The Omaha Star - Vol. 80 - No.17

75 CENTS

OMAHA STAR

THE

Celebrating 80 Years

1938 2018

Dedicated to the Service of the People that NO Good Cause Shall Lack a Champion and that Evil Shall Not Go Unopposed

“Education is the passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today.” ~ Malcolm X

Nebraska’s Only Black Owned Newspaper Vol. 80 - No. 17 Omaha, Nebraska

Montaveous Completes Basic Training

Airman Thomas T. Montaveous Jr.

U.S. Air Force Airman Thomas T. Montaveous Jr. has graduated from basic military training at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, San Antonio, Texas.

The airman completed an intensive, eight-week program that included training in military discipline and studies, Air Force core values, physical fitness, and basic warfare principles and skills.

Airmen who complete basic training also earn four credits toward an associate in applied science degree through the Community College of the Air Force.

Montaveous is the son of Thomas Montaveous of Omaha and Joyce Bennett of Albany, N.Y., and grandson of Glenda Richardson of San Antonio, Texas.

He is a 2017 graduate of Omaha Central High School.

Friday, August 24, 2018

75 cents

Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin Dies at 76

By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Contributor Aretha Franklin, arguably the greatest voice in music history, passed away at her home on Aug. 16.

The Queen of Soul was 76.

“She will be so missed as a mother, sister, friend, cousin,” said longtime friend Roger Friedman, who also covered the Queen of Soul for decades and originally broke the story about her cancer fight on showbiz411.com.

“Her legacy is larger than life,” Friedman said.

“It’s not just that ‘Rolling Stone’ called her the No. 1 singer of all time, or that she’s the Queen of Soul.

Long live the Queen.”

“The NNPA profoundly mourns the passing of our beloved ‘Sister Leader’ and Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin,” said NNPA President and CEO Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis Jr. “Her creative genius was matched by her steadfast courage as a freedomfighting singer and leader for civil rights. Black America and all people of goodwill throughout the world will miss her, but her legacy will never be forgotten.”

Dr. Chavis continued: “Long live the spirit and legacy of Queen Aretha Franklin.”

Dorothy Leavell, the chairman of the NNPA and publisher of the Crusader newspapers in Chicago and Gary, Ind., said that she was saddened by the loss of the music icon.

“I send a message of sadness and respect for our beloved Queen whose musical genius [shined brightly] and resounded around the world,” Leavell said.

The fourth of five children, Aretha Louise Franklin was born on March 25, 1942, in Memphis, Tennessee, to Baptist preacher Reverend Clarence La Vaughan “C.L.” Franklin and Barbara Siggers Franklin, a gospel singer, according to her biography.

Franklin’s musical gifts became apparent at an early age. Largely self-taught, she was regarded as a

child prodigy. A gifted pianist with a powerful voice, Franklin got her start singing in front of her father’s congregation.

By the age of 14, she had recorded some of her earliest tracks at his church, which were released by a small label as the album “Songs of Faith” in 1956.

She also performed with C.L.’s traveling revival show and, while on tour, befriended gospel greats such as Mahalia Jackson, Sam Cooke and Clara Ward.

Hitting her stride in 1967 and 1968, Franklin churned out a string of hit singles that would become enduring classics, showcasing Franklin’s powerful voice and gospel roots in a pop framework.

In 1967, the album “I Never Loved a Man (The Way I Love You)” was released, and the first song on the album, “Respect” – an empowered cover of an Otis Redding track – reached No. 1 on both the R&B and pop charts and won Aretha her first two Grammy Awards.

She also had Top 10 hits with “Baby I Love You,” “Think,” “Chain of Fools,’“ “I Say a Little Prayer,” “(Sweet Sweet Baby) Since You’ve Been Gone” and “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman.”

Franklin’s chart dominance soon earned her the title Queen of Soul, while at the same time she also became a symbol of Black empowerment during the Civil Rights Movement.

In 1968, Franklin was enlisted to perform at the funeral of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. during which she paid tribute to her father’s fallen friend with a heartfelt rendition of “Precious Lord.” Later that year, she was also selected to sing the national anthem to begin the Democratic National Convention in Chicago.

In 1987, Franklin became the first female artist to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and was also awarded an honorary doctorate from the University of Detroit.

Prior to her passing, Stevie Wonder and the Rev. Jesse Jackson were among those who paid a visit to her at her home in Detroit.

Celebrating Outstanding Black Women: 2018 Mary McLeod Bethune Awards Luncheon

By Amanda Paris Public Relations Chair, Omaha Section National Council of Negro Women Inc. It was a beautiful sunny day for the Omaha Section - National Council of Negro Women’s Awards Luncheon, and the ladies were decked out in their beautiful hats and matching outfits, to pay tribute to outstanding women in the community. The awardees exemplified Mary McLeod Bethune’s Guiding Principles of empowerment, education, and community service. The UNO Thompson Alumni Center was inviting and the crowd was full of anticipation. The food was great and Dr. Lynnell Williams, Executive Pastor and Leading Lady of the Ambassadors Worship Center, was an awesome speaker, who spoke to a sellout crowd.

The Silent Auction was a huge success, providing funds for book award scholarships for women of color attending college in the Omaha metropolitan area. The event was blessed with the showing of the Choose to be Great video and musical selections by vocalist Tyi Hakeem who mesmerized the crowd.

In the crowd were Omaha city councilman Ben Gray and Douglas county treasurer John Ewing.

Awards were presented to: Dr. Nichelle Horton-Brown, Field of Medicine; Adia Brightman, Field of Education; LaVon Stennis-Williams, Community Supporter; Vickie R. Young, Dorothy I. Height Leadership; Mona Lisa King-Ward, Mary McLeod Bethune Legacy; and LaMare’ Wright, Youth in Excellence.

Book Award Scholarships were presented to: Kinzetta M. Harris, Angel M. Howard, Alexan P. Short, and Cheamera J. Gaines Liwaru.

In 2019, the Omaha SectionNCNW will be celebrating its 40th anniversary in the Omaha community.

Watch for more information to come and upcoming L to R: Dr. Viv Ewing, President. Awardees: LaMare Wright, Dr. Nichelle events. Like them Horton-Brown, Adia Brightman, LaVon Stennis-Williams, Vickie R. Young, on Facebook and Mona Lisa King-Ward, Kinzetta M. Harris, Asia Nared (standing in for follow them on Twitter.

Cheamera Gaines Liwaru)

“I prayed with her,” Jackson said.

In a statement, former President Barack Obama lauded Franklin as “The Queen.”

“America has no royalty but we do have a chance to earn something more enduring,” Obama said. “For more than six decades since, every time she sang, we were all graced with a glimpse of the divine. Through her compositions and unmatched musicianship, Aretha helped define the American experience.”

Obama’s statement continued: “In her voice, we could feel our history, all of it and in every shade – our power and our pain, our darkness and our light, our quest for redemption and our hard-won respect.

She helped us feel more connected to each other, more hopeful, more human.”

And, Obama added, sometimes she helped us just forget about everything else and dance.

See Aretha continued on page 2

First Day of School Met with Enthusiasm, School Visits by New OPS Superintendent

Omaha Public Schools officially welcomed students back to classrooms Aug. 15.

New school year. New school outfits. New superintendent.

The day involved visits to a number of schools by the new superintendent, who began the day at 6 a.m. at OPS Student Transportation, 72nd Street and Military Avenue, where Dr. Cheryl Logan greeted staff members who were on their way to transport Classrooms are ready students. She also greeted Student Transportation of America at the bus lot near 50th and L Streets.

Mount View Elementary staff were joined by local fathers coming to help give students high fives and smiles as they entered the school on the first day. Willie Hamilton, Executive Director of Black Men United, organizes the event each year as part of the annual Million Fathers March.

Students at Florence Elementary kicked off their first day of school, entering a newly renovated building. The school upgrades were part of the Phase 1, 2014 bond. The new superintendent stopped in on those students as well as students at JP Lord Elementary, also housed in brand new quarters. In May, Omaha voters approved a Phase 2, $410 million bond, to continue making improvements to schools that are still in need.

Field Club Elementary kindergarteners enjoyed lunch with the new superintendent and new firsttime principal Dr. Collette Nero. Castelar Elementary and Catlin Elementary Schools also received a visit from the district’s new leader. Her final stop was to assist with dismissal at North High Magnet School where she offered remarks to the freshman Class of 2022. The day concluded with a postmortem discussion with district leadership on what went well and areas of opportunity for improvement for the future.

Prior to the start of the school year, the district kicked things off with a celebratory Back 2 School bash held at the TAC Building on Aug. 11. The bash included five of the district’s elementary schools, and student representatives from middle and high schools. It allowed families to meet and speak with their principals, and for students to chat with their teachers. It also included comic-book heroes, prizes and a few mascots to encourage school pride.

