President's Blog - “Keeping Kids in School-Every Age, Every Stage”

 

Last November our League voted on an Issue Based Community Impact Statement,

also know as IBCI. IBCI is a fancy way of saying “this is the issue we are focusing on

as a League.”  After an extensive amount of research into community needs, it was

found that keeping kids in school is a huge need in the City of Midland. Many people

hear the phrase “Keeping Kids in School” and think of merely addressing the

problem of the high-school student dropout rate. This couldn’t be further from the

truth. The campaign to keep kids in school starts before kids even begin school.

Research has shown that young children who are granted access to books and have

strong literacy skills are more likely to graduate. Research has also shown that the

self-esteem level a teenage girl has determines her likelihood of graduating. Girls

with higher levels of self-esteem are more likely to graduate than girls with low self-

esteem. It has also been shown that students who have access to scholarships,

grants, and training programs are more likely to continue their education after high

school by either going to a vocational school or college. Our IBCI “Keeping Kids in

School-Every Age, Every Stage” demonstrates the knowledge that we must begin the

campaign to keep kids in school when children are young and continue to educate in

different areas as they grow.

 

Within our issue  “Keeping Kids in School-Every Age, Every Stage” we will focus on

three different areas to encourage student success: literacy, college/career

preparedness and self-esteem. Every one of our community projects fits in one of

these areas. Reading Olympics addresses the issue of early childhood literacy.

Scholarship Clearinghouse fits under college/career preparedness. Kids First,

HopeWorks, Journey Summer Camp, Face the Race, Kids in the Kitchen and Suits

with Skills all fall under the area of self-esteem. You may be asking your self, “How

does Suits with Skills fall under the issue of self-esteem?” The answer is this:

empowering our Suits with Skills participants has a positive affect on their children.

If your parent is more stable in their surroundings and has higher self-esteem the

children reap the benefits. Our Volunteers in Midland project addresses all three

areas in different ways, depending upon the projects that are chosen. If you think

about it, these areas cross over one another. A child who attends Reading Olympics

and advances their literacy skills has a boost in self-esteem in the classroom. A

student who meets with a Scholarship Clearinghouse mentor to find the perfect

scholarship to apply for or learns how to apply for a grant also gets a boost of self-

esteem and feels empowered to continue their education. A Face the Race

participant whose self-esteem has been increased by attending the program also

gets the benefit of college/career preparedness when guest speakers come in and

talk to them about looking toward the future and educates them on the benefits of

 

Our issue is new to our League and to the community. One of our goals for this year

is to educate everyone about our issue. We truly do believe it is a campaign to keep

kids in school, and all campaigns need support!  We will use training sessions during

meetings and social media to accomplish our goal of educating our members and the

community about our issue. Please follow us on all of our social media platforms 

(Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, our blog and Pinterest). We will be posting articles,

blogs, and information that will give parents and community members the tools

needed to succeed in keeping our kids in school at every stage of development. Join

us as we endeavor to make Midland a place where every child has the ability to find

their spark and realize what they can achieve through education!

HopeWorks - Children's Grief Awareness Day

Children’s Grief Awareness Day (or Blue Day) is observed the third Thursday of November (which is also the Thursday before Thanksgiving) every year. This year it will be on November 20th. Children’s Grief Awareness Day is a day focused on recognizing and supporting the children all around us who have experienced the death of a loved one. This day provides an opportunity to raise awareness of the painful impact that the death of a loved one has in the life of a child.  It also provides the opportunity to make sure that these children receive the support they need and that they feel and see that hope and healing can be achieved.

“Before they graduate from high school, one child out of every 20 children will have a parent die—and that number doesn't include those who experience the death of a brother or sister, a close grandparent, an aunt or uncle, or friend.” (www.childrensgriefawarenessday.org) Bereaved children are often referred to as the "forgotten mourners.”

