A Day On, Not a Day Off

Join United Way of York County for our MLK Day Project, “Downtown Positive Art Initiative” on January 16, 2012 from 10AM-2PM (longer if needed).  Artists are needed to create banners or concepts to be painted on windows downtown that will incorporate MLK’s message along with the importance of community involvement and United Way’s message to LIVE UNITED. 

Window Mural: If planning to design something for a window, art must be submitted to United Way of York County by January 11 at 4:30 for review. 

Banner: If you are interested in creating a banner but are unable to make it to the event we ask all work to be to our office by Friday January 13.  Banners can be made from any form of material from paper to cloth and can be anything from ink to mixed media.

Pieces can be dropped off at 800 E. King St. York, PA 17403 Mondays-Fridays between 8AM and 4:30PM

Realizing that it will be cold, the plan is to have artists sketch directly on the window with washable marker or on a clear sheet to go on the outside then coming inside to paint the piece.

Those interested in participating may contact Kristen, Youth Volunteer Initiatives Coordinator at clineburgk@unitedway-york.org or 717-771-3823.

Youth Courts in Pennsylvania

A Snapshot of Pennsylvania Youth Courts

Assembled by Hannah Klein with support from Gregg Volz, Stoneleigh Fellow.

Through previously acquired  information and word of mouth, but primarily due to new inquiries, we have assembled a snapshot of youth courts in the Commonwealth. Some of these courts have been open for years while others are just starting. Several youth courts have closed-particularly in Philadelphia. Although some new youth courts were uncovered during this review, others may have escaped notice. This report highlights the history, structure, types of offenses, and dispositions rendered in each of the active youth courts.

            

Youth courts occur in both school and community settings. It appears that during the 20101-2011 school year there were 10 school-based youth courts functioning in Pennsylvania but approximately 24 are planned for this year. Last year there were 7 juvenile justice courts functioning and this year  8-9 will operate. Hence we anticipate the total number of Pennsylvania youth courts will double this year-a remarkable development in light of the economic crisis. Of Pennsylvania’s 67 counties, 9 had youth courts last year, 11 will have youth courts this year, and 6 counties have expressed an interest in starting a youth court. Youth courts are growing in popularity in Pennsylvania.

Map of Current Youth Courts in Pennsylvania

Adopt A Family

Donate or Sponsor Adopt a Family

Download a Sponsorship Form

What is Adopt A Family?

Getting involved with the annual Adopt A Family program is a fun, easy way to build team spirit in your workplace or community. Working together with your friends or peers to help a family in need will make this holiday season brighter for all of us.

The winter holidays are an especially difficult time for many families living in poverty, as parents feel pressure to create a festive atmosphere while still struggling to meet basic needs. Last year, our generous community adopted 33 families and 84 children in York who are victims of domestic violence and sexual violence. This year, we are expecting even more applications. Please consider participating in this program. Even one person can make a huge difference for a family in need. Please complete a sponsor form now. You may also make an online donation to the Adopt A Family Fund.

How does it work?

When you sponsor a family through the YWCA's Holiday Adopt A Family Program, you receive information about the family including first names, ages, sizes, and gift ideas. You then shop for  'your' family. By including a grocery store gift certificate with your gifts, you can help make a special holiday dinner for the family you have sponsored. Please note that the agency adheres to strict confidentiality guidelines, so we do not permit Adopt A Family donors to present gifts to their "adopted" family in person. You will receive, however, a personal thank you letter from the family whose holiday you helped brighten.

Who does it serve?

The families who sign up to receive holiday assistance are those living in our domestic violence shelters in York and Hanover. They have been forced to flee their homes to the safety of our shelter. These families are on the road to self-sufficiency and are receiving assistance with housing, counseling, and other services. They are working to imrpove their lives!

Your generosity provides affirmation to our residents that they are not along and that people in our community care about them and their children.

For more information, contact Katie Mahoney at 717.434.1760.

Giving Kudos to the West Coast

A friend of mine sent this to me a while back.  Students and staff at Richmond Street School, in Los Angelos, say this every day.  And while some argue that using the term "bully" allows those who don't fit the traditional image/mold of one to disown responsbility for their hurtful actions - writing it off as mere "teasing," there is no argument about the word "friend."  If we simply teach friendship, rather than anti-bullying, it might make a difference.

I pledge to be no bully, I pledge to be your friend.
I pledge to make _____________ School a better school to attend.
Be kind to one another and use kind words instead of threats,
be positive, be helpful and we can all be friends.

An Eastern York School District Update

Eastern York High School's major building goal for 2010-2011 was the elimination of failure. This goal was supported by a building-wide focus on Literacy, the Academic At-Risk program, and the expansion of Mandatory Working Lunch. The results of the collective efforts of Eastern York High School's faculty, staff, and administration were truly remarkable. For the 2010-2011 school year all eligible Seniors graduated, no juniors were retained, no sophomores were retained and only one full time Freshman student was retained at grade level.