“The start of the school year is a celebratory time.

It’s a time for fresh starts, renewed goals and new beginnings,” said Dr. Logan.

Parents like Gina Miller are anticipating a stronger Dr. Logan greeting eager student

“Education is for improving the The Forum is Back of others and for leaving with Spencer Danner lives your community and world – August 31. better than you found it.”

See In the Village for details.

Aretha Franklin (Wikimedia Commons)

~ Marian Wright Edelman

See OPS continued on page 8

Candidate Forum at Big Mama’s – September 5.

See In the Village for details.

Page Two

LOCAL NEWS Urban Affairs Committee to Hold Interim Hearings in North Omaha

THE OMAHA STAR

THE OMAHA STAR, INC. THE VOICE OF THE BLACK COMMUNITY Editorial and Business Office 2216 North 24th Street Phone: 402.346.4041 Fax: 402.346.4064

MAILING ADDRESS: 2216 North 24th Street Omaha, Nebraska 68110

WEB ADDRESS: www.theomahastar.com

Like Us on Facebook E-MAIL ADDRESSES: fwilliams@omahastarinc.com phyllis@omahastarinc.com tcooper@omahastarinc.com Notary Services available during business hours Monday – Wednesday – 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Thursday – 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Member of the National Newspaper Publishers Association MILDRED D. BROWN: Founder, July 9, 1938 DR. MARGUERITA L. WASHINGTON: Publisher, 1989 - 2016 Phyllis Hicks: Publisher & Managing Editor Frankie Jean Williams: Copy Editor Tanya Cooper: Circulation/Retail Coordinator Carl Hill: Retail Distributor Debra Shaw: Social Media Administrator THE OMAHA STAR believes that America can best lead the world away from racial and national antagonism when it accords every man, regardless of race, color or creed, his human and legal rights.

Hating no man, fearing no man in the firm belief that all are hurt as long as one is held back.

DISCLAIMER

The United States provides opportunities for free expression of ideas. The Omaha Star has its views, but others may differ.

Therefore the Omaha Star ownership reserves the right to publish views and opinions by syndicated and local columnists, professional writers and other writers whose opinions are solely their own. Those views do not necessarily reflect the policies and position of the staff and management of the Omaha Star newspaper.

Readers are encouraged to email letters to the editor commenting on current events as well as what they would like to see included in the paper. Those emails should be sent to: phyllis@omahastarinc. com and must include the writer’s name, address, email address and telephone number. The ownership has editorial rights and does not guarantee that all submissions will be published.

Please be advised that the Omaha Star ownership does not employ staff writers who charge for preparing and submitting articles for the general public. Should you encounter such, please advise Phyllis Hicks at 402.346.4041.

ATTENTION From The Publisher: In order to be included in the Omaha Star, all articles and announcements must be submitted by e-mail to fwilliams@ omahastarinc.com no later than two weeks in advance of the event. All articles and announcements should be prepared in a word document using Times New Roman, 10 pt. Submissions must be limited to 500 words. Any accompanying photographs should be submitted in a jpeg or pdf file. The deadline for all articles is Monday at 3:00 p.m., two weeks prior to the event date. Articles and announcements will not be accepted at the Omaha Star office. The Omaha Star is now published bi-weekly on Fridays. The Omaha Star business office hours are MondayThursday, 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m.

Pick up your copy of the Omaha Star at these convenient locations: Baker’s Supermarket

7312 N. 30th St.

Baker’s Supermarket

4405 N. 72nd St.

Big Mama’s

3223 N. 45th St.

Chubb’s Finer Foods

2905 N. 16th St.

Cubby’s

the Urban Affairs Committee, called the Matt Hansen (District 26, Lincoln), will North Omaha hearings an opportunity for examine neighborhood issues and potential committee members to receive testimony neighborhood improvement tools. The study from Omahans who might not otherwise will include an examination of existing have the ability to travel to Lincoln for and potential neighborhood improvement legislative hearings. “Our committee policy solutions, as well as other issues frequently deals with issues that affect faced by neighborhoods in Nebraska.

North Omaha neighborhoods, but having LR 397, also introduced by Wayne, to make the trip to Lincoln often represents will examine the potential benefits a barrier to citizen engagement. I look to municipalities of establishing port forward to hearing directly from North authorities, particularly in Omaha along the Omaha neighborhood associations, elected Missouri River. The study will also include officials, and other community leaders at a review of port authority statutes in other the hearing,” said Wayne. states, with an emphasis on non-coastal LR 398, introduced by Wayne, will states. examine the use of SIDs in Nebraska and LR 399, also introduced by Wayne, will the impact of sanitary and improvement examine Nebraska’s mass transit authority districts (SIDs) on municipalities upon statutes, which are currently limited to their annexation. Among the issues being cities of the metropolitan class (Omaha). addressed in the study are the costs incurred by municipalities upon the annexation The study will review the structure of of SIDs, the impact of the use of SIDs the current transit authority statutes and on the availability of affordable housing examine the potential changes necessary within municipalities, and the impact of the to authorize the establishment of a regional use of SIDs on racial and socioeconomic transit authority or the establishment of a transit authority by a municipality other segregation within municipalities.

LR 392, introduced by State Senator than the City of Omaha.

Aretha continued from page 1

Signature Verification Ongoing for Medicaid Expansion Petition

LINCOLN – Secretary of State John Gale has announced that county election officials are continuing to complete their task of processing over 135,000 petition signatures submitted as part of the petition drive to expand Medicaid.

At least 84,269 valid signatures are required to add the initiative to the 2018 General Election ballot. In addition, signatures of more than 5% percent of registered voters in 38 counties must be gathered.

Gale noted, “As of August 17, my office has received certified numbers from 79 of 93 counties accounting for 56,288 valid signatures. Of the 79 counties reporting, 42 counties have accepted signatures above the 5% threshold.”

Secretary Gale anticipates that the certification process will be complete in the next week and will report final certified numbers at that time.

Information about the petition can be found on the Secretary of State’s website at: http://www.sos.ne.gov/elec/2018/elections.html.

Draft State Transportation Improvement Program Available for Review LINCOLN – The proposed Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) for Fiscal Years 2019 thru 2022 is available for public review and comment at: www.dot.nebraska. gov/projects/publications/STIP/ according to the Nebraska Department of Transportation (NDOT). Copies are available from each of the eight district offices. (See the map of the district offices and contact information.)

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and Federal Transit Administration (FTA) require each state highway agency to develop a STIP. The STIP must list all highway and transit projects that will be using federal funds, as well as all regionally significant transportation projects using non-federal funding sources. It covers a period of four years and in Nebraska is updated every year on Oct. 1.

Federal law requires that all citizens and other interested parties in the State’s transportation planning process be given reasonable opportunity to comment on the proposed STIP and on any proposed amendments to an approved STIP. NDOT uses statewide news releases and an automated email subscription management system called GovDelivery to inform the public and advise them of the means and time period to comment on STIPs and any amendments.

All comments will be addressed and those responses reported to the FHWA and FTA. A public comment period ends at 5:00 p.m. CDT on Aug. 31.

These comments will be incorporated into the final document which will be posted on the Nebraska Department of Transportation’s website after approval by the FHWA and FTA. Comments may be submitted online at: www.dot.nebraska.gov/projects/publications/ STIP/ or sent to: kendall.tonjes@nebraska.gov.

4232 Redman Ave.

Cubby’s Old Market

601 S. 13th Street

Easy Drive Package

5124 N. 24th St.

Family Fare Supermarket

820 N. Saddle Creek Rd.

Family Fare Supermarket

7402 N. 30th St.

Felicia’s Beauty & Barber Shop

CHARLES DREW HEALTH CENTER 30TH & GRANT STREET (produce only market)

Wednesday 3:30PM to 5:30PM JULY 11 thru AUGUST 29

4802 NW Radial Hwy

Hy-Vee Supermarket

5150 Center St.

Hy-Vee Supermarket

108th & Fort St.

Offutt Air Base - Welcome Center Omaha Rockets Kanteen

LINCOLN – The Nebraska Legislature’s Urban Affairs Committee will hold a pair of interim study hearings in North Omaha on Tuesday at the QLI Lied Life Center, 6320 N. 70th Plaza. The hearings mark the fourth consecutive year that the Urban Affairs Committee has held hearings outside of the Capitol during the interim.

At the hearings in North Omaha, the committee will receive public testimony on four interim studies. The first hearing, beginning at 4:00 p.m., will receive testimony on LR 398, an interim study to examine the impact of sanitary and improvement districts (SIDs) upon annexations by municipalities, and LR 392, an interim study to examine neighborhood issues and potential neighborhood improvement tools.

