Hiring Americorps members--Immediately!

The Central Dallas Ministries’ Education Department is looking for dedicated, committed, and creative individuals who wish to be a part of a program that moves youth forward by focusing on social skills, college, careers, through incorporating innovative technology, doing projects (like gardening, blogging, reporting, etc.), providing fun reading activities, and creatively interacting with academic-type classes.

There are 8 part time (25-30 hrs/week) and one full-time (40 hrs/week) position available:

Part-time positions require a high school diploma with a preference given to those working on or already having a degree in Education.

Full-time position (40 hrs/week) require a high school diploma with an ability to oversee programs, write curriculum, organize staff scheduling and working directly with students in a variety of areas. 

If interested, please fill out application at www.cdmamericorps.org and forward application and resume to Janet Morrison at jmorrison@centraldallasministries.org or fax to Janet Morrison at 214-824-5355.

Multiple Program Coordinator

Full-time position--40 hours/week (Sept. 1-July 30)

Position to be filled 8.31.10

Hours: 12:00-8:00 Monday-Friday (some Saturdays)

The coordinator is in charge of developing, overseeing, and helping implement all programming in the building and ensuring the program maintains a focus on programming that develops education, college/career, and social skills. He/she will monitor the youth's academic and social development, communicate progress with each child's parents, and work with each program to adjust curriculum accordingly. The Program Coordinator will be responsible for recruiting volunteers and ensuring any curriculum they use maintains the program focus. In addition, the coordinator will ensure program data is collected and reported.

After-School Academy Teacher

Part-time position--25-30 hours/week (Sept. 1-June 3)

Position to be filled 8.31.10

Hours: 1:00-6:30 Monday-Friday (some Saturdays and later evenings)

The ASA Classroom Teacher will be responsible for planning, creating, and implementing activities in a project-based approach to teach Kindergarten through 5th grade students. Teachers must maintain a strong focus on "going green," and will assist with creating lessons for their students in the Learning Garden, Farm Stands, Library, and Computer Lab. Teachers are expected to focus students on improving social skills (caring, manners, and greeting), college and careers, critical thinking, and project-based learning within their classroom. 

Librarian

Part-time position--25-30 hours/week (Sept. 1-June 3)

Position to be filled 8.31.10

Hours: (varies slightly) Monday-Friday 3:00-8:00 and Saturdays 10:00-2:00

The Librarians will work together to create programming and facilitate reading clubs for elementary, middle, and high school students. The Librarians will ensure that money is collected for the sale of books and create strategies that draw people of all ages into the library and ensures all Roseland neighbors know the library programming, hours of operation, and location. The Librarians will also oversee behavioral management of library participants and engage volunteers.

Teen U and Mid-Teen U Facilitator

Part-time position--25-30 hours/week (Sept. 1-June 3)

Position to be filled 8.31.10

Hours: Monday-Friday 3:00-8:00 Saturday 10:00-2:00 (hours may vary depending on activities)

The Teen U (9th-12th grade) and Mid-Teen U (3rd-8th grade boys) Facilitators will supervise and assist with programs to prepare middle and high school students mentally, socially, and academically for college. The Facilitators will assist with homework, connect youth to programs/events that further their stated interests, and collaborate with other organizations to offer programming with the goal of preparing youth for college and post-secondary life. The Facilitators will establish relationships and partnerships with the parents to help them understand and be able to assist their child in preparing for college/post-secondary. The Facilitators will recruit volunteers as needed to facilitate programming and will develop programming that includes evenings, weekends, and summer.

Technology Facilitator

Part-time position--25-30 hours/week (Sept. 1-June 3)

Position to be filled 8.31.10

Hours: Monday-Friday 3:00-8:00 Saturday 10:00-2:00 (hours may vary according to other staff schedules) 

The Technology Instructor will supervise and assist with programs to prepare elementary, middle, and high school students mentally, socially, and academically for the world of technology. He/she will facilitate the Digital Connectors program that combines leadership development, digital education, and community service to prepare youth, ages 14-to 21 years old, to build the technical proficiency of their respective communities, and serve as a bridge to digital opportunities. He/she will also create educational technology opportunities for elementary, middle, and high school students.

Books for 25 and 50 cents! I cant believe it!!!!!