Children’s Grief Awareness allows us to acknowledge and advocate that ANY child that is old enough to love is old enough to mourn. We can all work together to be advocates and teach other adults how children are natural mourners, but that they still need the love and support of caring adults. This day allows us to highlight what some of the special needs of grieving children are and help others create and find places where children experiencing grief are safe to openly and authentically mourn. If children can mourn well and learn to cope with their loss, they’ll go on to live and love well.

There are a couple of ways you can get involved this Thursday and participate in this special day including wearing blue and letting others know what it represents. On Thursday from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m., Rays of Hope will be hosting an art exhibit called “Grief through the Eyes of a Child.” I encourage you to attend the art exhibit and learn more about supporting children who have experienced loss and change. There will be food available if you go during your lunch hour, and I personally will be there all day. Be sure to come say hello!

It has been an honor to become a part of the Rays of Hope family. Myself and the fabulous HopeWorks Committee ask that you help us in spreading the word about National Blue Day!

Related links:

Bethany Campbell, a very special Rays of Hope participant and volunteer, shares her story. http://childrengrieve.org/grief-unexpected-journey

 http://childrengrieve.org/childrens-grief-awareness

 http://www.childrensgriefawarenessday.org/

Big Bird Explains death in children’s terms: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gxlj4Tk83xQ

A short video of hope for Children’s grief awareness: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P_jHcZsi02A

 

-Ellen Wheeler, Active

Face The Race - Race Day

On Saturday, November 15, 105 participants will complete the Face the Race ‘Fit & Fabulous 5K’ as a culmination to our ten week program.

When the participants arrive at the run, they will quickly get signed in and hurry off to the glitter station where they will cover themselves with glitter to match the “Fabulous” theme. Next, the girls will get to spend lots of time with their friends and family taking fun pictures in the photo booth. Before the run begins, the Face the Race participants will warm up with a little Zumba action led by Heather Parsons.

This year we had the incredible opportunity to welcome Alamo and San Jacinto junior highs to the Face the Race program. The staff at both schools were extremely accommodating and supportive. Adding these two schools to Face the Race, which already had a presence at Abell and Goddard junior highs, has allowed us to reach out to all 7^th and 8^th grade girls attending  MISD public schools.

This past summer, our 26 member Face the Race Committee worked diligently to plan this exciting year for our participants. A newly designed session timeline was created allowing for more time to mentor the participants. We also created a new training program that encouraged measureable and attainable running growth. Session topics included discussions on healthy eating, relationships, our bodies, etiquette, career options, personality differences, and bullying.             

One of the most exciting things about Face the Race is that every participant that completes the program receives a brand new pair of running shoes, socks, athletic shorts, a Face the Race t-shirt, and gloves. This year, thanks to generous donations from HEB, Patriot Resources, Delaware Basin Resources, Terry’s Kids Shoes, Charger Services, Catalyst Oilfield Services, and The United Way of Midland, we were also able to provide the girls with a spirit jersey, bag, and water bottle.

It is incredibly rewarding to watch our young participants complete this 5K at the end of the program. The growth they make is tremendous. They set goals and are able to accomplish them. Face the Race gives its participants a group to belong to, allows them to discover their potential, encourages a positive sense of empowerment and creates healthy habits that last a lifetime. We are so proud of the 105 participants and all of the hard work and dedication they have put into this program.

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Face the Race - Sessions

Junior high.  A place where everything is changing, everything can be awkward, and the issues are real.  Face the Race offers junior high girls in the Midland Independent School District a chance to be themselves through the support of community leaders and mentors.  The girls participate in ten after school sessions that are constructed around their interests, leading healthy lifestyles, and building self- confidence. Each after school session is comprised of an ice breaker, presentation, and training for the Face the Race 5K.

Face the Race Committee members carefully selected topics for sessions based on the current needs and curiosities of our participants.  We wanted to be able to impact and meet the needs of the girls through our topics and speakers.  Our participants have heard from various members from our community, some who generously spoke and presented to more than one campus.

