Mrs. Kimberly K. Parker, discusses ALMOST BACK TO SCHOOL

There are exactly three weeks left before school resumes. Calculating the time remaining caused my stomach to drop a bit.  If I may confess, I’m not quite ready for my children to leave my four walls and return to those of their respective schools.  There’s much transition taking place with my older son going off to high school and my “Baby Boy” preparing to walk through middle school doors.  I wonder if I’m ready for all it will bring. 

For the time I have left, I will engross them in as much summer time fun as I possibly can.  Now that my writing camp has concluded and their summer camp ushered in wonderful grand finales, it’s our turn to spend time with each other.  Libraries, museums, swimming pools, and a loaded minivan heading up the East coast…here we come!

What do you plan to do with the three weeks you have left?  Perhaps your child is still attending a summer camp.  If not, here are a few suggestions on how to make the most of the time remaining:

1. Start with a schedule. There is nothing more frustrating to both you and your child than planning on the fly.  Grab a calendar, map out your plan, and just do it!
2. Visit your local museum. Just as I stated before, 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 http://www.si.edu and http://www.newseum.org for more information.
3. Incorporate curriculum enrichment. Did you know in Prince George’s County Maryland a summer break work packet was available?  Check it out at Summer Break Packets.   Also, don’t be afraid to get a jump start on those science fair projects.  Schools tend to distribute information packets around the first of October, if not before.
4. Hang out at the local library. If you have the time, check out the Positive Vibrations Steel Drum Band on July 31, 2012 at 10am hosted by the Bladensburg Library on Annapolis Road.  It’s going to be a great show. For details, call 301-927-4916.
5. 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 this 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 September 8, 2012, the 2012 Write On! Writing Program participants will release their book entitled Young Voices.  Wise Words: Poems, Essays, and Short Stories at the Spaulding Library.  For more information visit Book Release Celebration.  Kimberly is a ghostwriter, author and blogger living in Maryland with her husband and three children.

Mrs. Kimberly K. Parker, Discusses 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.

Living Education eMagazine

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Online Publishing from YUDU

Hello Engaged Parents, Dedicated Educators, and Business Leaders,

Forest Of The Rain Productions is proud to announce the publication of our first magazine, Living Education eMagazine. Forest Of The Rain Productions' mission is to serve as a conduit by which conversations regarding challenges confronting education today are presented unfiltered. Forest Of The Rain Productions prides itself on introducing leading researchers, scholars, engaged parents, dedicated educators, and involved civic leaders to those who are as equally passionate about education.

In an effort to bolster and expand the dialogue about the role education plays in the lives of all Americans we created Living Education eMagazine. It is our goal, our purpose to introduce our readers to the multiplicity of roles education has in our everyday lives. Through our exploration and examination of all educational issues germane to parents, students, educators, and political leaders we hope to play a role in redefining the economic benefits to an educated society.

In our inaugural edition, we examine a variety of educational topics we believe important to Americans and global educators alike. Staff at Living Education eMagazine was sent on a mission to find unique views and perspectives on education as a means to re-establish the importance of education in our everyday lives. We believe the staff of Living Education eMagazine has done just that! Educators and civic leaders from all over America have provided their voice to our discussion. We welcome you to join the conversation and to make Living Education eMagazine a part of your educational conversation.


Thanks for all you have done to expand the discussion about the value of education in our everyday lives. Below you will find the link to Living Education eMagazine. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at editor.forestoftherain@gmail.com




Sincerely,


Forest Of The Rain Productions
P.O. Box 326
Savage, Maryland 20763
240.593.3813

Guest Blogger Kimberly Parker: My Child Is A 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:

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.

Kimberly K. Parker: Get All The Facts

GET ALL THE FACTS

For close to two years, I had the extreme pleasure of serving Prince George’s County Public Schools as a Parent Liaison. Transitioning back into the workforce after being a stay-at-home-Momma for nine and one half years, I excitedly accepted the position with all of its possibilities! What made this opportunity most ideal was being able to fulfill this role at the school my children attended. What more could a Momma request?

