Donnelly Soccer Club to give soccer clinic to local fourth graders

Donnelly College and Community in Schools of Northeast Kansas have partnered to connect 4^th graders at M.E. Pearson and Whittier Elementary Schools in Kansas City, Kansas, with Donnelly’s Soccer Club for a free Soccer Clinic.

The clinic will take place Saturday, March 31^st from 10:00am-12:00pm at City Park, 3499 Park Dr, Kansas City, KS 66102.

Donnelly students that are members of the College’s Soccer Club will lead the 4^th grade students of both elementary schools in soccer drills. Snacks, give-a-ways and music will help to make the clinic a fun event.

This program is an outreach of the mission each organization. Donnelly College aims to make college accessible and fosters student success through holistic supports that promote college graduation.

Communities In Schools of Northeast Kansas aims to surround K-12 students with a community of support, empowering them to stay in school and achieve in life.

“Here in Kansas City, Kansas, we instantly noticed a passion for soccer in our elementary students,” said Jamie Thiessen, Communities In Schools of Northeast Kansas’ Site Coordinator for M.E. Pearson and Whittier Elementary Schools.

Because of that, CIS created a soccer team, playing in Fall and Spring, that practices at or near the school, and participates in the local Parks and Recreation League.  The interest is so great that CIS has to turn away students once the team is full, Thiessen says.

“Through the soccer team, we are able to teach our students soccer skills, official game rules, and teamwork, as well as improve school attendance and give them a safe place to play after school,” according to Thiessen. “By partnering with Donnelly College’s Soccer Club, our students will learn new skills to help their game. Also, we hope the connection with Donnelly will help them think about their future and going to college will be an underlying result."

Donnelly College’s Office of Service Learning coordinated with CIS to help organize the clinic.

“The clinic gives Donnelly students the opportunity to give back to their community while also giving them another chance to practice the skills in leadership and effective communication that are being developed in the classroom,” said Andrew Julo, Donnelly’s Service Learning Coordinator. “Donnelly’s service learning initiative is always looking for more ways to engage students at the College by providing them with real world experiences that contribute to their learning in addition to having a positive impact on the community.”