Last week while I was doing Kidzlit with my K-3rd graders, I was approached by one of my older students who wanted to buy a book that is apart of our most famous series, The Bluford Series. I told him I would help him as soon as I was done with the younger students. When I was ready to help him and told him the book was only 25 cents, he could not believe it. He was overjoyed at the cheap price of the book. He could not believe how affordable the books are in the library. So, I told him from now on he could by books instead of candy because they cost less and last longer.

Jobs vs Careers

This week the students in the library explored the different between jobs and careers. This was very important for them to learn because they are exposed to jobs all of the time but need to know about careers. After we completed the exercise they had new goals that they wanted to accomplished.

Library Update

There has been a lot of things happening in the library over the course of the last few weeks.

The book clubs are in full affect. Last week we had about 12 preteens including two boys that met on Wednesday. With each meeting the preteens are opening up more. They are enjoying reading out loud and doing the assignments that collate with the book. The adult book club has turned into a walking book club with about 5 parents. It has been growing each week. A Piece of Cake has really been a hit with the parents.

Group reading is also something we are doing in the library with the young kids after the asa program is done in the evening and with the preteen boys. The young kids have completed two Junie B. books. The first time I passed out the books to the group no one wanted to read because they did not think they could read chapter books. However, about halfway through the first Junie B. Jones' book, I had a lot of volunteers wanting to read out loud. Th group reading with the preteen boys started off as something for them to read individually to challenge their reading skills. Then, one day they suggested to me that we all read the book together. Since that day we have been reading Percy Jackson and The Olympians The Battle of the Labyrinth, a few days a week. Group reading not only helps the students with reading but it allows this to practice reading in front of a group which will help their public speaking skills.

Also, today we had a very successful book fair. We sold a lot of books to people in the community. It also help get the word out more about the library. Many of the people who saw the library were very impressed at the fact that we had so many children's books.

Library Rules!!!!!!!!!!!!

Today in the library was "Fun Fest Friday" and the kids were having it out with our most famous game ZIPZAPZOP. One of the students who requires extra attention was choosen as the group leader. He didn't mind taking on the task at the end. I learned that Kanye would probably Be the next Dr.Ben Carson.

Who Said Kids do not Like Fruit

This week the farm stand started and I took a few of the kids from the library to see the different types of fruits and vegetables they had. I did not think the kids would want anything because they were kind of reluctant to go. However, when we got there, they begged me to buy them a few bags of bananas and apples. I was not sure if they were going to eat the fruit or just wanted some because the fruit looked so colorful. But, I figured 15 pieces of fruit for $3, even if they did not eat the fruit, there was nothing lost.

After returning to the library from the fruit stand, it was time for my weekly book club meeting with the preteens. Last week to kick off the book club I brought cookies. But, since I know we are trying to encourage healthy eating habits along with promotion of the fruit stand in the community, I decided to take the oranges and apples I had bought for myself to see if the kids would be willing to try them.

I once again underestimated the kids. I ended up leaving the book club without any of the fruit I purchased. They enjoyed the fresh fruit this week more than the cookies. I was a little disappointed that I did not get to try any of the fruit from the farm stand but I was excited that I was able to help promote the farm stand by allowing the students to taste the product being sold. They are all ready to purchase fruit next Wednesday. They also have been telling their neighbors about how good the fruit was. It is often said the best way to advertise is word of mouth. Now, it can also be said children enjoy Fruit.

--Tiffany

D.E.A.R. Time

DROP EVERYTHING AND READ!

Library Learning

As I was observing the Green Team implementing their weather/environment workshop, I got a pleasant surprise. Jailyn and Trinity started greeting me in sign language!

Every day after the After-School Academy is over (around 2:00 p.m.), Trinity and Jailyn head over to the Library/Bookstore. Two days a week, Ms. Brittany teaches sign language. Evidently, they're catching on! :)

I Got Caught Doing Something Good

With the beginning of the summer programming at the Roseland Library and Bookstore, the staff implemented the "Got Caught Doing Something Good" jar. Although it is only a recycled animal cracker jar, the kids that come to the library are very eager to get their name in the jar. The winner gets to pick out one book of their choice within the library to make their own library.

