We would like to thank everyone who participated in our 3rd Annual Back 2 Class Bash! What a wonderful turnout, and we got so lucky with the weather! Thank you to our very generous partners for their donations. Without your help, Andson could never have given out over 500 backpacks, food and drinks. We are so grateful to be able to serve the youth of our community.
Andson Brings Martha Speaks to the YMCA
Andson has kicked off it’s Summer Reading Program at the YMCA! This wonderful program gets kids reading and eliminates learning loss during the summer. Often, low-performing readers are offered little opportunity to improve their reading skills outside the classroom once the school year has ended. Andson, in partnership with Vegas PBS, has brought Martha Speaks to the Y! Martha Speaks is an animated children’s television series that focuses on building vocabulary. Kids will watch and discuss each episode, then apply the words they learned, both orally, and in writing.
Sonia Anderson, Andson’s CEO, was featured yesterday on Fox 5 More Show, live from the Durango YMCA. “To see a first grader tell you what “amazing”, “incredible,” and “stupendous” means is really amazing, incredible, and stupendous, and this is something Andson is able to bring to them,” she said.
The program is offered to children ages 5-7 at the following YMCA locations: Centennial Hills Community Center Durango Hills Community Center Bill & Lillie Heinrich YMCA SkyView Multi-Generational Center
Andson's 2014 Faces of the Future Breakfast
The Faces of the Future Breakfast is about highlighting the efforts of Andson in our community.
On May 21st, we hosted our 3rd annual Faces of the Future Breakfast at the Southern Highlands Golf Club. Our speakers included Steve Schorr, Bart Patterson (President, Nevada State College), Kate Marshall (Nevada State Treasurer), Kim Wooden (CCSD Deputy Superintendent) and a word from Pat Skorkowsky, the CCSD Superintendent.
Julie Tacker, an Andson tutor and CCSD teacher spoke about two young students who inspire her with every lesson.
"Being a tutor and being able to teach in the same area, I'm able to talk with their teachers - find out their strengths, find out their weaknesses, find out different ways to get to each child, which is an advantage that I have as a tutor for Andson." She also said, "I get to see the growth academically, and in their confidence".
Distributed on each place setting, was a hand written card by an Andson child, stating what they want to be when they grow up. "I want to be a doctor because I will help people if they are sick", read Steve Schorr. "Will this child have the opportunity to reach this goal?"
Partners, leaders, and individuals are the reason that we can continue our mission to empower through education - that’s what this morning was all about.
We are so fortunate to have such widespread support, from state policy makers, CCSD administrators, parents, and those who are in the trenches, the teachers who give so much of their time and commitment to this worthwhile cause.
It's events like this that allow us to reflect and see from a different perspective, all the hard work put in by so many, and all of the rewards reaped.
It is an honor when great speakers and attendees support Southern Nevada in such a big way.
Project Connect Social Hour This Thursday!
This Thursday, Feb 27th will be our first Project Connect of 2014! Original invitation
It's a informal way for Andson to connect with friends and supporters at our offices in Southern Highlands.
We'd love for you to join us - RSVP here.
Our office is located at 11920 Southern Highlands Parkway, STE 101 Las Vegas, NV 89141
Please contact us at 702-785-0020 or info@andson.org for any questions.
Andson's New Year Kickoff Party
We Don’t Compete, We Complement. That was the theme of Andson’s After Holiday Party this past Saturday, January 11th. Between board member’s schedules, staff’s holiday plans, and the high cost of trying to host an event before Christmas, we opted to move the event to January. What better way to kickoff the new year?
Andson’s staff, volunteers, and partners mean so much to us - we have had amazing, solid growth because of each of them. This gathering shows the strong, interconnected bonds all of us within the organization have made over the last 3 years.
We could not have asked for a more beautiful location and great food - Pacific Links’ Southern Highlands Golf Club hosted the event and will continue to support Andson’s busy event schedule for 2014. Andson’s team deserves a special venue, and Southern Highlands Golf Club does a fantastic job.
