Living Education eMagazine Presents Men In The Classroom from Forest Of The Rain Productions on Vimeo.
Showing posts with label dcps. Show all posts
Showing posts with label dcps. Show all posts
Monday, September 26, 2011
Saturday, September 24, 2011
Kimberly K. Parker Tells Us: YOU CAN DO IT
My commute to work this morning was as cool as a cucumber. Listening to the very insightful teachings of Joyce Meyers as I sipped green tea, I coasted with ease over the river and through the woods. There was no traffic as far as my four eyes could see and fellow drivers, at their most courteous best, allowed one another to segue with a smile. This, my friend, was mobile poetry in motion.
As I rounded a corner in a quiet residential neighborhood, I saw a plus size woman jogging with a look of “I can do it” on her face. She had earphones in her ears, weights on her legs and wrists, and a hand towel snuggly tucked in her waist belt. Her gait was slow, steady…which, by the way, wins the race. Victory was definitely in her future.
I became transfixed on that powerful sight. I tried to pull over, but the car behind me was trailing rather closely so my attempts were prevented. I anxiously felt my eyes widening and my smile broadening. My mouth was about to erupt as I struggled to capture what I felt would be appropriately encouraging words to scream out of my window. I could not contain myself any longer! I rolled down my window, gasped and swooned, and slowed down long enough to yell, “Go ‘head! You can do it!” The woman raised her fist in solidarity, smiled, and kept on moving.
Inspiration comes in the most unexpected form. That woman – who I may never see again – served as a reminder of my ability to be, to create, to live! Without speaking a word, she told me that I can do it…whatever “it” may be only if I pattern my actions around these five very simple yet profound thoughts:
Inspiration comes in the most unexpected form. That woman – who I may never see again – served as a reminder of my ability to be, to create, to live! Without speaking a word, she told me that I can do it…whatever “it” may be only if I pattern my actions around these five very simple yet profound thoughts:
1. Decide to take action. As I mentioned, the woman was plus sized. However, she made a decision to take exercise in an attempt to live a healthier life.
2. Determine that you must move forward. I can only imagine the defeating thoughts she internalized as well as heard from other. In spite of it all, she was determined to put one foot in front of the other.
3. Be driven. In case you did not know, you are already empowered. You have the wherewithal to accomplish your goals whether or not someone cheers you onward. Allow the powerful force of God on the inside to steer you in all of the right directions.
4. Just do it. Period.
5. Arrive at your destination. You have a goal in sight and it’s most attainable. As Michael Jackson said, “Keep on with the force…don’t stop! Don’t stop ‘til you get enough!” When you get to your expected end, do as that woman did: raise you fist in solidarity, smile, and keep it moving!
Kimberly K. Parker is the President and CEO of Writing Momma Publishing, LLC (www.writingmomma.com). This past summer, her company published three books for young authors age nine to nineteen! This fall, she will host “Write On!” an eight week writing program for youth and she is currently looking for a few young writers who want to participate. Visit www.writingmomma.com for more information. Kimberly is a ghostwriter, author and blogger living in Maryland with her husband and three children.
Kimberly K. Parker is the President and CEO of Writing Momma Publishing, LLC (www.writingmomma.com). This past summer, her company published three books for young authors age nine to nineteen! This fall, she will host “Write On!” an eight week writing program for youth and she is currently looking for a few young writers who want to participate. Visit www.writingmomma.com for more information. Kimberly is a ghostwriter, author and blogger living in Maryland with her husband and three children.
Funding Parental Engagement Services Is A Sound School District Policy
By:
Dr. Michael A. Robinson
It has been stated many times over that organizations fund what they believe is crucial to their mission. When a monetary importance is attached to a strategic objective or an organizational goal, one is made aware of its significance to the organization. This basic management concept easily applies to the educational arena. The funding associated with a school district’s departments or units of family and community engagement allows stakeholders to potentially evaluate the significance school districts associate with the importance of parent and community involvement.
If school districts desire a robust and effective parental engagement program, one where families, communities, and schools become authentic partners in forming a high performing school system those departments must be sufficiently funded. A sense of priority is communicated to internal and external stakeholders when parent and community outreach programs are satisfactorily provided resources. Seminal researchers in the area of parental engagement do not suggest parent and community support programs and services be funded at the levels of academic and or student services. Albeit, research has shown effective parental engagement and community involvement policies and programs have a direct impact on student achievement while reducing strain on student service personnel who perform home visits, parent conferences, and or counseling sessions with students.
School districts which have elected to eliminate part or their entire parental engagement department in the name of budget reductions have a very limited understanding of the indispensable role parent involvement plays in relation to the academic success of students and school systems. Abolishing family and community outreach services, specifically those aimed at increasing parental and community connections to their neighborhood schools and the school district overall will result in an eventual eroding of confidence from parents about the real mission of their public school system. Failure of school leadership to embrace the impact of parents supporting learning at home while working in concert with school based leadership can do damage to the educational community that possibly will take years to reverse.
A strong recommendation for school districts considering reducing or eliminating their family and community outreach departments would be not to do so, but to re-consider the benefits to actually adding more resources and what it would mean to overall school performance. Finally, for those school districts which have severely reduced or eliminated their parent and community outreach services restore them as soon as possible. Re-establish the relationship with your families and community by committing to ensure effective two-way unfettered communication. A sound and fully supported program of services in the area of parental engagement will help schools in achieving its schools in closing achievement gaps, increase in the number of students enrolled in advance classes, assist in preparing students to career and college ready.
