Summer Reading Roundup

Written by: Stephanie Freeman, Communications Director at MCCOY

  

 “The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you'll go.” ― Dr. Seuss, I Can Read With My Eyes Shut!

One of my favorite summer past times as a child was reading outside under a shady tree. I loved the escape of entering another magical world – a world of adventure and knowledge. That love of reading as a child turned into a love of reading as an adult. I continue to love to learn from others experiences through a good book. My love of reading didn’t just happen overnight. Reading was introduced to me by my parents, who read to me at bed time, and then by my teachers in school. Reading was engrained into my everyday life not as a chore, but as a fun activity.

  

Reading is much more than fun.  Reading can actually affect the trajectory of a child’s life. According to Scholastic.com, children who grow up in homes where books are plentiful, go further in school than those who don’t. If a child reads as much as one million words per year, they will be in top 2% of all children on standardized reading tests. If a child reads as little as 8000 words per year, they will be in bottom 2% of all children on standardized reading tests (Scholastic: Classroom Libraries Work!). This is because “Reading a lot” is one of the most powerful methods of increasing fluency, vocabulary, [and] comprehension. (Scholastic: Classroom Libraries Work!) Reading is an essential skill that children
must have in order to succeed. Parents and caregivers play the most influential role in encouraging young children to read. Children whose parents read to them become better readers and better students.

  

Not sure which books to stock your bookcases with or bring home from the library? According to Parents magazine (http://www.parents.com/fun/book-gallery/), the following is a list of the best learning books for children of all ages:

Top Books for Infants:

1. Pat the Bunny
2. Goodnight Moon
3. Go, Dog. Go!
4. Good Night, Gorilla
5. Mr. Brown can Moo! Can You?

Top Books for Toddlers:

1. The Very Hungry Caterpillar
2. We’re Going on a Bear Hunt
3. Freight Train
4. The Napping Hosue
5. The Happy Egg

  

Top Books for Preschoolers:

1. Where the Wild Things Are
2. The Snowy Day
3. Harold and the Purple Crayon
4. Jamberry
5. Cars and Trucks and Things That Go

  

Top Books for Big Kids:

1. Bread and Jam for Frances
2. Sylvester and the Magic Pebble
3. Make Way for Ducklings
4. The Little Engine that Could
5. Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day

  

Top Books for Tweens:

1. Matilda 
2. Shipwrecked
3.   Monkey Island
4.  The Phantom Tollbooth 
5. The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe

Indianapolis is lucky to have a wonderful resource available to families to encourage reading by youth. United Way of Central Indiana's Early Readers Club^® encourages parents and caregivers to read to their child starting day one. Families can register to receive 12 high-quality children’s books (learn more) each year until the child’s sixth birthday, providing countless opportunities for kids and parents to read together. The Early Readers Club currently serves children in Boone, Hamilton, Hancock, Hendricks, Marion and Morgan counties.

Read, read, ReAd!!!!

Own Your Future Media Arts Contest--Top Entries

Thank you to our over 50 students who submitted writing, infographics, and prezi presentations  about why academic success is important to them and how they intend to "own their future." These students will have their entries featured throughout our community to raise awareness about the importance of scholastic achievement and youth empowerment.They were recognized on April 27th at an award ceremony at Crispus Attucks High School where they received education awards and plaques. 

Top Entries:

Middle School Infographic 

First Place: Jonathan Danford, 8th Grade Broad Ripple Magnet Middle School

High School Infographic

First Place: Kirsten Holston, 11th Grade, North Central High School

Second Place: Samantha Dishner and Regina Wraley, 12th Grade, Ben Davis High School

Third Place:  Brittany Strother, 12th Grade, Indianapolis Metropolitan High School

Honorable Mention: Cheyanne Brown, 10th Grade, Decatur Central High School

Middle School Prezi Presentation  

First Place: Jonathan Danford 8th Grade Broad Ripple Magnet Middle School     

                      

High School Prezi Presentation

First Place: Brittany Strother, 12th Grade, Indianapolis Metropolitan High School

Third Place: Kaylee Grimme, 11th Grade, Decatur Central High School

Third Place: Jaylin Rush, 11th Grade, Broad Ripple Magnet High School

Middle School Writing          

First Place: Devon Valentine, 6th Grade, Wheeler Elementary

Second Place: Dakota McDonald, 7th Grade, Broad Ripple Magnet Middle School

Third Place: Ellie Campbell, 6th Grade, Wheeler Elementary

Honorable Mention:

Sam Govea, 6th Grade, Wheeler Elementary

Alex Bradley, 6th Grade, Wheeler Elementary

Carlos Garcia, 6th Grade, Wheeler Elementary

Nathan Stinson, 6th Grade, Wheeler Elementary

Garrett Oeth, 6th Grade, Wheeler Elementary

Jackson Harris, 6th Grade, Wheeler Elementary

High School Writing                           

First Place: Tyler Alums, 12th Grade, Arsenal Technical High School

Second Place: Sydney-Symone Tate, 11th Grade, Decatur Central High School

Second Place: Kirsten Holston, 11th Grade, North Central High School

Third Place: Kayanna Lovett, 9th Grade, Fall Creek

Honorable Mention:

Darrian Byndum, 12th Grade, Arsenal Technical High School

Dajia Shaffer, 12th Grade, Arsenal Technical High School

DeQwan Flowers, 12th Grade, Ben Davis High School

Gary Davis, 12th Grade, Arsenal Technical High School

James Hayes, 12th Grade, Arsenal Technical High School

Kiana Murray, 12th Grade, Aresenal Technical High School 

We would also like to thank State Farm for their generous support of this contest. 