B Sweet Candy Boutique from Summerlin provided a beautiful candy buffet - who knew this was going to be such a hit with our guests! Thanks so much B Sweet for providing an upscale twist on Swedish Fish, Gummy Bears and Cotton Candy. It was even Andson branded!
In an age of digital cameras, there’s something nostalgic and awesome about Silly Shotz Photo Booth. Everyone enjoyed their photo strips at the end of the evening (we also have the digital versions of these, please contact us if you’d like copies emailed).
Live music was provided by entertainer Betsy Holm and was the perfect background for the event.
We don’t compete, We Complement goes much further than just the event, however. Through each program Andson facilitates, we strive not to duplicate efforts. We want to partner, collaborate, and grow for the youth here in Southern Nevada.
We plan on great things for 2014 and appreciate all of our staff, volunteers, and partners. Thanks to all those in attendance!
Leading With Style Benefits Andson
Galleria at Sunset chose Andson as the beneficiary of the "Leading With Style" fashion show presented on Saturday, September 21. Partnering with the International Academy of Design & Technology (IADT), Galleria Mall launched the fall fashion season with an event that not only showcased the latest trends from its retailers, but also featured community leaders as models.
It was a fabulous evening, an original mix of gorgeous and courageous people - all coming together to have fun for a good cause. Local elected officials, youth and community leaders walked the runway and helped Andson raise funds for its community programs. Andson's board member Bryan Kroten strutted the catwalk and proudly received a $500 donation made by Galleria at Sunset.
BIG thanks to Galleria Mall, IADT and all those involved in making this event possible:
James Campbell Productions Stefanie Jay, Morning Anchor, Fox5 Vegas RJ Khalaf, Student Body President, Coronado High School Councilwoman Debra March, City of Henderson Ward 2 MJ Maynard, Assistant General Manager, Regional Transportation Commission (RTC) Bentley McDonald, Nevada State College Student Alliance Councilwoman Gerri Schroder, City of Henderson Ward 1 Arianni Valencia, Student Ambassador, Nevada State College
and many thanks to our own Bryan ...!
Bryan Kroten is a community leader of the hospitality industry and an education advocate. Bryan serves on the Board of Directors of Andson providing guidance on its marketing and special events efforts. His expertise and leadership come from his position as Vice President of Marketing for Maverick Aviation Group and his involvement with the Las Vegas Hospitality Association, as their Chairman of the Board. This year, Bryan was selected as one of the "40 Under 40" best and brightest business professionals in Southern Nevada.
Children Ready to Head Back 2 Class!
Andson and St. Rose Dominican Hospitals hosted the second annual Back 2 Class Bash on Saturday, August 3rd at the Goett Family Park in Southern Highlands. Families came out to enjoy an evening full of entertainment, free food, informational booths, and raffle prizes. Backpacks filled with schools supplies donated by the Las Vegas Hospitality Association and The Office Depot Foundation were handed out to approximately 600 children.
"Having a summer event is a great way to get students excited about heading back to class" said Sonia Anderson, founder and CEO of the Andson Organization. "The heat didn't keep families and the community from participating, more than a 1000 people joined the festivities."
Children played and bounced their way through Andson's Back 2 Class Bash that included fun carnival games and inflatables. Both kids and grown-ups had their pictures taken with Cosmo from Las Vegas 51's! The event also featured several community agencies such as Las Vegas-Clark County Library, Southern Nevada Health District, Clark County Fire Department, Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, Clark County School Police, as well as family-support organizations.
This year's Back 2 Class Bash was made possible through the generous support of many organizations, businesses, and individuals that donated their time and resources. "Ensuring that our students are healthy and ready to return to school is a pleasure." said Rod Davis, President and CEO of St. Rose Dominican Hospitals. The event was also sponsored by American West Homes, M Resort Spa Casino, Nevada State Bank, and the Southern Highlands Community Association.
Andson will be distributing the remaining backpacks and school supplies to other children across the Valley that benefit from Andson's outreach efforts and academic programs. Please join us in thanking all these amazing donors, friends, partners, and supporters who made Andson's Back 2 Class bigger and better.