Dr. Michael A. Robinson
It has been stated many times over that organizations fund what they believe is crucial to their mission. When a monetary importance is attached to a strategic objective or an organizational goal, one is made aware of its significance to the organization. This basic management concept easily applies to the educational arena. The funding associated with a school district’s departments or units of family and community engagement allows stakeholders to potentially evaluate the significance school districts associate with the importance of parent and community involvement.
If school districts desire a robust and effective parental engagement program, one where families, communities, and schools become authentic partners in forming a high performing school system those departments must be sufficiently funded. A sense of priority is communicated to internal and external stakeholders when parent and community outreach programs are satisfactorily provided resources. Seminal researchers in the area of parental engagement do not suggest parent and community support programs and services be funded at the levels of academic and or student services. Albeit, research has shown effective parental engagement and community involvement policies and programs have a direct impact on student achievement while reducing strain on student service personnel who perform home visits, parent conferences, and or counseling sessions with students.
School districts which have elected to eliminate part or their entire parental engagement department in the name of budget reductions have a very limited understanding of the indispensable role parent involvement plays in relation to the academic success of students and school systems. Abolishing family and community outreach services, specifically those aimed at increasing parental and community connections to their neighborhood schools and the school district overall will result in an eventual eroding of confidence from parents about the real mission of their public school system. Failure of school leadership to embrace the impact of parents supporting learning at home while working in concert with school based leadership can do damage to the educational community that possibly will take years to reverse.
A strong recommendation for school districts considering reducing or eliminating their family and community outreach departments would be not to do so, but to re-consider the benefits to actually adding more resources and what it would mean to overall school performance. Finally, for those school districts which have severely reduced or eliminated their parent and community outreach services restore them as soon as possible. Re-establish the relationship with your families and community by committing to ensure effective two-way unfettered communication. A sound and fully supported program of services in the area of parental engagement will help schools in achieving its schools in closing achievement gaps, increase in the number of students enrolled in advance classes, assist in preparing students to career and college ready.
Sunday, July 10, 2011
Kimberly K. Parker Talks Summer Time Fun
SUMMER TIME FUN
There are exactly six weeks left before school begins again. Wow! Where has the summer gone? Holding on to all the joys of summer for as long as they can, children everywhere are still looking forward to spending countless hours in the pool and attending a variety of summer camps specializing in culinary arts, horseback riding, and academic enrichment. After all the work they have done during the 2010-2011 school year, they really deserve a break.
As you may very well know and may even have experienced, the state of the economy has forced many households to forego tuition based activities. Realistically, the luxury is one many parents simply cannot afford. Yet, the need to actively engage children still remains.
Determined not to plant them in front of the television for hours on end, one question remains: What am I going to do to ensure my child has fun while learning for the remainder of the summer and not break the bank in the process?
I am so glad you asked! Here are a few suggestions to help you not only enrich your child’s summer academically, but socially as well…all while having a very cost effective great time:
1. Start with a schedule. Just like teachers during the school year, parents need to plan every moment of a child’s day. Be sure to incorporate a little rest and relaxation as well.
2. Visit your local museum. Here in the Washington, DC metropolitan area, the Smithsonian museums are plentiful. Also, the Newseum is offering free admission for children with a paid adult. Visit www.si.edu and www.newseum.org for more information.
3. Incorporate curriculum enrichment. Before you know it, science fair projects will be due. Why not get a jump start on them now? Since your child will more than likely read at least 30 minutes a day anyway (I hope), may I suggest you have them read a book centered around their upcoming science fair project? What a way to accomplish two goals with one task, huh?
4. Hang out at the local library. Story time, games and activities on the computer, and events are always funs to enjoy. Most importantly, it’s free! Visit www.publiclibraries.com to find a library near you.
5. Spend a cool evening at The National Harbor in Fort Washington, MD (if you’re in the area). They have a free movie night on Friday and Sunday. Visit http://www.nationalharbor.com/consumer/entertainment.htm#movies.
6. Make the Community News section of your local newspaper the “go to” resource for other free events. You’d really be surprised at what you will find.
There you have it! I sure hope these will help you to enjoy the last few weeks of the summer with your children!
Kimberly K. Parker is the President and CEO of Writing Momma Publishing, LLC (www.writingmomma.com). On July 23, 2011, she is hosting "The BEST Young Writer’s Workshop EVER” in Clinton, MD for youth between the ages of nine and 18. Additionally, she is hosting “Write On!” an eight week summer writing program for youth. Visit www.writeonprogram.eventbrite.com for more information. Kimberly is a ghostwriter, author and blogger living in Maryland with her husband and three children.
There are exactly six weeks left before school begins again. Wow! Where has the summer gone? Holding on to all the joys of summer for as long as they can, children everywhere are still looking forward to spending countless hours in the pool and attending a variety of summer camps specializing in culinary arts, horseback riding, and academic enrichment. After all the work they have done during the 2010-2011 school year, they really deserve a break.
As you may very well know and may even have experienced, the state of the economy has forced many households to forego tuition based activities. Realistically, the luxury is one many parents simply cannot afford. Yet, the need to actively engage children still remains.
