Zach Johnson Foundation to invest more than $1 million to keep “Kids on Course”

CEDAR RAPIDS – You don't have to be a sports fan to appreciate Zach Johnson's story.

Johnson won the Masters Tournament in 2007 by a margin of two strokes over the game's biggest name – Tiger Woods. It's the ultimate hometown boy does good tale.

On Tuesday, Johnson did good again, pledging more than a million dollars to a new program that will help students in the Cedar Rapids school district gain the experiences Johnson said made him the person he is today.

Johnson's Kids on Course program will be piloted at Harrison and Van Buren elementary schools in 2011-12 school year with funding to guarantee it through the 2013-14 school year.

“The program is going to provide kids with a number of opportunities and life experiences,” Johnson said.

Visiting both Harrison and Van Buren schools Tuesday, Johnson called students the “future of Cedar Rapids” and said Kids on Course will help them achieve their dreams.

Developed by the board of the Zach Johnson Foundation, in cooperation with United Way of East Central Iowa and the Cedar Rapids school district, Kids on Course will work to inspire students to make choices that will benefit them throughout their life.

“What we hope to accomplish is connect you with opportunities for enrichment, opportunities for fun, opportunities to do something you don't even know you want to do yes,” Kids on Course Program Director Ruth White said in the assembly at Van Buren.

The program's details are being finalized, but Kids on Course will have a site coordinator at each school who will be solely focused on supporting students' academic and personal successes, and connect families with their kids' educations.

The program's annual budget is $350,000. The Zach Johnson Foundation will invest at least $1,050,000 over three years at Harrison and Van Buren. It is possible for that total to increase at a later date.

Harrison and Van Buren were selected to pilot the program from several district schools that expressed interest in it. Superintendent Dave Benson said the two schools were selected because 60 percent of Harrison's staff experience the 2008 flood firsthand and Van Buren has one of the fastest-growing enrollments in the district.

“We're going to take this experience and see how it informs us with an eye on replication,” Benson said.

Harrison Principal Linda Reysack said she sees the program as an opportunity for her students to have some fun while reaching their academic potential. Cindy Stock, Van Buren's principal, said her staff is dedicated to helping the school's students achieve their dreams.

“There are only so many hours in the school day,” Stock said. “This program extends beyond the school day.”

White will work with both principals throughout the summer to design the program. A needs assessment will be conducted at both schools to help this process.

“The key word is exposure, getting students exposed to experiences and activities they haven't had an opportunity to experience,” White said.

Those opportunities will provide learning experiences that emphasize skills beyond the classroom, like practice and perseverance, but can be applied to all aspects of life.

“These are life skills that will take them through high school, college and beyond,” Johnson said.