Academy of Hope Adult PCS’ Post

The big day is here... GivingTuesday is an international day of giving, and we're turning to our dedicated community members, like you, to support our shared vision for the future of education. In the wake of the global pandemic, Dramatic Results, a nonprofit dedicated to educational excellence, found itself at a crossroads. Like many organizations, the pandemic brought unprecedented challenges, but it also paved the way for introspection and growth. Our journey, especially recently, has been one of resilience, innovation, and a deep commitment to our mission. We're thrilled to share that our upcoming annual report is on the horizon. It's this story of resilience, innovation, and our deep commitment to reshaping education through STEAM and arts integration. In these pages, you'll discover: ➡️ Innovative educational programs and empathetic initiatives. ➡️ Insights into our strategic plan, along with impactful quotes, statistics, and updates from our board of directors and executive director. ➡️ Delivery of professional development to 92 educators, while providing design thinking and arts integration programs to 480 students. Our goal is to raise $2,500, and every contribution will be a step toward achieving this goal. By supporting our GivingTuesday goal, you are supporting efforts to: ➡️ Training educators with state-of-the-art tools and techniques. ➡️ Elevating programs that boost creativity and critical thinking. ➡️ Enhancing our research-backed approach, adjusting based on real-world outcomes. ➡️ Providing STEAM and arts integration into our schools. Start Giving: https://lnkd.in/ga4Bpgyc #GivingTuesday

Nothing makes me prouder and more reflective as my time at Children's University Trust draws to a close, than publishing this, our third set of State of the Nation Reports. Over the past three years we have now analysed over 1,000,000 hours of #extracurricular learning and #enrichment activities beyond the classroom, showing the very real #impact of informal #learning in a way that straddles #school, home and #community. When I joined Children's University Trust, I made it my mission to answer the ‘So What?’ question. We had an active #placebased network and provided thousands of #children with Passports to Learning each year as part of our programme. Encouraging, tracking, and celebrating children’s participation was what the #charity had done since its establishment in 2007, and in #schools and pockets of the country for even longer. But so what? What was the impact of this? These #reports take #data from the past 12 months and analyse provision of, and participation in, learning activities beyond the classroom. Using our bespoke #digitalplatform, Children’s University Online, we can gather data that allows us to see this learning through the lens of #skillsdevelopment, categories of learning, and engagement linked to #careerstrategy through the Gatsby Benchmarks. This year’s reports are informed by data from: 🎉 70,000 children 🎉 19,400 activities 🎉 704,000 hours of participation Having such data underpin a unique 12-month picture like this answers that ‘So What?’ question. If you provide activities for children and want to see where your provision fits within the national context, you’ll find it here. If you are looking for a tool and #dataset that will help your organisation audit your local assets, you’ll find it here. If you’re #policymakers looking for #insights into the impact of learning beyond the classroom, you’ll find it here. No other organisation collects and collates this information as broadly and as comprehensively as Children's University Trust. To be able to share this information with the intent of informing and improving provision of #opportunities for children and #youngpeople, makes me proud. As legacies go, I’m pleased with this one. #CUStateoftheNation #GoodGivingList https://lnkd.in/e6bkAb_Y

Dear Students, You are probably writing your end term exams now, but; 🎓✨ What's Next After End-Term Exams? 🚀💡 As the ink dries on your last end-term exam paper and December beckons with its promise of festive cheer, one might wonder: "What now?" Fear not, for this holiday period is a treasure trove of opportunity to enrich your personal growth and well-being! 🔗 Building Social Capital: This season extends beyond just relaxation; it's an ideal time to foster connections. Engage in meaningful conversations at family gatherings or community events. Expanding your network isn't only about professional gain—it enhances social skills & cultural understanding. ⛱️ Recharge Your Batteries: Remember that rest isn’t laziness—it’s necessary! Give yourself permission to unwind. Perhaps immerse yourself in books that piqued your curiosity during term time but you couldn’t quite get around to read. 👐 Embrace Volunteering & Charity Work: The spirit of giving back doesn't have a seasonal expiry date—December holidays can amplify this call. Contribute some hours at local shelters, organize events for underprivileged children—or start small within your neighborhood! 🏠 Participate in Household Chores: Don't underestimate the value learned from contributing at home. It nurtures responsibility and teamwork—an integral part of Personal, Social, Health and Economic (PSHE) education principles we advocate year-round. In essence, let these weeks serve as more than just an academic intermission; view them as chapters added to your life experience book—a canvas awaiting vibrant strokes of learning beyond classrooms walls. From RESILIENCE International School we wish you Happy Holidays! May they be educational in ways far exceeding traditional academia. #StudentLife #WinterBreak #PersonalGrowth #CommunityService #RestAndRelaxation #InternationalEducation #CambridgeEducation #IGCSE