Our first weekly recipient of the "Got Caught Doing Something Good" was Ta'Kyra. She is an avid library participant and also is an attendant at the After School Academy's Summer Enrichment Program. I witnessed her be a leader within her peer group and even demonstrate respect and social encounterings surpassing those older than her. She always greets the staff and any other adult that enters the library. She even helped us with constructing our library expectations.

I am overly excited about Ta'Kyra's performance over this summer in the library. Until next week...she was caught red-handed--doing something good.

Whispering Wednesdays

As I took a potential volunteer on a tour through the Connect U computer lab yesterday, I was greeted by Iesha with a nice firm handshake and good eye contact (as usual). However, as I continued walking into the lab and talking about our programs, the kids quickly shushed me.

"You've got to whisper, Miss Janet!"

"Why?" I whispered.

"Because it's Whisper Wednesday!" they whispered back in unison.

I loved it! It was so quiet in Connect U. Mr. An (our IT specialist who oversees Connect U) explained that it was Miss Katrina's idea. So I ventured over to the library to check them out as well. Sure enough, they were all as quiet as mice. Katrina was sitting on the floor with two kids leaning on her, eagerly listening to a book she was reading to them, three other kids were sitting at the table doing their homework, and a few others were in a different section quietly browsing for their next book to read.

Since September 2009, the library has sold over 170 books to the Roseland Community. The kids love buying the books (for 25 or 50 cents) and building their home libraries. When I used to walk over to the library, kids would often be running around, talking loud, and distracting each other. Katrina has done an amazing job. These days, the library seems more like a library. Kids sit around and read or do homework. When story time comes around, 15-20 faces look eagerly at Miss Katrina as she reads and does activities with them.

Building a community around reading...does it get any better?? :)

Spotlight: Bridgett and Phillip Casey

There's nothing like having great parents. Though I believe all parents want the best for their children, I also realize that some parents take advantage of opportunities more than others.

Brigett and Phillip Casey are two parents who are soaking up every opportunity that comes their way. They enrolled their oldest boy, LaMarcus, in our After-School Academy at the beginning of last year. It was our first year so we had an orientation to sign people up. Bridgett and Phillip were one of the first couples there.

Throughout the first year of our program, they were very supportive. They loved that we had a checkbook system where kids earned and lost "dollars" according to behavior. They had to write their gains and losses in their checkbook to keep track. Bridgett and Phillip wanted to implement the system at home so we gave them extra check registers.

This year, they signed LaMarcus up for the program and added his younger brother, Joshua. The two boys are quickly becoming experts at greeting every person who walks in the door...just like we teach--firm handshake, good eye contact, and a strong voice.

Bridgett (and sometimes Phillip) participate in our parenting LOL (Ladies Oxygen Luncheon), faithfully attends the monthly Parent Academy, and started the 10-week Play Connection I blogged about here.

Yesterday, when I talked to Miss Katrina to find out who is buying books at the Library/Bookstore, she said Bridgett and Phillip went in to buy adult books for themselves and also bought a book a piece for their two boys and their older daughter.

Though we recognize that families have other things to do and can't attend every single workshop, meeting, and event we set up, I think Bridgett and Phillip have figured out they can attend everything, gather good information, and, in the process, be a participant in their child's education and experiences.

Thanks, Bridgett and Phillip! You guys are awesome!

Library/Bookstore is gaining ground!

What do you do when the rain has gone away and the weather is beautiful? Go outside, of course! ...which is exactly what Ms. Katrina decided to do with her kids who came to the Library/Bookstore today. What a way to combine the greatest things ever...great weather and a good book!



I look at these eager readers and smile. Less than six months ago, children accessed books through their school library...maybe on a weekly basis. Today, the kids can visit the library/bookstore on a daily basis...and they do!

I was asking Katrina how the library was coming along. She handed me $11.50 in sales just from last week! I asked her who was buying the books. She explained to me that two new boys, Jerry and Rome, have started coming to the library. Both are about 10 years old. They're best buddies and they can't get enough of the library. They come right after school, grab a book, sit off to themselves and read silently. When they're finished reading their book, they scrounge up money and buy it. Since they've been coming, they buy about a book a day.

I had to chuckle. Katrina said she has to warn them to swallow their food. Not sure what she was talking about, she explained that since they library is open until 7:30, their parents come to get them for dinner. The boys say that they will be right back as they sprint to the house and get back as fast as they can...just so they can read some more.