The second hearing, beginning at 7:00 p.m., will receive testimony on LR 397, an interim study to examine the statutory authority for municipalities to establish port authorities, and LR 399, an interim study to examine issues related to metropolitan transit authorities.

State Senator Justin Wayne (District 13, Omaha), who serves as Chairman of

MEDIA SPONSORS:

OmahaFarmersMarket.org

Bellevue, NE

Publishing dates for the Omaha Star

2401 Lake St.

Phil’s CASHSAVER A cost Plus Food Outlet

3030 Ames Ave.

Skeet’s Barbeque

2201 N. 24th St.

Walgreens

3001 Dodge St.

Walgreens

7202 N. 30th St.

Walgreens

3005 Lake St.

Walgreens

4310 Ames Ave.

Walgreens

2929 North 60th St.

Walgreens

7151 Cass St.

Walgreens

6005 N. 72nd St.

Walgreens

225 N. Saddle Creek Rd.

Walgreens

1802 Galvin Road, S (Bellevue)

September 2018 Friday Friday

September 7, 2018 September 21, 2018

October 2018 Friday Friday

October 5, 2018 October 19, 2018

November 2018 *Friday (Veteran’s Day) Friday *Friday (Christmas in the Village)

November 2, 2018 November 16, 2018 November 30, 2018

December 2018 Friday Friday

August 24, 2018

December 14, 2018 December 28, 2018

“Aretha may have passed on to a better place, but the gift of her music remains to inspire us all,” Obama said. “May the Queen of Soul rest in eternal peace. Michelle and I send our prayers and warmest sympathies to her family and all those moved by her song.”

(Stacy Brown is an NNPA Newswire Contributor and co-author of “Michael Jackson: The Man Behind the Mask: An Insider’s Story of the King of Pop.” Follow Stacy on Twitter @stacybrownmedia.)

‘Good, Healthy Life’ Premieres Aug. 30 on NET World

LINCOLN, Neb. – Health care in America accounts for about one-sixth of the country’s economy. It has become a myriad of insurance costs, changing government policies and skyrocketing pharmaceutical costs. NET, Nebraska’s PBS & NPR Stations, has begun a new initiative to help Nebraskans navigate this complex system and live a good, healthy life.

The new television series, “Good, Healthy Life,” premieres on NET World at 8:30 p.m. CT, Aug. 30 and will continue with new episodes quarterly. Information from community organizations and experts will also be available anytime at netNebraska.org/ goodhealthylife as part of NET’s commitment to help educate Nebraskans on health care solutions.

An advisory council of Nebraska medical, insurance and wellness experts will guide “Good, Healthy Life” topics and provide options to keep health care costs low, find better treatments and plan ahead for changing policies.

The series will be hosted by Melanie Dawkins, experienced television anchor and medical reporter. In the first program, an expert panel will offer advice including Dr. Joann Schaefer, executive vice president at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Nebraska, Marty Fattig, board chairman of the Nebraska Hospital Association and Dr. Rob Rhodes, president of the Nebraska Medical Association.

University of Nebraska-Lincoln history lecturer Aelwen Wetherby will also provide insight into how significant historic events and policies have shaped America’s system and how it differs from other health care approaches around the world.

This new initiative is supported by community partners and is funded in part by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Nebraska. An advisory council comprised of Nebraska medical, insurance and wellness experts will guide future topics.

After Racist Attacks, Senate Candidate Mina Davis Releases Statement In response to racist and harassing anonymous messages sent to her phone via an anonymous smartphone app, Mina Davis, candidate for the Nebraska Legislature’s eighth district, called for unity in a prepared statement. Davis, the first non-white candidate for legislature in district eight, has received several offensive and threatening text messages since June.

“I’ve personally received a number of threatening messages over the past couple months, including messages using the N-word and other slurs. I want the sender to know that I will not be intimidated and that our communities are stronger than their hate.

“Folks in Benson and Dundee will not tolerate bigotry – we’re better than that. This race is about my ideas for how to make life better for everyone in this district and this state, and a couple racist cowards hiding behind a keyboard won’t stop me.

“I’m committed to fighting through these threats just like countless candidates of color who came before me. National politics is nasty enough – we need our local politics to be about unity – not division. I’ll keep running my campaign on my good ideas and I won’t be stopped.”

Since June, Davis has received three racist messages anonymously through a smartphone app called “Globfone,” which allows users to anonymously send text messages. Davis has provided her personal phone number as a point of contact to allow voters to contact her directly. That gesture of transparency has now allowed racist trolls to send her text messages including those containing the n-word and other racial slurs. The original messages are available upon request.

Of African-American and Filipino descent, Mina Davis is the first person of color to run in Nebraska’s eighth legislative district. She is a 2017 graduate of Creighton University and a lifelong resident of Omaha. Mina has personally knocked on the doors of over 10,000 voters in LD 8. She currently lives in Dundee with her dog, Toby.

Notary Services Available Support Those Who Support You

LIFE & STYLE/HEALTH & WELLNESS THE OMAHA STAR Page Three Michelle Obama Joins Voter Aretha Franklin Celebrated in Space: NASA Has Honored the Queen of Soul Registration Drive for the Midterms

August 24, 2018

By Lauren Victoria Burke NNPA Newswire Contributor

By Clarissa Hamlin

Former First Lady Michelle Obama is featured in a video along with celebrities Tom Hanks, Janelle Monáe, Faith Hill, Tim McGraw and Lin-Manuel Miranda to encourage people to register and vote.

In less than 100 days, the midterm elections that will either expand President Trump’s power or greatly restrict it, will take place on Nov. 6. There has been much talk about the likelihood of a “blue wave” that could give Democrats the gavel and investigative power in Congress over the next two years of Trump’s presidency. The underlying urgency of Michelle Obama’s message is an unspoken aspect of her new registration effort.

The name of the new effort, “When We All Vote,” is also an indication that the former first lady is well aware of the fact that higher voter turnout usually leads to Democratic victories at the polls. The effort is also to challenge registered voters to participate in elections “both big and small.” Though the effort is billed as “non-partisan,” the sense of urgency about the country’s direction under President Trump’s leadership is an unavoidable backdrop.

Several live events are also expected as part of the effort between now and Election Day. Former President Barack Obama is expected to hit the campaign trail to assist Democrats who are looking to take back the House and Senate in 2019. On July 31, the former President announced that he is endorsing 81 Democratic candidates on the ballot this November.

There is a record number of women on the ballot this year. Many of the endorsements former President Obama has focused on were candidates who worked

Former First Lady Michelle Obama (Bob Nichols/USDA/Wikimedia Commons)

in his administration, like Colin Allred, Lauren Underwood and Richard Cordray.

The Obamas have been relatively quiet since departing the White House in early 2017, but that is likely to change. The former president and the former first lady’s launch of “When We All Vote” is likely to be only the first of several post White House efforts they will participate in.

“I’m confident that, together, they’ll strengthen this country we love by restoring opportunity that’s broadly shared, repairing our alliances and standing in the world, and upholding our fundamental commitment to justice, fairness, responsibility, and the rule of law,” Obama wrote in his endorsement statement.

(Lauren Victoria Burke is an independent journalist, political analyst and contributor to the NNPA Newswire and BlackPressUSA.com. You can reach Lauren by email at LBurke007@gmail.com and on Twitter at @ LVBurke.)

Tributes to the legendary Aretha Franklin, who touched millions of lives as the Queen of Soul, keep pouring in. The music icon, who passed away on Aug. 16, has now been honored by NASA. The federal agency took to Twitter and referenced an asteroid that it named after the singer, who died at the age of 76 in Detroit last week after struggling with advanced pancreatic cancer. Officials showed their R-E-S-P-E-C-T to Franklin.

“We’re saddened by the loss of Aretha Franklin,” a tweet from NASA’s official account said. “Asteroid 249516 Aretha, found by our NEOWISE mission and named after the singer to commemorate Aretha Franklin the #QueenofSoul in 2014, will keep orbiting beyond Mars.”

The asteroid was first found in 2001 and was classified as an asteroid by the NEOWISE project in February 2010, according to NASA. The space matter, measuring just under three miles across and orbiting between Mars and Jupiter, was named after Franklin.

Officials predict that 249516 Aretha will likely orbit around the sun for eternity, as long as it doesn’t crash into other space matter. Its orbit time to make one trip around the sun is about five-and-a-half years, according to The Atlantic.

The official NASA Moon Twitter account also featured a tribute to Franklin.

“We’re sad to hear about the #QueenofSoul passing,” the tweet said. “Rock steady Aretha.

From your steady rock out in space.”