Congratulations for your support of Student Success!

Keep up to date with the contest by liking the Own Yours Campaign facebook page!

The Secrets of Parenthood Revealed

Written by: Stephanie Freeman, Communications Director; MCCOY, Inc.

As a new mother, I am constantly in awe of how my parents raised me. I look up to my mom and dad, and want to provide a happy, healthy, nurturing home environment for my son, just like they did for my brother and I. My always showed us love and respect, knew how to motivate us without pushing us, they always knew what we needed, and did it all without complaining. Parenthood is hard. I know this now and I realize no parent is perfect.  The question I constantly ask myself is  how can I be the best parent that I can be? What are the secrets of great parents?
 

I’ve read lots of articles, blogs and books about parenting, as well as listened to lots of advice from individuals on what to do and what not to do. Some of the most helpful hints that I found are:
 

·         Express your love and affection: tell children you love them, hug them and show them that your love is unconditional – not matter what

·         Praise your child: avoid comparing children to others; celebrate their differences and uniqueness

·         Avoid criticism: be assertive, yet kind, focus on the behavior not the child

·         Be a role model: treat children as you want to be treat; show them you listen to them, be kind to them, set a good example

·         Help your children feel safe: respect their privacy, install a sense of belonging, discuss differences peacefully

·         Provide order: set boundaries, encourage responsibilities, teach what is right and wrong, allow children to experience life for themselves

·         Spend quality time with your children: give them your undivided attention, send time individually with each child, do what interests your child, use each moment as a teachable moment

·         Eliminate bad habits: give up vices or behaviors that you would not want your children to emulate

 
After reading these tips, I feel assured that I can be a great parent. It is and will be hard work, but I know it will be the most rewarding and important work I ever do.
 

I’d like to take this moment to send a belated Happy Mother’s Day and upcoming Happy Father’s Day message to all the parents and guardians out there. Your work does not go unnoticed and is not without effect.

Family Friendly Summer Fun

By: Ivy McConnell, Public Relations Intern

YAY!! Summer is here and school is out! What to do?

Indianapolis have endless of indoor and outdoor activities to do this summer with family.

According to Beforeitnews.com, spending time with family strengthens bond, improve academic performance, less the change of violence behavior and drug abuse. Parents should encourage their children to go to museums like, The Indiana State Museum,  Eiteljorg Museum and Children Museum. These places have daily events and camps they can sign up for and attend throughout the summer.  Indianapolis, also have water parks, plays and volunteer opportunities. So many fun things to do outside the home this summer! Have fun!

Working Collectively to have a Greater and Longer Lasting Impact on Children and Families

Written by:  John Brandon, President of MCCOY

The recently released Annual Child Fatality Report from the Indiana Department of Child Services for State Fiscal Year 2011 tragically underlines the importance of the twin strategies of prevention and early intervention to safeguard the lives of Hoosier children.  When looking closer at the circumstances surrounding the  40 child deaths that occurred in FY 2011, the report states:  “a pattern of stress factors was …revealed, with low income being a risk factor in 75 percent of both abuse and neglect cases…..Additionally, substance abuse was a risk factor in 43 percent of cases and domestic violence was a risk factor in 33 percent of all cases…..These findings indicate societal/community level issues that affect parents and can contribute to the increased risk of child abuse or neglect in the home.”  In other words, poverty, substance abuse, and domestic violence killed 40 children in Indiana in 2011---and all those issues—and who knows what number of future child deaths-- ARE preventable.
 

It is not that we don’t have support services in place; in fact we have many very effective ones.  The Neighborhood Alliance for Child Safety operated by Children’s Bureau, Prevent Child Abuse Indiana, and the Nurse-Family Partnership initiative of Goodwill all provide parental guidance and support. Fairbanks Hospital and Midtown Mental Health are just two of the substance abuse prevention and treatment programs available.    Our network of neighborhood-based community centers provides basic needs, family support, and employment skills training to help raise families out of poverty and to self-sufficiency.  However, these important prevention services are not always readily accessible and available to the families and the children that need them the most.  And the Annual Child Fatality Report clearly shows when children and families fall through the gaps in the safety net, there are often fatal consequences.
 

To close those holes, the Early Intervention Planning Council (EIPC) of the City-County Council is focusing on developing a center which will provide multiple services to vulnerable families in a single location in one of the highest need areas of our city.  Led by Marion County Commission On Youth, Inc. (MCCOY) which is working closely with a number of key partners, this co-located services center will offer families and children physical and mental health services, substance abuse treatment, legal services, employment and financial skills training, and connections to other supportive services that a family or individual might require. 
 

It is our goal to build a center where vulnerable and shattered families get many needs addressed without having to travel from place to place; where a variety of service providers work together seamlessly; and where families are treated holistically and are restored to health and put on the path to growth and success.  We know that stand alone services sometimes are not enough since families are often struggling with a number of challenges and barriers.  But by offering a variety of services in one location that are integrated,  well coordinated and prevention focused, those service providers will work collectively to have a greater and a longer lasting impact on children and families.  The co-located center will see increased numbers of families served and have better results; contribute to the strength of the neighborhood and the revitalization of the surrounding area; and, in both the short and long terms, save the taxpayers of Marion County money by preventing youth and families from entering our much more costly public systems.

  

To learn more about the Co-location of Services project, visit our website—http://www.mccoyouth.org/intervention/co-locationofservices.html or contact Shanna Martin at 317-921-1233 or at shanna.martin.mccoyouth.org.