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The Copley Kids Program |
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By Josh & Barbara Barmer (May 2006)
“Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm,” wrote American author Ralph Waldo Emerson. Enthusiasm motivates us to pursue our dreams, interests, and encourages us to strive for success. Every day at the Copley Kids Program we see evidence of the benefits of enthusiasm that is geared toward success and positive goals. Our kids are continuing to show that with hard work, proper behavior, and a willingness to succeed, they can grow academically and socially. As always, schoolwork is our top priority, and we continue to encourage the kids to do their best. As a result, they are being rewarded by good grades and a developing confidence in their abilities. In addition, as many of you are aware, kids today spend much of their time sitting in front of a television or computer, so we are encouraging them to get outside in this beautiful weather and “play”. It’s a wonderful sight to see them outside, all ages, playing football, jumping rope, and a Copley Kids favorite, blowing hundreds of bubbles! This social interaction is also a priority for our program and we encourage them to work together and have fun. As a way of expanding our program, we had a “Movie/Craft Night” right before Easter break. It was very well attended and the kids enjoyed watching a movie, creating Easter crafts, and eating gallons of ice cream with all the toppings. We’re looking forward to our next movie night in May. In addition, we’re planning for our 2nd annual book fair on Saturday, May 20th. Please let us know if you have any books that you’d like to donate, we’ll be collecting them during the month of May. For those of you who love to read, this is a great opportunity to “stock up” on books for summer reading! We’re also really excited about two fundraisers that are being held at Magnolia Middle School to benefit the Copley Kids. Students in the school are recycling paper as a student service project in the 6th grade and the 8th grade is sponsoring a “Penny War” to raise money for supplies and snacks. It’s great to see the entire school involved in these fundraisers and the students and teachers are really excited to be raising money for such a good cause. Well, as you can see, the Copley Kids is still going strong. It’s a great place to be. It makes you feel good just to be there, and our enthusiasm is evident. Thank you for your support and, May God Bless Us All! |
By Jim Rice (April 2006) While total enrollment this year is somewhat lower than last, we are still seeing kids who are first timers, and actual attendance is up a bit with a daily average of 31. Note that while we have 104 on the books, some can’t attend every day due to other extra curricular activities. Nearly all those enrolled will be there at least one day per week. Our cooperation with the Maryland Conservatory of Music has been a big success as those who attended the Shrove Tuesday pancake supper can attest. The kids performed several songs and were on key and loud enough to hear!! Another recital will be scheduled for later in the school year. Our staff and volunteers have done a wonderful job this year in coping with new math, and the many changes in curriculum that have had to be dealt with. The advent of internet access has also been a major change and has allowed the kids to better manage their homework assignments that require the access. They also check their progress reports almost daily via the school systems EDLINE software that is available on the internet. This prompts them to work harder on those areas where they show weakness. |
By Josh Barmer (March 2006)
The success of our Copley Kids Program is spreading. This good news is quite evident by the invitation received by Barbara and myself to travel to Richmond, Virginia, the weekend of February 17th. The purpose of our trip was to meet with a committee from Henderson, North Carolina, with suggestions and information that could be helpful to their operation of an activity based on the Copley Kids Program. We met with Colonel Archie R. Taylor (USARMY, RET), Ms. Ann Monroe, Mr. Calvin Young, and Ms. Shirley Piercy, Director of the Guiding Star Resource Center. We were first introduced to Colonel Taylor by my brother Colonel James Fields (USARMY RET) while attending a wedding in Atlanta, Georgia, in July, 2005. We began our presentation with a history of the Copley Kids using photographs, trifold displays, and a chronology of events leading up to our present day operation. We were solicited for advice on a myriad of subjects and we shared our experiences over our 11 years of operation. Colonel Taylor has indicated that our meeting was so beneficial that their committee is having a series of meetings to discuss implementation of our suggestions. He and the committee are very grateful to the Copley Kids Program for our assistance and plan to maintain the relationship. We extended an invitation for the staff of the Guiding Star Resource Center to visit with us when possible. Our invitation was gratefully accepted. Note: The expenses for our trip to Richmond, Virginia, and our stay were borne by the committee and the Guiding Star Resource Center. And now a word about our new Copley Kids choir under the direction of Ms. Laura Sarich of the Maryland Conservatory of Music. In their initial appearance they performed at the Shrove Tuesday pancake dinner. It was exciting and it was well attended by not only members of our parish, but also many of the Copley Kids and their parents. We are grateful for all of the support and…May God Bless Us All. vvvvv Please note that the computers in Leighton Hall are not for Copley Kids use exclusively. They are available to all members of Copley Parish. You may use them for any purpose you need a computer for, including internet activities. Just be a good steward and remember to turn them off properly. (A list of correct procedures is posted on the bookcase in front of the computers.) If your child uses a computer on Sunday during the coffee hour, PLEASE be sure to turn off all equipment before you leave. Assuming ‘someone else’ will do it guarantees they will be left on until we come in on Tuesday to open for Copley Kids as has happened several times.
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