A funeral for Franklin will take place on Aug. 31 in Detroit, the icon’s publicist Gwendolyn Quinn said, according to CNN. The service will start at 10 a.m. ET at Greater Grace Temple.

Public viewings will be held on Aug. 28 and 29 from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History in Detroit. Franklin will be entombed at Woodlawn Cemetery in Detroit.

She’s Still Got It! Simone Biles Salutes Abuse Survivors in Epic Comeback

By Clarissa Hamlin

Simone Biles achieved another epic win on the floor – and for sexual abuse survivors – on Sunday.

The Olympic champion gymnast, 21, won another title at the U.S. Gymnastics Championships 2018 at TD Garden in Boston, The Associated Press reported. The achievement made her the first woman to win five U.S. Women’s Gymnastics Championships all-around titles. Her comeback routine after a post-Olympics break was riveting, with her performance also attracting attention because of her colorful leotard on day two.

The teal uniform worn and

designed by Biles was her way of recognizing those who have lived through sexual abuse, including her own experience. Biles donned the color – designated to represent sex abuse survivors – after she revealed that she was one of the many victims of former USA Gymnastics Doctor and convicted serial child molester Larry Nassar. [“The color] is for the survivors,” Biles said after she became the first woman in 24 years to earn the top score on every event on her way to a national championship.

“I stand with all of them and I think it’s kind of special to unite [people].”

The idea to honor the abuse victims within the sport came to

Biles eight months ago. By wearing the leotard and working hard to design it, she brought awareness to the survivors. Kerry Perry, USA Gymnastics president, failed to address the fallout of the Nassar scandal over the weekend in her first lengthy public statement since taking over last December. It’s currently unclear if or how USA Gymnastics will address the abuse and moving past it.

As USA Gymnastics decides on how to honor the survivors, Biles is celebrating her strong showing on Sunday. She posted a twoday total of 119.850, with an allaround score of 60.1 during the opening round.

Simone Biles (Tim Bradbury/Getty Images)

REACH: ‘Let’s Move, Let’s REACH’ Physical Activity Day Countdown

Omaha VA Takes to the Trails with Doctors, Veterans, Employees

By Jennifer Scales Racial and ethical approaches to community health (REACH) include a basketball shooting contest, Zumba, MixxedFit, step Omaha VA Medical Center is a bi-weekly column featuring articles that focus on reducing show, Kids Zone, and drill teams to name a few. A special treat Public Affairs Officer health disparities in the African American community. It will will include local artists performing to the famous music jingles Walking with a doctor might be include topics submitted by Creighton University Health Sciences created by the REACH program that you have heard on radio and something new to the Veterans, Multicultural and Community Affairs (HS-MACA) department.

TV commercials. employees and physicians of the A variety of summer refreshments will be provided and the day Nebraska-Western Iowa Health

By Dr. Richard L. Brown, will end at 2:00 p.m. In the event of rain, activities will be moved Care System. But it is a national Ph.D., FACHE program whose mission is to to an alternate location.

Executive Director, Beyond creating an enjoyable day for residents to have fun and basically encourage people of all REACH, Creighton University visit with friends and family, we see this event as a very positive ages to reverse their sedentary lifestyle and improve their way to celebrate the community spirit of North Omaha and learn health.

The 3rd Annual Let’s Move, Let’s REACH more about the value of physical activity in reducing the risk of This was the objective for the Community Physical Activity Day countdown heart disease and improving quality of life. team of walkers who gathered We recognize how important community partnerships are for Aug. 9 at the Omaha VA is well under way with only days left before it happens. Let’s Move, Let’s REACH Community Physical Activity the success of this event. We hope that all of you can join us for Medical Center to hear Dr. Vijay Day will take place on Sept. 15. This event will focus on promoting this fun and meaningful activity. You can take great pride and Shivaswamy, endocrinology health and reducing health disparities in the African-American satisfaction in knowing that your support makes a powerful and physician, speak about preventing type 2 diabetes before their walk community. Our celebration will be greatly enriched by the transformative impact in the lives of our community. We want to began…and sometimes along the participation of many organizations. We are asking key community hear from you. Come out on Sept. 15, share your physical activity route. groups to join us in our festivities as our residents and community routine and participate with our REACH team. Provide inspiration Beginning with statistics, to others who need help in getting started with incorporating Shivaswamy take center stage. stated that This half day of physical activity will begin at 8:00 a.m. with a physical activity in their daily routine. There will be TV, radio, “approximately 84 million one-mile walk/run event from 24th and Cuming to 24th and Lake and newspaper coverage. Please contact Mervin Vasser by email Americans have pre-diabetes.”

“Ninety percent who have Street. After the walk/run event, the remaining activities will take at mervinvasser@creighton.edu or by phone at 402-280-3029 for prediabetes don’t know they have place on 24th Street between Lake and Burdette streets. There more information and to let us know if you or your organization it, therefore it must be diagnosed will be a DJ and music during the entire event along with dance will participate in this awesome event. with a blood test,” Shivaswamy Until then, “Get Active, Healthy, and Happy.” contests for children, young adults and seniors. Other activities added.

He stressed the importance of getting exercise, even in the smallest measures; such as watching TV while standing or getting off two bus stops before desire is to always think before I speak. some of them do not. But we know it, and

By Ashley Marie Dantzler your destination, if it is safe to do I’m not saying I’m perfect, no person is, it is reflected in the choices that we make. so. These are what he called the Our lives are so we are surrounded by our human flaws. This is a cruel world, and yet it is also, a ‘non-exercise exercises.’ intertwined with each Each day you and I must strive to keep beautiful gift from God. A world that we other, that we sometimes our best appearances in this world because have the power to change, each of us, in forget the feelings of the future, our children, are looking at our own way. We can change the world, by another person; who we’ve us, whether you believe that or not. You, changing ourselves. You don’t have to be hurt with our mouths and yourself may not even have children, an activist, or a political leader to change our actions. There are but you never know whose life you will the world. All you need is a voice and the more than six degrees of separation now, impact. I have had so many people in will to want to see things change.

Today, let’s make an honest decision, to with the rise of social media in the past my life that have inspired me with their ten years we have become a society bound lives, and never met me face to face. I am remember what we learned in kindergarten. by our handheld devices, and there are inspired by the lives of Dr. Martin Luther I believe some call it the golden rule, I hundreds if not thousands of ways to get King Jr., Gandhi, Maya Angelou, and other refer to it as the platinum declaration of figures who have paved the way for not human beings. Treat others, the way you to know someone.

I’m not here to bash the internet, in only equality in matters of civil rights, but would like to be treated. That rule, no Learn the signs and be my opinion it is an ingenious invention in the way we all think about ourselves. matter its name, will always be around, even when we are not. that shaped our world, and will continue Their lives mattered, and so do ours. quick to recognize one.

I know we all know of someone or have If you are searching for ways to change to shape our world far into the future.

No, my concerns are much deeper than heard of someone who gave up, because your world and the world around you, sending an email or posting the occasional they were tired of this world. Tired of the these resources can help.

Be the Change - www.bethechangeinc. tweet. My worries are about our reactions everyday pain, some even self-inflicted toward one another. I, myself am guilty of pains, but the fact is they gave up. We org Be the Change Workshops – www. hurting someone unknowingly. Some of have people in our lives that hurt us, some those people may have gone on, but my hurt us every day. Some of them know it, challengeday.org

Something to Talk About - The Golden Rule

Every 40 seconds someone in the U.S. has a stroke.

Visit us on the web at theomahastar.com

Walkers also stated that now that it’s football season, they could get down on the floor and do leg lifts of push-ups if their team scores points.

Of course, some of the walkers bought up the ‘d’ word: diets.

“Well, all diets are great as long as you can keep doing them,” Shivaswamy said. “The point is to eat in moderation and try to incorporate some type of movement. You see results by doing those two little things, without having to spend extra money.”

Colette McCarthy, call center medical support assistant, is now the organizer for the monthly ‘Walks with a Doc.’ “These [walks] were already in place here at the Omaha facility,” McCarthy said. “It’s also an opportunity to gather together as a community with our Veterans and other staff members as we learn about a medical topic we wouldn’t normally get a chance to discuss.”

Each month a different physician is on the rotation to be the pinpoint ‘walking doctor’ to share information with those attending the walk.

The website, https:// walkwithadoc.org has additional information on joining a walk, starting a walk, supporting a walk and reading about other teams and doctors.

F A S T

©2018 American Heart Association. Also known as the Heart Fund. MWA

Face Drooping

Arm Weakness

Speech Difficulty

Time to Call 9-1-1

Page Four

THE OMAHA STAR

PRAISE, WORSHIP, DEVOTION, OBITUARIES & INSPIRATION

New Era Ushers and Nurses Workshop and Luncheon

August 24, 2018

Deaths & Funerals

Emma L. Hart Ms. Emma L. “Coochie” Hart, the workshop attendees was to keep Christ in the age 92, passed away Tuesday, center of all that you do in your ministry.

