The summertime achievements we are highlighting in the July 2010 GUH Newsletteroffer fun, engaging ways for kids to stay active during the otherwise lazy summer months. These programs are a reaction to the unfortunate reality of the U.S. “achievement gap.”
The National Center for Education Statistics defines the educational achievement gap as a statistically significant difference in scores between any two groups of students.Andy Porter, Dean of the Penn Graduate School of Education, emphasizes the reality that disparities in children’s “opportunit[ies] to learn” before and during schooling are a primary contributing factor to the achievement gap. Exciting research from Johns Hopkins University highlights the idea that “achievement gaps by family SES (socioeconomic status) and race/ethnicity widen more during the summer months than during the school year.” That’s where enrichment-focused, affordable summer programs, like those Rice County programs presented in this GUH video, programs from other parts of the country, and national efforts, can make a difference!
While it is wonderful that there are a variety of programs available for youth this summer, closing the achievement gap (and keeping it closed) will not happen overnight. Programs that have existed need to continue, and new programs may need to be created to keep providing sufficient innovative programming for all of the communities of Rice County.
How can we sustain the good work that is being done and still needs to be done? With whom does the responsibility lie to keep these programs going and breathe life into new efforts? What other programs are doing exciting work in the summer? What sorts of programs should exist that don’t to address the summer achievement gap issue, and who needs to take the lead on maintaining them?
Brainstorm your ideas and contribute to the dialogue below!
On November 14, Janet Lewis Muth sat down with Carleton student Brian Gilbert for an interview. Brian and several other students at Carleton, along with faculty members, have started a website called Pressville for publishing news that is pertinent to the Northfield area. Here is the link to the interview…
Tomorrow evening is the annual “Night to Unite” (formerly known as National Night Out) - a chance to get out, meet some neighbors, and get to know the local law enforcement folks as partners in our community. The Cannon River Mobile Home Park is having their annual gathering from 6:30 to 8:30 PM. Pinatas made by participants in our very own Camp Sol will be part of the festivities.
The Northfield festivities will be held in a central location - on Water Street. Look for the Growing Up Healthy team from Viking Terrace at the Community Services table.
Hope to see you there!
Neighborhood leaders at last year's National Night Out event
This spring a Carleton College student produced a short video about the efforts of the neighborhood leaders in Cannon River Mobile Home Park. It is a great depiction of their dedication and work. Thank you to Libbie Weimer for all of her hard work!! Check it out below…
Last night we had another successful “Monday in the Park” in Faribault. Despite the cool, somewhat rainy weather, over 50 people gathered to socialize, play games with kids, share some food, and just enjoy time together. We are continuing to meet every Monday evening in June and July from 6:30 to 7:30 pm in the park behind the Faribault Middle School. While the focus is on socializing and English practice for women and children, all are welcome to come meet some new friends. Join us if you can!
On Saturday, May 23 - in the rain - we broke ground for the community garden in the Cannon River Mobile Home Park. Nine families will have small plots this year (10′ x 10′) right in their own neighborhood. The tenth plot will be tended by the children who participate in the summer programming in the neighborhood.
Residents and volunteers remove sod from garden area
If you have any gardening supplies that you would like to donate, please contact Growing Up Healthy. We are specifically looking for: a large (1000 gallons or more) water tank; a small shed for storing tools; various garden tools; and fencing to surround the garden.
I got a phone call the other day from one of our neighborhood leaders. A resident of a mobile home park had been without heat for a few days and needed some assistance getting connected to a resource. Our leader knew just what to do, called Three Rivers and got this resident connected with their emergency service. Someone went to her house and fixed her furnace. But as a result of going without heat for several days, many of her water pipes froze and burst. So she had heat, but still couldn’t live in her home because she didn’t have any running water. Three Rivers had their hands tied. The funds that they receive to do the emergency furnace repair are restricted. Don’t get me wrong - they were incredibly helpful, willing to help piece together other donations if possible to help this resident. But the point is that the SYSTEM is completely flawed here.
So what is a person in this situation supposed to do? We all know that in mobile homes the water pipes are prone to freeze - especially if the heat is off. There are laws that protect people from having their heat turned off, but nothing in place to help people with the collateral damage that happens as a result of a loss of heat. I think we can find a solution. Ideas anyone?
