Asset Corner #81

September’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.

Here are the facts
Research shows the more young people are committed to learning, the more likely they are to grow up healthy. Search Institute has identified five assets in the Commitment to Learning category crucial for helping young people:
            #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
O   From the Library….1)
HOMEWORK CTR ORIENTATION at the Parma Branch, Sept 20th from 6:00 to 8:00 pm - Join the homework center staff to find out about the free center and the help it can offer your child. The entire family is welcome. Light refreshments will be served. Homework Center opens Sept 21st. 2) Go to their web site www.cuyahogalibrary.org/ and check out all the new offerings. Click on the Branches tab for schedules and/or the Donate tab for a link to volunteer opportunities.
Evolving since around 2007 a local non-profit, The Imagine Foundation (www.imaginefreedom.org) Is addressing the issues of human trafficking/slavery by promoting solutions and education. Visit their web site to learn more. Among other things download a pdf of their curriculum for a proposed program called Project S.A.F.E. (Saving Adolescents From Exploitation). You don’t have to be a teacher to appreciate the information. It's definitely worth sharing w/your kids.
The Collab's (at Hanna Elem on Snow & Chevy Blvd) next Mobile Food Pantry will take place on Thursday, Sept 8th. Help is needed in the morning (9:00 am) to unload & set-up, and again in the afternoon (2:00 pm) for distribution. For some perspective on the issue of food, or lack thereof in our community, 13,000 lbs of fruits & vegetables (a new high) were distributed to 150+ households during last month's Food Pantry. 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.
The district's Early Childhood PTA (PECPTA), City of Parma and UH/Parma Med Center are once again collaborating to host the 2nd annual Touch-A-Truck event beginning at noon on Sunday, Sept 19 at the Health Education Center, 7300 State Rd. (just north of Pleasant Valley Rd.) This FREE, signature family event will include monster trucks, fire trucks, police and other unique vehicles for kids of all ages to explore. Other activities include face painting, balloon animals, play area activities & concessions will be available. A portion of the proceeds will be used to support the PECPTA Scholarship Fund for a graduating PCSD student. Any donation of can goods or a non-perishable items will go to the Parma Hunger Center and any loose change will be donated to the Parma Animal Shelter. Visit https://www.facebook.com/pecpta/ for more information about the organization and the event.
Learn more about the Parent Academy by visiting the PCSD web site www.parmacityschools.org & typing "Parent Academy" in the Search Box. You can click on the link describing the program as well as download a schedule of the monthly workshops. Typing "ABLE" in that same Search Box will give you a link to the District's Adult Education Program. Click on the "Exciting New Programs" link to learn more about four new and unique occupational training programs.

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.

Visit www.parmacityschools.org/character, www.search-institute.org/assets for more information about the 40 Developmental Assets and ideas for helping young people build them. Or go here  http://www.parentfurther.com/  for great asset-based parenting tips, tricks, activities and ideas.


Gene Lovasy

Community Volunteer/Activist

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Volume 8, Issue 9, Posted 9:11 AM, 09.02.2016