THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1997, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, January 23, 1997 TAG: 9701220105
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 03 EDITION: FINAL
COLUMN: THUMBS UP
SOURCE: BY SHIRLEY BRINKLEY, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: SUFFOLK LENGTH: 98 lines
Students at Kilby Shores Elementary School are blossoming under Lipton's ``tender care.''
Thomas J. Lipton Inc. on West Washington Street has been a partner-in-education with the school since 1991, and Carol Harry, the liaison and activities coordinator, has initiated a variety of programs to stimulate the children's self-confidence and enthusiasm for learning, improve their academic knowledge and reward scholastic improvement.
In recognition of the company's successful program, the Suffolk Division of the Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce tonight presents Thomas J. Lipton Inc. with the 1996 annual Planters Peanuts' Outstanding Partner-in-Education of the Year.
``Thomas J. Lipton has been a long-time participant in the Chamber's partner-in-education program and their nomination for this award reflected the results they are achieving at Kilby Shores Elementary,'' said Ken Thomas, human resources manager at Planters Peanuts.
When Lipton joined the partnership program, there were eight volunteers. Today, there are 52 volunteers including employees, family members and retirees.
``In the beginning, I attended a seminar in Virginia Beach to find out about the program,'' Harry said. ``We picked Kilby Shores because it is in close proximity and easier for employees to run up there. We started out slowly with one-on-one tutoring and doing holiday parties for pre-school handicapped children.
``Each year, we've added one or two programs. At first, we celebrated just Christmas and Easter . . . someone dresses as Santa Claus and the Easter bunny. Then we added Halloween. We take pumpkins to the school and carve jack-o-lanterns. Some of the children had never seen a pumpkin before.''
Once a month, three or four Lipton employees adopt a ``lunch buddy'' and eat lunch in the school cafeteria.
``Each of us sits at different tables and chats with the children,'' Harry said.
Other projects include judging for the Science Fair and the Young Authors Contest. During National Book Week, eight volunteers read stories to the classes.
Employees, who operate machinery and are unable to leave the plant, also can participate in the program. They bake cupcakes, donate candy, pumpkins, grass for Easter baskets, and provide buttons and bottles for arts and crafts. Volunteers also donated their time to build a picnic table and trellis for the school.
The company calculates the amount of time donated by each employee and at the end of the school year, volunteers are invited to Lipton's Recognition Luncheon. Ten students from Kilby Shores, who excel academically, are also invited to lunch and a tour of the plant.
``I talk frequently with the guidance councilor, Barbara Jordan, to find out what she needs and what I can provide,'' Harry said.
The cooperative spirit that exists between Lipton and the school has been beneficial for both parties.
As a way of emphasizing safety awareness, the school has adopted Lipton's practice of keeping a record of accidents that occur.
``Our basketball team used their gym for basketball practice,'' Harry said. ``The children make paper ornaments for our Angel Tree, sing for us at Christmastime, and provide artwork for our lobby and break room.''
Through the Suffolk school system, Lipton provides a classroom, teacher and teacher's aide for employees who want to take refresher courses, learn computer skills, and sign-up for courses to help them earn a GED during their off-time.
Recently, the company purchased safety coloring books and stickers for tennis shoes. And Harry recently organized a Pen Pal Program designed to help students enhance their writing skills.
``We have to have the approval of parents,'' she said. ``A ``big brother'' or ``big sister'' might send a motivational card to a child. They also give small birthday and Christmas gifts.''
Harry, who is a member of the Suffolk Literacy Council, recently began tutoring a student who had behavioral, as well as math problems.
``If we take more care and more pride in our children, we'll get more quality in our work force,'' she said.
Recently, Lipton's Safety Resource Group presented a Bike Safety Program for fourth-graders, who walked through an obstacle course in the gym and were taught proper hand signals. They also enjoyed hearing a rap song that a volunteer wrote for them.
In addition to planning programs, Harry is in charge of Teacher Shadow Day. She arranges for a teacher to spend 30 minutes with a different department manager to learn what skills the company looks for in future employees.
``In turn, the teacher goes back to tell the students what they can do to help in the future,'' she said.
Harry, who is responsible for a bi-monthly company newsletter, said, ``I spark interest in the employees by putting a quote in the newsletter, such as one person's heart.'
``If you've had a frustrating day and go to a party at the school, it's a refresher. It gives you a different perspective and you realize there are lots of things to be thankful for.'' ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by MICHAEL KESTNER
Carol Harry, the liaison and activities coordinator at Lipton, has
initiated a variety of volunteer programs at Kilby Shores
Elementary.