WEST COLUMBIA, SC -- Who doesn’t dream about the Prize Patrol knocking on the door?
Well, it happened recently for 50 Wood Elementary students and their families, who received a pizza, 2-liter drink and a bag of goodies that included chapter books, flashcards, puzzles, sidewalk chalk and more.
Winning households are “caught” doing a family activity together like reading or playing a math game when the Prize Patrol -- comprised this year of 24 Wood teachers, administrators and support staff volunteers -- rolls in. Families sign up to be part of program, which is funded through Title I and Wood PTO.
“The Prize Patrol is a great program because it not only gives school staff a glimpse into the community where they are working, but it builds home/school relations,” said Sally Brown of Communities in Schools of the Midlands, which works with Wood. “It's funny, it is hard for students to imagine that staff could connect with them anywhere else but at school. I think students think we never leave the school building! Although I know the students enjoy the items we bring, what is most memorable is that a school staff member came to their house.”