Determined not to plant them in front of the television for hours on end, one question remains: What am I going to do to ensure my child has fun while learning for the remainder of the summer and not break the bank in the process?
I am so glad you asked! Here are a few suggestions to help you not only enrich your child’s summer academically, but socially as well…all while having a very cost effective great time:
1. Start with a schedule. Just like teachers during the school year, parents need to plan every moment of a child’s day. Be sure to incorporate a little rest and relaxation as well.
2. Visit your local museum. Here in the Washington, DC metropolitan area, the Smithsonian museums are plentiful. Also, the Newseum is offering free admission for children with a paid adult. Visit www.si.edu and www.newseum.org for more information.
3. Incorporate curriculum enrichment. Before you know it, science fair projects will be due. Why not get a jump start on them now? Since your child will more than likely read at least 30 minutes a day anyway (I hope), may I suggest you have them read a book centered around their upcoming science fair project? What a way to accomplish two goals with one task, huh?
4. Hang out at the local library. Story time, games and activities on the computer, and events are always funs to enjoy. Most importantly, it’s free! Visit www.publiclibraries.com to find a library near you.
5. Spend a cool evening at The National Harbor in Fort Washington, MD (if you’re in the area). They have a free movie night on Friday and Sunday. Visit http://www.nationalharbor.com/consumer/entertainment.htm#movies.
6. Make the Community News section of your local newspaper the “go to” resource for other free events. You’d really be surprised at what you will find.
There you have it! I sure hope these will help you to enjoy the last few weeks of the summer with your children!
Kimberly K. Parker is the President and CEO of Writing Momma Publishing, LLC (www.writingmomma.com). On July 23, 2011, she is hosting "The BEST Young Writer’s Workshop EVER” in Clinton, MD for youth between the ages of nine and 18. Additionally, she is hosting “Write On!” an eight week summer writing program for youth. Visit www.writeonprogram.eventbrite.com for more information. Kimberly is a ghostwriter, author and blogger living in Maryland with her husband and three children.
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Guest Blogger: Kimberly Parker talks about her child the bully
MY CHILD IS A BULLY
Recent news headlines of how bullying is pervasive in schools all across the nation sounded the alarm in my heart and mind. What’s worse, such incidences have led to “bullycide.” Bullycide, according to Wikipedia, “refers to suicide attributable to the victim having been bullied.” I’m truly saddened that tragedy strikes our children in this manner. To think that a child feels such a sense of hopelessness should sadden us all.
While chatting with a parent not long ago, I began to share my thoughts and concerns on the subject. She, too, was concerned and thought that we should do something about it. After brainstorming for a moment, she suggested that we have a workshop in an attempt to bring awareness to other parents in the community. No longer, we felt, that the subject was taboo; the time was ripe to shed light on this not-so-often spoken of problem. Ironically, neither of us was aware that National Bullying Week was on the horizon.
I will be the first to admit that my expertise was not in “bullying prevention.” While I can speak about it from a victim perspective considering I was bullied from kindergarten through sixth grade, I was not equipped to impart information from the clinical vantage point. With that, I searched the internet and discovered tons of information. In the interest of time, I’ll merely highlight a few thoughts I pulled from a Power Point presentation entitled “Take a Stand Against Bullying”:
1. Bullying is an intentional written, verbal, or physical act that intimidates or subjects a person to hostility or ill treatment.
2. Bullying involves repeated actions which causes another to feel afraid, humiliated, embarrassed, threatened, or shamed.
3. There are four ways bullying happens: verbally, physically, sexually, or whereby property is extorted or vandalized.
4. There is typically an imbalance of power in the relationship whereby the culprit seeks control.
5. Bullying can lead to feelings of alienation, insecurity, anger, and fear. The victim can experience a drop in grades, weight loss or gain, headaches, and even suicide.
6. If you suspect your child is being bullied, talk to your child, contact the school, and/or notify the police. (NOTE: My mother never knew I was being bullied because I was afraid to tell her. I thought I was going to get in trouble and be blamed for what was happening to me. Please assure your child that it’s not their fault if this is taking place and that you are there to advocate and support them.
7. If you suspect your child is a bully, talk to your child, encourage empathy for others, review consequences of bullying behavior, and, if necessary, contact the school for help.
Two days after this presentation, I received this email from a parent:
While chatting with a parent not long ago, I began to share my thoughts and concerns on the subject. She, too, was concerned and thought that we should do something about it. After brainstorming for a moment, she suggested that we have a workshop in an attempt to bring awareness to other parents in the community. No longer, we felt, that the subject was taboo; the time was ripe to shed light on this not-so-often spoken of problem. Ironically, neither of us was aware that National Bullying Week was on the horizon.
I will be the first to admit that my expertise was not in “bullying prevention.” While I can speak about it from a victim perspective considering I was bullied from kindergarten through sixth grade, I was not equipped to impart information from the clinical vantage point. With that, I searched the internet and discovered tons of information. In the interest of time, I’ll merely highlight a few thoughts I pulled from a Power Point presentation entitled “Take a Stand Against Bullying”:
1. Bullying is an intentional written, verbal, or physical act that intimidates or subjects a person to hostility or ill treatment.