The lazy days of summer are coming to a close, and we’re now entering National Back to School Month! 📚✏️ This time of the year can be both exciting and stressful. There’s a lot to coordinate: purchasing supplies, signing up for afterschool activities, and readjusting schedules. There’s no doubt that education is one of the greatest investments we can make in our children’s futures. This month, whether you have children or grandchildren, we can all help support the next generation, especially those less fortunate than us. Think about donating supplies, volunteering your time, or contributing financially to initiatives such as Junior Achievement USA (https://lnkd.in/epbEUXzM bit helps. Helping families with financial strategies to fund educational goals is one of the most rewarding parts of my job. I strive to invest in the future generations and support education in our communities during this time of the year. What community events do you participate in? #BackToSchoolMonth #InvestInEducation #BrightFutures

The next time someone talks about transformational impact in education, think about: 1.     Building the school in their vicinity 2.     Hiring the teachers and school leaders responsible for educating students 3.     Providing basic amenities in school 4.     Ensuring students arrive safely to school 5.     Ensuring they are fed well before, during and after school 6.     Ensuring they are mentally, psychologically and physically in a safe and conducive environment 7.     Providing all the learning materials, books, TLMs, labs and other infra 8.     Planning and organizing educational, inspirational and exposure field trips 9.     How much of the 6 hours x ~200 school days in the year did they spend with the program 9a.     How much of the said time were they really engaged with it 9b.     How much of that is true for all students they worked with? 10. Ensuring they were not involved in child labour post school 11. Were they exhausted in summer holidays, was there learning loss 12. Ensuring availability of sufficient role models in their surroundings 13. Was there a loving and caring family environment at home 14. Was there a learning culture in the school 15. less discrimination in their community 16. Reduced crime rates? … etc I’m sure there are a lot more things that need to happen for a child to be able to learn anything and I have not even started on the curriculum, pedagogy stuff. There is so much about the environment that is outside the locus of control of a single organization and yet we have no problem claiming transformational impact of programs on students – doing just one workshop, conducting a few sessions, building one app or providing a few books. While it might be true for some students, it takes a lot more to get it working for the majority. Despite the CSR law completing more than a decade, it is staggering to see the amount of illiteracy among the corporates and the donor community in general on what education really is. I believe it is also the CSO’s responsibility to educate them before we fall into the donor/investor trap and show immediate “outcomes” and “impact”, overstating our own contributions and underplaying existing support structures thereby contributing to weakening them! There cannot be any transformation on a weak foundation and foundations may not be transformational, but are the essential building blocks and enablers for future transformation. #education #impact #longterm #CSR #philanthropy #foundations Inqui-Lab Foundation

Reading with young children is more than just a pastime – it's a crucial building block for their cognitive development, language skills, and future academic success. When we read with our little ones, we're not just sharing stories; we're fostering bonds, sparking curiosity, and laying the foundation for a lifelong love of learning. Plus, it's a delightful way to spend quality time together and create cherished memories that will last a lifetime. Joining the Read Across America celebration is easy and fun! Here are a few simple ways you can participate: 1. Grab your favorite Dr. Seuss book or any other children's classic and read aloud to the young children in your life. Whether it's a bedtime story or a cozy afternoon read, the experience of sharing a book is priceless. 2. Organize a storytime event at your local library, school, or community center. Invite children and families to gather for interactive readings, crafts, and activities inspired by Dr. Seuss's beloved characters. 3. Consider donating gently used children's books to organizations or schools in need. Every book you give opens up new worlds of imagination and possibility for a child who may not have access to a vast library at home. 4. Share your love of reading on social media using the hashtag #ReadAcrossAmerica. Post photos of your reading adventures, favorite book recommendations, or memorable Dr. Seuss quotes to inspire others to join the celebration. As we celebrate Dr. Seuss and Read Across America, let's remember the profound impact that reading can have on young minds. By sharing stories, sparking imaginations, and fostering a love of literacy, we're not just shaping future readers – we're nurturing the next generation of thinkers, dreamers, and leaders. So, grab a book, gather your little ones, and let the magic of storytelling transport you to places beyond your wildest dreams. Happy Reading!

