When the School Comes to You . . .

Teacher Kristin Dunlap helps parents and their children master the MSA test practice at the TP Rec Center.

“Schools and districts can’t just sit back and expect parents to come to them.” –Pedro Noguera

Piney Branch Action Team members put Noguera’s words into practice with two recent community outreach and engagement efforts designed to deliver information and tools directly to the school families who want and need them while also building relationships with and among those families.

MSA event gets the star treatment on the Rec Center marquee.

A well attended MSA event was held at
Piney Branch Elementary School on February 3rd (see earlier blog post). But, even with the great parent and student turn-out at that event (more than 170 attendees!), Action Team members knew that there were still many families who wanted to attend, but couldn’t.

PBES students kick-off the Park Ritchie event with a cheer!

Assistant principal Kara Tymon’s words summed up the conviction of the team: “We need to step outside the walls of the school and take this information into the community to reach as many people as we can.”

A key decision was choosing the locales for the “out in the community” events. Team members chose carefully. Ultimately Park Ritchie Apartments and the Takoma Park Recreation Center were chosen. Park Ritchie because it is next to the school and home to many PBES families (and as such is an important place for teachers, administrators, and parent leaders to build connections). The Takoma Park Recreation Center because it is centrally located in the community that is home to many new families at the school.

Aunt and nephew figure out a math problem together.

Park Ritchie’s MSA event was held on February 17th. The complex’s management team was very supportive. “We’ve been looking for ways to connect to the school, so this is great,” said property manager Careese Gonzalez. Ms. Gonzalez’s team provided pizza for the event and helped with promotion.

The MSA event at the Takoma Park Rec Center was held on February 24th. The event provided an opportunity to draw even more school staff into the unique outreach and parent engagement effort. PBES paraeducator Sandra Boone runs an after-school program at the Center and already knows many of the parents. The Action Team leveraged Ms. Boone’s recognition–she promoted the event at bus stops by talking to parents and students and distributing fliers. She also was another friendly (and familiar) face greeting families on the day of the event.

Teacher Ken Allen answers the question of a Park Ritchie parent.

The attendance at both community events was smaller than at the school-wide event. This was expected and welcomed. These community-based events had a smaller targeted audience and were designed to be more intimate. The smaller groups allowed for a less structured agenda which permitted more time for questions and answers regarding the MSA.

Parent Tulu Bacha said that he had attended the MSA Night event at the school and found it useful, but added “I didn’t understand BCRs [Brief Constructed Responses] until the teacher explained it again tonight.”

Principal Generlette listens as students and parents discuss a test question at Park Ritchie.

The smaller audiences were also more conducive to relationship building. “Before tonight, I didn’t know you and you didn’t know me. Now we know each other,” said a smiling Embet Erque when asked, as a parent, what she’d enjoyed most about the evening. This kind of authentic parent engagement happens when schools step forward to meet parents where they are.

 

Can we just start sewing already?

Alicia leading the women in mutual support

For the second Wednesday in a row, 11 Long Branch ladies–has a ring to it, right?– spent two hours teaching one another the basics to sewing. All Latina with young children and living in one of 3 apartment complexes in Long Branch, these are women who see each other nearly every day, whether when leaving their building, or dropping off their kids at school or shopping at the nearby Megamart. Many of them were even on a first name basis before even entering the group.

Like we did last week, we began by having the planning core–Network Guides Alicia and Vicky–welcome the group and lead them in a check in. Quickly, as it often does, the check in morphed naturally into mutual support when Maria talked about how she felt like she is being discriminated again by her property manager. The group jumped into action. Alicia and Victoria suggested she visit the TESS Center where they have free legal consultations once a month. Vanessa gave her the contact info for the county’s mediation center that intervenes in interpersonal disputes. Edelsa and a couple others who’ve heard of similar complaints of the landlord even recommended that they as a group collect signatures from other tenants.

Edelsa shows the ladies the initial stitch for making a pant leg

Also like last week the group reviewed the group agreements, this time adding one about keeping better track of time. Edelsa, a professionally trained tailor who lives in Flower Branch–and who we first met through door knocking–and who has agreed to teach the basics to the group in four weekly sessions beginning next Wednesday, took a moment to lay down a few of her own ground rules before hopping on the machine for a preliminary demonstration. She suggested that since each member will always have something different they want to learn it might be best to have everyone bring in specific things they want to work on–giving everyone a nice side project that Edelsa can help them with. Nearly every woman then gave an example of a pair of jeans or an old dress that they had been dying to repair but never had the time or expertise or materials…or support!

For the last hour, the 11 women huddled around Edelsa and watched on as she went over the basics of setting up the machine and sewing in a straight line. They then took turns practicing under her well-trained eye.

It was amazing how comfortable they suddenly became with each other when the workshop portion of the morning began. As opposed to the somewhat uncomfortable and awkward conversation we tried to spark during the mutual support time, having the sewing machine as a centerpiece triggered a fury of laughter-filled chit chat where ladies even started to share more personal stories of emergencies and crises they find themselves in right now. They exchanged cell phones and contact information of potentially helpful resources. Not to mention that throughout they were rotating watching the six children using the back of the wonderful Carroll YMCA Community Center space.