Co-Presenting Sponsor
St. Rose Dominican Hospitals
Backpacks Sponsors
Las Vegas Hospitality Association The Office Depot Foundation
Event Sponsors
American West Homes M Resort Spa Casino Nevada State Bank Southern Highlands Community Association
Special Acknowledgements
Cosmo from Las Vegas 51's Tom Donoghue Heidi Hayes
Event Supporters
Bank of America Boys & Girls Clubs of Southern Nevada Cragin & Pike Fresh and Easy Molly Malone's Irish Pub Robyn Peot Raising Canes Town & Country Bank
Event Contributors
Ace Hardware BASE Entertainment Buca di Beppo Discovery Children's Museum Egg & I and Egg Works Girl Scouts of Southern Nevada Las Vegas 51's Lisa's Pet Care Services M Resort Spa Casino Maverick Helicopters Miller's Ale House Miracle Mile Shops Off the Strip Planet Hollywood International Pole Position Raceway Premier Exhibitions Professor Nail & Spa Richard Petty Driving Experience Silver State School Credit Union Smith & Wollensky Southern Highlands Cyclery Star Nursery The Next Level Baseball Academy UNLV Football Whole Foods Henderson
Community Vendors
All People Christian Church All Smiles Dental American Red Cross Boys & Girls Clubs of Southern Nevada Century Link Clark County Fire Department Clark County School District Police Girls Scouts of Southern Nevada Jenny's Choice Kidz Kidz Kidz Preschool Las Vegas-Clark County Library Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department M Family Care Moms Club of Southern Highlands Nevada State College SAFY of America Southern Nevada Health District Spread the Word Nevada Star Orthodontics and Pediatric Dentistry Tracy Brigida United Studios of Self Defense University of Nevada Reno UNLV Athletics Walgreens
Volunteers
Robert Alford Doug Anderson Baylee Bernstein Shelley Caiazzo Brittany Carlovsky Paige Donovan Angela Foremaster Justin Foremaster Matt Hirsch Dave Jones Akasia Latiff Bibi Latiff Denise Manfra Ashley McTaggart Pam Monaco Peggy Olliges Ashley Ramautar Dora Randolph Angela Rock Maryn Russell Nicole Schlamann Caitlin Shea Sabrina Singh Susan Stern Ashley Tarchione Chris Tervo Elizabeth Tervo Ashton Warner Jeannie Warner Amber Womack
Are we the new Life Coach for kids?
When we go out and promote Andson to a possible partner or client (aka parents and kids) we try to convey the dynamic of mentorship in all our activities. The reason we are so good at what we do is because there is no off-the-shelf program for our youth - we must connect with them in 2013 and meet them where they're at.
That said, more and more parents (and adults in general) are extremely aware of the lack of life skills that our students and youth receive these days. It's enough to spark the conversation of where these skills can be best curated - home or school, parents or teachers. That's a different article entirely, however.
What I am realizing more and more is that Andson, through providing academic support and performance programs, financial literacy programs etc., isn't just about facilitating curriculum - it's about motivation of young people through our passion.
What we're building here for Southern Nevada is a whole lot more than any program. I'm starting to feel that we are life coaches for K-12. That is, we can inspire, motivate, reward and see how many of the 4,000 students we've impacted this past year succeed through the seeds we plant.
Just look at what we're doing at the Back 2 Class Bash with Raising Canes and the TEAching stand. Yes, it's a beta program - this is the first run at it. We're not looking at this simply as an entrepreneurial lesson, however. Andson is teaching the concept of volunteerism and taking the money smarts you learn through business back to your own personal finances. This lesson is geared toward middle schoolers to learn through immersion.
Whether it's receiving a letter that a high school student is now teaching their mother about banking, or having an elementary student run into one of our tutoring locations to show us their report card, our programs are creating an element of motivation in young people that really parodies what you see out of these adult life coaching programs.
This is a service economy, and we certainly provide a service. Through our continuing passion, however, we are providing more than any single program ever can.
Kid's TEAching Stand!