Aug. 7, at a local hospital.

Survived by daughters: Rhea Milton, Alma Avant, Rosemary

(D’Andra) Cook, Omaha; 7 grandchildren, 11 great-grand, 3 great-great-grand, nieces, nephews, other relatives.

Funeral Services were held 11 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 16, at

The New Era Ushers and Nurses Auxiliary hosted a workshop and luncheon with the Western Region 1st Vice President, David Barnes, as the guest presenter. The event was held at St. Mark Baptist Church, Rev. Jarrod Parker, Pastor. The theme was “We are Called to Serve this Present Age,” Philippians 2:1-4. Auxiliary President Sandra Collins invited Barnes to come and share best practices to all ushers and nurses serving within the New Era member churches.

By Sheryl Estrada There were 25 in attendance from St. Mark, Pilgrim, Mt. Moriah, Salem, Morning Star, A Facebook video, showing a Black girl in tears Pleasant Green and Zion. Barnes covered tips when she learned Christ the King Elementary and techniques for the following topics: Portrait School in Louisiana was sending her home of an Effective Great Commission Usher, Tips because of her braided hair extensions, has gone for a Health Ministry, Characteristics of Servant viral.

Leaders, and A Profile of Christian Ushers.

Steven Fennidy posted the video of his sister, Barnes introduced four types of members that Faith, which has garnered more than 700,000 present a challenge to ushering. They are the views since Monday, and described her ordeal. He “End Seater,” the “Middle Seater,” the “Same said, in part: Seater,” and the ‘Immoveable Seater.” Barnes “My sister Faith and many little Black girls stated when managing all these different types, wear extensions. She’s been attending this school smile, be Christ-like in our behaviors and for two years and wearing extensions. Over the say kind words when serving. Barnes stated summer, the school has sneakily added in a that servants in both the Ushers and Nurse policy that no extensions, clip-ins or weaves are Ministries should attend Sunday School, Bible allowed. Faith got a notice on the first day of class Study, and certainly tithe, to mention a few New Era Ushers/Nurses Auxiliary President and it’s ridiculous that these schools that we are extra church engagements and commitment Sandra Collins; Western Region 1st Vice PAYING for, will go in and make policies without to servanthood. Barnes’ closing thought to President David Barnes consulting or trying to figure out how this will affect your life or your child’s life.

“Extensions make the hair easier to maintain. It allows my sister to have access to the swimming pool without having to get her hair redone every night. How do you make a policy without even having a discussion?”

The Archdiocese of New Orleans said in a statement to WGNO that Christ the King has a policy that for both boys and girls, “only the student’s natural hair is permitted. This policy was communicated to all parents during the summer and again before the first day of school and was applied to all students.

“Furthermore, the school leadership worked with families to ensure compliance. We remain committed to being a welcoming school community that celebrates our unity and diversity.”

Luncheon attendees with Barnes In an attempt to comply with the policy, Faith

Paradise Baptist Church, Rev. Dr. Thomas Smith, officiated.

Interment: Graceland Cemetery Arrangements by Thomas Funeral Home.

Christian School Says Black Girl’s Hairstyle Isn’t ‘Natural,’ Sends Her Home

Kids Talk About God

If Jesus Came With You To School, What Would You Do? (Part 1 of 2)

By Carey Kinsolving And Friends “I would ask him for all the answers. I would buy him lunch,” says Bobby, age 7.

Yes, it would be nice to not study and have the answers to those pesky tests. Then, there’s the other trial that takes the fun out of school – homework.

“I would tell Jesus about the 1,000 pages we have to read,” says Eric, 9. “I would tell him about my homework Mrs. Wright gave me.”

Eric, do you think Jesus would decrease your reading or homework? Don’t count on it. This might be hard for you to believe, but most teachers have the best interests of their students in mind.

When Jesus walked on the Earth, his homework was heaven’s work. He always listened to his Father’s voice and obeyed perfectly. Because of his obedience in dying on the cross, our disobedience doesn’t have to keep us out of heaven.

Ellyn, 9, has another plan for dealing with school: “I would ask Jesus to get my brother out of school, get on a cloud and fly us home.”

I wonder if the Lord could arrange a cloud-ride home about two minutes before a final exam.

What teacher could argue with being whisked away on a cloud?

“If Jesus came to my school, I think I would show him how I can do the monkey bars,” says Lauren, 7. “I would ask him to swing me. I would also ask him what heaven is like.”

Some of us can’t imagine Jesus taking time to swing a child on a playground. It seems so ordinary. We like the stories of Jesus walking on the water, feeding 5,000 people or healing a man born blind. If we always look for Jesus in the

miraculous, we’ll miss him in the ordinary details of life.

I remember a front-page story in a south Texas newspaper of a woman who saw the image of Jesus in a tortilla. She made a little shrine in her house, and people lined up to see it.

What could be more ordinary than asking for a drink of water? Jesus asked for a drink, and a revival broke out in a Samaritan town (John 4). A woman drank of the living water and told others the Messiah had come. As the Samaritan woman who came to draw water from the well discovered, Jesus offers living water (eternal life) to all who drink (believe in him).

“If Jesus was right here at school, I would jump up and down, and give him a big hug,” says Caroline, 6, “because I want to make Jesus smile, and I would bow down to him in respect.”

Our lives would be radically transformed if we lived to make Jesus smile. Eliminating thoughts, words and actions that make Jesus weep would start us toward this lofty goal.

Think about this: Forget about your rights. If God gave us our rights as people who have sinned against him, we would have no hope of spending eternity with him. Every day, our hearts should be jumping for joy with gratitude and bowing down before God with reverence for his grace and mercy to us.

Memorize this truth: “Now to him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.” (Ephesians 3:20-21) Ask this question: When is the last time you made Jesus smile?

ATTENTION READERS

Looking for Death and Funeral Notices If you want a notice of death or obituary published in the Omaha Star Newspaper, call or let your funeral director know that you want a notice placed in the Omaha Star Newspaper. Funeral directors should contact the Omaha Star office to submit notices and/or Obituaries. Monday – Thursday 10:00 am – 4:00 pm | 402-346-4041

Following God’s Plans Instead of Our Own

By Dr. William Holland The more we venture out of our comfort zone and look around in this great big world, the more we will run into people that are hurting.

Yes, many of us are blessed and some of us have led sheltered lives, but if we desire to become more sensitive to those around us we will notice there are individuals that have not had it so easy. There are so many places to serve and so much desperate need that sometimes it seems overwhelming. As a community chaplain, I am surrounded by disturbing situations and within my personal writing and music ministry, I am constantly being approached by those in this country and around the world who are crying out for financial assistance. Like you, I have concern and want to help everyone, but there is only so much we can do. It’s our responsibility to pray for everyone, but also critical that we listen to God’s response and react according to His directions.

When we turn away from considering the burden of human suffering, this coldness turns our prayers into a private bless me confession and reduces the big picture of the world’s needs into a tiny peep-hole that is easier to ignore. I realize it’s more comfortable to live in denial, and only focus on our desires, but is this truly following Christ? We read about selfless individuals like Mother Teresa that abandoned her life so that she could help others, and we recognize she not only had a compassionate heart but was actually willing to sacrifice her plans in obedience to God’s voice.

With God’s perspective, it’s not how many good deeds, how much money we give, or how much a person accomplishes, but it’s all about us knowing what He is saying and then being obedient to His instructions. In Mark 12:43-44, we read the account of the poor widow that contributed two cents into the church offering while some of the wealthy members were donating large amounts of money. Jesus was watching and made a very interesting comment, “And He called unto Him His disciples, and

saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, that this poor widow hath cast more in than all they which have cast into the treasury: for all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in ALL that she had, even all her living.” The old saying, “things are not always as they seem” comes around on a regular basis and when we are sensitive to recognize what is happening, we can begin to understand the deeper meanings of life. The widow realized that her two cents were not a significant amount but instead of being discouraged or embarrassed she stepped forward in faith because she heard God’s voice and was expressing her love and worship to Him as an act of obedience. This is an example of why we are encouraged to develop our spiritual awareness so that we can be equipped to comprehend God’s divine reality.

In Isaiah 55:8-9, the Lord is gracious to explain, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.”