2. Bullying involves repeated actions which causes another to feel afraid, humiliated, embarrassed, threatened, or shamed.
3. There are four ways bullying happens: verbally, physically, sexually, or whereby property is extorted or vandalized.
4. There is typically an imbalance of power in the relationship whereby the culprit seeks control.
5. Bullying can lead to feelings of alienation, insecurity, anger, and fear. The victim can experience a drop in grades, weight loss or gain, headaches, and even suicide.
6. If you suspect your child is being bullied, talk to your child, contact the school, and/or notify the police. (NOTE: My mother never knew I was being bullied because I was afraid to tell her. I thought I was going to get in trouble and be blamed for what was happening to me. Please assure your child that it’s not their fault if this is taking place and that you are there to advocate and support them.
7. If you suspect your child is a bully, talk to your child, encourage empathy for others, review consequences of bullying behavior, and, if necessary, contact the school for help.
Two days after this presentation, I received this email from a parent:
Good Morning, Mrs. Parker. I was planning to not come to the meeting the other night because I was very tired from working all day. However, I am very glad that I did. The information you shared helped me to realize that my child is a bully. Up until the meeting, I dismissed what he was doing as “kids being kids.” But, when you started sharing those bullying traits and said, “It can lead to the death of another person” I knew I could no longer be in denial.
Initially, I was at a lost for words. I never expected an email like this. In short, I told the parent I was glad to assist and encouraged her to reach out if I could do more.
There is so much more helpful information I gleaned from this presentation. Unfortunately, I can not capture it all here. If you would like a copy, feel free to contact me directly. I will gladly share it with you.
Bullying is very serious. It is neither a normal childhood activity of rite of passage. Please take a moment to share this information with your child. In fact, let them read some of the news articles for themselves, if age appropriate. We can no longer afford to ignore this very serious problem. It’s time to take a stand against bullying.
Kimberly K. Parker is the President and CEO of Writing Momma Publishing, LLC (www.writingmomma.com). On July 23, 2011, she is hosting "The BEST Young Writer’s Workshop EVER” for youth between the ages of nine and 18. Additionally, she is hosting “Write On!”, an eight week summer writing program for youth. Visit www.writeonprogram.eventbrite.com for more information. Kimberly is a ghostwriter, author and blogger living in Maryland with her husband and three children.
UPCOMING INTERVIEWS
UPCOMING INTERVIEWS
“PARENT TALK LIVE”
HOSTED BY:
Dr. Michael A. Robinson
“PARENT TALK LIVE”
HOSTED BY:
Dr. Michael A. Robinson
Parent Talk Live is a weekly radio show for families and members of the community who aspire to become an integral part of their children’s academic success and the growth of communities. Parent Talk Live is hosted by Dr. Michael A. Robinson.
Felecia Hatcher
Author
The “C” Students Guide to Scholarships
Topic: “The “C” Students Guide to Scholarships”
Date: June 5, 2011
Time: 8:30pm-9:30pm
Call-in Number: 914.803.4591
Tweet Questions: http://twitter.com/pgcpsparents
Felecia Hatcher was recently named one of the Top 10 Superstar Entrepreneurs under the age of 30 by Allbusiness.com and she has been featured in Essence Magazine, Black Enterprise Magazine, ABC News, Inc.com, Entrepreneur and the Food Network. As an entrepreneur, motivational speaker and author Hatcher has dedicated her life to motivating young people to look past their circumstances and get creative!
Hatcher has recently published her first book titled The 'C' Students Guide To Scholarships, to help students with less then stellar grades beat the odds and put themselves in the running for scholarship funds. As an average high school student - with a GPA that fluctuated between 2.1 and 2.7 - Hatcher beat the odds and managed to pull down over $100,000 in scholarship money to attend Lynn University. At 19, she started her first college coaching business called Urban Excellence. Hatcher has since traveled around the country conducting workshops and building successful college prep programs for companies like DeVry, the YMCA, Texas A&M, TED and the Urban League.
Hatcher has also spearheaded a number of successful experiential marketing campaigns while working for Nintendo, Sony and the WNBA, and in 2008 she embraced her inner foodie and took to the Miami streets with her now wildly successful Feverish Ice Cream Truck and boutique ice cream catering company. In her free time, Felecia Hatcher works with the NFTE (National Foundation for Teaching Entrepreneurship), consults with start-ups, and travels the country speaking to parents and students about scholarships and youth empowerment.
Dr. Jonathan Cohen
Cofounder and President
National School Climate Center
(Formerly the Center for Social and Emotional Education)
Topic: The Importance of a Positive School Climate
Date: June 12, 2011
Time: 8:00pm-8:30pm
Call-in Number: 914.803.4591
Tweet Questions: http://twitter.com/pgcpsparents
Dr. Cohen is an adjunct professor in psychology and education at Columbia University, adjunct professor in education at City University of New York and a practicing clinical psychologist and psychoanalyst. Dr. Cohen has worked in and with K–12 schools for over 30 years in a variety of roles: as a teacher, program developer, school psychologist, consultant, psycho-educational diagnostician and mental health provider.
