First Year Program

Catharine Blaine

March – May
Reserve Your Space
Select School Coordinator
Schedule Presentation Date
Schedule Pickup Day

August – September
Coordinator Orientation
Confirm Presentation Date
Promote in school and with parents

September – December
Fall Presentations
Supply Drive
Pickup Day & Photos

May – June
Return Presentations
Schedule Class Visits

Reserve Your Space

Schools may reserve their place in our fall schedule beginning in March.
If possible, schools should schedule their presentation dates by the end of May.  We will do our best to accommodate schools that must wait until the fall to schedule but cannot guarantee dates will be available.  At this time, a parent volunteer should also be selected.

By late August or early September, both your school presentation date and school coordinator must be selected.  Orientation meetings for school coordinators provide all the logistical information necessary to coordinate the presentations, supply drive and pickup day.  Materials will be available to assist in promoting the supply drive and Sister Schools staff is available to meet with parent or other groups affiliated with the your school.

Fall Presentations

Including time for questions and answers, normally take about 45 minutes.  We encourage small groups of two or three classes at a time or by grade level to allow for more interaction with the presenter.  As required by the school’s schedule, we can accommodate shorter presentation times or assembly programs.  Because of time limitations, we cannot spend more than two days at a school in the fall.

Fall Supply Drives

Begin immediately following the presentations and normally last two weeks.  Both new and used items are accepted so all children can participate.  Supplies are usually kept in classrooms so children are aware of their progress.  Supplies do not need to be sorted at the school.

A Pickup Day

At the end of the supply drive the pick up day should be scheduled as early
as possible.  Sister Schools’ staff will be available the entire day to collect items and photograph the children with their gifts.  We encouraged as many as possible to bring their items out personally.  Most schools schedule a 5 – 10 minute time for each class to bring their items to a central collection point.

Spring Return Presentation

In May and June, a second presentation of about 35 minutes will be given showing students their items being distributed in Uganda.  Due to time limitations, all presentations must be completed in one day.  Sister Schools’ staff will be available for class visits after the assembly program as time permits.

Photography Note

Pictures are an essential part of the Sister Schools experience.  It is the school’s responsibility to ensure that students without photo releases are identified.  A copy of all photographs and video used in the presentations will be available to the school but are the property of Sister Schools and may be used in the furtherance of it’s mission.

Supply Drive Guidelines & Details | A Note for Teachers | A Note for Parents