When it comes to our ideas about giving, it’s important to realize that God is not always impressed with what we think. Our old nature has a strong and stubborn desire to be in total control and this even includes our labors and contributions associated with His work. We must guard against the temptation to decide what we should do without first consulting the one for whom we are doing it. To Him, it’s simply about us listening for Him to speak and being willing to do what He says. In this lifestyle, we can appreciate His grace and wisdom and know that He will receive all the glory. We can also be assured that if God is leading us, there is no such thing as a prayer that is not important or a compassionate gesture that is insignificant. Learning and accepting that God desires to be in control of everything in our life is a difficult lesson. His way is for us to surrender our ideas, opinions, and justifications so that we can humbly submit to His perfect instructions and walk in His Spirit.

AND

THOMAS FUNERAL HOME

THE BLACK CHURCH:

TRADITION • RESPECT • DIGNITY

THE BLACK PRESS

Forest Lawn Funeral Home Cemetery & Crematory

had gotten her braided hair extensions redone last week. But that wasn’t good enough for the school.

“The new hairstyle was still not in compliance with the new hairstyle policy,” Archdiocese Catholic Schools Superintendent RaeNell Billiot Houston told the news channel.

Family members told WWL-TV on Monday the school implemented the new policy over the summer and did not notify them about the change.

They are looking into seeking legal action against the school for discrimination.

“The policy prohibiting extensions, wigs and other hairpieces does not appear in parent-student handbooks for the two previous years,” according to the news channel.

The Times-Picayune reports Montrelle Fennidy said on Tuesday that her 11-year-old daughter Faith is no longer a student at Christ the King and she’s in the process of finding a new school for the 6th grader.

Atlanta-based rapper and activist T.I. also shared the video on his Instagram page, where it has received more than 450,000 views. He said, in part: “Christ the King school in Gretna, La., you are deplorable!!! A true disgrace to the very thing your school’s name says it represents. How do you feel that this is a proper representation of Jesus Christ the King and how he would want us to treat our children?

“You should be ashamed of yourselves … although I know you aren’t. This young lady is beautiful and her hair is perfectly fine. Unless, of course, you have an issue with Black people’s hair in general?”

T.I. offered Faith’s parents assistance: “Parents, please let me know if there’s ANY WAY POSSIBLE for me to be helpful.”

& Cremation Services

Serving all cemeteries Pre Planning Discounts Beautiful Repast Area Available

And Both Black - Owned.

A Tradition of Caring Since 1939

7909 Mormon Bridge Rd 402-451-1000.

Free Space for Veterans www.forestlawnomaha.com

Together, The Press And the Pulpit Can Give Us Full Citizenship Immediately

3920 North 24th St. Omaha, NE 68110 402-453-7111 www.omahathomasfh.com

Both Born Out of Necessity For Self-Expression

PRAISE & WORSHIP DIRECTORY

August 24, 2018

ALLEN CHAPEL A.M.E.

Rev. Benjamin R. Finnell

Rev. Benjamin R. Finnell Presiding Elder and Pastor Tammi Tate, Public Relations Chairperson 2842 Monroe St. Ph: (402) 502-8003 Fx: 934-8581 Sunday School....................................9:00 a.m.

Sunday Worship...............................10:00 a.m.

Thursday Bible Study..........................8:00 p.m. via teleconference, dial-in number 563-999-2090 and access code 576989

KOINONIA AND FRIENDS OF CHRIST

ST. BENEDICT THE MOOR CATHOLIC CHURCH

Pastor Tony E. Sanders Jr.

2423 Grant St. Omaha, NE 68111 Ph: 402-348-0631 • Fax 402-342-4451 Sunday Mass: 9:00 a.m.

Reconciliation: Sunday after Mass or by appointment

3208 Corby Street Omaha, NE 68111 Sunday School ..................................................9:00 a.m.

Sunday Worship .............................................10:30 a.m.

Thursday Bible Study ......................................6:30 p.m. www.KFCChurch.org

Pastor Tony E. Sanders Jr.

“Where Christ Jesus Is the Center of Attention” Rev. Dr. Leroy E. Adams, Jr. Senior Pastor 2019 Burdette Street Omaha, NE 68110 Ph: 402-342-0018 Fx: 402-346-9300

“Where Life is for Everyone” Drs. Mar n & Lynnell Williams Founders & Lead Pastors WEDNESDAYS Prayer 6:00 PM Worship 7:00 PM

Radio Broadcast: 101.3 fm 9:00 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. each Sunday Worship Service .............10:00 a.m.

www.ambassadorswc.com 402-341-1866 5417 N 103rd St. Omaha, NE 68134

Rev. Dr. Leroy E. Adams, Jr.

Sunday School .................8:45 a.m.

Excluding First Sunday Tuesday Evening Service.........7:00 p.m.

Pastor Rordy Smith Pastor Ramona Smith

Pastor: Rev. Vitalis Anyanike

ST. MARK BAPTIST CHURCH Pastor Jarrod S. Parker 3616 Spaulding Street, Omaha, NE 68111 Phone: 402-451-0307 Email: smbcsecretary@stmarkbaptist.org Sunday School – Sunday 9:00 a.m.

Worship Service – Sunday 10:15 a.m.

Children’s Church (except 2nd Sunday) Holy Communion every 1st Sunday

Our Mission: “To exalt the Savior, edify saints, evangelize sinners and elevate society.”

“Jesus is the light of the world” Rev. James P. Walker, Senior Pastor mtcalvarycommunitychurch.org 5112 Ames Avenue Omaha, NE 68104 Ph: 402-457-4216

SALEM BAPTIST CHURCH Serving God and One Another in the Spirit of Excellence Rev. Dr. Selwyn Q. Bachus Senior Pastor

Rev. James P. Walker

CLAIR MEMORIAL UNITED METHODIST CHURCH MT. MORIAH MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH

Rev. Portia A. Cavitt, Pastor 5544 Ames Avenue, Omaha, NE 68104 Telephone: 402-451-8322 • Website: www.cmumc.net Email: clairumc@cumc.omhcoxmail.com

Dr. Ralph B. Lassiter, Pastor 2602 N. 24th St. Off: (402) 451-8800 - Fax: (402) 451-8522 mtmoriahomaha.net pastorlassiter@gmail.com Rev. Portia A. Cavitt, Pastor

Rev. Ralph Lassiter, Sr.

Weekly Services Sunday Morning Worship Service ..................................8:30 a.m. & 11:30 a.m.

Children’s Church (2nd & 4th Sunday) .............................8:30 a.m. & 11:30 a.m.

Life Development (Sunday School) .....................................................10:15 a.m.

Wednesday Word and Worship (WWW) ............................................ 6:30 p.m.

Sunday School ...................................... 9:30 a.m.

Sunday Worship ..................................10:45 a.m.

Overcomers in Christ...............Sunday 7:00 p.m.

Wednesday Bible-Prayer Service 11:30 a.m. & 6:30 p.m

TABERNACLE OF FAITH CHURCH Pastor Barbara Mitchell 2404 Fort Street, Omaha, NE 68111 402-455-1800 Church 402-455-3390 Fax

FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH Rev. Kent H. Little, Lead Pastor Pastor Barbara Mitchell

Services on Sundays at 8:30 am & 10:50 am

MT. NEBO MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH

7020 Cass Street, Omaha, NE 68132 402.556.6262 www.fumcomaha.org First United Methodist Church is a welcoming and inclusive community, inspired to grow with and in God.

Rev. Kent H. Little

“The Church Where Fellowship is Real” Pastor Terry L. Arvie 5501 N. 50th Street Ph: 402-451-4245 Fx: 402-451-2130 office@mtneboomaha.org www.mtneboomaha.org Sunday Morning Worship ...................................9:00 a.m.

Wednesday Night Prayer Meeting .....................7:00 p.m.

Wednesday Night Church School ......................7:30 p.m.

Youth/Children Ministry Focus (Wed.) ............7:30 p.m.

Pastor Jeffrey & Terri Booth 3025 Parker Street Omaha, NE 68111 402.905.9730 • www.fwcomaha.com Sunday at 10:00am Family Night each Wednesday at 7pm The Daily Journey each Wednesday at Noon Saturday Prayer from 7 - 8am

Rev. Kenneth A. Allen, Pastor Pastor Terry L. Arvie

Missouri Synod 2723 N. 30th Street 402-453-1583 Sunday School................................10:00 a.m.

Church Service...............................11:00 a.m.

YOU ARE ALWAYS WELCOME

WEDNESDAY 11:00 A.M. ~ Hour of Power Bible Study Wednesday is Family Night!

6:00 P.M. ~ Prayer & Praise Service 6:30 P.M. ~ Feast & Fellowship (Light Meal) 7:15 P.M. ~ Discipleship Academy (Classes for ages 5 & up)

PLEASANT GREEN BAPTIST CHURCH “Where CHRIST is Preeminent and the Word Prevails!”