Dr. William R. Hite
Superintendent
Prince George's County Public Schools
Topic: Leading A Large Urban School System in Times of Fiscal Challenges
Date: June 17, 2011
Time: 2:00pm-2:30pm
Call-in Number: 914.803.4591
Tweet Questions: http://twitter.com/pgcpsparents
Dr. William R. Hite, Jr. was named Superintendent of Prince George’s County Public Schools (PGCPS) on April 3, 2009, by the Prince George’s County Board of Education, after serving as Interim Superintendent since December 1, 2008.
In June 2006, Dr. Hite was hired as Deputy Superintendent of PGCPS, Maryland’s second largest school system and the 18th largest system in the nation. During his tenure, he focused on student access and educational equity to ensure that all students graduate college-and work-ready. This work continues at a rapid pace and without interruption.
Among his many leadership responsibilities, Dr. Hite has led major efforts resulting in increased student achievement, significant improvements in teaching and learning, and school improvement status. This included work on the Intensive Support and Intervention Schools (ISIS) that provided significant support to schools most in need based on student and school performance indicators, as well as work in partnership with the Institute for Learning at the University of Pittsburgh, which focused on improving the capacity of teachers and administrators to strengthen the teaching and learning process. Most recently, he oversaw a major reorganization of the district’s regions into zones to reduce cost and provide greater support to schools.
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Parent Talk Live will speak with Kim Carrington About Creating an After Prom Safe-Haven for Students
Parent Talk Live
Hosted
By
Dr. Michael A. Robinson
Parent Talk Live is a weekly radio show for families and members of the community who aspire to become an integral part of their children’s academic success and the growth of communities. Parent Talk is hosted by Dr. Michael A. Robinson
This week’s Parent Talk Live will speak with Kim Carrington, a mother of six who has created an alternative after prom event designed to offer students who want to continue to enjoy their prom evening in an environment that is safe and free of drugs and alcohol.
Mrs. Kim Carrington
President
United Health Heroes
Topic: Creating an After Prom Safe-Haven for Students
Date: May 15, 2011
Time: 8:30pm-9:30pm
Call-in Number: 914.803.4591
Online: Chat Live
Kim Carrington is a mother in Maryland who has created an alternative after prom event designed to offer students who want to continue to enjoy their prom evening an opportunity to do so in an environment that is safe and free of drugs and alcohol.
Proms and graduations are a time for celebration in the lives of students. Teens all over America will be celebrating their prom and graduation with friends and families. All engaged parents and dedicated educators must encourage teens to celebrate responsibly and to arrive home safe and sound from prom and graduation. Underage drinking is real and it cost thousands of lives each year. A large percentage of fatal car crashes involving teens occur during prom and graduation season
This week’s Parent Talk Live will speak with Kim Carrington, a mother of six who has created an alternative after prom event designed to offer students who want to continue to enjoy their prom evening in an environment that is safe and free of drugs and alcohol.
Mrs. Kim Carrington
President
United Health Heroes
Topic: Creating an After Prom Safe-Haven for Students
Date: May 15, 2011
Time: 8:30pm-9:30pm
Call-in Number: 914.803.4591
Online: Chat Live
Kim Carrington is a mother in Maryland who has created an alternative after prom event designed to offer students who want to continue to enjoy their prom evening an opportunity to do so in an environment that is safe and free of drugs and alcohol.
Proms and graduations are a time for celebration in the lives of students. Teens all over America will be celebrating their prom and graduation with friends and families. All engaged parents and dedicated educators must encourage teens to celebrate responsibly and to arrive home safe and sound from prom and graduation. Underage drinking is real and it cost thousands of lives each year. A large percentage of fatal car crashes involving teens occur during prom and graduation season
Sunday, May 1, 2011
Foresters, KaBOOM! & Volunteers Encourage Quality Family Time by Building New Playground for Washington D.C. Children
WASHINGTON, April 30 /PRNewswire/ -
"Foresters shares its financial strength with its members and communities where they live, such as Washington D.C.," said Kasia Czarski, Foresters Chief Membership and Marketing Officer. "Playgrounds are an ideal place for families to get to know other families and build strong communities. This new playground at E.L. Haynes will provide opportunities for families to spend quality time together for years to come."
Foresters has invested over $3 million with KaBOOM! to build 36 playgrounds across North America since 2006. These playgrounds will eventually serve more than 575,000 children, providing them and their families with a place where they can play, learn and have fun together.
The playground at E.L. Haynes Public Charter School's Kansas Avenue Campus will provide 6,000 children and their families in the Petworth neighborhood with a great place to play and engage in healthy family time. In less than eight hours, the child-designed playground was built from scratch by hundreds of volunteers from Foresters, E.L. Haynes and the surrounding community. In addition, children and families spent the day playing games and participating in arts and crafts activities.
"E.L. Haynes is grateful to Foresters and KaBOOM! for their support of our playground project," said Jennifer C. Niles, E.L. Haynes Founder and Head of School. "The new playground will provide a much-needed and safe play space for our students and is central to the redevelopment of our Kansas Avenue Campus. This project has energized our community and we are all looking forward to a festive build day."
Thanks to the work of Foresters, E.L. Haynes and KaBOOM!, children and their families now have a 2,760 square-foot playground to call home that includes features such as an Inclined Cliff Hanger, a Rockblocks Climbing Wall and a Vertical Adventure Tube.
