Kaneland middle school students’ outreach project takes off

SUGAR GROVE – What started out as an outreach effort among a few sixth-grade classes at Kaneland Harter Middle School has captured so much attention that the Rosedale Reading Project has grown to involve the entire school, as well as other parts of the district.

Language arts teacher Tina Schertzer learned of Rosedale, Miss. and its many needs from fellow teacher Linda Zulkowski. A relative of Zulkowski’s had grown up in Rosedale, and on a recent trip back home, was struck by the economic decline in the town.

Through a contact with Jeremiah Smith, the director of the Freedom Youth Project, Schertzer learned about the town’s various needs. The youth center is a nonprofit dedicated to developing leaders among the young people in Rosedale.

Through the center, teens get help with academics, preparing for SATs, creating healthy lifestyles and developing the arts. Travel opportunities for students are also an important goal.

The Rosedale Library, an important resource in the community, was in dire need of books for students of all ages. The Rosedale Freedom Youth Project is also in need of resources.

The sixth graders, under Schertzer’s direction, began a collection of new books for the Rosedale Library.

Teams of students were formed for various aspects of the project, including public relations, budget, community outreach, etc., and students applied for leadership positions for each team. Abbey Mondi, chosen president of the project, made a presentation to Kaneland School District 302 board members to ask for their help in getting the word out.

“I love to volunteer and help other people,” Mondi said. “I find it fun.”

Soon, students at the district elementary schools were also collecting books. The project’s goal was to obtain 1,000 books by Feb. 17. As of Jan. 30, the count was 1,400.

Teachers and administrators are building benches for Rosedale’s outdoor classroom garden. Now that the students have exceeded their book goal, they are switching to collecting donations for shipping materials.

Five Rosedale Center teen leaders have planned a trip to Chicago in March, and the Kaneland students are also collecting money to assist them with their traveling expenses. Kaneland students have invited them to come out to Kaneland Harter Middle School for a visit while they are here.

When the Rosedale group comes to Chicago, they will also visit a church, university and teen center. The trip is one of a number that they are taking to broaden their horizons and tell the story of their town.

In the meantime, Harter students and Rosedale Freedom Project Youth Center teens are getting to know each other. Each group is preparing videos, oral histories and other presentations about themselves and their hometown. The population of the town of Rosedale is 1,800; it's 86 percent African-American and the median household income is about $16,000. It also turns out that Rosedale is in the heart of the Mississippi Delta, where the blues was born.

“It’s a different world,” Kaneland Harter Middle School Principal Brian Faulker said. “I think the kids could really learn and benefit from seeing some of the challenges they might face if they lived in Rosedale. It’s become a building-wide learning opportunity – beyond just academics.”

At the same time, Schertzer said the students are finding out they also have a lot in common with the Rosedale teens.

They share a love of music, and the land where they live is used to grow crops; Mississippi grows cotton and Kane County grows corn and soybeans.

“I’m so proud of the kids,” Schertzer said. “They constantly surprise me. The classroom is bustling every day. They could be going to lunch with their friends, but they are choosing to come here to work on the project instead.”

Aidan Smith is the budget committee leader, in conjunction with Anne-Marie Lancaster.

Smith said the estimate for how much it will cost for the seven teens from Rosedale to travel to Chicago is about $5,000.

Public relations lead Mackenzie Hardy said she is glad to donate the books, because people can gain so much from reading. She is excited about meeting the Rosedale group. The visit is set for March 14.

“I wanted to show them that you can make a difference – that you can make the changes that you want to see happen,” Schertzer said. "I wanted to show them what can happen by reaching out and helping others.”

Rosedale initiative

Where: Kaneland Harter Middle School and district elementary schools

When: Monetary donations for shipping books and travel expenses are still being collected.

Info: Visit www.Kaneland.org, http://bit.ly/2jCfDMR or www.Rosedalefreedom.org for information.

Donate: Make checks out to Kaneland Harter Middle School, Attn: Rosedale Freedom Project, 1601 Esker Drive, Sugar Grove