Pastor Brian Page 5555 Larimore Avenue Church: 402-346-8427 www.pleasantgreenomaha.org

Thursday: Youth For Christ ............................................6:00 p.m Prayer & Bible Study ....................................7:30 p.m Sunday: Worship..............................................8:00 a.m.

Sunday School..................................9:30 a.m.

Worship............................................11:00 a.m.

Pastor Brian Page

Televised Broadcast Sunday @ 10pm on KPAO Cox Communication channel 22 & Century Link channel 89 Dr. Stan Rone Senior Pastor

RISING STAR MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH Pastor Darnell N. Johnson, Sr. 1823 Lothrop Street, Omaha, NE 68110 Phone: 402-451-3700 Fax: 402-451-3700 Email: Risingstarbaptchurchone@gmail.com Follow us on Facebook at RisingStarMBCONE

JOY OF LIFE MINISTRIES COGIC

Pastor Darnell N. Johnson, Sr. & Ladi J Pastor Eric Butler and Co-Pastor Cynthia Butler

Pastor Kenneth A. Allen

THE WORSHIP CENTER

Rev. James D. Wilkens

Pastors Eric and Cynthia Butler 6401 N. 56th Street • Omaha, NE 68104 Ph: 402-399-9628 E-Mail: Jolpastor@aol.com Sunday School...................................9:30 a.m.

Sunday Worship...............................10:30 a.m.

Sunday Evening Worship.................6:00 p.m.

Wednesday Night ..............................7:00 p.m.

Bible Study and Youth Ministries

2215 Grant Street Omaha, NE 68110 Ph: 402-346-1502 Fax: 402-344-2720 SUNDAY Sunday Morning Worship……………9:00 A.M. Sunday School……………………...11:15 A.M.

Wednesday: Prayer Power Hour ......................................12:00 p.m

HOPE LUTHERAN CHURCH

8:30 am Early Sunday Morning Worship 9:30 - 10:15 am Sunday Morning Breakfast 10:15 - 11:15 am Sunday School 11:30 am Sunday Morning Worship 6:30 pm Wednesday Bible Study 8:00 pm Friday Night Service Noon day prayer Thursday - Saturday

ZION BAPTIST CHURCH

FREEDOM WORSHIP CENTER OMAHA

Pastor Jeffrey & Terri Booth

3131 Lake Street Omaha, NE 68111 402-455-1000 www.salembc.org

Rev. Dr. Selwyn Q. Bachus

“Come Get Your Hilltop Experience”

Pastor Jarrod S. Parker

Televised Broadcast – Sundays at 6:00 p.m., KPAO Cox Channel 22 & CenturyLink Channel 89

MOUNT CALVARY COMMUNITY CHURCH

Sunday School .................................................... 9:30 a.m.

Sunday Morning Worship Experience ......... 11:00 a.m.

Wednesday Food and Fellowship.................... 6:00 p.m.

Wednesday (WOW) Word On Wednesday... 7:00 p.m.

Sunday School………………………8:45 a.m.

Sunday Worship Experience………...10:00 a.m.

Monday Bible Study…………………6:00 p.m.

Wednesday Bible Study….…….…….7:00 p.m.

2901 Fontenelle Blvd. 68104 Ph: 402-451-6622 • Fax 402-457-6901 Mass Schedule: Mon. - Fri. 8:30 a.m., Sat. 8:30 a.m. & 5:00 p.m.

Sun. 8:00 a.m., 10:30 a.m. & Noon (Spanish) Reconciliation: Sat. 4:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. or by appointment

Prayer and Bible Doctrine Study Midday - 12:00 noon; Evening – 7:00 p.m.

BIBLE TRUTH MINISTRIES “Strengthing Families for Victorious Living” Pastor Rordy Smith Pastor Ramona Smith PO Box 1703 2402 Franklin St. Bellevue, NE 68005 402-292-9499 Web: www.BibleTruthMinistries.org Sunday School..................................9:00 a.m.

Sunday Worship Service...............10:00 a.m.

Wednesday Prayer & Bible Study......6:00 p.m

&

Rev. Vitalis Anyanike

HOLY NAME CATHOLIC CHURCH MORNING STAR BAPTIST CHURCH

SUNDAYS Prayer 9:00 AM Worship 10:00 AM

THE OMAHA STAR Page Five

Sunday Sunday School…………….............. 9:30 a.m.

Sunday Morning Worship…...........10:45 a.m.

Tuesday Tuesday Night Teaching……...........6:30 p.m.

Wednesday Prayer Meeting/BIBLE Study............7:00 p.m.

North 24th Street Church of God “Presenting the Never-Changing GOD to an ever-changing World!”

Dr. Stan Rone - Senior Pastor 2021 N. 24th Street • Omaha, NE 68110 (402) 341-4297 Sunday Kingdom Academy 9:00 a.m.

Worship Celebration 10:15 a.m.

Tuesday Prayer Hour 7:00 a.m. & 12:00 noon Wednesday Power Hour (Prayer/Bible Study) 6:30 p.m.

Youth and Children 6:30 p.m. www.theworshipcenter24cog.org

COMMENTARY August 24, 2018 Education, Where Does It Lead?

A Back-to-School Reminder: which prioritizes male students above all others.

By Doug Patterson intersectional identities including sexual Impact of Racial Stress on Learning – “Education” comes from Latin meaning “to lead Other orientation, religion and area of origin contribute out” and this raises questions. What are we leading to an individual’s marginalization within formal It’s a ‘Real Thing’ our students from? And what are we leading them education.

Page Six

THE OMAHA STAR

By Terri L. Crawford, JD. “My ambition didn’t grow out of nowhere. It was planted in me by a community that nurtured me. – Michael Eric Dyson Many of us remember how stress inducing the first day of school can be.

A new building, new teachers, and the fear of making new friends. A conversation we did not have then, but need to have now is how racebased stress “is a thing” that cannot be ignored.

Significant research supports the position that discussing race is not only important for students to better understand themselves and others, but also better prepares them for future discussions of race as adults. Given the significant role that race is playing in our national conversation right now, preparation in this area is important.

However, “race discussions” remain an uncomfortable conversation for many, young and old alike to have.

The unfortunate truth is that racism and discrimination are facts of life for many Black Americans. Kevin O’Neil Cokley, Professor of Educational Psychology and African and African Diaspora Studies, University of Texas at Austin, researches the experiences of black college students. His research has found that black college students report higher levels of stress related to racial discrimination than other racial or ethnic groups. The unfortunate reality is that black Americans experience subtle and overt discrimination from preschool all the way to college.

Although it has been over 60 years since the Brown v Board of Education decision, black students are still more likely to receive outof-school suspensions for minor violations of the code of conduct. Black boys are almost three times more likely to be suspended than white boys, and black girls are four times more likely to be suspended than white girls. Getting suspended matters because it is correlated with being referred to law enforcement and arrested.

Having this discussion opens up the door for us to think about some of the interventions that we, (the “village”) can engage in at the school level like talking to children about how to process stress, as well as the interpersonal work that we have to do actively engage by cognitively confronting what everyday racism looks like. Not just race as an institutional practice, or racism in terms of educationally segregated schools, but the everyday routine experiences of those students who are black and brown.

So exactly how does subtle or overt racism impact the learning environment for our children, is a question that should be at the forefront of the consciousness of all parents, grandparents, foster parents and guardians of black kids as they return to school.

Emma Adam, a professor of Human Development and Social Policy at Northwestern, found in a study that the physiological response to race-based stressors, either perceived racial prejudice, or the drive to outperform negative stereotypes, leads the body to pump out more stress hormones in adolescents from traditionally marginalized groups. This biological reaction to race-based stress is compounded by the psychological response to discrimination or the coping mechanisms youngsters develop to lessen the distress. What emerges is a picture of black and Latino students whose concentration, motivation, and, ultimately, learning is impaired by subtle and overt racism.

But there is good news. L’Heureux LewisMcCoy, an associate professor of Sociology and Black Studies at the City College of New York, found in researching his book Inequality in the Promised Land – A look at Race and Suburban Schooling – that “black children often sought ways to circumvent race-based obstacles.

“Young people are facing discrimination on the playground … in who gets called on in the classroom and what type of feedback they receive … in which colleges or posteducation opportunities they’re offered,” LewisMcCoy said, noting that children living with discrimination learn to pivot when “they don’t have adults who acknowledge that or work with them to change the arrangements.” In fact, I think the narrative and the arc around black education is often finding success in spite of barriers.”

At the end of the day, improving academic outcomes is a shared responsibility for us all.