Andson Academics has decided to launch a new initiative to teach children the basics of running a business while raising money for their own tutoring sites. Starting at the Boys and Girls Club of Southern Highlands, Andson will teach children how to setup a tea stand (entrepreneurship), create a budget and keep track of the money (accounting), and let people know about the idea (marketing).
The first Kid's TEAching Stand will be debuted at the upcoming Back 2 Class Bash on Saturday, August 3rd from 5 to 7 pm at the Goett Family Park in Southern Highlands. Children will be selling tea themselves, and with the generous donation of tea from Raising Cane's, 100 percent of the proceeds will go to Andson's Homework Help & Tutoring program at the Boys & Girls Club of Southern Highlands.
Stay tuned for more information!
Second Annual Back 2 Class Bash!
Join us on Saturday, August 3rd from 5 pm to 7 pm at the Goett Family Park in Southern Highlands for a fun-filled evening featuring bounce houses, face painting, balloon art, carnival games, and much more! [spacing amount=20]
Presented in partnership with St. Rose Dominican Hospitals, Andson's Back 2 Class Bash celebrates Education while families enjoy an evening of music, arts, and entertainment. The event will also include giveaways, raffle drawings and community booths. Backpacks and school supplies will be given away on a first-come, first-served basis. Following the event at 8 pm, event participants and attendees will be invited to stay for a free movie at the park (Madagascar 3) sponsored by the Southern Highlands Community Association.
As part of the Summer Reading Program, a group of children from Henderson and Boulder City will be attending the Andson's Back 2 Class Bash as a reward for their efforts and summer adventure! Another group of Andson students will be participating and leading the TEAching Stand initiative.
Contact us TODAY if you would like to join the festivities and support our efforts. There are several different ways to participate and get involved - click here to download participation form!
Become a volunteer Sponsor a child for summer adventure Donate a raffle prize Become an event vendor Sponsor a free food station Donate backpacks + school supplies Become an event sponsor Become a program sponsor
Involvement Equals Stronger Communities
Andson attended two notable events this week. UNLV Community Partnership Orientation and Las Vegas Metro Chamber of Commerce luncheon - featuring Elaine Wynn. Both stressed the importance of highly educated citizens and the positive impact that it will have on the "health" of our society. We couldn't agree more – sustainable and inclusive economic growth requires heavy investment in human capital.
We are happy to see that UNLV is taking the initiative to bring the community together and provide different venues of collaboration amongst local agencies. Navigating the nonprofit world and getting things done can be a daunting task if the act of "working together" doesn't get recognized and treasured. That's why it took us by surprise (very nice surprise!) when John Wagner, Director of Community Relations at UNLV, spoke about our Homework Help & Tutoring Program and highlighted our efforts to recruit more education majors who will work with us as tutor aides while getting paid through the Work-Study Federal Program. It is a proven model that we already have in place with Nevada State College and hope to see come to fruition with UNLV and CSN.
Although Elaine Wynn may not be aware of the amount of resources that the Andson Organization is putting into closing the achievement gap, she did allude to our cause when she said that "there is a sense of urgency to break the cycle of poverty, and we know it can only be done through education." But it feels that our sense of urgency should shift to emergency when the Education Week's Chance-for-Success Index is telling us that "a child born in Nevada had the worst chance in the nation for growing up to be a success." What do we need to do? Elaine Wynn suggested a successful formula to turn our state around: community engagement, strong leadership, talented educators and adequate school funding. We agree with her that we are running out of time and that we all need to get involved by supporting literacy initiatives and advocating for education.
"Community" is one of Andson's core values – we foster open communication, ongoing collaboration and continued partnerships with businesses, government agencies and nonprofit organizations. The kind of challenge that is in front of us cannot be accomplished without the driving force of those who get genuinely and actively involved.
Where do you rank in community involvement?
Project Connect - time to get connected
This has been a busy year.
What started as a small effort has grown to huge proportions. It's difficult to think that we will reach nearly 2,000 students this year in Financial Literacy. Estimates for Homework Help and Tutoring are even higher.
