A special partnership in the making that has transpired over a three year period. Long term effect is what's it all about, it's been three years in the making that the 4-H team was able to collaborate with Second Street Elementary to offer educational opportunities. Here is my success story from the school. The Rosenwald Center has created boundless opportunities for my students. Working with Frankfort Independent Schools, which is a small independent district with limited resources and funding. The Rosenwald Center has filled a void that the scool can't  fill and has no other way to replicate the good that has been brought to this community. Second Street School, is a pre-K-8 building. It is a Title I School with 100% of the students receiving free lunch. The students are hungry for opportunities and the Rosenwald Center has provided an outlet for them to be exposed to many different opportunities that otherwise would not be an option for them.

We began working with the Second Street Elemenatry since the winter of 2020, due to Covid partnerships had to come to a halt. 

During the first “normal” semester back from Covid we piloted a 6-week program for 6th graders on Aquaponics. The program, designed by the 4-H agents,was a huge hit with the students. That program culminated with a trip to the aquaponics research facility on KSU’s campus learning more about the opportunities that the students can pursue.

Later that school year, Second Street was also given two monthly opportunities to bring 75 different students to participate in Rosenwald programming. One involved 50 students doing STEM activities, including drone races, computer coding, robot racing, and others. The other was a cooking program, in which 25 students attended cooking and nutrition classes. The school intentionally chose students who would significantly benefit from learning these life skills. At the school there is a waiting list to attend cooking class, this list has grown substantially due to its popularity.

This year we’ve had the opportunity to expand our programming options to include 6th grade Aquaponics, two STEM programs, a cooking program, and a nutrition program. This school year, Second Street has brought 119 students to the KSU Rosenwald Center. While it may seem to just be a field trip to some, to our students it is so much more. It's been a goal of the 4-H team to bring opportunities like this to every student that enters the building. These 119 students come from every background and academic level imaginable, yet they have all been able to utilize and benefit from the Rosenwald Center.

Here are direct quotes from some of the middle school students that wanted to share what the Rosenwald Center means to them, here are their responses:

“Rosenwald has given me the opportunity to learn more about the life around us and how our world works with animals and plants to make it like it is today and it's totally free so that's also a plus.”

“I have enjoyed the weekly cooking class a lot and this is definitely important to continue this because it gives students basic skills that they will need later in life.”

“I want Rosenwald to continue working with Second Street because it enhances our knowledge outside of the regular school curriculum. It allows students to learn real-world skills and teaches students teamwork.”

“I enjoy Rosenwald because they are a big part of my community and they are like family to our school and they help kids with their education if they need it”

“My favorite thing that we did was aquaponics. This helps with my education because I may go to college for this. This place just means alot to me and I would love to go back.”

“I enjoy the Rosenwald Center because it is interesting and fun. I like that the people there teach me new things without it feeling overly educational. The people there are also nice and helpful if I need them.”

“This has indeed been an experience that I will never forget. they offer so much stuff that I have really enjoyed”

 The 4-H team hopes to continue to bring this resource to most at-risk students who crave these extra opportunities. It is a place where students can tinker with robotics, learn how to code computers, try out flight simulators, experiment with 3-D printing, learn to cook nutritious food, and so many other things that they might not otherwise have the opportunity to do. The Rosenwald Center has opened up so many possibilities for these students, and we hope that we are able to work with them to continue to expand the opportunities available to students.