Serving as a bridge between home, the school, and the community kept my plate overflowing! Not one to complain about a little hard work, I proudly entered the building ready to rise to every occasion and left that same building feeling I made a difference…daily! The overall experience rewarded me in ways too numerous to name and has changed my life completely. Discontinuing that vital service to the community was most unfortunate. While I am gainfully employed elsewhere by day and run a small publishing company by night, I truly miss “my parents.”

Above all else, my parents knew that I was there to support them. As adults, we should really learn to sit at their feet for a spell. As I reflect on the monthly reports I submitted, contacting a parent or being contacted by a parent via telephone, email, letter, or face to face often times exceeded 200 occurrences per month. Not every missive was laced with sugar and spice. Sometimes, the concerns were both sensitive and serious and demanded immediate attention. I knew that in order to be effective as the parent advocate, I had to remain neutral and get all the facts. Whenever the situation involved a conflict between students, I would obtain permission from the school and the families involved to speak directly with the children.

I will forever embrace that children are out greatest teachers. Yet, their account of what actually happened, who was involved, why it occurred, and how was it handled differed from the initial conversation with the parent. While it appeared that “Kevin” was pushed out of line while walking down the hall, “Simone” actually tripped over her shoestrings and attempted to brace herself before falling. I can still hear my parent say, “Mrs. Parker, I really apologize for blaming that child for pushing my child.”

I can give countless examples of these types of outcomes. Instead, I’d like to offer the following suggestions when getting all the facts: 1. Take great strides to approach any situation calmly. Flared tempers, flowery statements, and threatening body language are such a disservice to you, your child, and the school. 2. No matter how right you think you are, remember that you can only truly testify to what you actually witness. While your child may not be mendacious, perspective and lapse in time from the initial event has the tendency to distort the truth. 3. Provide an opportunity for your child to express his thoughts and concerns without intimidation and listen intently. Children are to be both seen and heard. If you really want to know why children don’t listen to adults, it’s because adults don’t listen to children. 4. Turn every experience (yes, even if it’s unpleasant) into a teachable moment. Discuss with your child the importance of making right choices, honoring another person’s feelings, and standing up for what’s right. Be open to a peaceful resolution while incorporating consequences for unacceptable behavior. It is neither cute nor funny nor justifiable to allow your child to break the rules. Wrong is wrong!

Kimberly K. Parker is the owner of Writing Momma Publishing (www.writingmomma.com). She is hosting “REACH! This workshop is POWER PACKED with great information on preparing for college, investments and savings, buying a home, and more! Visit www.reach.eventbrite.com to purchase tickets and for more information. Kimberly is an author and blogger living in Maryland with her husband and three children.

2nd Annual Parental Engagement Conference:

2nd Annual Parental Engagement Conference:

"Creating Diversity in Your Parental Engagement Strategies”

October 7, 2011

Featured Speakers

Dr. Anita Reed

“Engaging Foster Care Parents, By Understanding Their Unique Needs”

Mr. James H. Wendorf

“Successful Approaches to Engage Families of Special Needs Students”

Dr. Mavis G. Sanders

“Strategies to Engage Single Parent Households”

Dr. Marlene Snyder

“Successful Ways to Effectively Engage Parents of Students Who Have Been Bullied”

Eric Snow

“Engaging Fathers To Increase Student Achievement”

Tim Stahlke

“How Schools Can Effectively Engage Homeless Families”

"Your Money, Your Future" with Financial Educator, Carmen Johnson

“School Budget Cuts ”

A few weeks back we discussed the importance of maintaining a household budget. If only law makers and lobbyists could use the same simple tactics when balancing the budget for their respective state, town or city. The fact of the matter is that in a country rooted in democracy we'll never all agree on the same issues. We'll have differences in opinions and professional dislikes but we can't allow our disagreements to get us off track.

Recently, my foundation sent a group of students from a local high-school to our capitol in Annapolis to speak with delegates about the budget cuts and how the educational system in Prince Georges County would be negatively impacted. No physical education, less guidance counselors, larger classroom sizes and no ROTC. These are just a few of the items on the table.

