Project Cornerstone 2024-2025
What is Project Cornerstone?
Project Cornerstone is a YMCA Silicon Valley initiative where caring adults go into classrooms to read a book with students and reinforce the social emotional lesson with a corresponding hands-on activity and/or lead a discussion about the text.
Over 25 years ago, Project Cornerstone emerged from the need to understand why some students thrived while others struggled. Research pointed to "Developmental Assets"– positive supports and strengths that help young people succeed. Inspired by our Bay Area roots, we added a 41st asset, celebrating diversity and cultural identity.
There are 7 books/lessons for the school year (approximately once a month).
Each lesson can be between 30-45 minutes, depending on the choice of the volunteer and coordination with the teacher.
Goals of Project Cornerstone
Increase relationships and soft skills for all children and adults.
Increase the number of caring adults that students interact with at school to enable them to feel increased levels of support and value.
Create a common language and vocabulary about respect in each school community.
Use children’s literature to share concepts of caring, interpersonal competence, personal power, resiliency, empathy, integrity, equality and social justice, honesty, and responsibility.
Increase student life skills in decision making, planning, goal setting, building friendships, identification of feelings, taking care of health (physical and emotional), responding to bully behaviors, and peaceful conflict resolution.
Increase student achievement and learning engagement by creating a more caring, positive school climate where all students belong and feel safe.
Why Should I Volunteer?
We need volunteers! If you can come in about once a month to read a story to the class and lead an activity, this will make a lasting impact on the children at Braly. Here are some top reasons to consider volunteering.
You get to know your child, their friends and peers, and teachers.
You encourage kindness, help build relationships, and have a positive influence at school.
The training you attend will better equip you as a parent.
It is fun for you and the children!
The following classes still need at least 1 volunteer
The following classes are looking for a 2nd volunteer
We would like to have 2 volunteers for each classroom for the kids to have the best experience with Cornerstone this year.
How to Get Started as a Volunteer
Please sign up for the classroom/teacher you would like to read to using the Sutter Project Cornerstone form: https://s.zoom.us/m/bZu3AuI1u
Please complete this Sutter Volunteer form (required by SCUSD). This needs to be completed each school year and requires a TB test assessment (included in volunteer form) or TB test that you can order from your doctor. TB tests are good for 4 years, so if you have one that is less than 4 years old, you can submit it alongside your form:
Volunteer Application Link - English | Volunteer Application Link - SpanishPlease complete the Project Cornerstone Volunteer Application: https://ymcasv.volunteermatters.org/volunteer/sign-up/3359
A. Be sure to select ABC Program Volunteer (TK-Elementary)
TutorialVideo.mp4B. There is a 20-minute Asset Champion training video at the end that you will need to watch before Project Cornerstone registration is complete.
Volunteer Training Information
To kick off this school years Cornerstone program we will do a general walkthrough of the books and lesson plans on September 17, 2024 at 7:30pm PT. Once you fill out the Sutter Project Cornerstone Interest form you will be invited to the kick off meeting.
Our first book reading will be in October. For each book we will have a training ahead of time so you are prepared and confident in the lesson plan. You have 3 options to choose from for each month's book training:
Attend a live zoom training
Watch the zoom recording
Read the lesson plan on your own time. Lesson plans are in the Cornerstone book area of the Sutter Work Room
Preparing for Project Cornerstone
Before each lesson, each volunteer will need to familiarize themselves with the lesson plan and book (both provided). You can attend a zoom training, watch the zoom recording, or read the lesson plan on your own time from the Lesson plan binder in the Sutter work room area.
If there are several volunteer readers for your classroom, you will need to coordinate with the teacher and other volunteers to take turns or read together. If reading together, typically one person reads the book and then the other person leads the activity with each volunteer offering support when their partner is leading.
You will need to coordinate with your teacher which day/time you will present the Project Cornerstone lesson to the class.
Questions?
Feel free to contact sutter-abc-leads@googlegroups.com with questions.