We started with an idea, a mission to change behaviors in regard to personal finance and education. This mission has helped us reach new partnerships, connect with new communities, and mentor new students.
The creativity of our lessons has gotten us some recognition too - something we're quite proud of.
And yet, we can't stop. We really are only as good as the lessons and services we provide.
Enter Project Connect. For 2 years, this idea has been brewing. The idea is simple - Andson wants professionals from our community to give input to our programming.
So, one Friday each month, we will be hosting Project Connect at our offices in Southern Highlands. Come by for some appetizers and drinks, and give us some input into the services we provide. Have a lesson idea for high schoolers? Any input on what we should do with Kindergartners after their homework packets are done? Please, share.
Come be a part of our think tank on education and personal finance. We believe the way to extend our reach in the community, is well, our community.
600 Desert Oasis High School Seniors' Debt Workshop
Desert Oasis Highschool, Check.Andson lesson built on Debt, Check. 600 High Schoolers, Check (gulp). 1 Day. (Wow!)
We had the opportunity April 23rd to teach 6 sessions to Desert Oasis Seniors on Debt, Credit, and Creative Funding of College education.
While this was a bit different for Andson, it was an awesome day! Not only were students informed on the concept of interest rates, predatory lending, and to "think outside the box" in regards to funding college, but we also had 5 individual students looking for mentoring relationships through our program.
This was one of those days that put a smile on our faces - not only can we make a positive impact on so many students in one day, we can engage with a handful of students to achieve short-term and long-term goals through budgeting and planning.
Here is the lesson we taught:
Thanks to Desert Oasis for having us. Word is, they want our whole course for seniors next year.
Growing Leaps & Bounds - Andson & The 2013 Governor's Black Tie Invitational
We continue to reach milestones on all fronts!
Andson has attended the Governor's Black Tie for the past 3 years. It has always been an amazing event - but this year was something special. This year, Andson was one of 8 beneficiaries selected by the Southern Highlands Charitable Foundation! We were absolutely thrilled about this opportunity.
The recognition as a leader on the forefront of educational activities in Southern Nevada means so much to us. We want to impact as many students as possible, and this fuels our programs in such a meaningful way.
It was an inspirational moment to have Train performing while one of our videos played about the work we do. It doesn't get much better than when the team gets to be on the big screen!
This year we added two new locations to our Homework Help & Tutoring Program, and the program itself went from 180 to 800 students. In addition to the 5-lesson course at Walter Bracken Elementary School, we have now expanded to include workshops at Chaparral High School, Desert Oasis High School and Nevada State College!
We have also been favored by the increased recognition and support of the community; not only in the number of friends and volunteers that genuinely believe in our mission, but in the vote of confidence that generous donors and local philanthropists are putting into our work.
The Governor's Black-Tie Invitational marked a very special milestone for us and it is a perfect example of what a community can accomplish. Over $14 million dollars has been distributed to organizations in our community as a result of this tremendous effort.
And, did we mention Train performed on Friday Night!
A special thank you to all those in attendance. Thank you to all those in support of what we do!
Education + Personal Finance are the foundation of Andson's April workshops
Andson is constantly committed to teaching students Personal Finance skills. It's April! That means it's Financial Literacy MONTH! We have identified a few key areas that we can really have an impact for students in just one short lesson. Education is an investment that students NEED to make - whether trade school or college, students with a secondary education will have more opportunities than those who only graduate high school. So how can we make sure students have a foundation to understand that debt can hurt a student fresh-out-of-school faster than any other force?
In April, Andson's Financial Team will work with the following institutions to inform students about the pitfalls and positives of credit - as well as provide ongoing support to these student bodies.
- Desert Oasis High School - Seniors will go through an intense Debt and Financial Aid seminar on 4/23. We will be working with over 600 students!
- Nevada Partnership for Homeless Youth ⁃ Nevada has a serious issue with teens that are homeless. However, given the right resources, they can go on to be successful. These students, more than any other, need to be made aware of the resources they can use to fuel their mission of independence and success.
