August 5^thwas a great day in the neighborhood, because kids at Warfield Park Summer Camp 2008 had a fantastic picnic, thanks to South Middle River’s generosity.  Ninety four kids from the neighborhood attended the daily camp this summer.  Thanks to the hard work of Sandra, Vanessa, and their staff, these 94 kids had an awesome summer.

            There’s a lot to do at Summer Camp Warfield Park.  Kids learn to swim, play basketball and T- ball.  There’s cheerleading, art, fun movies and lots of life lessons.  The summer camp is open all day to registered kids ages 6 -12.  South Middle River’s donation provided the perfect ending to camp this year.  The kids were treated to grilled hamburgers, hot dogs and chicken.  There were Donna Collins’ amazing baked beans, along with chips, potato salad, and drinks for all.  A great big cake brought smiles to everyone’s face!

            Warfield Park offers ‘Fit Kidz’, an after school program, as well as programs during winter and spring breaks.  Volunteers are always needed for after school sports.  This is an excellent program that gives the children in the neighborhood a really positive, enriching experience.  Contact Sandra Sullivan, Park Director at ssullivan@fortlauderdale.gov.

            Our next BIG event is going to be Halloween.  I really need some folks to lend a hand so that we can put on a haunted house for the kids, and a spooky party!  Please volunteer, I can guarantee you’ll have a blast!  There must be some scary goblins and witches in the neighborhood who can help with this event.  I can be reached at ja2howell@aol.com or 954-525-3627.

On this particular day a young boy and his father were in their backyard. The young boy was playing with a friend. The father could hear his son becoming louder, with more anger in his voice. As the father investigated, he looked on as his son was being quite rude and mean to the other young child.

The father called his son and handed him a box of nails and a hammer and said to him “it’s not right to treat or speak to another person like that! Take the hammer and hammer a nail into the fence every time you become angry. When you’ve been able to control your anger, take a nail out each time.

As time passed there were many nails hammered into the fence. Eventually one day the young teenager had removed the last nail. The son said to his father proudly, “look, the last nail is gone”. The father said, yes son, I’m proud you have learned to control your anger but look at the marks you’ve left behind!

Remember your actions of today may have scars behind.

Seasons change and the games that are played change but the love and commitment to South Middle River’s children are constant at Warfield Park. Thanks to Sandra Sullivan, Warfield Park Manager and her staff, an environment of respect is created with structure in education, competitive skills in sports and just good old fun! 

Vanessa Wright, Director of Programs at Warfield Park provides the encouragement these young ones need. These children are grateful for even the smallest attention. This summer 94 children are attending Warfield’s Summer Camp. Participants will learn all that will keep them on a positive course through life.

The park staff is devoted to these children. Sandra and Vanessa share “South Middle River residents should know, our partnership will insure the future of our neighborhood and the youth within. As budgets and financial aid to parents are cut, the sane alternatives are for those that are able, to sponsor a child financially or to sign up for homework assistance. These and other programs help keep our children off the streets”. The day I visited Warfield, a woman presented a class on respect for others and the children listened attentively. These happy children need and deserve a beautiful childhood they will remember. The good things learned will leave lasting impressions of self-worth that will last a lifetime.

Please contact Sandra (954-759-6896) and become a donor and/or ask how you can volunteer. Sandra said that a modest barbeque at end of July would make a much-appreciated party for these kids. She also wants to start a double-dutch competitive team for the kids. Any volunteers?

Would you believe that inexpensive, new, unused or even old clothing can change lives?  Thurgood Marshall needs donations from our generous SMRCA members and residents.   It’s incredible to consider the level of need right in our own backyards.  We must help the children in our own neigbhorhood!   Here’s a list of needs that we all can donate, in the order of their importance:

1.       BELTS   It’s hard to believe, but the ‘baggy pants’ fad has caught on with elementary school students.  This violates Broward Schools dress code, and offending students must be sent home, losing an important day of school.  We need belts to keep these kids in school.  Inexpensive boy’s belts can purchased at Target, Kmart or Walmart.  We need sizes 6- 12, or medium and large.

2.       SOCKS and UNDERWEAR   Don’t ask, but there is a need in the nurse’s office for girls and boys socks and underwear in kids sizes suitable for grades kindergarten through 5^th grade.

3.       UNIFORMS   All students must wear a solid color polo shirt as part of the Broward Schools Uniform Policy.  Again, to avoid suspensions, the school needs extra polo shirts.  Boys and girls sizes S through L can be purchased at Kmart and Walmart. 

Please pick up one or more of these items while you are doing your personal shopping. I will be collecting donations at our monthly SMRCA meetings, or you can contact me to pickup items.  I can be reached at ja2howell@aol.com, or call 954-525-3627.   Thank you so much for making a difference in the lives of these children.  They need your help.

SMRCA, it is time to “P.A.R.T.T.Y.”!!     Parents Are Reading To Their Young is an exciting new program being introduced this fall at Thurgood Marshall Elementary School . 

Reading to a child is the most important action a parent can take to increase the future academic success of their child.  Unfortunately, too many parents don’t understand this important concept.   Many parents have not realized the economic benefits of academic success. 

Some, due to cultural backgrounds believe that education is strictly the school’s responsibility, and finally, many single parents are just too busy to find the time for this activity.  Thanks to the ingenuity of one teacher, and the generosity of SMRCA, this program will teach a select group of parents the most effective reading techniques with their children through modeling, practice and participation in monthly workshops. 

Twenty parents of children in grades kindergarten through second will be invited to participate.   The first workshop will be on Wednesday evening, September 17, at 6:30 and will last one hour.  Then, the third Wednesday evening of each month parents, students and volunteers will meet again for more practice and tips. 

You CAN change a life! We desperately need volunteers to work with parents and their children.  We’ll teach you all you need to know.  It’s a great way to get to know your neighbors, and build a better future for their children.  Please email me, or call to volunteer.   Contact Jim Howell at ja2howell@aol.com or call 954-525-3627.

Today, June 5, 2008 was inspiring.   I sat with six people focused on one thing…children.   Principlal of Thurgood Marshall Elementary, Vice-Principal, and many other key decision makers, including SMRCA recently appointed Chair of our Youth Liaison Committee and learned many things.

I learned the children need underwear and socks.   I learned they may not know what a “mall” is or where they could find one.   I learned that 25% of the total attendance at Thurgood Marshall “moves” each year.   I learned they need our help.  SMRCA is a neighborhood organization responsible for helping.  So we will help them. 

Jim Howell, at my discretion as a teacher at Thurgood Marshall will be nominated to serve on our Board as a Director. Teachers and/or the Principal at Thurgood Marshall will serve on Jim’s SMRCA Youth Liaison Committee.   Father Charles of the Divine Mercy Catholic Church who has indicated his shared interest (with SMRCA) in helping our youth invest in our future will be asked to join the committee and help SMRCA by providing a clear message of the most urgent priorities. Our children are our future and they need our help. 

SMRCA, subject to the Board’s approval stands by to help financially and organizationally to change lives one step at a time as described above.

The game of chess is a basis for life, since both rely on logic to succeed.  Every move a player makes has a consequence.  If we all behaved like chess players and thought of the reactions to our actions, what a world it could be!  For children, the game improves attention spans, which is key for academic success.  Lastly, the game is played with healthy competition.  There’s no “pushing or shoving”…players shake hands at the end of each game!  

Ms. Valentine, in my opinion (more…)