Basin PBS attended a session and encouraged every girl to embrace their inner “girl power” and pursue their dreams through with the support of their new program, Girl Power PBS  Career day was also a highlighted Face the Race session. Career day presenters shared their personal journey through education that began in junior high.  They also enlightened the girls with descriptions and details about their unique careers.  Our presenters covered a wide range of jobs in the Permian Basin, such as petroleum engineers, attorneys, realtors, and local business owners.

Healthy lifestyles, relationships, and nutrition information were addressed during sessions that focused on making healthy choices.  The girls learned about the importance of nutrition and balancing exercise in their daily lives from a local fitness instructor, who is also a personal trainer.  Physician assistants educated the participants about their changing bodies through an age appropriate question and answer session. 

Perhaps the most anticipated sessions are the etiquette training and tutu crafting days.   The girls will practice creating a table setting and learn how to write a thank you letter during the etiquette session.  Tutus will be created during the last session so they can wear them on race day.  Gifts  from The Junior League of Midland, Inc. will be given to the girls who have completed eight out of ten sessions. 

It’s an incredible experience to watch the girls grow and bond throughout their journey with Face the Race.  Each week brings a new opportunity to laugh, learn, connect, and run with our junior high girls.  We hope to impact their lives as much as they have ours, and we can’t wait to see them cross the finish line on November 15!

 -Crystal Burchfield, Assistant Chair

Scholarship Clearinghouse

The Junior League of Midland, Inc.’s Scholarship Clearinghouse program is off to a great start this year!  Our team of seven mentors is busy meeting with high school seniors and walking them through the scholarship and financial aid application process. 

This process can be overwhelming for students as they try to sift through the thousands of scholarship applications available to them.  Our mentors sit down one-on-one with students  (and sometimes parents) to help them narrow their focus on scholarships that are the right fit for them, both at the local and national level.  We maintain a scholarship database, compiled and updated by committee members over the years, which students can browse through and find scholarships applicable to them.

Our mentors also discuss the financial aid process: how and when to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA.  This application can be daunting for parents and students, especially first generation college students.  By explaining the process and the importance of this application, students are more likely to fill out the FAFSA and therefore, have a greater shot at obtaining federal financial aid such as grants and student loans. 

To sign students up for these informative sessions, our mentors attended Dawg Days at Midland High School and Rebel Muster at Lee High School in August.  We also attended the College Forum Night at Midland College earlier this month where we met students from all over the local area who are interested in going to college and of course, finding ways to pay for it. 

In addition to helping students find local and national scholarships, we also encourage them to fill out an application for JLM’s very own scholarship, which we award to deserving students in the spring.  

We are excited to help another generation of students in their pursuit of higher education.  It is very fulfilling to know that these students are gaining a greater chance at achieving their college goals by finding money to pay for college.  We certainly feel we are doing our part to keep kids in school at every age and every stage!  

-Megan Yancey, Active Member

 

Reading Olympics

It’s 4:50 p.m. on a Thursday afternoon.  I am headed south on Garfield en route to the Boys and Girls Club for our weekly Reading Olympics session and I’m excited.  Our book tonight, Book Fair Day, is one of my favorites and my daughter’s as well.       

As I get out of my car, I grab my Junior League bag and walk in looking closely at those kids being picked up.  I think to myself, “Are they one our Reading Olympics kiddos?” I spot one.  She is.  This little girl is begging her mother, “Please let me stay!  I really want to stay!”  Sadly, her mom tells her, “No.”  The little girl gets into the car in tears.   My emotions are mixed.  I wish the Mom had told her she could stay.  She would have loved Book Fair Day.   On the other hand, her sadness tells me that we are accomplishing our goals… creating a love for reading one book at a time, and a fun and caring environment for these kids.   

