Cornerstone

Education in urban cities can work and in Detroit, Cornerstone Schools is the benchmark.  This private, Christian school (K-8) in the heart of Detroit is AMAZING.

I have the privilege to be a "partner" at Cornerstone Schools.

As a partner you assist a student financially and provide them encouragement and  support. Today was a partner morning, which I love.  All partners had the opportunity to hear the concert choir sing, and the 8th grade strings perform.  It gave me goosebumps!

I met my student and went to her classroom for visiting and an activity.  Our class played Jeopardy.  This was right up my alley and Marina, my student, was so excited.  She knew we were going to win.  Our table of 3 students and 3 partners kicked butt -- and now I know why I'm not going on "Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader".  Marina also gave me a beautiful still life of flowers in a vase that she created in art.

The teachers are so dedicated and really love and care for their students.  The teacher mission is "To prepare students for life."  The Cornerstone mission is "Changing Detroit one child at a time."  

I see this happening before my very eyes with these young people.  I'm thankful I can be a part of this community.

Tied up

Right index finger has lost circulation from tying appx 200 water balloons.

They will be tossed and thrown during Field Day on Friday at W & M's school.

It could have been worse -- 600 balloons were needed!

Thank goodness we had 2 other mom teams!

Nature Boy

Went to the Nature Center today with W's 3rd grade class.  They have been studying life cycle, bugs, etc.  Very humid here today, so there were plenty of water critters to be found.  Kids worked in teams of 2 and used a fishing net to dip for critters.  They unload their finds into another container and use a key card to determine what they are.  W & partner were so proud they found a crayfish, which the group guide informed the group earlier would be highly unlikely.  They were very pleased with themselves!

I wish I had an amusing story, like someone got too close to the edge and slipped into the pond or a child tasted a tadpole, but nothing funny. 

Little Helper

Each Wednesday I am the teacher's helper in M's 1st grade class.  Today was the pillowcase keepsake project.  Each child brings in a pillow case and then parent volunteers write on the poem.  Today, I painted the child's hand and then we stamped it on the pillowcase.  I love her teacher, Mrs H., and the boys & girls in her class.  It was a fun morning. More handprints to be done tomorrow -- but that's for a different mom!  I'll be at the Nature Center with W's 3rd grade class.  Oh, yes, as a thank you, Mrs H. gave me a lovely pink begonia hanging basket  and a water globe.  She knows me well -- pink and not so green of a thumb.

Food Bank

Our Junior League has a partnership with Gleaner's Community Food Bank.  On Saturday, I had the opportunity to sort food and pack meal boxes.  The meal boxes are delivered to food banks in the metro Detroit area for distribution to people in need.  I worked with 2 other JLB members and several high school students.  It was a great day!  For the 3 hrs we were there, we packed 2800 lbs of food!

This experience opened my eyes to what food banks really need and don't need.

Need:

• Cereal (single serving boxes)
  
• Granola bars/cereal bars
  
• Pasta/sauce
  
• Dinner in a can (a la chef boy r d)
  
• Coffee (single packets or small jars instant)
  
• Peanut Butter & Jelly
  
• Lifesavers or other candy treats
  
• Mayo (small containers)
  

Don't Need:

• Weird stuff from your pantry that no one in your family will eat.
  
• Anything homemade
  
• Expired food -  You wouldn't believe the bottles of salad dressing donated that were 2 years expired.  
  

I encourage you to find an opportunity in your city to give back!