United Way of Greater Atlanta’s Post

We’re counting down to #GaPreKWeek! DYK: Students who attend a Georgia Pre-K Program are better prepared for school than those who don’t? Learn more about Georgia PreK Week at www.gaprekweek.org.

Middle schoolers are imaginative. Ask them if a hot dog is a sandwich and you'll hear dozens of answers and logical arguments. This might seem like a silly example, but it's spot-on for where middle schoolers are at developmentally. While in a period of rapid brain development, middle schoolers retain their child-like imagination. They come up with ideas that adults might easily breeze pass. They "yes…and" Roadblocks spur them to find alternative ways to solve a problem. They find a way to make a hot dog into a sandwich... into a taco. Act like a middle schooler. Be imaginative. If you believe in middle schoolers and the power of imagination, give $6, $12, or more to our Act Like a Middle Schooler campaign today at TomTod.org/act-24 #MiddleSchoolersMatter #ActLikeAMiddleSchooler

With school right around the corner (and some that have already started) we’re getting calls from parents wondering if it’s too late to think about making a change to boarding school for the fall. In most cases, it’s not too late! Whether you’re wanting a smaller, safer environment or your student’s school doesn’t offer the specialty programs they need, boarding school can often be a transformational opportunity. (For the whole family, not just your child.) AND - boarding schools have such a mixed reputation. So let’s hear it! Finish this sentence in the comments: “But aren’t boarding schools ___________________?”

Supporting Early Learners with BRIGANCE Early Childhood! Are you looking for a comprehensive solution to support the developmental needs of young learners aged 3-7? BRIGANCE Early Childhood provides a wealth of Readiness Activities that are designed to build essential skills and prepare students for a successful academic journey. Here’s how BRIGANCE Early Childhood can benefit your classroom: 🔹 Tailored Instruction: Provide age-appropriate, developmentally aligned learning experiences for every child. 🔹 Integrated Assessments: Seamlessly connect assessment results with targeted instruction to ensure each student receives the necessary support. 🔹 Extensive Skill Development: Access over 300 activities that cover a wide range of essential skills, from literacy to motor development. 🔹 Home-School Collaboration: Strengthen the connection between home and school with take-home activities that extend learning and engage families. Give your young learners the best start with BRIGANCE Early Childhood. Learn more about it here: https://lnkd.in/g_KfjV6r

With the sunsetting on summer, we hope the SPARC, Summer Programs and Auxiliary Revenue Collaborative members are finding some time to rest before the 24-25 school year begins! Cheers to a few days off after summer programs end! 😎 #IndependentSchools #SummerPrograms #AuxiliaryPrograms #LeadershipDevelopment #ProfessionalDevelopment

Here's a great short video about the Beyond School Walls program created by Big Brothers Big Sisters. It represents an easy way for companies and organizations to mentor youths at their workplace, requiring very little time and money. Watch to learn more about it! https://lnkd.in/g-uHgfXx

Spin-outs can be as exciting as they are nerve-wracking; they're like sending a grown child off to college. 🎓📦 For those who have spun out a division, what was the biggest surprise in the first year post-spin-out? #CorporateGrowth #SpinOutSuccess #MiddleMarketMandA #FamilyBusiness #IndustryLeadership #DealMaking

Good afternoon community members, I hope 2024 is off to a good start.  As we move into a new year I wanted to speak briefly to a matter that has come to my attention as a school committee member; that of our name & mascot in Barnstable Public Schools. The objective of a school name and mascot is to signify something the community values, feels represented by, and brings a sense of unity.  A school district’s name and mascot must also be respectful, culturally-proficient, and inspiring. As I spend time in the district & attend various events, I see many community members wearing attire & speaking earnestly about our former school name and mascot; “Red Raiders”.  At the same time, I see current students & recent graduates wearing attire & attempting to embrace our current name & mascot; “Red Hawks”.  Seeing these optics coupled with feedback I’ve received from community members; a sense of unity appears to be lacking. Moving into a new year therefore, I believe it’s important to examine our name & mascot in Barnstable Public Schools, to understand if it’s something the community values, feels represented by, and brings a sense of unity. It’s also important to clarify, in my view, what the term “Raider” stands for.  A Raider is “someone who advances on an enemy position, or into enemy territory”; “a person who takes spoils or plunder (as in battle).”  The term Raider is not particular to any cultural heritage, nor does it exclude those from particular backgrounds.  Given our rich maritime history here in Barnstable, as well as centuries of service in the United States Armed Services; a “Raider” can represent a “mariner” or “servicemen”; roles available to & inclusive of all community members. In conclusion, our name & mascot in Barnstable Public Schools is a matter of importance in 2024, amongst others; and feedback from the community is invaluable as we proceed forward in the new year.

𝗦𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗠𝗶𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗴𝗮𝗻 𝗦𝗡𝗔𝗣 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗽𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗲𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗘𝘅𝘁𝗿𝗮 𝗕𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗳𝗶𝘁𝘀 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗦𝘂𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗿 Michigan SNAP benefit recipients who have minor children will receive a total of $120 per child in extra SNAP benefits this summer to help defray the cost of meals that schools typically provide for many children during the academic year. According to the USDA, close to 13% of US households were food insecure in 2022. This is the highest rate of food insecurity in the last two decades; and it represents an increase of almost 44% from 2021. These statistics highlight the importance of school meal programs and their summer counterparts in combating childhood hunger. States, other than Michigan, that are providing extra SNAP benefits this summer include Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. According to the USDA, several other states are in the process of signing-up for the summer SNAP program; let’s hope they do so soon. Across the US, summer SNAP benefits are expected to feed around 2 million children this year. SNAP benefit payment dates vary by state, but participants should expect to receive 3 monthly payments of $40 each. Michiganders can expect to receive their first benefit payment in the month of July.  For more information on Michigan’s summer SNAP program, go to: https://lnkd.in/ePAVu4FR. ...because no child should ever go hungry in the United States of America!

RECESS AIDE 101 (Recess Coordinator): RECESS is NOT Rocket Science>It is an Important Break in a School Day. I Treat All Students w/ RESPECT as “Little People” & I Never YELL or Talk Down to Kids! My Focus w/ 1,200+ 3rd & 4th graders is to Encourage “Having Fun”, while Leading by Example of “RESPECT” w/ Continuous Spirit,Enthusiasm + Endless Smiles & Attention to All Students w/ their Best Interests in Mind. After 2 Yearsof Recess Experience, being a parent & 59.95 years old w/ 35 years of Corporate Headquarters Experience working in Nucleus of CO’s in Supply Chain/Transportation/Logistics I use my Wisdom / Experience of Interpersonal People Skills & Being Customer Oriented (3 CO’s #1 in Customer Service) to put myself in each Child’s Shoes in order to UNDERSTAND most important to a Child at RECESS is to have FUN w/ Safety First Attitude & to not have to worry about Security from Outsiders as well as to Not be Bullied by Fellow Students. PERSONAL FEEDBACK from Very High Majority of Kids so far is I often hear “You Are One of Our Favorite Recess Aides” 😊✌🏻💜☮️😊