Thanksgiving Dinner for needy Children & Families

The Step Ahead Program will once again make a difference in our community this holiday season by hosting our 7th Annual Thanksgiving Dinner to Celebrate Children attending our community schools and with the special emphasis this year on "Keeping Hope Alive" in our Families".

I am now writing to you as Administrators, Principals and Coordinators to please collect all names of families and children who you feel can and would appreciate a hot and prepared Thanksgiving Dinner. Let us know the number of students and families who plan to attend the upcoming Annual Thanksgiving Dinner "Celebrating" Children on Saturday, November 21st, 2009 at 1 p.m. - 5 p.m. in order that we may be prepared to serve them.

Please know that all are welcome, including Principals and Teachers; this is a joint initiative to serve our community; please gather the name list for children whom you feel their family would benefit on this special day and turn it in to the Office of the Principal or the coordinator for the school.

Please contact Mr. Brady at (301)674-9702 (cell) at your earliest convenience so that we will have an idea of how many people we will serve. Each school is allowed to invite up to 40 families who may be in need this year. Please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions. Let us continue to work together in making our "Children" our Top Priority. Again, I appreciate all that our educators are doing to save our young people. "Keep Hope Alive". . . . .You are also welcome to contact Mrs. Kim Smith, Ass't Director of the Step Ahead Program & Missions Coordinator at (571)228-9353.This is the season to give Thanks.Thank you in advance for your prompt consideration of this very important matter. Hoping to see your students at the event.

AASA TOOLKIT HELPS SCHOOL LEADERS SUPPORT MILITARY CHILDREN

Some two million U.S. military children have had one or both parents deployed since 2001. Understanding the challenges facing military families -- and the resources available to assist military children -- is essential to meeting their unique educational needs. The American Association of School Administrators has released a toolkit on Supporting the Military Child to help school leaders meet the needs of children whose parents are deployed or in transition. This free, online resource is available on the AASA website at www.aasa.org/MilitaryChild.aspx


"Children of military families often face multiple stressors, including frequent moves and extended periods of separation from loved ones,” said AASA President Mark Bielang, superintendent in Paw Paw, Mich. “School leaders play an important part in helping these students maintain a sense of stability and stay on track to achieve their educational goals.”

Military Children Scholarship applications are now available

DECA OFFERS SCHOLARSHIPS FOR MILITARY CHILDREN

2010 Scholarships for Military Children opened on Nov. 3. Scholarship applications are now available in commissaries worldwide and online through a link at http://www.commissaries.com/ and directly at http://www.militaryscholar.org/. Only dependent, unmarried children, younger than age 21 (age 23 if enrolled as a full- time student at a college or university) of active duty personnel, reserve, Guard and retired military members, survivors of service members who died while on active duty, or survivors of individuals who died while receiving retired pay from the military may apply for a scholarship. Eligibility is determined using DEERS, the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System database. Applicants should ensure that they, as well as their sponsor, are enrolled in the DEERS database and have a current ID card.

The applicant must be planning to attend, or already be attending, an accredited college or university full time in the fall of 2010, or be enrolled in a program of studies designed to transfer directly into a four-year program. Applicants should prepare to submit an essay on the topic "You can travel back in time; however, you cannot change events. What point in history would you visit and why?" Applications must be turned in to a commissary by close of business Feb. 17, 2010. At least one scholarship will be awarded at every store location with qualified applicants. For more information, contact the Dahlgren Comissary at (540) 653-7317/7318.

Herbert Wells Ice Rink - Free events

On October 31, the Herbert Wells Ice Rink is opening its doors to the ghouls and gals for their annual ‘Costumes on Ice’ Halloween program. As a safe alternative to trick-or-treating, the ice rink offers free ice skating to all in costume, free candy, a haunted maze, food, and plenty of fun for all ages. This year, there will be two sessions: the first from 7-9pm, designed for participants of all ages, the second from 10pm-12am specifically for the older crowd, ages 13 and up. Come out and see for your self, if you dare!

Herbert Wells Ice Rink is hosting their annual open house this year on November 7, 2009 from 12pm-4pm. This event, which features free public ice skating between 2:30-4:30pm, this event is designed to provide fun for the whole family. Come and see what we are all about!

