Three cheers for the Noon Activity Program (NAP) at Traverse City West Senior High School!  Led by Linda Cichocky (pictured), volunteers visit the school from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. each school day to offer a wide variety of activities for the students. "I started volunteering with NAP in 2000 when I had just moved to the area and my daughter was a sophomore," stated Cichocky.  "It was a wonderful way to experience her new school."  

The purpose of NAP is to nurture students’ self-esteem, social skills, and respect.  Students cannot leave campus during lunch so NAP provides students with healthy activity choices including basketball, football, table tennis, foosball, Wii Sports, and board games.  This year knitting and jewelry-making lessons were started with supplies provided!  NAP is always looking for more volunteers.  There is always a need for those interested in playing the sports with the students especially basketball and the rock climbing wall.  There are always equipment needs, too, such as paddles, balls, and more as the games wear out.
 
According to Cichocky, there are 39 NAP volunteers who come at all different times.  The program is designed to be flexible for volunteers, so whatever time they have to give will work.  NAP volunteers truly represent a community;  parents of current and former students, college students, youth group leaders, business men and women, and many other community members.  They are caring adults from their 20's to their 70's who supervise and interact with students by participating in games or just through conversation.  Volunteers offer encouragement and build relationships as they spend time with the same students week after week.  NAP volunteers help to uphold the standards for a wholesome environment.
 
“One of my favorite stories is about a student named Ken,” said Cichocky.  “Ken started coming to NAP looking for a quiet place to hang out.  A volunteer convinced him to try table tennis and she taught him how to play.  He played daily with different volunteers until he felt comfortable enough to play with other students.  We watched his confidence bloom!  We all saw a transformation take place from shy and quiet to confident and happy.  It was wonderful!”
 
“NAP has been an integral part of West Senior High School since we opened,” said Principal Joe Tibaldi.  “Up to 400 hundred students a day use the program and we are fortunate to have so many parents and community members volunteer ever year. They have been great role models and caring friends to our students. West Senior High School is a better place because of NAP and its volunteers.”


Thank you Linda Cichocky and all of our NAP Volunteers for your continued support of our students!  

2010-2011 NAP Volunteers

Kenton Anderson, Jason Bauer, Kathryn Baylis-Monteith, Kellie Beaton, Linda Berlin, Matt Bonnell, Linda Cichocky,  Robert Cichocky, Rebecca Clark, Don Dooley, Dottie Dooley, Ron Elenbaas, Susanne Elenbaas, Maria Elshaw, Randy Gay, Cindy Guba, Peggy Hall, Kathy Hartman, Carl Hayes, Kim Hubbard, Jean Hughey, Melynn Jenner, Michelle Kingdon, Kevin Kurkowski, Kathryn Linenger, Jennifer McCoy, Carole McKee, Carrie Mugerian, Kim Norton, Jeanene Phillips, Darell Potter, Sue Potter, Linnea Priest, Cathy Ritola, Keith Sembach, Michele Sian, Tina Swanson, Deb Thomack, Pat Woods, and Richard Woods.

In today's struggling economy, TBA Credit Union recognizes the importance of educating students about basic money management skills, saving for the future, and developing career awareness and employability skills. As part of that commitment, TBA Credit Union introduced the Student-Run Credit Union program to our schools.  The Student-Run Credit Union is designed to encourage financial responsibility by providing kids with an in-school credit union that students operate on their own with the help of a dedicated TBA Credit Union employee. 
There is no cost to run a Student-Run Credit Union.  As part of its strong commitment to promote financial literacy in our area, TBA Credit Union provides all materials and supplies needed for students to operate their school branch.  Currently Student-Run Credit Unions are in six TCAPS schools including Central Grade School, Cherry Knoll Elementary School, TCAPS Montessori at Glenn Loomis, Blair Elementary School, Long Lake Elementary School, and Silver Lake Elementary School.  Participating students thoroughly enjoy operating their own school branch and are anxious to gain experience in their new leadership roles as tellers, bookkeepers, managers, computer operators and marketing representatives. 

Blair Elementary School 5th Grade Teacher, Danelle Brostrom said,"The Student-Run Credit Union has been an amazing addition into my curriculum, offering students a chance to sharpen their math skills in a real-life context.  Learning what it means to hold a job, students are feeling increased confidence as they deal with members.  Most importantly, they are learning money management skills that will help them throughout their entire life.  Thank you TBA Credit Union for partnering with Blair Elementary School.  Every school should be doing this!"