The great thing is...they're not the only ones enjoying the library/bookstore services. I'll post about that later...

How We Became Flat

Prior to Miss Janet leaving to Guatemala, the students in Ms. Katrina's and Ms. Tameshia's classes read "Flat Stanley". After the reading, the kids were challenged to write their own stories of how they became flat and create their very on "Flat Friend". The snow days trumped our flat friend creations, so Ms. Katrina and I created two flat friends in the images of two our students (Lamarcus and Tytiana) to travel to Guatemala with Ms. Janet.

Enjoy some of their stories below....

"I was fighting with my brother and he sat on me to make me flat."--Lamarcus

According to Niesha, our class has become flat on many occasions....

"Once we were at the NBA Jam Session playing basketball against Dirk and the Mavs. He fell on our entire team while trying to dunk and smashed us all flat."

"Another time... we were walking to the After School Academy after school when a very STRONG wind blew us into the side of a building and smashed us. In order to get normal, we rode through the wind on a giant leaf to the nearest gas station. At the gas station, we used the tire air pump to get back to normal."

----

Soon, we will be sending out the rest of our "Flat Friends" to other places around the world. If you're interested, in hosting our "Flat Friends", please email: roselandasa@gmail.com. (Please include "Flat Friends" in the subject line)

After the Bell: Roseland Library/Bookstore

Did you know that we have a Library/Bookstore open to all of Roseland? You can buy adult, teens, and kids books—25 cents for paperback and 50 cents for hardback books. So far, we’ve sold over $40 worth of books! If you’re a reader and would like to donate your favorites so other people can read them, we’d love that as well!

Hours are:
3:00-7:30 Monday, Wednesday, Thursday
3:00-5:30 Friday
10:00-4:00 Saturday

You’re welcome to go hang out in the library, read to your children, buy books, volunteer to help Katrina shelve books, sit and read yourself, etc.

Miss Katrina and Maxine starred in the After the Bell segment on Channel 8 on Monday.

Great job guys!

Martin's Big Words

To honor the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. we read "Martin's Big Words" by Doreen Rappaport for Kidz Lit this week.

Check out Ms. Katrina reading to the children below, their thoughts after reading, and our very own "Dr. Iesha" shares new BIG words she learned. Enjoy!

Happy Birthday Dr. King!

We Have Dreams Also...

After we read "Martin's Big Words", each student shared a dream they have for themselves, their country, and the world. Check out their dreams.....

"My dream for myself is to be a Teacher." --Ladaysha, 9 years old

"My dream for myself is to be a police officer." --Aneja

"My dream for myself is to be a doctor or a nurse. My dream for the world is for everybody to have equal rights".-- Tytiana, 8 years old

"My dream for the country is for everybody to have happiness. My dream for the world is for every person to have shelter."--Shamaria, 7 years old

"My dream for myself is to be a doctor. My dream for my country is for every one to help others." --"Dr." Iesha, 7 years old

"My dream for the world is for every to have X-Box 360's and hot dogs."--Lamarcus, 7 years old

"My dream for myself is to be a judge. My dream for the world is for everyone to have food."

--"Mr. Judge" Aviant, 7 years old

"My dream for the world is for everybody to have freedom and less people in jail".--Niesha, 9 years old

"My dream for the country to help those in need and make sure every one gets an education".--Ms. Katrina

"My dream for the world is for every person to have equal access to food, water, shelter, education, technology, healthcare, etc." --Ms. Tameshia

Gardener's Apprentice

We've got some great things going on at the After-School Academy!

This morning, Channel 8 featured a segment on our Garden and Gardener's Apprentice program. See it here:




by CHRIS FLANAGAN / WFAA-TV

Posted on January 13, 2010 at 10:29 AM

******

DALLAS — Children in one Dallas neighborhood are getting down and dirty with their "garden of dreams," a patch of paradise that has turned out to be a labor of love.

Ladaysha Robinson and her friends are growing radishes, lettuce and turnips in the shadows of skyscrapers.

"It's hard planting a garden," Ladaysha explained. "You have to water them some days, and you have to put mulch around them, keep them covered when it's winter."

Ladaysha and her friends don't have to go far to garden. It's in their apartment complex at the Roseland Townhomes.