Joe Hampton

Facility Manager

The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission

Ellen Linson Swimming Pool / Herbert Wells Ice Rink

5211 Paint Branch Parkway

College Park, MD 20740

(301) 277-3717 /

(301) 277-3186 (fax)

joe.hampton@pgparks.com

Parental Engagement at a Glance in Prince George's County Public Schools

FREE MD PIRC Parenting Matters Conference

Dear Families and Community Members,

There will be a FREE MD PIRC Parenting Matters Conference: Connecting Crayons, Computers, College, and Careers on Saturday, November 7, 2009 from 8:15AM-3:30PM at University of Maryland, Baltimore County Campus. Families can receive information on:

• School Readiness
• Gang awareness
• College Planning and Readiness: How to get financial aid, what you need to know to get in, etc.
• Health and Healthy Living
• Social cliques and how to have healthy friendships
• Much more!

Families can go to www.mdpirc.org/conference to register. FREE light breakfast, childcare (ages 2-5), Youth Track (kids ages 6-14), interpretation, door prizes, and lunch will be provided. See attached registration flyer for more info.

Estimadas familias y Miembros Comunitarios, Habrá una Conferencia Gratuita para Familias del MD PIRC: Apoyar a los Hijos Cuenta Mucho: La Conexión entere las Crayolas, las Computadoras, la Universidad y Carreras Profesionales u Oficios el sábado, 7 de noviembre del 2009 de 8:15AM-3:30PM en la Universidad de Maryland, Campo de Baltimore. Su familia podrá recibir información sobre:

• Preparación para la escuela
• Como evitar a las pandillas
• Planificar para la Universidad: Como conseguir asistencia financiera, que necesita saber para entra, etc.
• Como vivir una vida saludable
• Amistades y como tener buenas amistades
• Y mucho más!

Pueden ir a nuestro sitio web al www.mdpirc/conference para registrarse. Habrá un desayuno ligero, cuidado de niños (2-5) y actividades de enriquecimiento para estudiantes edades 6-14, interpretación en español, premios, y almuerzo--TODO GRATIS! Para obtener más información vea el volante incluido en este mensaje.

Nora Cartland

ELL Outreach Coordinator

Maryland Parental Information and Resource Center (MD PIRC)

5272 River Road, Suite 340

Bethesda, MD 20816

Tel: 301-657-7742 ext. 121

Fax: 301-657-8782

nora@mdpirc.org

Calling all School Principals

The Principal Challenge is Back!

Calling all School Principals . . . tell us what YOU would do to earn additional A+ Bonus Bucks for your school! The five most original and entertaining Principals' Challenges will be selected. If your school is chosen and you fulfill your Principal Challenge, the school will receive the greater of $1,000 or DOUBLE their A+ Bonus Bucks points earned during the month of November! The contest will begin on 11/01/09. Principals - apply by mail on school letterhead or by emailing us at Askaplus@cranecommunications.com .

Please include your name, school name, address, and telephone number explaining the challenge youwould be willing to take. Entry must be received via email or postmarked by November 30, 2009. Mail-in entries may be sent to: A+ Principal Challenge111 Presidential Blvd Bala Cynwyd PA 19004. The selected Principals will be notified by phone on or about December 22, 2009. All challenges must be completed no later than January 15, 2010 and witnessed by a store representative. Double points will be calculated from 11/1/09-11/30/09 and posted with the final point earnings by March 25th on our website : www.GiantFood.com/aplus . So tell us . . . are you up to the challenge?

Free Prescription Meds Deadline is Dec. 31, 2009

According to Adrienne Samuels Gibbs the last day on which Americans who have lost their jobs and health insurance can aply for free prescription meds manufactured by Pfizer, Inc. Those eligible to participate in the program can qualify for free drugs for up to a year. Call 866.706.2400 for info.

Please Take The Second Annual Men Make A Difference Day Survey

Fathers or other significant male role models if you participated in the second annual Men Make A Difference Day on Monday, October 12, 2009 at your child's school please take our survey and share your experiences.

Second Annual Men Make A Difference Day Survey

Men Make A Difference Day Photos From Berwyn Heights and Greenbelt Elementary Schools

Men Make A Difference Day was a huge success at Berwyn Heights and Greenbelt Elementary Schools with over 100 fathers and significant male role models participating in a variety of events and activities designed to show how they impact the lives of children in Prince George's County Public Schools.