NEA Big Read Application Questions

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How did you learn about this grant opportunity?
Through researching school library grants and through discussions with other school media specialists in the
county.

Applicant information
Has your organization received an NEA Big Read grant before?

Organization name:
Which legal entity should receive the grant? Swainsboro High School
Organization telephone:
478-237-2267
Organization website:
http://emanuel2.shs.schooldesk.net/
Organization Type:

Government - State

My organization is a(n)

School District

Employer Identification Number (EIN):

Emailed with application
Is your organization registered with SAM.gov?
I certify that my organization is registered with SAM.gov.
Street address:
689 South Main Street

No

City: Swainsboro

State: GA

Zip+4: 30401-4818
Mailing address (if different from street address): same as street address

Contact information
Enter the name and contact information for the staff member(s) who will be responsible for managing
the NEA Big Read program at your organization.
The Programming Contact is the person who will be responsible for the day-to-day operation of your
program and will receive most of the communication from Arts Midwest.
The Grant Contact (if different from the Programming Contact) is the person who should receive grant
payments, receive a grant agreement, and handle the financial management of the grant.
Programming Contact's first name: Livia

Programming Contact's last name: Daniel

Programming Contact's title: Social Studies Teacher/Media Specialist

Programming Contact's email: livia.daniel@emanuel.k12.ga.us

Programming Contact's phone: 478-237-2267

Grant Contact's first name: Julie

Grant Contact's last name: G. (I did not want to put our bookkeepers full name.)

Grant Contact's title: SHS Bookkeeper

Grant Contact's email: jgillis@emanuel.k12.ga.us

Grant Contact's phone: 478-237-2267

Program Information
Grant request amount: $7200

Programming start date: September 1, 2017

Dates must fall between September 1, 2017 and June 30, 2018.
Programming end date: September 30, 2017
Dates must fall between September 1, 2017 and June 30, 2018.
Anticipated total number of participants:
1350
Please describe your community where programming will take place. This context will help
establish the setting for your project. This description could include details about your
community's demographic, cultural, historical, geographic, political, and economic background,
etc.:
The community in which this program will take place is a rural town in southeast Georgia. Emanuel County is
located in east central Georgia and has a population of 22,825. Swainsboro is the county seat of Emanuel County
and Swainsboro High is located in Swainsboro. Students from Twin City, Adrian, Garfield, Summertown, Oak
Park, Stillmore, Summertown, and Nunez. Emanuel County is approximately 80 miles south of Augusta, GA; 90
miles west of Savannah, GA; 90 miles west of Savannah, GA; and 95 miles east of Macon, GA.

According to the 2010 United States Census, the population density was 33.2 inhabitants per square mile.
The racial makeup of the county was 61.6% white, 33.5% black or African American, 0.7% Asian, 0.3%
American Indian, 3.0% from other races, and 0.9% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino
origin made up 4.1% of the population. In terms of ancestry, 12.9% were American, 8.0% were English, and
7.3% were Irish.
According to the 2010 United States Census, of the 8,430 households, 35.9% had children under the age of
18 living with them, 44.9% were married couples living together, 19.1% had a female householder with no
husband present, 30.8% were non-families, and 26.5% of all households were made up of individuals. The
average household size was 2.57 and the average family size was 3.10. The median age was 36.8 years.

According to the 2010 United States Census, the median income for a household in the county was $30,205
and the median income for a family was $36,402. Males had a median income of $31,434 versus $23,340
for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,076. About 17.0% of families and 24.2% of the
population were below the poverty line, including 35.8% of those under age 18 and 13.3% of those age 65
or over.

Selection criteria: Quality of diverse and imaginative programming

The review panel will review the rationale for choosing the title, programming plans, and proposed number of
events to determine the quality of diverse and creative literary programming that: shows a clear connection
between the NEA Big Read title and the target audience(s); meets the programming requirements; and engages a
wide range of community members with the writing, content, and themes of the selected book.
Reading Selection:

True Grit

Explain your rationale for choosing this title:

This title will be used as part of a cross-curricular teaching partnership at school. The public library has also
offered to promote the book so we can involve more of the community. This text will be utilized in a US History
class and also a Literature class. It is also assumed that since the book is a novel it might interest members of the
community also.
Describe your programming plans in detail

a. Provide details on the types of activities, target audiences for those activities, locations, and
intended dates.
a. The literature teacher will have 8 different lessons for her eleventh grade literature class
involving this book. There will be 12 dates in which the community will be invited. The
first date will be Friday, September, 2017. The public will be invited to a meet and greet
during lunch and students in the eleventh grade literature class will also be asked to come
during their lunch to receive their copy of the book. At the end of the month, on Friday,
September 29, 2016 students and the community will be invited after school to discuss
the book. The community will also be able to see student work. Refreshments will be
offered on each date.
b. Explain how your activities will engage audiences with your selected book.
a. Throughout the month of September, there will be 10 days set aside after school in which the
community will be invited and speakers will share their knowledge on subjects within the book.
i. Three college professors from East Georgia State College (located in Swainsboro, GA)
will take part in a panel discussion on the book True Grit and how it relates to historical
concepts as well as literary concepts.
ii. Once during the month of September we will also have Cowboy Mike (prof.) attend and
share his presentation on the life of the cowboy and examine how the persona of the
cowboy is shared in the book.
iii. Once during the month of September we will also show the movie True Grit in the school
auditorium and it will be open to the public.
You must outline your plans to meet the programming requirements outlined in the guidelines and application
instructions including:
1. A kick-off event to launch the program.
2. A minimum of 10 discussions on the selected book or poet.
3. At least one keynote session on the selected book or poet and themes referenced in the text (e.g., author
reading or interview, panel discussion, or lecture by a key biographer).
4. A minimum of two special events involving other forms of artistic programming designed to engage
participants with the selected book or poet (e.g., art exhibits/contests related to the themes of the book or
poet; poetry slams, film series including adaptations of the book, theatrical readings, etc.).

