Asset Corner #77

SHOW KIDS YOU CARE:  POINT OUT WHAT YOU LIKE ABOUT THEM. May’s Asset Category: COMMITMENT TO LEARNING. A love of learning will take them far Education has improved immensely in the past 20 years. Today, more young people are taking high-level courses, fewer of them are dropping out, math and science scores are on the rise, and more students are entering college after high school. But that doesn’t mean a commitment to learning happens naturally in all young people. Instilling this important trait involves a combination of values and skills that include the desire to succeed in school, a sense of the lasting importance of learning, and a belief in one’s own ability. This commitment is strongly influenced by the school environment and relationships with family and peers.


COMITMENT TO LEARNING Assets Include:

               #21 Achievement Motivation – Young person is motivated to do well in school. (65%*)
            #22 School Engagement – Young people is actively engaged in learning. (55%*)
            #23 Homework – Young person reports doing at least one hour of homework every school day. (47%*)
            #24 Bonding to School – Young person cares about her or his school. (52%*)
               #25 Reading for Pleasure
– Young person reads for pleasure 3 or more hours /week. (22%*)

Tips for building these assets
By supporting young people and reminding them of the built-in rewards of learning, you can help them deepen their engagement in learning at school, at home, and in the community. Focus on young people individually to help meet distinct needs, styles, and preferences. Schools and youth programs often offer different options. And remember: Learning happens everywhere, not just in school. 

Also try this
In your home and family:
Encourage reading as a regular part of your child’s day or read aloud together. When young people are read to, have book collections at home and limits on TV watching, they are more likely to read for pleasure and lifelong learning.
In your neighborhood and community: Be a role model. Show young people your enthusiasm for learning new skills and gathering information. Encourage and support young people in finding new things that get them excited about learning.
In your school or youth program: Bring in guests who have achieved their dreams. Invite the students and participants to interview them and learn firsthand about the commitment needed to succeed.

ASSET RELATED NEWS
The completed Parma MyCom Youth Development Plan will be presented to the community at a meeting scheduled for 5:30 pm, Tuesday, May 3rd at the Powers Blvd Library, Conf. Rm. B. Here's your chance to share opinions/suggestions, meet staff from Ohio Guidestone, the new lead agency that will be implementing the plan, and represent your community in support of our youth. Your active participation is vital to the process and its success. Please invite and encourage other interested parties to attend.

Are you interested in obtaining your GED? Do you have kids entering the 1st thru 5th grade this fall;? Then Families Learning Together  is for your family. This fun interactive program will both prepare you for the GED but also provide a summer learning experience your child will enjoy. It’s scheduled for Tuesdays, Wednesdays & Thursdays beginning June 26th thru August 11th, 9:30 am – 1:00 pm at the Parma Library (on Powers Blvd). Register online or call 440.885.8362.
Particularly for our business partners out there, the Parma First Step PTA has a number of end-of-the-school-year events they'd like to do for their young kiddos. If you're a local business looking for a really "feel-good", relatively inexpensive way to build up your business while helping out our local kids you'll want to check out this opportunity. Call Amanda Rouse at 216.544.5840 to learn how you can help.
A newly formed parent networking organization called Partners For Community Connections has been created to support individuals w/disabilities and their families. Caregivers, individuals w/disabilities, parents and/or any interested families are welcome to attend a meeting of the group from 9:00 am – 12:00 on Monday, May 9th at the North Royalton Library, 5071 Wallings Rd. The keynote speaker will be Kelly Petty, Superintendent, Cuyahoga County Board of Developmental Disabilities. The event is free but requires an RSVP to erin.hinkel@yahoo.com.
The Collab continues to work hard collecting donations of new or like-new prom, bridesmaid or special occasion dresses, shoes, accessories (jewelry, purses, shawls, etc.) and new/unused makeup for the BELLE OF THE BALL BOUTIQUE coming up on May 7, 2016. You can help make sure that every young girl, regardless of circumstances, has the opportunity to feel beautiful and special at her High School Prom. Call the Collab at 440,887.4873 for details.
Don't forget to save the date - Saturday, May 21, 2016 and consider sponsoring or participating in the PARMA WAY 5K. To register go to www.parmacityschools.org/parmaway5k. For more information contact Kyan Johnson at 440.885.8777.
The next Mobile Food Pantry at the Collab is scheduled for Thursday, May 12th. Help is needed in the morning (9:00 am) to unload & set-up, and again in the afternoon (2:00 pm) for distribution. Contact Kira Karabanovs, Director of Family & Community Engagement for details on how you can get involved in this and many other youth related programs - email: karabanovsk@parmacityschools.org; ph: 440.842.7022.

SHARE YOUR ASSET BUILDING IDEAS AND/OR THOUGHTS ABOUT THE DEVELOPMENTAL ASSET CONCEPT BY VISITING THE “ASSET CORNER” FACEBOOK PAGE. I’M LOOKING FORWARD TO HEARING FROM YOU.




Gene Lovasy

Community Volunteer/Activist

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Volume 8, Issue 5, Posted 8:46 AM, 05.03.2016