Today, I had a great opportunity to participate in a meaningful virtual volunteering event focused on enhancing literacy for first graders. The event, "Education & Literacy: Classic Sight Words for First Graders Kit," in collaboration with Project Helping, was an enlightening experience that not only aimed at improving literacy but also at nurturing a love for learning among young students. 📚 The heart of today's activity was the creation of the Classic Sight Words for First Graders Kit. This carefully designed kit included 75 sight word flashcards, a journal, a pencil pouch, writing utensils, and some fidget toys, all aimed at supporting first graders in their literacy journey. The process of making these flashcards was not just an act of volunteering but a profound reminder of the impact of education and the role of literacy in empowering our youth. ✨ Participating alongside my colleagues under the banner of BDO Counts was a reminder of the power of collective effort. BDO USA has always championed the cause of giving back to the community. It was heartwarming to see the enthusiasm and dedication of everyone involved, all driven by the common goal of making a difference in the lives of young learners. As I reflect on today's experience, I am filled with gratitude for the opportunity to contribute to such a wonderful cause. It was a reminder that even small actions can have a big impact, and when we come together, we can create a wave of positive change. #volunteering #literacy #education #BDOCounts #bethedifference #communityservice

At the beginning of May, I launched Death + Stuff, a substack of exceedingly brief, weekday reflections on where I'm finding more in mortality. Bucking the pay-for-access norm, people with free subscriptions get all the same content and perks as do the paid subscribers. So why have enough people chosen to pay for their subscription that Death + Stuff has passed its first $1,000 in revenue? Because the moneys collected there go into a scholarship program meant to buck another norm: That coaching is an advantage that almost exclusively goes to already-advantaged people. As my contribution to the scholarship, I've created a lower fee schedule for scholarship awardees and so this first $1,000 more than covers the first scholarship which will include: * 6 coaching sessions * Between-session support and check-ins * The verbal equivalent of a jetpack shooting people toward their bigger and badder Keep an eye out here for more info on how the scholarship works and how to apply. I'm so excited to see how many scholarships we can collectively fund! #biggerbadder #strongertogether #scholarship #coaching #community #deathnstuff

Celebrating Impactful Initiatives! 🌟 In a world where education is not equally accessible to all, it's crucial to acknowledge and celebrate the efforts of companies and organizations committed to bridging this gap. Today, I'm thrilled to shine a spotlight on a diverse array of entities whose unwavering dedication to education access initiatives is truly inspiring. 1. Google.org: Through initiatives like Google for Education and grants for educational nonprofits, Google.org is paving the way for inclusive learning opportunities worldwide. 2. Khan Academy: Providing free, world-class education for anyone, anywhere, Khan Academy is revolutionizing the concept of accessible learning through its vast online platform. 3. Teach For All: With a global network of organizations working to ensure all children have the opportunity to fulfill their potential, Teach For All is making significant strides in promoting educational equity. 4. Microsoft Philanthropies: Microsoft's commitment to education is evident through programs like TEALS (Technology Education and Literacy in Schools) and YouthSpark, aimed at empowering students with digital skills and opportunities. 5. UNESCO: As the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, UNESCO plays a pivotal role in advocating for education as a fundamental human right and fostering global cooperation to achieve this goal. 6. DonorsChoose: By connecting teachers in high-need communities with donors who want to help, DonorsChoose is making it possible for classrooms to access essential resources and experiences. 7. Khan Lab School: Committed to reimagining education, Khan Lab School pioneers innovative teaching methods and personalized learning experiences to ensure every student thrives. 8. Save the Children: Through its education programs in over 120 countries, Save the Children is working tirelessly to break down barriers to education and create a brighter future for children worldwide. 9. EdX: Offering online courses from top universities around the world, EdX is democratizing education and expanding access to high-quality learning opportunities for learners of all ages. 10. UNICEF: With a focus on reaching the most vulnerable and marginalized children, UNICEF's education initiatives are instrumental in ensuring every child has the chance to learn, grow, and succeed. These are just a few examples of the countless companies and organizations dedicated to promoting education access globally. Their tireless efforts are not only transforming individual lives but also shaping a more equitable and prosperous future for our world. Let's continue to support and amplify their work as we strive towards a future where education truly knows no boundaries. #EducationForAll #AccessToEducation #EducationEquality

🚀 Empowering Through Education 📘 I am thrilled to announce our new initiative aimed at expanding learning experiences for students in grades 4-12. At [Organization Name], we believe that education is the key to empowering the next generation and shaping a brighter future. With your support, we can make this vision a reality! Our first step towards achieving this mission is the development of additional classrooms and facilities. We want to create an environment where students feel inspired, encouraged, and motivated to learn. By providing them with state-of-the-art facilities, we can create a space that fosters creativity, collaboration, and critical thinking. However, we cannot do this alone. We need your help to raise the necessary funds to make these initiatives a success. Our goal is to raise $100,000-$150,000 to build these additional classrooms and facilities. Every contribution, no matter the size, counts and will make a tangible impact on the lives of students. Imagine the difference we can make together. By investing in education, we are investing in the future of our communities, our country, and our world. Together, let's empower the next generation by providing them with the tools and resources they need to succeed. #EmpoweringThroughEducation #EducationMatters #BrighterFuture