About E.L. Haynes Public Charter School
E.L. Haynes Public Charter School demonstrates what a public school could, and should, be. The award-winning school was founded in 2004 and has a program based on nationally recognized best practices for advancing student achievement. E.L. Haynes' mission is that every student of every race, socioeconomic status, and home language will reach high levels of academic achievement and be prepared to succeed at the college of his or her choice. E.L. Haynes is moving steadily toward achieving this mission; in 2010, 69% of students scored proficient or advanced in math on the DC-CAS and 68% scored proficient or advanced in reading, outperforming DCPS scores by nearly 2:1 in both categories.
The school is proud to have made outstanding three-year gains of 39 percentage points in math and 27 percentage points in reading. In 2010-2011, E.L. Haynes serves more than 600 students in grades Pre-K through 8 and will grow, adding a grade each year, until it serves students in grades Pre-K through 12. E.L. Haynes is the first and only year-round public school in Washington, DC and is named for Dr. Euphemia Lofton Haynes, the first African-American woman to receive a doctorate in mathematics, a teacher in the District of Columbia's school system for 47 years, and the first woman to serve as President of the District of Columbia Board of Education.
In April 2008, E.L. Haynes was chosen from DC's 56 charter schools as the winner of Fight for Children's first-ever Quality Schools Initiative Award. In 2008, 2009 and 2010, E.L. Haynes was named a Silver Award winning school in through New Leaders for New Schools' Effective Practice grant program, ranking as a top school among a consortium of more than 150 charter schools nationwide. For more information, visit www.elhaynes.org.
About Foresters
Founded in 1874 as a fraternal benefit society, ForestersTM champions the well-being of families through quality life insurance, unique member benefits and inspiring community activities. Foresters shares its financial strength with more than 835,000ˆ members in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom. Unity Life of Canada‡, a wholly owned subsidiary of Foresters, represents Foresters in Canada. For more information, please visit www.foresters.com.
ForestersTM is a trademark of The Independent Order of Foresters, a fraternal benefit society, Toronto, Canada M3C 1T9.
ˆIncludes total number of UK Child Trust accounts
‡ Unity Life of Canada, a Foresters company, is a wholly owned subsidiary of The Independent Order of Foresters
About KaBOOM!
KaBOOM! is the national non-profit dedicated to saving play. Because all children deserve to be active and healthy, KaBOOM! works to ensure that every child in America has a great place to play within walking distance. Since 1996, KaBOOM! has used its innovative community-build model to bring together businesses and communities to construct more than 1,900 new places to play across North America. KaBOOM! also fights the Play Deficit with online tools that empower communities to join the movement to save play. The KaBOOM! website, kaboom.org, allows communities to self-organize and take action to support play on a both a local and national level.
Children in the Petworth neighborhood of Washington D.C. received a brand new playground today thanks to the effort of more than 200 volunteers from ForestersTM, a life insurance provider committed to the well-being of families, E.L. Haynes Public Charter School and non-profit KaBOOM!. The new playground will serve 6,000 children and their families in the Petworth neighborhood for years to come. Planning for the playground began at a Design Day event held in March when local children and community leaders met with organizers from KaBOOM! and Foresters to design their dream playground. The children's drawings were then used to create the final playground design.
"Foresters shares its financial strength with its members and communities where they live, such as Washington D.C.," said Kasia Czarski, Foresters Chief Membership and Marketing Officer. "Playgrounds are an ideal place for families to get to know other families and build strong communities. This new playground at E.L. Haynes will provide opportunities for families to spend quality time together for years to come."
Foresters has invested over $3 million with KaBOOM! to build 36 playgrounds across North America since 2006. These playgrounds will eventually serve more than 575,000 children, providing them and their families with a place where they can play, learn and have fun together.
The playground at E.L. Haynes Public Charter School's Kansas Avenue Campus will provide 6,000 children and their families in the Petworth neighborhood with a great place to play and engage in healthy family time. In less than eight hours, the child-designed playground was built from scratch by hundreds of volunteers from Foresters, E.L. Haynes and the surrounding community. In addition, children and families spent the day playing games and participating in arts and crafts activities.
"E.L. Haynes is grateful to Foresters and KaBOOM! for their support of our playground project," said Jennifer C. Niles, E.L. Haynes Founder and Head of School. "The new playground will provide a much-needed and safe play space for our students and is central to the redevelopment of our Kansas Avenue Campus. This project has energized our community and we are all looking forward to a festive build day."
Thanks to the work of Foresters, E.L. Haynes and KaBOOM!, children and their families now have a 2,760 square-foot playground to call home that includes features such as an Inclined Cliff Hanger, a Rockblocks Climbing Wall and a Vertical Adventure Tube.
About E.L. Haynes Public Charter School
E.L. Haynes Public Charter School demonstrates what a public school could, and should, be. The award-winning school was founded in 2004 and has a program based on nationally recognized best practices for advancing student achievement. E.L. Haynes' mission is that every student of every race, socioeconomic status, and home language will reach high levels of academic achievement and be prepared to succeed at the college of his or her choice. E.L. Haynes is moving steadily toward achieving this mission; in 2010, 69% of students scored proficient or advanced in math on the DC-CAS and 68% scored proficient or advanced in reading, outperforming DCPS scores by nearly 2:1 in both categories.