- Nevada State College is an amazing school in the southeast of Henderson. NSC and Andson are partners in so many activities, so it seemed only natural to bring a seminar on pitfall and installment credit to their student body. We are so happy to provide this as a resource to students in Southern Nevada.
We are so proud to be a part of Southern Nevada - let's give our students the resources they need to succeed!
ELL Students: Turning Weakness Into Strength
One of the many challenges facing the Clark County School District is helping English Language Learners (ELL) - about 53,000 students who themselves and/or their parents do not speak English as a first language. Clark County has the nation's third-highest population of ELL students as a percentage of total enrollment.
After the appointment of Ms. Lucy Keaton as first assistant superintendent of CCSD’s English Language Learner program just over a month ago, and as the issue came up again at the CCSD Parent and Community Forum, we must ask ourselves what would happen if we are able to turn this weakness into a real and competitive advantage – it could go beyond lower dropout rates!
Hoping that most of these students would want to preserve their parents' native language, they will not only have a higher chance to graduate from high school, but they would also be fluent in both languages. The advantage does not stop at being bilingual with no accent, apparently there are other cognitive benefits that would have positive effects on children's development.
"Researchers have shown that the bilingual brain can have better attention and task-switching capacities than the monolingual brain, thanks to its developed ability to inhibit one language while using another." Read More
"Speaking two languages rather than just one has obvious practical benefits in an increasingly globalized world. But in recent years, scientists have begun to show that the advantages of bilingualism are even more fundamental than being able to converse with a wider range of people. Being bilingual, it turns out, makes you smarter." Read More
"Because of its growing number of non-English-speaking students, the School District has created a new administrative position to oversee all of the English Language Learner programs." Read More
What a Wonderful Breakfast!
THANK YOU!!!
On Tuesday, February 26th, the Andson and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Henderson hosted the 2013 Faces of the Future Breakfast that benefited educational programs at all the clubhouses across the Valley. The breakfast not only gave local community professionals the opportunity to meet and mingle, but also provided a glimpse into the work being done to equip children and young adults with the skills and knowledge they need to thrive.
Thank you to everyone who took time out of their busy schedules to attend the 2013 Faces of the Future Breakfast, as well as those who decided to generously made a gift in support of our efforts. It has been an incredible year for the Andson Organization, and we were happy to celebrate education with over 200 guests in attendance. The breakfast aimed to raise funds for our Homework Help & Tutoring Program, which has grown to nearly 700 students per day throughout the Valley, also increased community awareness of our organization and forged new relationships with key community partners.
We are also grateful to our guest speakers, sponsors, community leaders, and each of our table captains for their dedication and partnership. Without their valuable contribution, it would not have been possible to have had such a successful event - please join us in thanking them!
Guest Speakers Katie Decker Ryder Donohue Terry Manley Lauree Porter Ken Rubeli Christine Spadafor
Sponsors Molly Malone's Irish Pub Morrissey Insurance NV Energy Southern Highlands Charitable Foundation Whole Foods Youth Charities of Southern Nevada
Vendors PM Digital Rebel Party Rentals Ricardo's
Community Leaders Boys & Girls Clubs of Henderson City of Henderson Clark County School District Communities in Schools Goodwill of Southern Nevada HopeLink of Southern Nevada Nevada State College Silver State Schools Credit Union St. Jude's Ranch for Children United Way of Southern Nevada Vegas PBS
Acknowledgments James Duplisea Natalia Hsiao Cass Palmer Andson Academics Tutors Andson Staff Boys and Girls Clubs of Henderson Staff
Congratulations Tom DeVore Stephanie Garcia-Vause Sean Johnson Ulysses Martinez
More photos on our Facebook page!
We are at Nevada Assets and Opportunity Summit!
We are at a conference in Reno, NV right now. Boring? Absolutely not! Today we are so lucky to have NV Treasurer Kate Marshall with us. (Shameless Plug- Ms. Marshall recently visited The Piggy Bank at Bracken). Our lunch keynote speaker was Jose Cisneros, city of San Francisco Treasurer - who talked about the extensive Financial Services they've come to provide. A great City, yes; but totally replicable (and the city of San Francisco is committed to helping do this in other cities!)