Note: Event types may be combined (e.g., a kick-off event can include a keynote session and a discussion of the
book or poet).
Detailed programming description:
This program will be in collaboration with Franklin Memorial Library and East Georgia State College. We will
host the community 12 different times within the month of September. Seven of these events will be called eatand-shares where members of the community can come in and discuss the book with students. Five of these
events will be more formal events in which a speaker will be arranged. The goal of this program is to ignite
discussions between the community and school. The purpose is also to allow teachers to teach across the
curriculum. Both Literature classes and U.S. History classes will be involved in this program. Students from any
class may participate, they do not have to be in either of these classes to read the book.
We will have an introductory meet-and-greet at the beginning of the month of September. We will have seven
different book discussions after school hours. We will also have three organized formal events in which a speaker
will attend and share knowledge and answer questions. The first event we will have will consist of three
professors from East Georgia State College. They will share their opinions, insights, and information on the book.
Attendees will be allowed to ask these professors questions. The second event will be the lecture and discussion
by Cowboy Mike. He is a professor at Augusta University and he has a presentation on cowboys that he will be
sharing with specific references to the book. The last event we will host will be the movie showing at the end of
the month.
Proposed total number of events: 12

Proposed total number of book discussions: 7

Selection criteria: Relevance and depth of involvement with community partner

organizations
The review panel will review the partnerships description, letters of support, and proposed number of partner
organizations to determine the relevance and depth of involvement with community partner organizations that
will broaden community participation beyond the applicant's primary constituent base and enrich programming.

1. Describe your partnerships with libraries (as applicable) and community organizations.
We will partner with East Georgia State College and our Franklin Memorial Library.
2. Explain the role each partner will play in your program, the activities each partner will undertake
with your organization, and whether these partnerships are confirmed or pending.
East Georgia State College will also promote the book events at their college and encourage their
students to attend these events. Three professors will be participating in a panel discussion on the
book. The Franklin Memorial Library will also promote the book events at its location and
encourage their patrons to attend the book events at the school.
3. Explain how your partnerships will allow you to reach your intended audience(s) and strengthen
or build new communities around the NEA Big Read activities.
These partnerships will strengthen the relationship between our area high school, our area
college, and our area library. Each of these partnerships will reach many more people than just
the high school would have access to.
Note: Applicant organizations that are not a library must partner with a library.
Partnerships description:

By partnering with the college and public library we are going beyond high school students and their
parents. We will have members of the community who have no relation to students at Swainsboro High
School come to these events by hearing about them at Franklin Memorial Library. We will also have
college students from other parts of the state (and possibly other parts of the country) attend these book
events. This partnership will hopefully increase the number of Swainsboro High School students
applying the East Georgia State College.
Proposed total number of partner organizations: 2
Total number of all libraries, museums, schools, and businesses pending and confirmed. Please enter a whole
number.

Selection criteria: Comprehensive promotion of the NEA Big Read

The review panel will review the promotional description to determine the applicant's comprehensive promotion
of the NEA Big Read through digital and print channels as well as other public relations/marketing efforts;
distribution of digital guides and promotional materials; and publicity through partnerships with local radio,
print, TV, and media outlets as applicable.
1. Describe how you will promote your programming. Discuss any proposed or existing partnerships with
specific media outlets.
We will be using our school social media (Facebook and Twitter accounts) to spread information. We will
also be using the local newspaper, The Forest Blade, and the local radio station E98.1 FM.
Promotional description:
We will start informing the public of this event at the end of July. The first newspaper advertisement for this event
will be in the last month of Julys Wednesday newspaper. We will also run informational commercials on E98.1
FM. Emails will also be sent to East Georgia State College students about the event. This event will be heavily
promoted with the schools in our county also.

Selection criteria: Capacity to manage and implement the proposed NEA Big
Read programming
The review panel will review the following components to determine the applicant's capacity to manage
and implement the proposed NEA Big Read programming including organization capacity, the provision
of appropriate personnel, reasonable budget plan, and evidence of the required 1 to 1 match.

Organization Description
Describe your organization's history, programming, and achievements.

Swainsboro High School media center hosts author visits each semester in which authors come and visit
with students and discuss their books. These meetings have recently been through Skype. We also have
many fundraisers in the media center and county meetings. The media center also hosts the Retired
Teachers Luncheon each month.
Describe your organization's experience with presenting community-wide programming that
demonstrates an ability to conduct a successful NEA Big Read.:

Swainsboro High School media center has held several community-wide meetings and gatherings
throughout the years. Each year, we have Open House, in which parents come to the media center to
meet the media specialist and media clerk and to access schedules. We also host author talks and FBLA
fundraisers which are open to the public.

Organizer Biographies
Outline the key staff and/or volunteers who will plan and implement the programming, including
their titles, roles and responsibilities, and experience or capacity for managing an NEA Big
Read. Include partner organizations' staff as applicable. (4,000 character limit):
If needed, specific names can be emailed.

Organization annual expenses

Previous fiscal year organization expenses:
Please enter whole numbers. Do not include commas, dollar signs, or decimals.
$10000
Current budgeted fiscal year organization expenses:
Please enter whole numbers. Do not include commas, dollar signs, or decimals.
$8000

Budget
Projected program budget revenues:
Please enter whole numbers. Do not include commas, dollar signs, or decimals.
$7200
Projected program budget expenses:
Speakers: 2000
Food for 12 events: $3000
Money on Advertising: $1000
Decorations: $200
Additional tables and chairs needed to host: $1000