As parents, we have to always remember we are responsible for our children. Yes, we want to protest and demand a better educational system but it all starts at home. I encourage you to buy your kids more books to enhance their studies and reading skills. I encourage you to take them to museums and music halls to tap into their artistic minds. Even with budget short falls we can still have great, successful and smart kids. It is time we as parents stand up and make sure we are doing everything we can to teach our kids how to be better students which make better adults for tomorrow.


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 the KatieAbleFoundation.org and remember do something to justify your existence, together we can create the Future!

"Your Money, Your Future" with Financial Educator, Carmen Johnson

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!

Parent Talk Presents a Round Table Discussion: A Budget Crisis For Prince George's County Public Schools

Part Two

PARENT TALK “LIVE”

HOSTED BY: MIKE ROBINSON

Date: 2/21/11

Time: 8:00pm-10:00pm

Call-In Number- (914) 803.4591

Website: Parent Talk Live

Parent Talk Presents a Round Table Discussion: A Budget Crisis For Prince George's County Public Schools with:

• Tonya V. Wingfield, Founder and Executive Director of Nehemiah's Vision




• Khadijah “Moon” Ali-Coleman an award-winning journalist




• Jennifer Harris author of PGD9Politico, a blog that focuses on keeping Prince George's County politicians accountable for their decisions and voters.

This is a show for parents and educators to share their views. We want you to call in and express your views and opinions.

Governor O’Malley recently released his proposed FY 2012 budget and it contained a dramatic reduction in education funding. According to Governor O’Malley’s budget education will lose more than 90 million dollars in funding. With such a dramatic cut in education allocations it is bound to have a very unpleasant trickle down effect.

One such impact from the Governor’s budget shaving is the FY2012 budget of Prince George's County Public Schools. The reduction in state education funding will cost Prince George's County Public Schools as much as 20.9 million dollars in revenue and thus create a 2.4% or 85 million budget gap. As a result of the budget deficit Superintendent Dr. William R. Hite proposed a budget with the elimination of over 1,100 county employees to include teachers.

Panelist will discuss:

• Recent survey regarding PGCPS budget
• Central office reductions
• Reduction of teachers
• Cutting transportation to Speciality Programs
• Cutting Guidance Counselors
• Making Pre-K 1/2 a day
• as well as other topics you would like to discuss

At a February 10, 2011 budget hearing more than 120 teachers, staff, parents and members of the community came to voice their various concerns about the proposed budget cuts and to advocate for their programs. Programs such as Reading-Recovery and critical staff positions as media specialists were clearly presented as a line of demarcation for many in attendance.

The proposed budget presented by Dr. Hite to the BOE has ignited a fervor that has seen the discussion of the possibility of increase class sizes for a second year and a major staff layoff permeate local social media discussion.

Here to provide an assessment of the proposed FY 2012 school budget are three leading community and media experts.

Tonya V. Wingfield

Founder & Executive Director

Nehemiah's Vision, Inc.

Tonya V. Wingfield is the Founder and Executive Director of Nehemiah's Vision, Inc. (NEVI). Prior to establishing NEVI, she worked for over 20 years as an IT training consultant supporting mid-to-large size law firms, government agencies and non-profit organizations. She is an Adjunct Faculty Member at Prince George's Community College where she teaches computer classes as part of the college's Workforce Development Training Program.

Khadijah Ali-Coleman

Founder

Liberated Muse Productions

Khadijah “Moon” Ali-Coleman is an award-winning journalist who has served the Washington DC metropolitan area for more than six years, covering education, political and arts news for online, print and broadcast media. Her articles have appeared in dozens of newspapers and magazines, including East of the River, The Washington Informer, District Chronicles, The Baltimore Times, The Afro and The Hill Rag. Nationally, her work has been read on online sites, including SoulTrain.com, the award-winning music blog SoulBounce.com, and the national news site Examiner.com where she writes as the DC Community Issues Examiner.

Jennifer Harris

Political Analysts

PGD9Politico

Jennifer Harris is the author of PGD9Politico, a blog that focuses on keeping Prince George's County politicians accountable for their decisions and voters informed of the facts about their county government. She began blogging last fall, after participating as a volunteer communications manager for the campaign of Tamara Davis Brown, who ran unsuccessfully for County Council in District 9. After knocking on thousands of doors and speaking to hundreds of voters, she felt an urgency to raise awareness about the importance of voting in local elections, where political decisions have the biggest impact on issues people really care about: schools, public safety, transportation, and their quality of life.

