Ivan Gilreath is the CEO/President of Boys & Girls Clubs of the Midlands. In his first public message, Ivan discusses his history with the Clubs in Omaha, the need to return to full Club capacity, and the need for community support.
The CEO Video Address is a monthly feature of the BGCM Blog, giving CEO Ivan Gilreath the opportunity to share Club news updates with the Omaha, Carter Lake and Council Bluffs communities.
From the Corporation for National & Community Service and MLKDay.gov
After a long struggle, legislation was signed in 1983 creating a federal holiday marking the birthday of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The federal holiday was first observed in 1986, making 2011 the 25th anniversary of the King federal holiday.
In 1994, Congress designated the Martin Luther King Jr. Federal Holiday as a national day of service and charged the Corporation for National and Community Service with leading this effort. Taking place each year on the third Monday in January, the MLK Day of Service is the only federal holiday observed as a national day of service – a “day on, not a day off.” . The MLK Day of Service is a part of United We Serve, the President’s national call to service initiative. It calls for Americans from all walks of life to work together to provide solutions to our most pressing national problems. The MLK Day of Service empowers individuals, strengthens communities, bridges barriers, creates solutions to social problems, and moves us closer to Dr. King’s vision of a “Beloved Community.”
MLK Day of Service at the Clubs
On January 17th, as many of the community’s schools are closed, the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Midlands will be open to celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service. Each Club will hold their own events so members can learn about the extraordinary efforts of Martin Luther King, Jr., and take part in giving back to their Clubs and their communities.
The approaching dog days of summer are a signal that jump ropes and baseball gloves will soon be replaced with text books and backpacks as schools everywhere open their doors to students. It’s a time of both excitement and anxiety as students and parents prepare for this change. But what exactly do your kids need to be ready for the big day?
Immunizations – Proper medical exams/shots are vital to maintaining a healthy kid and healthy school. Requirements can vary from district to district, so make sure to consult your school nurse or healthcare provider. Remember that immunizations are not just for school age children either. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), teenagers should continue to see their pediatricians or other physicians on a regular basis.
School Supplies – Like immunizations, school-supply requirements will vary and should be made available by your kids’ school. For elementary students, a local teacher recommends a box of crayons, sharpened pencils, colorful notebooks and a backpack for year-long success. For more ideas, check out this comprehensive list from GreatSchools.org, and be sure to attend parent orientation.
Some states offer tax holidays on select school supplies and clothing. For a complete list of what your state offers, visit http://www.taxadmin.org/fta/rate/sales_holiday.html#chart.
Reset Schedules – Overcoming summer bedtime and eating habits can be one of the toughest challenges for parents and kids alike. Try to press the reset button about a week before school begins – put kids to bed earlier and adopt normal school-year eating schedules to ease the transition.
Breakfast is a key to all-day performance at school. Try to get in the habit of sitting down with your kids over a healthy breakfast to discuss the day. This is a great way to spend some quality family time, and can also help reduce some nervousness before the bell rings.
Practice Run – Kids thrive on structure. Map out morning and after-school timelines with your kids and complete several “test runs” in the days before school begins. Make sure they know where they will be dropped off and picked up, and that they have contact numbers and emergency info inside their backpacks in case they need it.
Positive Attitude – Behind a great breakfast, a positive attitude on learning and success is the most important thing your child can have going to school each morning. While it may be difficult as they long for lazy afternoons at the pool, you as a parent need to set a great example by placing a high value on education. Show them how much your own education means to you. Your child will appreciate this and will follow your lead.
For more tips on fostering a positive attitude on school, read this article from Livestrong.com.
Education Spotlight is a regular series on the BGCM Blog that highlights important information and issues related to your kid’s education, extra-curricular activities and well-being at school.
Susan Hager is the Development Assistant for Boys & Girls Clubs of the Midland, and serves as a contributing member of the BGCM Blog Team. She can be reached at shager@bgcomaha.org.
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