doreen vroman
In addition to being a parent of two young boys, Doreen Vroman is very active at Jefferson Elementary in Green Bay. She is a part-time noon supervisor, the president/treasurer of the Family School Organization, a member of the Parent Leadership Academy and a volunteer.

Doreen's volunteer activities include helping in the kindergarten classroom, chaperoning field trips, and popping popcorn to be sold in the cafeteria to raise money for classroom animals.

Doreen's two sons, Travis and Isaac, have both attended Jefferson Elementary. Travis is now a fifth grader at Aldo Leopold (an alternative school within the District), and did not participate in the SAGE program. However, Isaac is a second grader at Jefferson and has been in the SAGE program since kindergarten.

According to Doreen, the SAGE program has improved the school a lot. For Isaac the all day kindergarten program was wonderful. "Isaac loved the social interaction of kindergarten," said Doreen. "Also, the teacher had more time to work with him on an individual basis; it never felt like she was rushing to get through the day's work."

Because Jefferson is such a small school, Doreen does not see a significant difference between her sons' experiences. Although she does add, "The teachers here are great and because of the increased interaction between the teachers, they have a better understanding of the kids who will be in their classes next year."

Doreen wishes that more parents could be involved. But she understands that the W-2 program requires parents to work limiting the time they have available to volunteer at school.