The school is proud to have made outstanding three-year gains of 39 percentage points in math and 27 percentage points in reading. In 2010-2011, E.L. Haynes serves more than 600 students in grades Pre-K through 8 and will grow, adding a grade each year, until it serves students in grades Pre-K through 12. E.L. Haynes is the first and only year-round public school in Washington, DC and is named for Dr. Euphemia Lofton Haynes, the first African-American woman to receive a doctorate in mathematics, a teacher in the District of Columbia's school system for 47 years, and the first woman to serve as President of the District of Columbia Board of Education.
In April 2008, E.L. Haynes was chosen from DC's 56 charter schools as the winner of Fight for Children's first-ever Quality Schools Initiative Award. In 2008, 2009 and 2010, E.L. Haynes was named a Silver Award winning school in through New Leaders for New Schools' Effective Practice grant program, ranking as a top school among a consortium of more than 150 charter schools nationwide. For more information, visit www.elhaynes.org.
About Foresters
Founded in 1874 as a fraternal benefit society, ForestersTM champions the well-being of families through quality life insurance, unique member benefits and inspiring community activities. Foresters shares its financial strength with more than 835,000ˆ members in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom. Unity Life of Canada‡, a wholly owned subsidiary of Foresters, represents Foresters in Canada. For more information, please visit www.foresters.com.
ForestersTM is a trademark of The Independent Order of Foresters, a fraternal benefit society, Toronto, Canada M3C 1T9.
ˆIncludes total number of UK Child Trust accounts
‡ Unity Life of Canada, a Foresters company, is a wholly owned subsidiary of The Independent Order of Foresters
About KaBOOM!
KaBOOM! is the national non-profit dedicated to saving play. Because all children deserve to be active and healthy, KaBOOM! works to ensure that every child in America has a great place to play within walking distance. Since 1996, KaBOOM! has used its innovative community-build model to bring together businesses and communities to construct more than 1,900 new places to play across North America. KaBOOM! also fights the Play Deficit with online tools that empower communities to join the movement to save play. The KaBOOM! website, kaboom.org, allows communities to self-organize and take action to support play on a both a local and national level.
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
"Your Money, Your Future", Carmen Johnson, Financial Educator
Today's Reality on Student Loans
This is it! The day you have been waiting for. Your eighteen year old has graduated from high school and is headed to college. You couldn’t be more proud. Sure, you and your spouse have saved a few dollars here and there just for this occasion only to learn that what you had been holding on to isn’t nearly enough to even cover books.
Still excited and determined your child runs home with a FAFSA form. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid. This form, for some, can be the beginning of the end. Basically, after completing the application and submitting it back to your child’s school of choice your information is shopped around to different banks until funding is approved. Note! I said YOUR information.
What most parents don’t know or even expect is that they may have to co-sign or become the primary signer for their child’s student loan. Reason, the economy has changed and the days of bank lending money to persons with no or limited credit history is over.
So what’s the solution? That’s something that you have to decide. Are you and your spouse in a financial position where you can take on more debt? What are the long term effects that this can have on your credit? Is your credit even up to par to act as a co-signer on a student loan? What other loan or funding options are available for your child? These are all questions that you can consider. I know we love our children but going in to debt for them may not be the answer.
Until next week this is Your money, Your future, I am Carmen Johnson, your Financial Educator and the Founder and CEO of the Katie Able Foundation.
Please check us out at Katieablefoundation.org and remember, Do something to justify your Existence, TOGETHER we can create the future!
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Athletes Drop Out Rate a Crisis in the Making
Dr. Stephen Jones
Springfield, Pa. According to Dr. Stephen Jones each year more than 50 percent of African American students drop out of high school and college. This has a significant impact on athletes who play sports. The drop out rate is greatly affected by poor college preparation and study skills. The lack of academic preparation is evident in middle school and high school. Too often athletes are accepted to college without the preparation they need to graduate. The student athletes’ athletic prowess is valued more than their intellectual abilities. Some athletes are also blindsided when they uncover the huge academic deficits when they start college classes. This crisis will continue because of the abundance of athletes who can replace the athlete who is in academic difficulty.
This problem must be attacked head on. Athletes deserve to be prepared to succeed at all levels. The NCAA requires colleges to have an academic support center. Unfortunately often the academic gap is too large even for the tutors that are assigned to students. Although these students have graduated from high school these students arrive to college academically three and four years behind their peers. Middle schools and high school students must get academically caught up prior to enrolling in the college. Many of these students are coming from schools that are not making Adequate Yearly Progress according to the standards set by No Child Left Behind. There are some very basic elements of the education process that are critical for students to succeed in college and they include the ability to read and compute.
This crisis is not one that we can ignore. Too many extremely bright African Americans are ending up in prison. This includes former college athletes who do not have a degree. Every so many weeks it seems that there is an article about some athlete who is escorted into a court room and sent to jail. This is especially detrimental when they leave a stable wife and children to make it by themselves. This foretells a disastrous educational outcome for their children who cannot afford to attend the better schools.
Some organizations and colleges are tracking the exceptional student athlete as early as ten and twelve year old. Yet attention and devotion to ensuring that they maintain high levels of academic performance is given little attention. It seems that there is a viscous cycle of poor study skills and academic preparation that’s repeated in inner city communities throughout the country. A fundamental academic requirement must be established for athletes early in their K 12 experience. Colleges and school districts must make a greater commitment to these students. There must be a break in the pattern of the deepening despair that has become a viscous cycle for so many athletes who do not graduate. Too many families can point to athletes in their family who have never competed a high school diploma or college degree.
