A group dedicated to tutoring underserved kids for free has expanded into these Milwaukee-area school districts
A group dedicated to tutoring underserved children has now expanded to two more school districts.
The Oasis Project announced on its Facebook page Dec. 1 that it had expanded its free services to the North Lake School District in October and will begin serving in the Oconomowoc Area School District in January.
“Now, due to the fact that there are now more than 3,800 economically disadvantaged children in Western Waukesha County (and that is PRE-COVID), we have decided to make BOLD MOVES into two more local school districts wanting our services,” the group said in its Facebook post.
Jan Frans, the founder and CEO of The Oasis Project, said that, normally, the tutors would be working with students in the schools. But because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Frans said the group is doing virtual tutoring this year.
“When the going gets tough, the tough have to get creative,” Frans said in a Zoom interview.
The Oasis Project CEO said the group has worked six years on a template with Kettle Moraine. Frans said that template starts small and then grows from there.
“I’ve been chomping at the bit for years to be able to work it into another school district because it’s so easy to be replicated,” Frans said.
The Oconomowoc Area School District said in a statement it has just begun working through the details of what a partnership with The Oasis Project will look like. While details and logistics are still in the beginning stages, Oasis hopes to start working with Summit Elementary School students and eventually move to support students at all five elementary schools in the district.
“I am excited for a potential partnership with OASIS Project. We are lucky to have this opportunity to work with a great community organization to continue to meet the needs of all of our learners,” said Oconomowoc Area School District Student Services Director Dyanna Kadrich in the district’s statement.
North Lake School Superintendent Liesl Ackley said the school is excited about the project. She said school officials met Frans during a meeting of Lake Country area K-8 feeder school superintendents a year or two ago. She said the school has a couple students in mind who could be helped by The Oasis Project.
“We’re excited just to expand additional support to kids during pandemic times,” Ackley said. “We had a couple kids in mind that just needed a little extra TLC, and we reached out to Oasis.”
A tutor started with two middle school students on Nov. 23, according to North Lake School counselor Jill Lesch.
“The virtual model definitely poses some new challenges, as we all know, but I think it’s wonderful. The tutor is a very calm, patient, knowledgable woman. I think it’s going to be great,” Lesch said.
Finding a development director
The Oasis Project’s Facebook post also asked for donations to help the organization hire a development director to help manage the group’s expansion.
“The needs are urgent and we need to expand NOW. Thank you for your partnership and help in strengthening the most vulnerable among us so that they may have a brighter future. Please help make a difference as much as you can. Let’s take care of others as well as ourselves,” the group’s post said.
To donate, visit www.oasisprojectwi.org/donate and click the “Donate” button or mail a check to Oasis Project, P.O. Box 27, Wales, WI 53183.
Read the article online here.
MR. TOM PIPINES – THE NEW PUBLIC RELATIONS
AMBASSADOR FOR OASIS
It is with GREAT HONOR and DELIGHT that the Oasis Project announces MR.TOM PIPINES (Retired Fox6 Senior Sports Broadcaster) has officially accepted the role of PUBLIC RELATIONS AMBASSADOR for The Oasis Project!! In the midst of his busy schedule working with The DK Company and Jim De Koch as well as Opportunities Inc., and as a faithful worker at Life Striders, he is making room for Oasis!! We couldn’t be more grateful!
He has already done so much to help us get our vision out to the community and is helping us make GREAT connections. We are blessed to have such a man of integrity and influence on board that loves our work and is passionate about helping us. It’s exciting to make it official!!! Welcome aboard, Mr. Ambassador!! #PipinesProud!!
Want to learn more about how the Oasis Project is interacting with the community?
Check out these news articles from local publications.
OASIS PROJECT SHOWING MORE GROWTH CONTINUES TO REACH MORE KIDS
Excerpt from JS Online’s Article – April 10, 2018
The program works by pairing retired and current teachers with students, in partnership with reading specialists and other school specialists. Tutors who teach classes during the day volunteer to work with students after school, while other tutors, such as retired teachers, come in over the lunch period to work with students.
Students are eligible if they are on free or reduced lunch. They may also qualify if there are extenuating circumstances, such as the death of a parent or parents working multiple jobs to make ends meet.
Their efforts are making a difference. In September 2015, Cushing Elementary had 68 percent of its students reading at or below grade level. By January 2016, that number had dropped to 20 percent.
Frans said the progress the students have made is due to the caring nature of those tutors.
“They can focus on the kids,” Frans said about the work of the tutors. “The children feel valued, and that’s empowering. They feel like they’re worth the time, they’re worth special attention, they’re worth it.”
Deklotz said in an informational packet about the program that Oasis’ volunteers are invaluable.
“Oasis volunteers not only address academic deficits, they meet social emotional needs of students by demonstrating to these kids that they matter, they can accomplish great things, and they are valued as an individual,” said Deklotz in an informational packet about the program.
Pipines has also been inspired by the work Frans has been doing since she asked him to help with the project. He said he has always had a heart for nonprofits, and was shocked after hearing about the poverty in Lake Country. Frans asked him to come visit the program and see what he thought of it.
“Once I got in there and watched these teachers give of themselves — and watched the magic between the young kids, who are probably gifted kids; they just need a chance — she had me hooked,” Pipines said.
OASIS PROJECT GROWING IN KETTLE MORAINE SCHOOLS – NOVEMBER 10, 2016
Excerpt from November’s Article – November 10, 2016
“At Cushing Elementary School last year, Frans saw the number of students reading at or below grade level drop from 68 percent in September to 20 percent in January. By the end of the school year, it was even lower.
According to Cushing Principal Rebecca Toetz, 75 percent of Oasis students were reading at grade level by the end of the year, compared to 20 percent at the beginning of the year.
In math, 60 percent of Oasis students met their growth target, compared to an average of 53 percent in the whole school.”
OASIS TUTORING PROJECT LOOKING TO EXPAND TO MORE SCHOOL IN LAKE COUNTRY
Excerpt from February’s News Article – February 11, 2016
“When kids are struggling in school they need a boost. A lot of people in the Lake Country area can afford to hire a tutor for their children, but if you are just able to afford the essentials, you can’t do that,” she explained. Frans is working to help those in need.
“This is the first phase of the Oasis Project, she explained.
“Hopefully, it will develop into a multifaceted project serving the needs of under resourced people in Waukesha County,” she said.
“We have approximately a dozen teachers, all professional educators; most are retired, but some come after a full day of work after school and tutor. I believe we are serving 27 children right now,” she said.
THE OASIS PROJECT OPENS NEW LEARNING CENTER AT CUSHING SCHOOL
Excerpt from September’s News Article – September 11, 2015
Goals for The Oasis Project include offering free tutoring through the Oasis Learning Center for students needing extra academic support and who might not be able to otherwise afford it, and eventually implementing a counseling center offering affordable services, a center for youth to connect with peers in a safe and fun environment and a community hub for adult life-long learners seeking resources, group discussions and seminars.
“To stand up and say, ‘We can do this together,’ that is my passion. Sometimes I feel like I am building the airplane while I’m flying it. But in my heart I couldn’t let it go. It’s a God thing, and that’s what is motivating me,” explained Frans. “I think The Oasis Project can really make a big dent in making people’s lives better.”
Donate above or send checks to:
Oasis Project
P.O. Box 27
Wales, WI 53183