Schools. Designate that the donation is for the Schenk Endowment Fund, and send it to the Foundation at 455 Science Drive, Suite 130, Madison, WI 53711.
To get started as a volunteer at Schenk, contact Door Creek's volunteer coordinator, Lynn Smith, at or 221-2128.
For further information about this ministry, contact Jaimes Johnson at or 608-839-3047.
For more information on Schenk Elementary School, see www.madison.k12.wi.us/027.htm
For more information on the Adopt-A-School Program, see www.fmps.org