Chicora Elementary School
North Charleston, SC
Charleston County School District
Tamula Dunmeyer, Parent Advocate and NNPS Key Contact
Tamula_dunmeyer@charleston.k12.sc.us
Cops and Pops
Cops and Pops brings fathers, father figures, and members of the local police department to school to read and talk with male students in the 5th grade. This creatively-designed activity aimed to increase students’ positive attitudes and skills in reading, and strengthen school-community connections with the local police.
Students and their reading partners read the book, The Stars Beneath Our Feet, which tells the story of Lolly—a boy growing up in Harlem who is entering adolescence and who faces many challenges. The story focuses on the importance of friendship, caring relationships, creativity, and hope for the future. These factors help Lolly—and all children—overcome many of the challenges of growing up.
Parents were contacted to give their sons permission to participate in the series that met before school at 8 a.m. A community partner provided a good breakfast at school for the participants.
The dads and police department volunteers read two chapters at a time for their discussions. The volunteers were guided by teachers to introduce new vocabulary words and to discuss questions in open, judgement-free, and safe conversations such as: “How would you react in that situation?” or “Have you or anyone you know ever experienced this?” At the end of each session, everyone was asked if they wanted to return to discuss the next two chapters. This reinforced their interest and commitment to the project.
Over 50 students were matched with over 50 parent volunteers and police partners. Students strengthened vocabulary, thinking skills, and reading comprehension. They noted that they especially appreciated their “person”—the dad or policeman who came to read and talk with them. One student explained his eagerness, saying “Me and my daddy never read together, and we liked it. He said he wants to come back.”
Read more about Cops and Pops in Promising Partnership Practices 2022.
