Greeks Adopt Elementary School

GREEKS ADOPT INDIANOLA ELEMENTARY AS PART OF NATIONAL EFFORT

     COLUMBUS -- The 66 fraternities and sororities at The Ohio
State University will adopt Indianola Alternative Elementary
School, 140 E. 16th Ave., and provide one-on-one tutoring,
assistance with club activities, and other services to the
school.  Student volunteers from the Black Greek Council, the
Interfraternity Council, and the Women's Panhellenic Association
will help coordinate the project with educators at the school.

     The Indianola program also will be connected to the
countywide Adopt-A-School program co-sponsored by the Columbus
Area Chamber of Commerce and the schools.

     A kickoff celebrating the partnership will take place at 2
p.m., Thursday, Nov. 4, in the multi-purpose room at Indianola
Elementary.  On hand, among others, will be Ohio State President
E. Gordon Gee, Columbus City Schools Superintendent Larry Mixon,
Columbus Area Chamber of Commerce President Jonathan York, and
Ohio State's College of Education Dean Nancy Zimpher.  Indianola
Principal Cindy Lalli will host the celebration.

     The project, which will place dozens of college students in
the classrooms of Indianola, is part of a nationwide program by
the National Interfraternity Conference to enhance service
opportunities for undergraduates while helping America's schools.
The W.K. Kellogg Foundation has provided a $100,000 grant
supporting the program at 85 campuses, including Ohio State.

     In addition to assisting in classroom academic work, college
students will help in the school's reconstruction of its
playground area next spring.  The project, a major endeavor of
Indianola's PTA, will provide school children with a safer and
more interactive environment, as well as improving the visual
atmosphere of the university community.

     Nestled among many fraternity and sorority houses just east
of campus, Indianola is an appropriate site for Ohio State's
focus, notes David Williams, the university's vice president for
student affairs.  "Community service is a vital feature of a
dynamic education," Williams said.  "We learn from our engagement
with others outside the classroom as well as within.  It is our
duty and our reward to reach out and help enhance the life of
others nearby.  This project at Indianola can be a wonderful
addition to our service opportunities."

     Fraternity and sorority members will tutor in reading, math,
science and other subjects, as well as help in clubs and in
constructing the new playground.  "This school has always
appreciated its proximity to the university," said Principal
Cindy Lalli.  "Ohio State provides our students a rich cultural
resource.  And now we welcome working with the fraternities and
sororities to extend this partnership even further.  We are
honored and pleased they have chosen us."
                                #

Contact:  David Strauss, coordinator of Greek Affairs, 292-8763;
          Cindy Lalli, principal, Indianola Elementary School,   
          365-5579.


[Submitted by: REIDV  (reidv@ccgate.ucomm.ohio-state.edu)
               
Fri, 29 Oct 93 08:50:02 EST]
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