The Gardener Apprentice program, which is run by Central Dallas Ministries' After School Academy, offers the children a chance to learn about fruits and vegetables and to also learn about what it takes to grow them.

"It's a great way to feel like they've done something, to have some success in the growing and learning process," said volunteer Susie Marshall.

The Gardener Apprentice program hopes to encourage the kids to try new foods and get them more excited about fresh fruits and veggies, which may not always be easy to find.

"We decided to do the garden because we noticed a lot of the stores, especially in South Dallas, don't have the produce and the vegetables that are high quality and fresh," said Janet Morrison of Central Dallas Ministries.

Ladaysha and her friends are hoping to soon cash in on the fruits of their labor by selling some of the produce at a local farmer's market.

E-mail cflanagan@wfaa.com


Make sure and watch WFAA, Channel 8 on Monday, January 25 at 6:47 a.m. It will feature our Library/Bookstore!

What's happening in the Library/Bookstore??

Yesterday, thanks to Dallas After School Network and WFAA, both our Library/Bookstore and our After-School Academy were filmed, kids were interviewed, and we will have a short segment on After the Bell soon. I'll keep you posted.

I've been hanging out at the Library/Bookstore this week helping get it ready for the kids to come back. Tuesday was our re-opening after the holidays. As soon as school was out, three kids came running, huffing and puffing into the library. Miss Katrina asked them, "What are you running for? You really just couldn't wait to see me again?" To which one of the kids looked at her quizzically and responded, "No...I couldn't wait to get to the library!" I don't think her feelings were hurt too bad. :)

While I was at the Library/Bookstore, I couldn't help but get some footage. Katrina's got a great group of kids and I was thoroughly impressed with how engaged they are every time she reads a book. Of course, you can see in the video below that you really can't help but be enthralled by the book because of her great expressions.

This video shows the different things Katrina has the kids doing after school--from story time to sign language.

KidzLit

Each Wednesday, Ms. Katrina and I deliver the KidzLit curriculum at the Roseland Library/Bookstore. The curriculum not only provides reading enrichment but also engages the children in fun activities that increase comprehension as well as development in the areas of caring, manners, respect, service, and various other values.

Today's book was "Something Beautiful" by Sharon Wyeth. The book is about a nameless little girl whose struggling to find something beautiful in her neighborhood. Initially, she can't see pass the poverty, homelessness, litter, and crime. By the end of the book, the little girl discovers something beautiful all around her neighborhood despite the other issues going on. I'm not going to give all the juicy details of the book so you'll have to stop by and check it out.

One of the activities today, asked the children to answer

"How would they help make the world more beautiful?"

Due to lack of time and other issues, only one student completed the activity.

Here's what she wrote:

"I would make the world more beautiful by helping other people grow gardens so they can always have food, clean trash off the streets, recycling, painting old doors and walls, and giving the homeless people homes."

-Tytiana

Over the week...I'll be sharing more of their ideas/thoughts on how they can help the world become more beautiful.

Our next activity will be planning a "beautification" project for the Roseland Community.

Stay Tuned.

Roseland Library/Bookstore

The Roseland Library/Bookstore was a buzz of activity when I entered. Ms. Anna's class from the After-School Academy was there for their KidzLit reading class. They had finished reading the book and doing their activities and were all browsing the library.

I noticed a low-key rucus begining to take place. I looked over to see Randy rather upset. One of the kids had picked up a book and Randy was afraid he was going to buy it. Miss Katrina intervened, "What's wrong?" Randy, upset, tried to explain, "He's got the book I wanted to buy!!" Katrina calmly explained to Randy, "He doesn't have any money with him today. He was just looking at the book." The other child finished looking at the book and turned it over to Randy. Randy was then able to get his book and pay Miss Katrina at the check out desk. (I believe I heard a sigh of relief. :) )

After his purchase, I realized Randy had already bought three other books that same day.

Randy quickly settled into one of the library tables and began soaking in every word on the page.










The Roseland Library/Bookstore is open for kids, teens, and adults Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 3:00-7:30, Fridays from 3:00-5:30, and Saturdays from 10:00-4:00. Miss Katrina facilitates story times and book clubs for kids and teens.

All books are available to read in the library or to purchase--25 cents for paperbacks and 50 cents for hardbacks.