4-H State Fair – Educational Fun at Every Turn

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

It’s summertime. Summer reminds me of county and state fairs. I’m reminded of delicious treats, fun rides, amazing animals, and amusing games. I’m also reminded of all the family-fun and educational opportunities for kids and adults of all ages. 

The Marion County and Indiana State Fairs pack in so many enjoyable learning opportunities specifically by and for youth through 4-H entries. The 4-H Youth Development Program exists to promote the positive, healthy development of young people. Their mission is to provide the challenges, experiences, support, and the help that young people need to develop to their fullest potential. One of those experiences that youth can receive from 4-H is by participating in county and state fair projects. Many of us thinking of 4-H as a bunch of “farmers and county folks” showing off their cool livestock. How can a cosmopolitan kid get involved with 4-H?

There are so many opportunities for youth to get involved in the 4-H State Fair program. Besides the obvious animal exhibits, youth can also enter projects in more than 20 other categories; including:

·        

 Agriculture/Horticulture

o   Beekeeping

o   Floriculture

o   Gardening

·         Exhibit Hall

o   Interactive demonstration

o   Aerospace

o   Cake decorating

o   Cat and dog educational posters

o   Child development

o   Computer technology

o   Clothes

o   Crafts

o   Electric systems

o   Entomology

o   Foods

o   Genealogy

o   Geology

o   Health

o   Staying Healthy

o   Home Improvement

These categories off youth to explore almost any subject matter of their interest. Youth can have fun researching, collecting, building and teaching about these subject matters. Each category is divided amongst three divisions from youth 3^rd – 12^th grade. This is an excellent way for youth to get involved with their community, volunteer, learn, teach others, and feel accomplished because of their accomplishments.

It’s too late to enter into a project into the 2013 4-H Fairs. However, please visit the fairs and admire and learn from the youth projects. If you’re interested in volunteer to help youth with projects and other development opportunities, visit: http://www.four-h.purdue.edu/volunteer/index.cfm. To join your local 4-H chapter and to learn  about other education opportunities, please visit: http://www3.ag.purdue.edu/counties/marion/pages/default.aspx.

Farewell MCCOY!

By Danielle Guerin and Anne West

Anne and Danielle at the Statehouse with Youth Advocacy Council Members

        

Hey everyone this is Danielle, one of MCCOY’s AmeriCorps VISTAs. I just wanted to drop in and say goodbye. It has been a crazy year with amazing experiences! When I started at MCCOY last year, I did not expect to do all the things I have done. I’ve gained so much knowledge from working on the Co-location of Services Project to planning a youth conference! I’m so glad that I was able to spend this year of my life working with an amazing organization and doing such awesome work.

Once I leave MCCOY, I will spend the summer as a Summer VISTA at a day camp. After that, I will be heading south to Bloomington to start my Masters Degree in Public Affairs at Indiana University’s School of Public Affairs. I’m already getting more opportunities for amazing experiences with IU, I will be leaving for the Peace Corps in the Summer of 2014.

Hello all, this is Anne, the other Americorps VISTA at MCCOY. I’m leaving my year at MCCOY grateful for the opportunities to work with an incredible staff and learn from some incredible youth workers and students. Working with the Youth Advocacy Council made me a strong believer in the potential of our youth and  helped me grow as a facilitator and mentor. I loved working on research projects at MCCOY like the Blueprint for Action and the What’s Possible focus groups with youth.

My time at MCCOY was a fundamental part of my decision to pursue a Masters of Social Work after my VISTA year. I will start my program at the School of Social Services Administration at the University of Chicago this fall. I hope to go on to concentrate in the positive development of youth through research, organizing, and advocacy.

Thank you to all the MCCOY staff, board members, community volunteers, youth workers and youth who made our time at MCCOY so meaningful!

Legislative Interim Study Committee Update

The legislative session is over and soon we will turn our attention to those topics that warranted further discussion and will be considered for the 2014 session.  Stay tuned as MCCOY will be watching the following committees:

• School Safety Interim Study Committee (new) - This committee will study how to improve the safety of schools in Indiana and develop best practices for a school resource officer to employ in order to successfully carry out the officer's responsibilities.  Proposed members of this committee are:
• An adolescent development expert or pediatrician
• A mental health professional
• A law enforcement official
• A school principal or superintendent
• Commission on Improving the Status of Children in Indiana (new) – this committee will study the topics assigned by SEA125 as well as the topic assigned to the Committee on Child Care by SEA305 that deals with due process for child care providers.  The committee is also assigned the following topics:
• Whether Indiana should require a photograph of a SNAP recipient on the recipient's electronic benefits transfer (EBT) card
• Whether Indiana should require a SNAP recipient to show the recipient's photo identification issued by a federal, state, or local unit when the recipient uses the recipient's electronic benefits transfer (EBT) card.
• Whether Indiana should seek approval to allow the distribution of SNAP benefits to a recipient on a bimonthly basis.
• Proposed members of the commission are:
• One (1) legislative member appointed by the speaker of the House of Representatives.
• One (1) legislative member appointed by the minority leader of the House of Representatives.
• One (1) legislative member appointed by the president pro tempore of the Senate.
• One (1) legislative member appointed by the minority leader of the Senate.
• The superintendent of public instruction.
• The director of the department of child services.
• One (1) judge or justice with experience in juvenile law appointed by the chief justice of Indiana to serve on the commission for a period of four (4) years.
• The executive director of the prosecuting attorneys council of Indiana.
• The executive director of the public defender council of Indiana.
• The secretary of family and social services.
• The state health commissioner.
• The director of the department of correction division of youth services.
• One (1) representative of the juvenile probation system, appointed by the chief justice of Indiana for a period of four (4) years.
• The director of the office of management and budget, or the director of the state budget agency, as selected by the governor.
• A member of the governor's staff, to be appointed by the governor.
• The executive director of the division of state court administration.
• The director of the division of mental health and addiction.
• The attorney general, who shall serve as a nonvoting member.
• Criminal Law and Sentencing Policy Study Committee (existing) – this committee will prepare legislation for introduction in the 2014 regular session of the general assembly that corrects statutes affected by HEA 1006.
• Commission on Education (existing) – the commission will study the following topics:
• Nonpublic school scholarships (HEA1003)
• Absenteeism, school improvement plans and adding school attendance requirements to Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) eligibility standards (SEA338)
• Teacher preparation programs (SEA409)
• Length of school year and expansion of performance qualified school program (SEA189)
• Topics originally assigned to the Coaching Education Issues Study Committee (SEA372)
• Feasibility of requiring all athletic activities, in addition to football, to meet coaching education standards concerning athlete concussions
• Issues relating to the sudden cardiac arrest of student athletes
• Administration of ISTEP testing

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.