Approve the Agreement for Technical Services Between the Ophelia Project and Boys Initiative Inc. to Provide Students with the Gender-Specific Program Called RISE (Revealing Inner Strengths Through Empowerment) at Greco Middle School, Memorial Middle School, and Roland Park K-8 School (Student Services and Federal Programs)

The Ophelia Project and Boys Initiative of Tampa Bay will provide the gender-specific program called RISE (Revealing Inner Strengths through Empowerment). The overall goal of this unique program is to give all 6th grade boys and girls the interpersonal skills and opportunities for them to be successful inside and outside the classroom. For approximately two weeks, each 6th grader will experience RISE as one of their wheel classes. Each student will have the opportunity to gain skills and acquire knowledge that will guide them in dealing with issues such as: resiliency, self-esteem, relationships with peers, conflict resolution, diversity, mass media, and leadership. Parents will be notified of the benefits of the RISE program.

This Agreement for Technical Services will be paid from Title I funds in the amount of $151,249.

In order to determine the effectiveness of the Ophelia Project and Boys Initiative, pre and post tests will be administered to each student, measuring the impact the program has made in its core areas. The Ophelia Project and Boys Initiative will also work closely with each school to determine whether a decrease in referral rates, and an increase in attendance and academic grades can be seen as a result of the program. Reports on outcomes will be generated on a quarterly basis (by 10/31/09, 1/31/10, 4/30/10, and 7/31/10) by the Ophelia Project and Boys Initiative. Reports will be made available to each school and other District representatives appropriate.