Bailey's Elementary--900 plus diverse students

 

By Gloria Pearlstein

Barcroft News Staff

 

Susan Scott of RusticWay Lane, Debbie McManis of Waterway Drive, and Marty Convisser of Beachway Drive volunteer at Bailey's Elementary, a school whose population sharply contrasts with that of Lake Barcroft.

Of the 900-plus students at Bailey's, about 40% are Hispanic, 27% are white, 26% are Asian, and 7% are African-American. More than 70% qualify for free or reduced price school lunches, a mark of economic need.

Susan Scott, a physician who lives on Rustic Way Lane, brings an after-school science program to Bailey's. Called Mad Science, the Maryland-based program uses entertaining ways to teach concepts like chemistry, the mechanics of fulcrums and levers, and circuit electricity.

The first year the program was offered, she recalls, "All the children who came were the kind who already have a lot. Not a single child asked for a scholarship."

Susan was determined to find more participants from low-income families for the second year program. She talked to science teachers and others at Bailey's to identify children who might enjoy and benefit from the program but be unable to afford it.

             "The science teachers absolutely salivated when I told them about the program," she says. Working with the teachers, she identified a few children who could benefit. But more children became interested, and the call for scholarships outstripped available funds.

In her attempt to find additional scholarship money, Susan appealed to the Lake Link message board. She asked for $300 to provide scholarships for three students. Instead, she received total contributions of $1,900 from Lake Barcroft residents, from the Bailey's PTA, in which she is active, and from Mad Science. That amount provided scholarships for 19 students instead of the three Susan was expecting to help.

Susan, who has first and second graders at Bailey's, is thrilled with the response. "For some of these kids," she says, "this will be a life-changing experience. They have had so little in life, and this exposes them to high-tech concepts in a fun way."

Debbie McManis has been volunteering at Bailey's for 5 years. The parent of a 4th grader and 2nd grader, Debbie helps in her children's classrooms two mornings a week, works with the junior Girl Scout troop made up of 4th, 5th, and 6th grade girls, and takes on additional duties as the need arises.

This year, Debbie chaired the school's gift wrap sale, which raised over $14,000 for school assemblies, teacher appreciation events, and other activities. "It was the best gift wrap drive ever," says Debbie, who has volunteered to chair the drive again next year.

Debbie finds it rewarding to work in the classroom. "It's nice to go in and practice reading with them," she says. "Some of their parents can't speak English and can't help them with the reading and writing process. I feel I can make a difference."

Marty Convisser of Beachway Drive has volunteered at Bailey's for eight years. "I was about to retire," he recalls, "and looking for a volunteer activity. I checked out quite a few and decided to volunteer at the school."

              Marty volunteers two afternoons a week. He spends one afternoon with a fourth grade class, helping the teacher with whatever is needed. The other, he spends in a fifth grade classroom, where he works with students who have trouble reading.

              After 8 years, Marty still enjoys volunteering. "I think it's a great school," he says. "The County has put a lot of resources into this school and kept classes small. They're doing a very good job with a largely immigrant population."