Be in before the street lights come on..

Mayor Michael Nutter aka Mr Potato Head (as I like to call him) is in the works of issuing a curfew for the youth of the city of Philadelphia. PH (potato head) claims that he is tired of youth creating flash mobs and harassing residents of the city. So in order to stop this they will have to be in the house by 9 pm with consequences to follow. OK k k, a curfew but what does the time have to do with anything? If you want to solve the problem, talk to them (which I know they haven't tried). There is a disconnect with our people, our community and our thinking. You can't keep young people in control by issuing a curfew, nor will sanctioning help. If anything they will lash out, not quiet down and the problem will go away.

However, Philly isn't the only city experiencing these teen attacks it's also occurring in Mobile, AL + Chicago, IL. Common sense says to me maybe a bigger conversation needs to take place. Maybe on their "Poverty Tour" Cornel West and Tavis Smiley can stop and talk to these young people and see what the issue is. Because this AIN'T GON CUT IT.

Free lunch for everyone!! Come one, come all...

The Loop 21 posted an article stating that students in the City of Detroit will now receive free lunch  in order for children to not feel ashamed of being "low-income". Here is the article .

 I can understand not wanting children to be teased anymore and I am very happy that Obama initiated the Kids Eat Free Act. It's a struggle for parents to have to scratch up money every week, simply because they make too much to qualify for free meals, but not enough t give sufficient funds to their child everyday. Salute President Obama for taking that step and ensuring that kids no longer have to suffer in that aspect and that parents won't have to worry about those struggle fees.

Another salute goes to Mrs. Michelle Obama for her Healthy Living (don't know the correct name) initiative! Meals prepared around the country are now low-fat and healthier for obese children and skinny minnies alike!

I just hope that we continue to focus on these low-income families and do more to help them, specifically the children who feel ashamed of their status at a young age. Remember what that was like, having to ask your mom for lunch money knowing she just put some gas in the car? Or the look on her face when she said I can see what I have after paying bills. PURE STRUGGLE. Let's hope this act gets incorporated into every school across the country! Well done President and Mrs. Obama... well done.

Be Responsible

Yesterday we posted some Back to School tips for returning and new students as well as parents. Today we will be continuing on with the Positive School Year Campaign and talking about "BEing Responsible". Easier said than done in most cases and too often no one takes ownership aka accountability aka responsibility for their work, their life or their part in the situation. Now you're probably sitting at home thinking how can a child take responsibility as such a young age? Easy! The examples they see set by their elders will help them realize how important it is to be a responsible adult/student/family member.

Be Responsible Parents
Accept your role as a parent and make education a priority in your home

Be Responsible Individuals
Take responsibility for the energy you create in your life and the life of those surrounding you.

Be Responsible Neighbors
Pick up that trash in the streets. Teach children to give back. Become mentors. Take pride in where you live

Love. Live. Life.

Back to School 2011

Summer break is over for youth in the South and yesterday marked the first day back to school for most... Little ladies dolled in fresh bows and light up shoes while the gentlemen rock the fresh Jordans and Polo's and new haircuts, took to the halls for a new school year Here are a few suggestions from the HAVOC team to keep the young ones fresh + making sure they keep good grades. Also check out http://www.smirkinit.com/ for the Back to School Collectibles, dope collection!

Follow the HAVOC daily plan:
Meditation Mondays, Writing Tuesdays, Reading Wednesdays, Mentoring Thursdays, Phenomenal Fridays and Thankful weekends that you made it through another week!

Here are some helpful tips for staying on top of the grades this year:
1. Make trips to your local library 2 to 3 times a month.
2. For Parents - Get involved with the school PTA, become more active during the school year
3. Form study groups for children around a particular subject (can be combined with sleep-overs)
4. Connect with teachers, make sure they know your face (parents + college students), keep in contact and stay ahead of the class.
5. Take advantage of every opportunity presented to learn more information concerning school work and community affairs. Remember every little big helps!

Check out these websits for other fall threads at http://www.drjays.com/, http://www.jackthreads.com/ http://www.smirkinit.com/ and of course local shopping centers.

Be Responsible. Be Positive. Be Patient. Be Attentive. Be Precise. Be Committed.

Common Activities for Youth

Get Fit to Read - 3/12/2011

As a child I loved running around outside, instead of sitting in the house and watching tv all day or playing games. However it seems that times have changed...children are encouraged to stay inside versus going out to get exercise and in essence be a kid. This new trend could be because neighborhoods are not as safe as they once were and families are becoming more protective. But if you happen to come across those energetic ones who seem to have ants in their pants, here are a few of my suggestions:

1. Hopscotch - draw blocks number 1- 10...well hopefully you remember the game if not I have linked some instructions :)
2. Red Light, Green Light
3. Jump Rope (double dutch, single rope)
4. Freeze Tag - yet another version of Tag

Well those were my four of my favorite games as a child, along with hand games... you know Swing, Swing, Swing, Down Down Baby, London Bridge and all of that other exciting stuff!

Omar Tyree's Urban Literacy Project

Well as I was doing some research and looking for ways to strengthen the Literacy Promotes Success program, I came across this great project! Best selling author Omar Tyree designed the Urban Literacy project which offers a new structured way of teaching children in the classroom. The program is based on "Instilling The 5 Key Components of Literacy". The mission of the Urban Literacy Project is to increase the overall literacy rate among urban and other disadvantaged youth and citizens.

One component I will use is the Individualized Spotlight. This basically allows students their own time to read aloud and focuses on goals that they would like to accomplish.  With the Individual Spotlight students will be able to select their medium for reading and build on that selection.  All that really matters is that they are reading. READING IS READING IS READING. It's all about visualization and putting thoughts into motion. WRITING IS WRITING IS WRITING no matter what it is they are writing about.

Check out the Literacy Promotes Success program at http://www.havocusa.com/ to see how we are helping with reading comprehension and building literacy levels with low-income familes and Title 1 schools.

Get Fit to Read - Beginning May 2011

Summer…right around the corner. What do you have planned for your family? Going on any vacations, sport leagues or summer camps?

Here are some ideas from HAVOC Inc on how to maintain a healthy lifestyle while making sure children remain active.

We’ve researched some ways for children to mix traditional games with fitness learning and here is our favorite one!

Fitness Games:

Activity Tag
Materials
Activity Cards highlight activities like jumping jacks, sit-ups, push-ups,
and other basic calisthenics.
Number cards from 1-10 to add to the tasks students complete. (You can use
a deck of cards if the jacks, queens, jokers, aces, and kings are removed.)
Directions
Designate an “it” and give that person a stack of activity cards and the
numbered cards. When they tag someone they give the tagged person an
activity card and a number card. The person tagged is to perform the
activity the number of times specified on the card. Once a child finishes
the task, they may enter the game again. You can designate a safety zone with a time limit so children can rest and
be safe.


Each day HAVOC Inc will post a new activity for families to do together including more information on the Get Fit to Read program.