Developing teacher and student capacity regarding Literacy was achieved at EYHS during 2010-2011 through focused professional development and the creation and implementation of the Literacy Block into the High School master schedule. The purpose of the Literacy Block was to increase the skill levels of students in specific reading standards that were identified through universal screeners. Literacy skills were developed through weekly lessons generated by all teachers in their specific curricular content area throughout the school year.

The Academic At-Risk Program also supported the building goal of eliminating failure by identifying at-risk students every 15 days and then having the students work with their teachers to create plans to bring up their grades. Progress Monitoring was and continues to be an essential piece of this program.

Mandatory Working Lunch was assigned to "intentional non-learners" or students who were failing because they did not complete all of their assigned work. Students with Mandatory Working Lunch ate a bag lunch during their lunch period with an administrator until they completed all of their assigned work.

The combination of Literacy Block, the Academic At-Risk Program, and the expansion of Mandatory Working Lunch with the goal of eliminating failure has had a profound impact on student learning at Eastern York High School.

Beginning with the Class of 2015, all students will be required to demonstrate proficiency in financial literacy by taking the Personal Finance class. Topics covered include budgeting, banking services, savings and investing, credit, buying a home and auto and obtaining adequate insurance. Students will take Personal Finance in either their Junior or Senior year. Last year students in the Personal Finance classes took the National Financial Capability Challenge. Eastern had two students achieve a perfect score and 15 students scored in the top 20% out 84,000 students who participated. Eastern’s average score was 79%, 10 points higher than the average national score of 69%. These numbers certainly demonstrate that Eastern York School District is on the move.

National Family Volunteer Day!

November 19th, 2011 is National Family Volunteer Day!

Bring your family and friends out to the York Galleria from 11am-3pm on November 19th for our "Pajama Party" where we will make no-sew pillows and collect NEW pajamas for  ages infant-teen.

Anyone with unwanted t-shirts, fabric, small/medium throw pillows and pillow stuffing is welcome to bring them the day of the event (or to me in advance)

Feel free to come dressed in your favorite pajamas (keep it family friendly please)

Look for us at the bridge near the food court!

Hope to see you there!

Donations can be dropped off at the United Way office at

800 E. King Street, York, PA 17403

Contact: Kristen Clineburg,

Youth Volunteer Initiatives Coordinator

at 717-771-3823 or clineburgk@unitedway-york.org

for more information or if you are interested in volunteering

Twelve Angry Jurors

Dallastown Area High School Performing Arts Club Announces Performance of Twelve Angry Jurors

How quickly should we condemn a human life? Who among us has the courage to stand firm against the majority to give another person a fair trial? Dallastown Area High School student members of the Performing Arts Club will explore these questions and more in their fall play, Twelve Angry Jurors, based on the 1955 television play Twelve Angry Men, by Reginald Rose.

This hard-hitting drama spurs the audience to put themselves in the shoes of the twelve ordinary citizens called together to determine whether a young man should live or die. Tensions mount as people’s true natures are slowly revealed.

Show dates and times are Thursday, November 3, at 7:00 p.m., Saturday, November 5, at 7:00 p.m., and Sunday, November 6, at 2:00 p.m. Seating is general admission and tickets available at the door are $5.00 for adults and $4.00 for students or senior citizens who present a valid ID. All performances are in the Dallastown Area High School Auditorium.

RISE!

Reading IS Essential “Real Men Read Program”

&

Responsibility IS Expected “Manhood Conference”

* 1 District * 1 Day * 100 Men *

Greetings Men,

(Ladies, your help is definitely needed; for now please forward this to the men you believe will be a blessing and be blessed by this program.)

It gives me great joy to invite you to participate in a life-changing program that will inspire and encourage the students, the parents, teachers and administrators of the School District of the City of York. We are calling for 100 men to volunteer to go into the elementary and middle schools of York City to read and share with the students. The goal is to simply show a male presence in the schools and community and to set an example of educational excellence set through the power of reading.  Please see the information below and the registration form attached.

I understand that in these economical times it is a sacrifice to miss a few hours of work, but I have participated in a similar program in the past and I assure you, the smiles on the faces of those young people are priceless. Return your registration form ASAP as we anticipate a huge response. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions.

September 13, 2011

Greetings, 

The RISE/Manhood Conference (1District, 1 Day, 100 Men) is Tuesday, October 25, 2011 from 7:30am to 4:30pm in York, PA. It will consist of men reading to Elementary and Middle school students in the School District of the City of York from 8:30am to 11:30am. The men will then have the option of attending a luncheon and manhood conference which will feature panel presentations and break out groups on Fatherhood, Spirituality, Finances, Education, Athletics, Mentoring and more.

