Johnenning Newsletter: September 2006
after-school Program Begins
City Gate after-school program, at the Johenning Baptist Community Center, has begun! In accordance with our mission, our after-school program goal is to provide a place for kids to learn, have fun, and be nurtured both physically and spiritually. Instead of repeating what is done in public schools, we aim to augment learning with emphasis on the fundamentals, provide opportunities to explore and grow through things such as field trips and hands-on learning, and create fun and positive mentoring relationships through staff and volunteers.
This year we will be providing the same safe and supportive environment, homework help, sports, crafts, and nutritious, hot meal that we did last year. Also, like last spring, we will be hosting Christian Evangelism Fellowship's "Good News Club", a great Christian Education program for grade school children. Certain pieces of our summer program were so successful that we have chosen to keep them in the after-school program, such as START, journaling, and community service projects.
However, we have several components that are new this year. With the gift of five new computers, the kids will be practicing their math and reading fundamentals on educational software and games. For the next several Wednesdays, our after-school staff person, Ms. Jehr'Rhee Frederick, will be leading a "Girls Only Club", with special activities for girls 9-12 years old. Girls will complete a special workbook, "The Girl that I Am", which emphasizes personal value and self-worth. Finally, on Monday afternoons we will be exploring secondary subjects such as art and science.
We have a special system this year of keeping track of good behavior and academic achievement, with prizes and other rewards for children who excel. Parents, please encourage your children to arrive on time, with homework in hand, ready to study and participate. Remember, parents and guardians are always welcome to stop by, participate, or volunteer in our programs.
Calendar
- September 11 (Monday) — First day of after-school program begins, 3:30 - 5:30 pm
- September 16 (Saturday) — Back-to-School Party and School Supplies Give-Away, 10 am - 1 pm, Siblings and relatives of after-school participants are invited!
- September 30 (Saturday) — 2006 National Book Festival, *free*, 10 am - 5 pm, on the National Mall
City Gate Welcomes Ms. Michelle Newby, our new Outreach Coordinator and After-School Staff person
We are excited and thankful to add Ms. Michelle Newby to the after-school program staff. For most of the day, Michelle will be taking over the duties done previously by Ms. Brenda Tyree. However, she will also be working with the youngest children, ages 5-7, during the after-school program. Michelle has a diverse background, with experience in both the government and retail sectors. Previously, she worked as a teacher's aide at the Early Childhood Learning Center. As a bonus, Michelle already knows many of our kids, as she has helped in the extension of our summer day camp the last two years. Be sure to stop by the center or say "hello" the next time you call the Johenning Center!
Notices
In October, we will be starting a special program for our middle-school aged participants promoting abstinence. This program, called Full Potential/Project Reality is holding a Parent Power Workshop, 7 - 8:30 pm, Thursday, September 28 at the Holiday Inn Capitol Hotel, 550 C St. SW. The purpose of this workshop is to help parents understand the influence they can have on their children, arm parents with practical information in order to communicate effectively with their teens, provide parents about accurate and updated information about STD's, the emotional effects of teenage sexual activity, and help parents effectively communicate the message of abstinance to their teens. Parents of teens and preteens are strongly encouraged to attend, transportation is provided, please see Kristin for details.
A Job Resource Fair for D.C.'s Southeast Community will be presented by D.C. LEARNs, in partnership with SOME, Samaritan Ministry of Greater Washington, The Salvation Army- ERI, ARCH, and Bread for the City. The job fair is being held at the Matthews Memorial Baptist Church, located at 2616 MLK Jr. Ave. SE on Thursday, September 21, 2006 from 10:00am - 2:00pm
The National Book Festival will be Saturday, September 30th, on the National Mall (between 7th and 14th Streets) from 10:00 am to 5 pm. Sponsored by the Library of Congress and Laura Bush, this is a great free event to take children to, and encourages literacy and love of reading. There will be authors of both children's and teen books, plus PBS KIDS characters and stars from both the NBA and WNBA. More information about the festival call (888) 714-4696 or check out their website at loc.gov/bookfest. City Gate may be able to provide transportation to those families wanting to attend, please see Kristin if you are interested in going.
Back-to-School Party and School Supplies Give-Away!
This Saturday, September 16 First Baptist Church of Springfield will be hosting a special back-to-school party at the Johenning Center. Festivities will start at 10 am with a movie projected on a big screen and lots of snacks. At noon, they will serve a big spaghetti lunch, and afterward back packs filled with school supplies will be given away. These are great looking, high quality back packs full of school supplies, donated by the people of First Baptist Church of Springfield. Preference of backpacks will be given to children who participate in the after-school program regularly, and then will be given out to children 5-18 on a first-come first-served basis. This event is open to everyone, so all guardians, siblings, family members are welcome!
Call for After-School Program Volunteers
Could you or someone you know help a child read a book, help a child understand basic math, or help a child learn to respect themselves and others? We are looking for adults who are willing to spend 1.5 hours week, from 3:30 - 5:00 pm, tutoring and/or mentoring our kids. We also need people to share their professional skills or hobbies with our children, in areas such as computer skills, art, music, and sports. Remember, we are only 1.5 miles from Southern Ave. Metro stop, and we provide transportation to JBCC and from the metro for volunteers. No prior experience is necessary, just a heart and mind willing to help! If interested, call Kristin at (202) 561-5113 or (202) 561-5201, or email at info@city-gate.org