Edelsa explaining that the key to good sewing is patience and being relaxed. She suggested the ladies bring tea to drink and lettuce to chew on next time to calm their nerves!

No wonder that in checking out nearly every woman mentioned having a wonderful time, but that they’d prefer a little less talking at the beginning. In their own way, they managed to check in and practice mutual support while sitting around waiting for their turn to use the machine. Speaking just from personal experience, I’ve never managed to create the level of comfort and openness in a formal meeting space that the women naturally created by just sharing in a hands-on learning experience that they all see direct pay off from.

In addition, for perhaps the first circle I’ve been a part of, a strong rapport exists between these women who share many obvious similarities. This isn’t to say there aren’t differences–at one point a member brought up the importance that all the women treat one another with respect no matter whether they’re from Guatemala or El Salvador!–but this group certainly enters this more intentional process with a level of affinity and familiarity that allows for deeper relationship building and mutual support to happen almost consequently.

Check back for updates next Wednesday!

Valentine’s Night!!

 We had lots of  food, music and one game “Secret Friends”
 after  to share something good about being in the Fields English class ,we  ate and spent some time with the group,
 

Spending time together before the party

later Game time!!!!
the game was about  ”Secret friend”
During the welcome everyone took a name from  a bowl
we had time to talk and spend some time to know our “secret friend”
- later everyone  described the person, so people had to guess who it was!!!!

Playing the game "Secret Friends"

for example:
 ”my secret friend is always happy, intelligent, he have a crazy nice hair cut and my secret friend is……..Ira for example”
 
  after the game we danced, ate and enjoyed our valentine’s night!!!!!

Dancing during the party

The green warriors have never been stronger

Coach Kenny and his fierce warriors prepping for the big game!

 

Head of the Nob Hill YMCA Community Center and active member of the Long Branch Neighbor Corps team, Kenny Wilson has also been volunteer coaching one of 7 basketball teams sponsored by LBAA. The fourth grade girls team from Broad Acres has made huge strides, playing their most competitive and hardest fought game yet this past Saturday–just barely coming up short of a victory. Pretty amazing for a group girls who for the most part hadn’t even dribbled a basketball before the season began!

 

Only losing by a mere two points, the girls and their families couldn't contain themselves

And while she wasn’t able to make the most recent game, 3rd grade player Lanice’s mom Lucy has begun coaching the team at their weekly Wednesday practices. Believe it or not, she’s the first parent of a child on an LBAA team to take over the coaching reigns! Kenny is thrilled at this development

Each one teach one

 

Emilia, far left, advises Alicia on sewing in a straight line as others cheer her on

After their wonderful informational/planning meeting the previous Thursday evening, the eight women interested in forming their own mutual support and skill exchange circle met for their first official session last Wednesday morning. With the help of Lanita and Frankie who had participated in the Thursday meeting, we had two sewing machines on hand as well as circle-member and trained tailor Edelsa prepared to lead an intro workshop to machine sewing.

Unfortunately, just a half hour before the session was to begin, Edelsa called from the hospital where she was waiting for her sick daughter to be seen by a doctor. The workshop leader wasn’t going to be able to make the very first session! What were we to do?

The answer soon became clear when the eight ladies showed up and jumped into action upon hearing the news about Edelsa. They encouraged Emilia, who had mentioned Thursday night that she had learned how to sew from her mom as a young girl in El Salvador, to start tinkering with the machines–that Lanita and Frankie admitted had been collecting dust on their shelves for several years–to get the machines set up and ready to be used.

With the machines ready to go, the women convened in a circle to participate in a 5 minute relaxation and mind clearing exercise led by Network Guide Nathalie. Then, the women heard from the core planning committee about their understanding of the group’s purpose, goals and ground agreements. With the group calmed and grounded, Victoria led the group in a practice mutual support session in which Emilia–who had barely muttered a word Thursday evening–revealed her devastating story of having been seriously injured in a recent car crash that has left her without work and her family struggling to pay rent. Victoria immediately directed her to Community Connector Yemny at the TESS Center–who had met Emilia at the Thursday night gathering–who they were able to call and make an emergency appointment with just two hours later!

Emiey showing off her first masterpiece. I think she called it "the walking man"...or woman for that matter!

With an hour left, the   women hopped on to the  two machines and, with Emilia’s graceful guidance, began practicing sewing in straight lines. While some of the women own machines but have never known where to begin with using them, others have never touched a machine in their life despite always having an interest in learning.

And so, within just two and a half hours–they couldn’t get enough of the guided practice!–these women managed to connect a member to an emergency service, learn basic sewing skills, agree to guidelines for a four week pilot program of member-led sewing workshops and tap into the hidden talents of one another! What else can we ask for?

Tomorrow morning we’ll continue with the first of four sessions led by Edelsa!

What do you value?

