How did I get to this place?
Submitted by an educator who prefers to remain anonymous.
July 8, 2007

I moved from the West Coast to a city in the Mid-West four years ago. I thought working in an inner city area would be a good place to be useful, since I love teaching children. I wanted to really help children in the inner city rumored “unteachable” in by some educators on the West Coast.
So, my family and I relocated. We eagerly awaited what great things we would experience in our new home. However, never did I ever imagine four years ago when I became part this particular urban school district that the experience I am describing would be mine. This spring a student assaulted me. The student was suspended and five days later he was sitting in my class, appearing to gloat.
Our school’s administration changed a few months prior to the incident. This new administration had no idea of student’s history, nor did they seem interested. As far as they were concerned, every child started with a clean slate when both school heads changed. However, we the teachers did not buy into that philosophy. Needless to say, we had no support. We did not matter. (Continue Reading …)

6903 W. White Eagle Rd., Leaf River, IL 61047
email: info@campkupugani.com
Toll-free: 866-471-4616 | Phone: 815-713-4110 | Fax: 815-738-2764My 13-year-old daughter was blessed to have been given a scholarship to attend a two-week residential camp at Camp Kupugani. last summer. She reported that the campsite was a great place to visit. She said the counselors were helpful and very caring. Naamee reported that she was made to feel more comfortable talking in public and making new friends. This was her first time engaging in activities such as fishing, rock climbing, canoeing, archery, and other adventurous activities. She seems more confident after her experience at camp Kupugani. Naamee had an absolute ball! In her last letter from camp she states, “I LOVE THIS PLACE.”….And I thank owner and director, Kevin Gordon for his generosity and his patience. Scholarships Enable Kupugani Campers
Make a difference in the lives of young girls, donate to Camp Kupugani.Thanks to some generous contributions towards our scholarship fund, we were able to raise $15,000 to facilitate the attendance of some campers who otherwise could not have afforded camp last year. For these girls, they were able to experience an unforgettable time changing their world.
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Without your support, it could not have happened! It could not have happened without you, so thanks again. Our goal for the summer of 2008 is to raise $30,000 so that we can continue to offer a life-changing camp experience for girls who otherwise could never do it. Remember, if you have ten dollars to contribute five hundred dollars or ten thousand dollars…any amount is welcomed and can help to profoundly change a girl’s life. You can send a check to the address listed above. Make checks and money orders payable to ACA Scholarship Fund, with Camp Kupugani written on the memo line. Soon after we receive it, you will receive a confirmation letter and thanks for your tax-deductible 501(c)(3) donation. Your donations will help Camp Kupugani continue their valuable work of building self-esteem in our daughters.

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“Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not depart from it.” Proverbs 22:6

Dear Parents:

Your child’s next teacher would like your help. Here is what is needed. Encourage your child to read. Summer has just begun and there is plenty of time for reading. Be sure to schedule it into your child’s daily routine. Elementary school students should read 2-3 hours each day. High School students should read 3-4 hours daily. Reading time can be scattered throughout the day or completed all at one time.

The purpose of summer reading is:

*to promote continuous reading habits,
*to encourage reading for pleasure,
*to establish a springboard for classroom discussion
in the fall,
*to improve overall academic achievement.

Summer reading develops independent readers who will continue lifelong reading habits. Readers find personal value in reading and sharing good books. Research proves that reading boosts a students overall grades in all subject areas including mathematics and computation. Recognizing the interest of parents in their children’s reading development, parents are encouraged to nurture that development and to make recommendations to their children throughout the year. Provide a variety of books, fiction, nonfiction, everything.

Teachers will see your efforts and appreciate it. Better yet, you will see an improve in grades this fall. That is the best part.

>????????t;To build a nation…build a people.

To build a people…teach the children.

To teach the children…teach them love.”

To help keep your child, no matter his or her age, rooted and grounded in good and positive values, it is imperative that you spend positive time with him or her every day. Ten or fifteen minutes of daily quality time is proven to be most effective and is better than waiting to plan or schedule large clumps of time and not actually getting to it.

Children, including troubled adolescents will respond to adults pleasantly when they know they are loved. Taking the time to smile at a child, to have a brief and focused conversation with a child ensures them that indeed they are loved. There is nothing else in the world , to child, like a parent’s love. It crushes any remotely evil design that stands in its path. A child that feels loved by his or her parents has confidence, positive self-esteem, and respect. To a child, a small amount of quality time feels like a long time when it is consistent. It feels like love. It will help to keep a young person positively focused and is a better strategy for at-risk behavior than anything else. When a child knows they have a special place in a parent’s heart they have a schoolroom, so to speak; a place of comfort, a place for learning, a place to feel the very human emotion - love. It is a certain tool to be used to restore our youth.

Dear Parents:

Your child’s next teacher would like your help. Here is what is needed. Encourage your child to read. No matter your child’s age, there is still time to encourage him or her to become a life long reader. As you consider summer activities for your child, think about allowing scheduled time for reading. Again it is not too late for your adolescent child.

(Continue Reading …)

Anytime of the school year is a good time to speak up regarding the education of your child. Parents do you compliment teachers for a job well done? Teachers do you compliment parents when their child’s behavior and work afford a congratulations?

The mission of empowerachild.com is to help bridge the gap between parents and teachers. Our goal is to provide working, strong, and viable research, tools, and resources that will help parents and teachers work together to increase student learning and demand productivity in a nation of youth at-risk of failure, one child at a time.

Moreover, the end of the school year is fast approaching. Now’s your chance to speak up. Parents, I challenge you to send your child’s teachers thank you cards, emails, or phone calls for taking the time to deal with your children. Teacher’s, I challenge you to make sure when you call, email, or send negative comments about a student that you also include at least one positive complement. Parents are swarmed with the bad. Be the one to make their day. Say something good about their child.

Also, ponder upon these questions and leave your comments. Does society expect too much from parents? Should parents be held accountable for their children? Are teachers expected to help parents raise their children?