Dr. Stephen Jones is a nationally recognized author who has written the “Seven Secrets of How to Study and the “Parent’s Ultimate Education Guide.” You can contact him at 610-842-3843 and at stephenjoness@rcn.com or visit http://sevenbooks.net.
Strengthening Home-School
Written by: Patricia Hawke
In St. Louis, their public schools are starting a program that connects home-schooled students with the district and their teachers. By creating this program called Schoolwires, students will have access to an online community to be able to interact with other educators and be involved in the community. Home schooling is beginning to be much different from the past. Instead of getting packets from the school district that need to be completed and having textbooks to read over, it is turning into an online wonderland of endless content. They are now able to log on to an online community that the home schooled student can see content from multiple educators.
By having access to this online community of educators and district officials, the home-schooled student is able to get many different perspectives on lesson plans and homework. Related Coverage Home-school High School - Clep, Community College, And Scholarships CLEP exams, Community College, and Scholarships can be confusing topics when homeschooling in high school.
Ideas About A Home School Diploma
Do you want to know more about home school diploma and its advantages? Want to know if your children can qualify for a home school program? Can your children learn normally through a home-based education? Know more about the basics and advantages of home school. The article below talks about the possible reasons why you should consider home school for your children.
Baby Fingers ASL For Home Schooled Children Baby Fingers offers best ASL program for home schooled children and conventionally educated children.
Home School Training
Let's take a look at what is required to become a home school teacher. There are many different aspects to take into consideration.Instead of having to rely on a text book, the home schooled student can now email educators and get instant help with any question that arise during a normal school day for them. They are able to have access to content uploaded by school officials that could help them understand their subjects better. By having this online educational network, it makes it much easier for the home-schooled student to stay connected.
It’s very important for students to have social life, as well as an education. By creating social skills, the students will take this with them throughout their life. Weather it is in a job environment or social interaction, social skills are extremely helpful in life. Home-schooled student are not constantly around peers or able to debate or communicate with others on a day-to-day basis, so they need a way to get involved with other students.
By creating this website, it is constantly updated by school educators and district officials to provide the home schooled student with vital information that is missed by them not attending a physical school. They update the website with certain after school programs they could attend, community events such as picnics, or holiday parties and other educational tools that could help the student throughout their time home schooling.
Not only does Schoolwires give the student a chance to be a part of their community, but it also helps their grades as well. By giving them access to multiple teacher’s lesson plans and online educational tools, the home-schooled student can potentially learn more and get better grades. This student achievement helps the students to feel proud of themselves and what they were able to achieve. It also helps the districts ratings to go up because of the achievements their home schooling program is acquiring.
By using Schoolwires, home-schooled students, for the first time, will be able to feel a more sense of belonging. They are able to be more involved in the district and feel lie they are a part of the community. For a home schooled student where home is all they know, Schoolwires gives home schooled students the chance to break the monotony of home school and get them out into the community.
Sunday, January 30, 2011
"Your Money, Your Future" with Financial Educator, Carmen Johnson
Welcome to Your Money, Your Future. I am Carmen Johnson, your Financial Educator and the Founder and CEO of the Katie Able Foundation. Today on Your Money, Your Future... Bring back the family.
This week’s financial tip is about the importance of family. Let's go back in our minds to when we were kids. Think back we ate as a family, we gathered around the TV to watch our favorite shows as a family, we even had household meetings as a family. Somehow we've gotten away from all of that. Your challenge this week is to take your family back to that time.
This week’s financial tip is about the importance of family. Let's go back in our minds to when we were kids. Think back we ate as a family, we gathered around the TV to watch our favorite shows as a family, we even had household meetings as a family. Somehow we've gotten away from all of that. Your challenge this week is to take your family back to that time.
Let’s start with family financial meetings twice a month where you sit down and go over all the bills and create a household budget. Involve your children. Let them place the bills in alphabetical order and then write them in a spreadsheet.
Explain to them what type of bills they are one by one and how to read them and what bills your family may be able to cut back on. Ask them what they can do to make your family financially stronger. Ask your kids what they are will to cut back on in this hard times. Don't be surprised if they already know how to do some of these things.
Keep it fun by assigning roles. Make one of your children the light captain - in charge of making sure that the lights are turned off in unoccupied rooms. Another child can be the coupon captain- in charge of clipping coupons in the paper and searching for them online, finding the best grocery store deals.
Together, the children can monitor the household budget and make sure that we as a family stay on track. Bring back the kids, bring back the parents, bring back together our families.
Until next week this is Your money, Your future, I am Carmen Johnson, your Financial Educator and the Founder and CEO of the Katie Able Foundation.
Please check us out at Katieablefoundation.org and remember,
Do something to justify your Existence, TOGETHER we can create the future!
Ms. Carmen Johnson
Katie Able Foundation
Founder/CEO
www.katieablefoundation.org
301-352-5855 work
Do something to justify your Existence, TOGETHER we can create the future!
Ms. Carmen Johnson
Katie Able Foundation
Founder/CEO
www.katieablefoundation.org
301-352-5855 work
Do something to justify your Existence, TOGETHER we can create the future!
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