Inspiration in the workshops today is incredible. Anee Brar heads up the city of San Francisco's K-to-C program; every child that starts Kindergarten gets a savings account with matches and incentives for college. IF YOU HAVE A SAVINGS ACCOUNT FOR COLLEGE - YOU ARE 6 or 7 TIMES MORE LIKELY TO GO TO COLLEGE. Parent Engagement is also important so we hope to be able to share common and best practices in the future.
The afternoon session was Behavioral Economics, hosted by PHd students from UNR, as well as Mark Pingle, professor of Economics from UNR. It was very interesting to get some technical reasons as to why people make the savings choices (or don't).
The programs are coming to a close - but we do have a Q&A regarding consumer protection in personal banking and finance. Very important and pertinent for young bankers who don't have experience with banking products.
This is one of those trips that we are so glad we took the time to make. Thank you to the Financial Stability Partnership for hosting this inaugural summit. We will make it a point to be here every year.
Got Homework?
We advocate the importance of homework in the process of improving academic achievement. Arguments, in favor of homework, fall into one of three categories: practice, preparation, or extension. Practice helps students retain the knowledge being taught during the class. As in real life, people need practice in order to get better at the things they do for a living, Just think about football players, musicians, actors, surgeons etc. The learning skills and study habits gained through homework prepare students for higher education and the challenges of knowledge-based society - with knowledge comes innovation and innovation is the key to survive in today’s world. Homework is an extension of the classroom experience that introduces children to the "adult" world of priorities, time management, and deadlines. Homework can also be an extension of learning at home, which allows parents to be involved.
That is precisely one argument against homework. The disparity between students from a middle-class background (study space, computer, internet access and parents who have the time and skills to help) and those students from disadvantaged backgrounds who simply don’t have the support and resources they need to complete their homework. Anti-homework advocates, such as French President Francois Hollande, insist rich kids benefit more from homework than poor kids do – that might be true, even more when the gap becomes bigger as disadvantaged students start falling behind. But getting rid of homework is not going to solve the problem.
A solution would be to lengthen the school day, but in times of budget cuts and overcrowded classrooms, after-school programs are providing the time for children to complete their homework once the school day is over. We, at the Andson Organization, are committed to helping students reach their full potential regardless of economic background, and we are doing it through our Homework Help & Tutoring program. Homework comes before playtime, so we are teaching kids that responsibilities come first. Love of learning and perseverance are values we hope to instill in hundreds of students across the Valley. Want to know how we are doing this? Come join us for our Faces of the Future Breakfast on Tuesday, February 26 at 8 am at the Boys & Girls Club in Southern Highlands.
Here are some tips for teachers and parents...
"Teachers Homework Policy" December 28, 2012
"Five Hot Homework Tips for Parents" January 31, 2013
A very different group takes over the Strip - NV DECA.
On Monday, February 11, I went to judge the Nevada DECA Competition at the Flamingo Hotel and Casino. Not knowing much about DECA, I had no idea that this day would mean as much to me as it did to the students. DECA is an organization that is co-curricular - meaning they are in the classrooms (like us).
DECA has core areas such as
- Civic Responsibility
- Leadership
- Entrepreneurship
- Understanding of Free Enterprise.
Did I mention these were High School students? Some were only Sophomores! The day was amazing. These students had 10 minutes to prep their case, and come present it to one of the hundreds of judges that volunteered that day to facilitate the competition.
Students I judged competed in areas such as:
- Financial Repercussion of showrooms vs. trade shows, regarding startup remodeling company
- Financial Benefits of a stock buyback program for a security company
- Marketing and Research for the rebranding of a boutique hotel chain
These were mock situations, of course, but the energy and enthusiasm was overwhelming. Many thanks to Nevada DECA for doing the amazing work of preparing young people for the adult/business world. It inspires me to keep Andson innovative, and not to forget our mission: empowering through education. Remember, if education is about fun and opportunities, STUDENTS PARTICIPATE!
Image from Nevada Deca website