An Exclusive Interview with PG County Executive Mr. Rushern Baker

Hello Engaged Parents and Dedicated Educators,

Forest Of The Rain Productions presents An Exclusive Interview with PG County Executive Mr. Rushern Baker. Mr. Baker PG discusses the budget crisis confronting Prince George's County Public Schools and how his Administration plans to support the Board of Education to protect classrooms and students.

This is a pre-recorded interview conducted by Educational Gateway host Michael Robinson on February 14, 2011. You can hear the interview starting at 10:30am today, by clicking on the links below.

An Exclusive Interview with PG County Executive Mr. Rushern Baker
A Round Table Discussion: A Budget Crisis For PGCPS
The Journey Begins Internet Radio


Visit Parents and PGCPS at: http://parentsandpgcps.ning.com/?xg_source=msg_mes_network

Gladys Noon Spellman Scholarship Applications Available

The Prince George's County Women's History Month Committee has established a scholarship in the memory of Congresswoman Gladys Noon Spellman. Ms. Spellman was a celebrated public servant of Prince George's County for more than two decades.

2011 Gladys Noon Spellman Public Service Award Application
2011 Gladys Noon Spellman Scholarship Application

Applications are accepted prior to the Women's History Month Luncheon that meet with the following criteria for interested candidates:

Candidate must be a Prince George's County resident.
Candidate should be in the 12th grade (accepted into college/or pending).
Candidate should be planning to major in government, criminal justice, political science, public administration, Fire Science or a health related field.
Candidate should have outside interests and activities, including community service.
Candidate must be in good academic standing and demonstrate financial need.
Candidate must be able to attend the Annual Women's History luncheon Thursday, March 17, 2011, at 12pm. Read More

"Your Money, Your Future" with Financial Educator, Carmen Johnson

What are your financial Goals ?

This week’s financial tip is putting together your financial goals.

At this point you have your monthly budget and you have a pretty good idea what your net worth is. By having your budget and your net worth, you have the tools needed to set your financial goals. Your financial goals can be whatever you want them to be. Perhaps it’s a new car or vacation. It could be repairs on your house or it could be catching up on all your bills. In order to develop good sound goals you must be disciplined and be ready to set and implement your goals. This will make you feel very empowered and in control of your life with your finances. A change in behavior can go a long way in reshaping one’s finances through a sound budget and financial goals. Writing down your financial goals and make them achievable and ways to reach them. Commit to a sound plan and follow through with it. Next you need to prioritize your goals and if they are short term or long term.

Next create a Financial Goal action plan. This action plan identifies the steps needed to make these goals reality. Make sure in your action plan you think about what is needed to accomplish your financial goals. The more detailed and refined your action plan the more successful you will be accomplishing your financial goals. Make sure your goals are realistic and achievable. Financial goal setting allows you to actively work toward achieving your goals you want, to manifest them through action. By learning to calculate your budget, net worth and you financial goals you will have created a solid knowledge base and a foundation for financial health.

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!

Men’s Day Breakfast by Men Aiming Higher

Press Release

Men’s Day Breakfast by Men Aiming Higher
Date: Saturday, February 26, 2011
Time: 9 a.m. to 12 noon
Location: Stone Fish Grill Restaurant, 880 Cap Center Blvd, Largo 20774

Men Aiming Higher is extending an opportunity for the men of the Prince Georges County and surrounding areas to get involved in an organized movement towards enhancing our communities. This function is free of charge and promises to be an event of Change. This is the next step toward the organizations commitment to the surrounding community. Their goal is to provide trained and committed mentors to as many young black males as possible.

The organization desires to support the school system, support our government institutions, law enforcement agencies and other non-government and faith-based institutions by developing a countywide youth mentoring network. Men Aiming Higher is Calling All Men to pledge their allegiance to being a part of the Answer to the many ailments of our community.

