ABOUT NSP
The Neighborhood Schools Program has been a part of the University of Chicago since 1976. NSP's mission has been to help local schools strengthen their ability to meet the needs of schoolchildren on the South Side. UChicago students who work with NSP also gain valuable skills through their work and gain a greater understanding of how the Chicago Public School system works. NSP tutors become true members of the communities in which they work. They serve as mentors and role models.
Today, NSP continues to serve as a crucial support system for local schools and other public institutions that suppor the communities. 350 University of Chicago students worked or volunteered through NSP during the 2013-2014 academic year.
Lily is a third-year undergraduate at the University of Chicago. Lily has been working at Shoesmith since October 2014 and she adores it. Nothing brings a smile to her face quite like seeing her students understand something for the first time after weeks of learning.
Lily works with first and third graders. She started working at Shoesmith because her need for financial aid to pay for school allowed her the opportunity to work with NSP via work-study. Through her time at Shoesmith, she became aware of the lack of a school library and the lack of books available to students. She realized that the needs these students experience is greater than her own. Inspired by her care for the students, Lily organized a book drive and fundraiser to gather books for the students of Shoesmith. This passion for the education of the kids at Shoesmith is what drives this project.
ABOUT LILY
Beulah Shoesmith Elementary is a Tier One, Level One school on the South Side of Chicago. Shoesmith believes in excellence without excuses and that is the standard to which all students are held. The teachers, faculty, and students at Shoesmith are outstanding people. Every person there is incredible. Their optimism and dedication are amazing.
Shoesmith's Mission Statement is as follows:
"We believe that every student in our school is capable of learning and thinking at high levels. We will meet the academic and social/emotional needs of all of our students including students with disabilities, English language learners, high achievers, and struggling learners. We will challenge each student by providing a safe and nurturing learning environment that encourages self- expression and creativity, and by setting high expectation, utilizing rigorous, research-based instructional materials and implementing differentiated instructional practice. "
ABOUT SHOESMITH
