Spring Newsletter 2010 - Jonestown Family Center for Education

Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary
Washington Partners in Mission
for Education and Wellness
Spring 2010
Jonestown Family Center
Happy Spring!
T
Happy Lent and Easter
from all of us at the
Jonestown Family Center!
his past winter was one of the coldest on record here in the
Delta. We even had a few snow days, which was fun for the
children. We’re so grateful to our friends from all over the
country who have shared their resources with us this past winter,
in particular Charles A. Frueauff Foundation, Tom Wright,
John W. and Susan Sullivan Foundation, Holy Spirit School in San
Jose, CA, Community Foundation of Northwest Mississippi,
Providence Sisters of Seattle, WA, St. Francis of Assisi, Friday
Harbor, WA and Shonda Warner of Clarksdale, MS.
Christmas Fun!
S
anta, in the guise of student intern Dennis Thomas,
visited the Family Center in early December.
Children under one and over six enjoyed being
with him. The children between two and five were
terrified! We had “Pictures with Teddy Bear” for those
who tried to run away when they saw Santa. Candy canes
also helped to calm them.
The Montessori children received
packages of school supplies and
toys from ChildLight Montessori
School in Berwick, Maine. Friends
from all over the country sent
backpacks, toys, mittens, candy
canes, school supplies, and gift
cards for children. We are so
grateful to all of you who helped
us provide all kinds of goodies at
Christmas.
Montessori students Cam’Ron and
Harlem tell Santa what they
want for Christmas.
Christmas enrichment classes
with Ms. Maxine Kinnard and Mary Stoxstill.
We Have a Dream!
As part of our celebration of Martin Luther King Holiday,
the after-school students wrote and illustrated stories
about their hopes
My Dream for Jonestown
and dreams
by De’Asiah Davis, Grade 4
for Jonestown
and the world.
I like that everyone in Jonestown is very nice.
Here are two:
Shantera Ewings, Grade 3
When I grow up in ten years I want Jonestown be clean and have a
lot of stores so we don’t have to drive all the way to Clarksdale just to
get to a store. I would also like there to be no more guns and fighting
in Jonestown. We could build and fix more houses. My favorite thing
about Jonestown is the beautiful trees.
Toddlers
Ms. Crystal helps Gedarius
trace his hand.
Above: After School students enjoy the snow!
Cries of “I did it!” and “I can
do it!” echo from the toddler
play area every day as our
littlest students string beads,
put puzzles together, and
create block towers. They
always enjoy coming with
their parents to the monthly
meetings. In January we
discussed the importance of
not only speaking, but also
listening to our children.
Thanks to all of you who
send books so we can give
them out at each meeting.
I want more people to make friends with. I
hope that people will stop littering and start
cleaning. My dream is to go to college and
be a lawyer. I would like to have my own
family one day. I will also like to have my
own Family Center and my own restaurant.
I would like to go to school every day to
learn even better. I also dream of being a
zookeeper to take care of animals. I wish I
could have met Martin Luter King, Jr. when
he was still alive. I would like to be like him.
Montessori
The Montessori staff had a great opportunity to observe
the Lamplighter Montessori School in Memphis in
February. They were
happy to observe the
same materials and
lessons that we use, and
also to see how much
more space and practical
life materials our
program has. Parents
come and observe the
children working. It’s
enlightening for them
to see their children
working and learning
in the environment.
Malaysha writes her own story
with Sr. Diana, BVM.
Jonestown in Motion
The Family Center’s mission is to improve education and health
through all its programs. As you might know, the Mississippi
Delta has an adult obesity rate of 35%. Obesity leads to many
health problems, including diabetes and heart disease. This
spring, in conjunction with the Coahoma County Extension
Service, we began a 10 week series of health workshops for
adults called Jonestown in Motion. Guest speakers discuss goal
setting, the food pyramid, diabetes, heart disease, dining out
healthily, strength training, and other topics of interest.
Participants received pedometers, exercise bands, and written
material every week. We’ve been so happy with the turnout—
between 20 and 25 people attend class every Tuesday. Participants can also come to the Fitness and Health Club to work out
and get in shape on our machines and with the fitness dvd’s available.
Jonestown Newsletter 2
Dr. Anne Brooks, SNJM, demonstrates
how blood moves through the arteries.
February Fling
W
e hosted our second annual fund-raiser in
Clarksdale right before Valentine’s Day. Held
at the beautifully restored Cutrer Mansion
(formerly St. Elizabeth Catholic School), guests enjoyed
appetizers prepared by my former student Chef Robert
Rhymes, as well as beverages and a delicious cake. All
food, drinks, decorations, and paper supplies were
donated by friends from Clarksdale. Set up like a silent
auction with framed pictures of our activities scattered
around the room, guests could pledge any amount they
wanted to help support gas for the van, snacks for
Akilah Miles, Tina Crawford, Sr. Teresa,
after-school, art supplies, etc. Parents and friends from
Cornelia
Neely, Lady Jackson, Mildred Joiner,
Jonestown, Clarksdale, and Tunica enjoyed the live music,
Dennis Thomas, Sr. Jean Gent, SNJM
food, and learning more about the Family Center. Thanks to
all who donated their time, energy, supplies, and resources to make the Fling a great success. We especially
thank Cindy Mitchell and her Development Committee: Lynn Espy, Ann Harland Webster, Shelley Ricker,
and Emily Broad.
S
After School
now days and frigid weather have hampered our PE
schedule in January and February, but in March we
increased our physical education to an hour a day for
our students in grades one-five. Taught by Cornelia Neely, the
class focuses on ball skills, calisthenics, and games to get
children moving and enjoying being active. Before P.E. class,
the students learn problem-solving and anger management
skills, do their homework and spend time reading, as well as
getting individualized tutoring as needed. We also have
singing, storytelling, and art activities every day. Friday
continues to be “Fun Day.”
First grader Jameliah is intent on her reading.
T
hanks again to our generous friends from
all over the country. We pray for you every day.
Gratefully, in Christ,
Director, Jonestown Family Center
PO Box 248
401 Main St.
Jonestown, MS 38639
Phone: 662-358-4335, Fax: 662-358-4651
tshields5145@bellsouth.net
www.jonestownfamilycenter.com
Family Center Needs
Baby and toddler supplies
Board books
Glue sticks
Crayons
Manipulative materials
Puzzles: 10-100 pieces
Shorts and t-shirts for summer sports
Playground balls
Jump-ropes
Jonestown Newsletter 3