Invited Speakers and Honored Guest:
• Rushern Baker, Prince Georges County Executive
• Morris Chestnut, Actor
• Dr. Hite, Prince Georges School Superintendent
• Anthony Brown Lieutenant Governor
• Doug Gansler, Maryland State General Attorney

The Katie Able Foundation donates $1000 to 6th Graders

The Katie Able Foundation (KAF) recently donated $1000 to 6th graders at Robert Frost Elementary School, located in Lanham, MD, to use to trade stocks. The students started trading stocks in September 2010 with the help and guidance of their teacher, Mr. William Hughes.

“I must admit when Mr. Hughes came to me and said, ‘Mr. Parker ask the students about them trading stocks,’ you should have seen their faces light up with joy as they shared their stories with me,” said Charles Parker, Vice-President of the Katie Able Foundation. “I learned that these students really understood their stock portfolio and why they selected a particular company over others. This has gone beyond stock trading, it has entered the realm of real life financial experience for these students,” Parker continued.

The students were trading through a program called TeenBiz3000 which is an internet-based, individualized reading and writing teaching solution for grades 6-8. Using $100,000 in their DEMO account they selected companies of their choice; McDonalds, Nike, and Target to name a few.

“I’m really excited about trading. I made a lot of money on the fake account so hopefully I’ll make more on the real one.” said young Neville, 6th grader at Robert Frost Elementary School.

Carmen Johnson, founder of the Katie Able Foundation said, “We wanted to do what we could to help them to continue trading and use the money they earn to make improvements and buy things their school may need throughout the year.”

With the $1000 the students received, they are now able to trade on a LIVE trading account. For more information about how you can donate to the Katie Able Foundation so they can continue to help students in this manner, please visit http://www.katieablefoundation.org/ or call 301-352-5855

Board of Education Budget Public Hearing - 2/3/11

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.

Kimberly Parker Presents: The Resolve to Volunteer

Resolve to Volunteer

Here we are nearing the end of January 2011. Like many of you, I stepped into the New Year determined to make changes, implement plans, and amp up my “game” in one area of life or another. Some call these bulleted items resolutions. For the sake of being aligned, I concur. More than a cute story laced with anecdotes from my children, herein lays a heartfelt plea. My sincere request to all who read is to make one more resolution for 2011: resolve to volunteer!

I know and proudly boast that Prince George’s County parents are the cream of the crop! We are homemakers, entrepreneurs, CEO's, educators, military personnel, activist...and the list goes on! Oh yes, we are simply the best! By no means is my perspective portrayed to slight parents from other parts of the world. It’s merely to highlight the greatness right here in our own backyards.

There is a universal principle called the "vital few and trivial many." In short, it's equivalent to the 80/20 rule where we find that just a little bit of people do a large amount of work. As a parent volunteer at my children’s school, I’ve witnessed parents who sign up to participate at events, yet do not show up. Or, they show up and do not do what they signed up to do. Or even still, they begin doing such marvelous work, find "something wrong" with the assignment, but instead of providing solutions they step down from their position.

Now, I am not soliciting any argumentative replies and by no means am I trying to make anyone feel guilty. I’ve dropped the ball a time or two as well. But what I am hoping to do is inspire you to take self-inventory to see where you stand in this equation. The operative word here is “volunteer”. As one parent told me, "Nobody forced your hand to work with the PTSA!" True. However, the same vital few can not be the only one's serving on the board or heading committees that provide services to thousands of parents, teachers, and students year after year. And let's not forget about our partners and stakeholders!

I know you have 2.5 children -- so do we (four, in my case). I know you work 10, 12, and even 14 hours a day -- so do we. I know you live your share of miles away from the school -- so do we. I know you have a child in elementary school, one in middle school, and one about to graduate from high school -- again I say, so do we! As Michael Jackson so poignantly stated, “You are not alone!”
Madame, Sir, please resolve to volunteer. I know a few of you have been considering the possibility of increasing your service and I truly appreciate that! It all starts with a thought. I ask you to consider this as well: the phenomenal difference you can make as a volunteer!

Kimberly K. Parker is the owner of Writing Momma Publishing (www.writingmomma.com). She is hosting “Isn’t She Lovely!”, an elegant father and daughter event in March 2011 in hopes of promoting the importance of the relationship between little girls and their fathers. Visit www.isntshelovely.eventbrite.com to purchase tickets and for more information. Kimberly is an author and blogger living in Maryland with her husband and three children.