As I enter the building on week four, I feel at home.  The kids are moving around, as they normally do, and I am greeted by several Reading Olympics kids.  They give me hugs and ask, “Are we starting yet?”  I tell them, “Soon.”  “What’s the book tonight,” one asks.  I responded, “You’ve got to come and find out.”  After several hugs and hellos, I make it to our room.  Set-up has begun and before long we will welcome more than 30 kids into our Reading Olympics session.  Some will be repeat visitors, while others are newcomers as they have stood in the hallway watching and decided to join in the fun this week. 

We have welcomed kids, sung some songs, and heard our book of the evening read by our guest reader.  Now it’s time for “team time.”  My black team joins me in our normal spot on the floor.  We take attendance and begin our weekly ritual of journaling, discussing, creating, and sharing a snack.   The participants and I discuss how we find the perfect book to read.   After discussing several tips, I hand out some Scholastic Book Club flyers.  The excitement begins. “This looks like a good one,” exclaims Andrea.   I calm them down and tell them we are going to practice.  I want them to pick out five different books, using our tips, from the flyer.  The questions start coming at me faster than I can respond.  “Do you think I will like this one?”  “What about this one?”  “Mrs. Amber have you read this one?”  I feel a little like Dewey Booker from our story.  Slowly, but surely, my group circles the five choices of  books they think they will like.  One little girl at the end says, “I wish I could get these books.”

In just four short weeks, we have created an excitement about reading and books.  We are creating a love for reading, one book at a time.                 

-Amber Davidson, Active

President's Blog: Why We 'Due' What We Do

For the Junior League of Midland, September is the unofficial start of the League year. We transition into our new placements on June 1, but we don’t start having General Meetings until the third Tuesday in September. September also begins with a Ways and Means fee notice for all Active League members. This fee is due on October 1 of every year. For many years I wrote my $150 Ways and Means fee check automatically without a thought as to why I was paying the fee. I knew the fee was a requirement as an Active member but I never questioned why it was needed. As time went on, I took on leadership roles and I began to understand why this fee came about.

Many Leagues ask their members to sell things or buy things to contribute financially to their Leagues. Some Leagues require their members to buy cookbooks and sell them. Many of these members find themselves stuck with a closet full of cookbooks because everyone they know has already purchased one from them or another member.  Other Leagues require their members to buy tickets to their events and attend them. This was the case for the JLM for many years. Charity Ball was the primary fundraiser for our League for decades. Each member was required to purchase a ticket to the event and attend the fundraiser.  As time went on, being required to purchase a ticket to and attend the event became unpopular. The members of the League stressed that they would rather pay a simple fee than be required to sell things or purchase event tickets. The JLM instituted the Ways and Means fee as a reaction to this sentiment. The Ways and Means fee helps to defray all of the costs that the League incurs. Our fundraiser supports our community projects, but the League still has other expenses. We maintain our building, have an office manager that receives hourly wages, and we must purchase supplies to keep things running. The Ways and Means fee helps to make all of this happen. As a side note, the Ways and Means fee is not required of Provisional or Sustaining members. Provisional members instead pay a Provisional Course fee of $100. Sustainers are exempt.

Each member of the League (Provisionals, Actives, and Sustainers) is also required to pay Annual Dues, which must be received by April 1.  Dues for the JLM are $90 and are meant for the following League year, beginning on June 1. If dues are not paid by May 1, membership in the League will not be continued the following year.  $43 of the $90 fee goes to our parent organization,The Association of Junior Leagues International. The remainder of the dues goes into our general fund to support operating expenses.

Financial support of our members is critical to the Junior League of Midland. The purpose of this article is to let our members know exactly WHY they are asked to make financial contributions every year. A financial commitment of a combined $240 every year (for Active members) is a big pill to swallow, but it is definitely a commitment worth making. The JLM offers payment plans to our members who need that option. We also have a “Fairy Godmother Fund” that members can apply for if they need financial assistance. We truly appreciate our members and their contributions to our League, both financially and in their commitment serve the Midland community through League involvement.

 

-Michelle Dinger

President, 2014-2015