"Words can't express what a blessing the
congregation of Westminster has been for Van Cleve. They are our angels."
The effectiveness of the School Church Partners is manifested by the students’ educational and
personal growth, parental and teacher satisfaction, and the volunteers’ sense
of purpose and accomplishment.
"Westminster's
partnership with Van Cleve at McGuffey has provided programs, opportunities
and and insights that neither partner could accomplish alone. This
collaboration has a rich history and helps our young people to understand that
the Dayton community cares deeply about its schools and the students who
attend them."
Percy A. Mack, Ph.D., Superintendent Dayton
Public Schools
"The partnership with Westminster helped in terms of student achievement and
morale, teacher morale and in every facet of our children's education."
Hindy
Gruber, Principal
“Not too long ago in another age
and another time, residential communities gladly supported the public
schools in their community. Through the Westminster-Van Cleve Partnership,
our church is attempting to provide that support for our local
community.”
George H. “Sandy” McConnel, Senior Pastor, Westminster Presbyterian Church.
"Before
participating in the tutoring program between Van Cleve school and Westminster
Church my son was getting C's and D's on his report card. After he
started tutoring at Westminster, his grades have turned completely around and
now he got all A's and one B, so you know the tutoring has got to be working."
- Wendell Slone, Parent
"I love to read. When my student
said, 'If you can't read,
you can't do anything,' I was hooked. Weekly we spend an hour together
practicing multiplication tables, reading excerpts from classics like The
Phantom Tollbooth, or working on test-taking skills. Her enthusiasm for
learning has made this hour a consistent bright spot in my week. I'm proud of
the progress she has made, but I'm thankful to her and to the coordinators of
the Westminster program for giving me an opportunity to make a difference. I
will definitely be back next year." - Deb Hunt, Tutor
"The Westminster/Van Cleve tutoring partnership is an excellent example of
what can happen when people work together for a common goal. As a new tutor, I
expected the program to provide a positive learning experience for the
children. What I did not
expect was how meaningful the experience can be for tutors. Personally, I have
gained a new perspective and sense of accomplishment from tutoring the
students assigned to me. It is such a pleasure to watch them increase skills,
confidence, and knowledge in a positive and uplifting environment. Many thanks
to Westminster Presbyterian Church for providing this outstanding opportunity
to help children learn." - Loyce Martin. Tutor
"I have been tutoring at Westminster for 3 years now and I love it! I have had
the same incredible, smart, funny, loving student for the past 3 years. And
just this year I acquired another student who is just as wonderful, funny,
loving, and smart. I have seen Donte and Emonte grow not only academically, but as
wonderful young boys. Through tutoring I believe that the boys have learned
how to work well with others, how to be supportive of others, and have learned
that we all have something to share. Tutoring has brought so much joy to my
life and has helped me grow as a person. I love tutoring, I love my boys, and
I am so grateful and blessed that I was fortunate enough to become a tutor at
Westminster. - Tavis Barnett, Tutor
"Words can't express what a blessing the congregation of Westminster has been
for Van Cleve School. They are our angels. There isn't a child or a teacher who has
not been positively impacted by the partnership between Van Cleve and
Westminster. Every school should have the
opportunity to enjoy the type of community support that we at Van Cleve get from
Westminster". Celeste Hoerner, Teacher
"The partnership with Westminster has been by far the best thing that could
ever have happened to our students, their families and the school. The kids
are just flourishing with their tutoring, the extra help they are getting at
Christmas and with the year-long support from the church." Jenne Gross,
Social Worker
The partnership Westminster has with Van Cleve has been very beneficial. The
help you give families at Christmas, the books you give in the spring and the
tutoring you do all year has been a blessing." Andrea Hale, Parent