Let it be known that on Thursday February 10, 2010 IMPACT officially entered the business of building networks…with kids! Network member and “youth worker” Solomon Kamwendo led the nearly 50 participants of Long Branch Athletic Association’s (now formally a project of IMPACT) ACE after-school homework help and recreation program in an hour long program that officially inaugurated our pilot “youth and community” component of ACE. Now, every other Thursday the 2nd-5th graders will be engaged around building deeper relationships across lines of difference with their classmates and understand how they can each fully realize their amazing potential to best contribute their gifts and talents to each other and the larger community.

To kick things off, Solomon led the kids in the “name game.” Each student entered the center of the circle to shout their name while simultaneously making a gesture of their choice. The entire group then walked together to the center to imitate each student. So for a few seconds Willie became Willie with a snap and a wink; Lanice became Lanice with a spin move and hair twirl and teacher helper Zoveyda became Zoveyda the superstar with arms stretched wide!

After a short large group discussion, we had the kids split up in four groups and discuss what values are most important to them. There were plenty of repeats: helpful, respect, honesty and a few that stood out on their own: capacity, money, don’t be a bully. We’ll return next session to the large list to have kids choose a handful that they’d like to focus on exploring and practicing in the upcoming months of sessions.

The afternoon finished with each team having 5 minutes to try to work together and devise a way to cross the imaginary quick sand that divided them and their destination on the other side. There was only time left for two teams to try their best…and sadly neither made it. The good news is that the quick sand was just the surface of a basketball court and all involved survived!

Check back in the next few weeks as we’ll be going more in depth into the various programs we’re currently running with youth as well as opening up the discussion to how to best take advantage of the amazing convening power of both sports and kids toward building a stronger Long Branch.

ps. pics are soon on their way.

How do we take care of each other?

Before our scheduled session on Tuesday, Vincent had called to let everyone know about his absence. He was in the emergency room at Holy Cross hospital. In the spirit of mutual support and accountability, Vincent called to share his story with the group.

Instead of the scheduled mutual support session, our check-ins became a time to build relationships, sharing our most vulnerable stories, and struggles. Through these stories, we discovered the shared struggles among over diverse cohort.

Given the challenges, we recognized the amazing support system in the circle. Keysha, eight-months pregnant, shared her energy and enthusiasm around a new job training program in healthcare.

Most importantly, we recognized how to give and receive help from each other, tapping into our network in Wheaton. By the end of the evening, we recognized that the values and habits of  a successful  worker are similar to those of a successful person: someone who is not afraid to ask for help, someone who stays positive, someone who follows through with commitments.

Next week, we’re excited to reconvene with the larger Wheaton network at Tuesdays Together. Vincent vowed to show up next week (given good health). By the time I talked to him, he was in good spirits, having had conversations with Barbara and Lyn in the last 24 hours, two other network members in the circle.

 

 

And the Body Parts are…….!

We  Learned last week in our English Classes was The Parts of the body, the difference between fingers and toes, so the nest time I go to the doctor , I  know exactly the part of my body that hurt me!!!

The class learning about the parts of the body

During our play time, we have fun doing Crossword, and practiced all  the parts of the body, We also learned the weather and seasons.

Women Supporting Women

Long Branch Women's Mutual Support Circle

The Long Branch Women’s Mutual Support Circle met for the first time last Thursday at the TESS Center. The group was formed to promote the exchange of information, ideas, gifts and talents, the building of supportive relationships, and the creation of opportunities for economic empowerment. The first meeting boasted 10 women representing wide-ranging countries of origin from Ethiopia to Honduras.

Victoria shares with group members her hopes for their future.

Victoria, one of the Circle’s organizers, expressed her vision for the group saying, “It’s not something that’s already there, we’re going to build it together. We will show our talents and abilities to others.” As a matter of fact, a large part of the first meeting was devoted to naming some of the gifts and talents that the women possess. Edelsa is a skilled seamstress. Haydee is a great cook. Yemny knows how to cross stitch. Ana wants to share her love of reading.

The members of the group want to meet regularly to learn from each other, be supports to each other, have fun, and perhaps have some small businesses spring up from their time together. The group will meet again on Wednesday, February 16th at the Carroll Avenue Community Center.

Awesome Turnout for MSA Night!

A great evening for the faculty, students, and parents at Piney Branch ES.

 The flyer read: Come and learn about how to help your students prepare for the upcoming MSA tests. But the more than 170 diverse parents and students who filled the Piney Branch ES all-purpose room Thursday night gained that and so much more–new awareness, connections, and power.

Check out the evening in pictures:

Dad and daughter ponder a math question.

There was a large, diverse crowd. Just about every seat in the all-purpose room was filled.

This mom receives Spanish translation via headphones.

Third grade teacher Kristen Dunlap helps a student with a practice question.

Kara Tymon (assistant principal) listens as parent Vineda Myers opens the evening with a community-building exercise.

Fifth grade student Winston shares tips for online test practice.

Test practice website is projected for everyone to see.

A young man eager to share his answer.

Parents and kids working together.

Parents wrote letters to the school board (in their native languages) requesting more school funding.

Parent volunteer Lora Dunn hands out goodies (pencils and sharpeners).

Fifth grade student Eldon solves a door prize puzzle.