Part 1 – Reading IS Essential: Men will meet at (the predetermined location) at 7:30am for a brief orientation, group picture and continental breakfast. All men who plan to read at the schools must attend the orientation/group picture. Readers will receive quick tips for effective interaction with the students along with their books and classroom assignments. Readers will know in advance what school they will visit, but no reader may go directly to the school.

Each reader will spend 25 minutes with 3 separate groups of students.  The readers will move from room to room with the students staying in the same room. During the visit, readers can share from a couple of books, talk about what they do for a living, and encourage the students to do well in school.  Entertaining stories that address responsibility, integrity, morals and positive character development will be chosen.

Below is a schedule of the morning: 

7:00 a.m. – 7:30   Arrive/register/breakfast
7:30 a.m. – 8:00   Orientation (All Readers must attend this.)
8:00 a.m. – 8:25   Group Photo
8:30 a.m. –           Depart for Schools
9:00 a.m. – 9:25    Session 1
9:30 a.m. – 9:55    Session 2
10:00 a.m. – 10:25 Session 3
10:30 a.m. – 11:00 Return for Luncheon/Manhood Conference
11:00 a.m. –  12:30 Lunch/ Conference Registration

Please let me know if you would like to participate.  Please contact me by email at jonathan@newmindz.com  or (717) 914-0948.

Thank you,

Jonathan Z Queen

New Mindz, LLC
(717) 914-0948 Office
(888) 649-0464 Faxhttp://www.newmindz.com/" target="_blank">www.newmindz.com
Changing the World, One Mind At A Time

Leading our Students; Leading our Country

Central York High School Principal Ryan Caufman, (pictured above, center), a captain in the U.S. National Guard/Army Reserves, will begin a military leave of absence from the District on October 1, 2011. Mr. Caufman will train other soldiers for deployment from October 2011 through January 2012 before deploying himself, to Kuwait, through January 2013.

The District supports Mr. Caufman's commitment to serving our country and is proud of his dedication to both his military duty and his leadership of Central York High School. During his leave, Mrs. Deidre Petry, Associate Principal, will serve as Acting Principal and ensure the high school continues working to deliver a challenging and rewarding educational experience for students in Grades 9 through 12.

High School faculty, staff and students have already taken steps to show their support of Mr. Caufman. Above, High School support staff from the school's main office and guidance office wore specially made 'Caufman's Troops" T-shirts to school Friday, September 24, in honor of Mr. Caufman. Students sold "Caufman's Troops" wristbands in the school store throughout September. Proceeds will be used to provide care packages for Mr. Caufman and his unit during their deployment. 

The District's administration, faculty, staff and students will continue to keep Mr. Caufman's safety and well being in our thoughts throughout his deployment, and will utilize technology resources, when possible, to remain in communication with him throughout the year.

And here we are...

This past Wednesday, September 21, 2011, marks one year since the York County Truancy Summit.  This past Wednesday, September 21, 2011, was the second training session of the York County Youth Court Alliance, piloted at William Penn Senior High School in the School Distirct of the City of York.  And this week, the week of September 26, 2011, we introduce our website.  We have come a long way since Judge Uhler's $250 budget 15 years ago and none of this would have been possible, or as successful, without your help.  Thank you, York County!

What exactly are we doing?

Pop Quiz:
a. Allowing youth the opportunity to make decisions based on their training, experiences and perspectives.
b. Instituting methods for data collection, accountability, and informed decision-making
c. Implementing intervention and prevention methods across York County, inclusive of all school districts, all ages and all needs
d. Approaching school boards to adopt ONE uniform defintion of, and response to, truancy and chronic absence
e. Preparing to present to the parents of incoming PreK, Kindergarten and 1st graders to discuss attendance policies
f. Establishing promising practices and partnerships between school districts and businesses
g. Blazing the path to a collaboration between schools and the medical community
h. Facilitating meetings between various stakeholders around responding to, and solving, truancy issues
i. Representing York County on various statewide workgroups focused on truancy prevention and intervention strategies
j. Creating a website that can act as the "go to" resources for truancy prevention and intervention strategies in York County and Pennsylvania.
k. All of the Above.

And the answer is...K! 

The most recent accomplishment is our website.  The website is intended to be a platform for the good news of our school districts, a bridge between needs and resources, a one-stop-shop for truancy prevention and intervention strategies, a data collection portal, and an opportunity for discourse.  Please browse our website - http://www.yorktruancyprevention.org/ - and provide any feedback you may have!

Finally, this wonderful website is the product of the hardwork and dedication of two wonderful community VOLUNTEERS!  Bertha and Alex, your patience and persistence are unparalleled.  Thank you for all that you have done (and are going to do!)

For any responses to our website or to the Truancy Prevention Initiative in general, please email me at daltonl@unitedway-york.org.