"Transforming Jangling Disharmony Into Community Empowerment”

SCLC SOUTHERN CHRISTIAN LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE
PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY CHAPTER
3905 91ST AVENUE SPRINGDALE, MARYLAND 20774

Theme:
Transforming Jangling Disharmony Into Community Empowerment”

First in a Series of Educational Forums


Date: February 15, 2011
Time: 7:00-9:00 pm
Location: Kettering Community Center
11801 Chesterton Drive
Upper Marlboro, MD 20774


• Help determine the future of all our Children.
• Learn about the budget process.
• Learn how you can help make a difference.

Aren’t our Children worth it?

Forums Sponsored by:
SCLC, Advocates for Children and Youth & Kettering Civic Federation
For additional Information:
Dr. Jarvis Johnson: jjohnson@acy.org
Kettering Civic Federation (voicemail): 301-218-0258

Former Director of PGCPS Parent Liaison Program to Head Up Department of Communications for Alexandria City Public Schools

Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) Superintendent Morton Sherman is pleased to announce the appointment of Kelly L. Alexander to the position of director of community/school partnerships and communications.

"Ms. Alexander has a unique combination of community relations and communications experience that will be essential to successfully engaging the public in the transformation taking place in Alexandria City Public Schools," Dr. Sherman said.

She will assist the superintendent in the development, integration and implementation of the division's public/media relations, business partnerships and community outreach programs as a member of the Office of Strategic Initiatives and Community Outreach team. Ms. Alexander has nearly 20 years of communications experience, with expertise in media relations and public relations. She has led communications efforts for both nonprofit and corporate communications teams.

Ms. Alexander most recently served as the community outreach officer for Prince George's County Public Schools, where she initially began as the public information officer. During her six-year tenure, she developed and implemented strategies for internal and external communications between all stakeholders regarding parental engagement in schools. She created award-winning public awareness and marketing campaigns for this large urban school district, including The Communicator Award of Distinction for Media Placement (2005), The Communicator Award Honorable Mention (2005) for the 2004 PGCPS Annual Report and The MarComm Creative Award (2006) for the YES-Be cool, go to school! Public Awareness Campaign. Ms. Alexander created the district's successful "Everything You Need to Succeed" marketing campaign to highlight educational opportunities and student successes. She supervised more than 100 Parent Liaisons helping to engage thousands of parents each year in educational workshops, school events and classroom observations.

Prior to working in education, Ms. Alexander supported the corporate communications efforts of the National American Red Cross as a media relations manager and associate. She oversaw the national media launch of several life-saving programs and a myriad of national media tours and interviews at the American Red Cross. She also worked in community affairs for Prudential HealthCare of the Mid-Atlantic and in media relations for The George Washington University Medical Center.

Ms. Alexander earned her Bachelor's Degree in Journalism at The George Washington University.

STATEMENT FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT REGARDING THE GOVERNOR’S PROPOSED FY2012 BUDGET

The Governor’s proposed budget could leave Prince George’s County Public Schools with an additional 2.4% deficit of $20.8 million for FY2012. A cut of this magnitude would leave us with a total projected deficit of $85 million, which would have a devastating impact on our students, our staff, and our schools.

We understand that tough economic times force us to seek additional ways to trim the budget, and appreciate all that our state and county leaders have done to soften the blow to public education. Over the past two years, we have closely examined the way we do business, streamlined processes, and made painful cuts to staffing and non-instructional programs throughout the district. In developing our budget for the upcoming school year, we are continuing to look for additional opportunities to reduce operating costs and work more efficiently.

My priority and responsibility to this community is to request a budget that provides our students with the support and resources they need to succeed so that we can continue the academic gains of the past several years. While our goal is to “hold the classroom harmless,” additional cuts to the budget may impact successful academic programs and resources.We are grateful for County Executive Rushern Baker’s strong support of education, and will continue to work with our county leaders, parents, staff, and community members to ensure that our students get what they need to succeed as 21st century citizens.