We concede the fact that many factors contribute to academic achievement, school quality and teacher quality among them. When we know better, we do better, and knowing how racebased stress affects the body holds possible answers to addressing achievement disparities for our young people. Solutions should evolve around reducing feelings of separation or exclusion and improve our children’s ability to focus in the classroom. We have a responsibility to keep them engaged in the truth of their history, and inundating them with opportunities for promoting positive ethnic racial identity goes a long way in reducing the anxiety of race-based stress at school. Ultimately, student exposure to racial discrimination and improving race relations in the U.S. more generally are the idea solutions to this, but in the meantime, we are the “help” for our students to find ways to deal with the stress of being black in a predominately Eurocentric educational environment. Much work to be done, and no time to spare!

(Dr. Terri L. Crawford, B.A., M.A., J.D., University of Nebraska Omaha, Department of Black Studies - Adjunct Professor; Political Awareness and Involvement Chair, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. (OAC ), League of Women Voter Greater Omaha - Member.

Mentoring Matters

By Debra L. Shaw Mentoring is a real-life commitment. There are many options in the mentoring arena. If you prefer to mentor teenagers, consider some critical factors before volunteering with this age group. This website gives some in depth food for thought prior to developing a mentor/mentee relationship with a teenage student - https://www.wikihow.com/ Mentor-a-Teenager. Please carefully read some of the main points highlighted from this site.

Really think about why you want to be a mentor before you take it on. Realize that some teenagers are easier to work with, but others will be a handful at first or even from time-to-time. You really need to be clear with yourself on whether you have the time, patience, mentality and maturity to mentor teenage students because you never know what their situation may be. Evaluate the reasons why you want to be a mentor and be honest with yourself on whether they are good enough reasons or not. You might, for example, feel motivated to help teenagers with their education if you particularly struggled with education but managed to overcome that struggle.

Talk to mentors who have experience with teenage mentees. You can talk to people that have

previously mentored teenagers or even currently mentor teenagers. Ask them questions about how they find/found the job and how they handle/ handled different situations so that you have a better understanding. Think about questions that you could ask beforehand that could help you get an idea on whether you may be capable of becoming a mentor for a teenager or not. You will need to be a reliable person and show them that extra mile of respect too by being punctual.

Build up trust with your mentee. This is a twoway thing, not only do you have to be trusted by your mentee, but you will need to trust them too. Listen to what they have to say with respect and understanding. Wait until they have finished speaking until you start speaking yourself. Show interest in what they are saying and empathize with them where necessary. Encourage them. This could be a lot of things, you could encourage them to plan their career, to have faith in themselves and to identify their strengths. With encouragement, comes confidence - the confidence that they can change and be exactly who they want to be.’

If you are seeking opportunities to mentor teenage students, contact Partnership 4 Kids. They are specifically looking for Group Mentors for Middle and High School students. Visit this site for more information http://p4k.org/afterschool/ Mentoring Matters!

Op-Ed America’s Teachers Need More Support

By Dr. Elizabeth Primas Program Manager NNPA ESSA Public Awareness Campaign The latest data from the Center for American Progress shows that the average salary for an attorney is more than two times that of elementary and middle school educators.

The Washington Post reported last week that nearly 1 in 10 hosts who rent out their apartments, homes and spaces on Airbnb are teachers. Low salaries, compared with other college graduates, may inhibit highly-effective professionals from

pursuing a career in education; specifically for people of color who currently make up just seven percent of public school teachers.

I come from a family of educators. My mother, both of my grandmothers, and one of my sisters were teachers. However, the family tradition of educating children ended after me. None of my daughters, nieces, or nephews decided to pursue a career in education. Data comprised from surveys completed during the NNPA’s National Black Parents’ Town Hall Meeting echoed this sentiment. When asked what they believed is needed to close the academic achievement gap, respondents selected community participation and Teachers continued on page 7

to? Who (or what) leads?

In the U.S., education typically occurs in formal systems – schools, classrooms, teachers, texts and evaluations. Public formal education is paid for by taxes while private education is paid for by tuition, donations, and bequests.

Formal public education is built on a structure that has been one of the United States’ claims to “democratic” cultural success. Yet, it is in this formal setting that we see genuine struggle between economic classes as poor and middleclass students negotiate educational competition.

A 2011 Stanford study showed that economically poor students (in the 10th percentile of income) tend to be less academically successful than their wealthier counterparts.

Rich parents (those in the 90th percentile of income) can afford preschool admission to formal private establishments that can track the child into secondary education and colleges like Ivy League universities and similar schools. This private pipeline can lead graduates to join the national network of decision-making elite.

If the United States believed that its formal public educational process was a hallmark of success, the decline from the fight for civil rights to the return to massive segregation would be seen as a searing indictment of that process. It is a cliché that majority black middle and high schools “underperform,” as noted in a report from the University of Washington entitled Measuring Up, emphasizes the failure of some formal systems.

“In a time when income inequality continues to grow in America … a certain class of higher education institutions are growing increasingly out of reach for low-income, working class, and first-generation college students,” say researchers Park and Denson.

Students are often divided by race and class but one must not forget the effect of patriarchy

Why? Because of who is “leading.” Struggles emerge because there are vast differences in social and political power. The U.S. founding powers remain dominant: Rich, White, Straight, Christian, Urban Men. This is who leads, at least in corporate and government positions. Which presents a serious problem for U.S. residents who may be less affluent, people of color, gay, or any other marginalized or oppressed group.

What do such power inequities mean? The great Brazilian teacher and theorist, Paulo Freire, declared that inequality grows from a society built on “monologues.” Meaning one side of a power dynamic does all the talking, deciding, and acting. All the leading. The U.S. has witnessed the monologue of the white corporate and governmental structure making all the basic decisions for those outside of it.

Freire also said that if “formal” education does not address these inequalities by teaching “dialogue,” it has to be challenged if not dismantled.

Dialogue is a conversation between two or more people determined to solve a problem. When we are exchanging ideas and experience, we can build the world together. This inclusionary conversation gives all people a say in their education, making the knowledge work for them instead of against.

Formal education – public and private – needs to develop a truly liberatory approach steeped in dialogue and it must criticize all forms of social, economic, and cultural monologue and inequity.

In the meantime, we in our own “informal” dialogue of life are able to practice Freire’s advice: generate dialogue in any way possible. In the family, neighborhood, with friends, community organizations, performances, presentations, workshops, and even in the hallways of the formal school. In this way we become the change we envision.

Seeking Diversity of Education

By Schmeeka Grayer-Simpson Education has consistently been a topic of concern and discussion within the North Omaha community and rightfully so, as the scholastic and economic future of our children depends on the knowledge and skills that will help them succeed.

When it comes to helping kids develop those tools, we have options.

There are a variety of ways to ensure that our kids are receiving quality education. The following is a short list of diverse schooling methods that can allow space for different learning styles and needs of youth. This list is not comprehensive and does not feature other valuable resources like GED, Magnet, and Parochial schools, among others, and is meant only to introduce lesser known forms of education.

• Online School – An online school can mimic many of the benefits provided by a physical school such as learning materials, study exercises, live online classes, tests, and web forums without the need of an actual classroom. Students can earn transferable credits or take recognized exams to advance to the next level of education.

In the metropolitan area there is the Omaha Virtual School. OVS is a full-time, tuition-free public blended school within the Omaha Public School District. Any eligible student from K-12 may enroll, regardless of income, race, academic ability, or special need.

• Alternative schools – Alternative schools use curricula and methods that are “nontraditional” and can offer a range of philosophies and teaching styles. Some have strong political, scholarly, or philosophical focuses, while others can have a mix of teachers and students dissatisfied with some aspect of mainstream education. Schools can serve the needs of incarcerated or transitioning youth, special needs children, acutely gifted, and ESL students.

Alternative schools in Omaha include the OPS Integrated Learning Program (ILP), MCC Gateway to College, Yates Educational Community Partnership, Blackburn High and The Roberts Academy.

• Montessori Schools – Used across the world for over a 100 years, the Montessori Method views the child as naturally eager for knowledge and capable of initiating learning in a supportive, thoughtfully prepared environment. It attempts to

develop children physically, socially, emotionally and cognitively. Montessori schools tend to have mixed age classrooms so children can learn from one another under the guidance of a trained educator.

A few Montessori schools in Omaha include The Hills Montessori on 6210 N. 107th St., Montessori Co-op School in Benson, Montessori Educational Centers in Aksarben, and Montessori Children’s House in Council Bluffs.

• Charter Schools – Charter schools receive government funding but operate independently of the established state school system in which it is located. Many charter schools are exempt from a variety of laws and regulations affecting other public schools but can provide education in areas of need.

“The fight for charter schools in Nebraska has been an unsuccessful battle so far defeated by red tape, and misconceptions of what Charter Schools are and how beneficial they can be for our children,” says Clarice Jackson, an education advocate who serves on the advisory board for Nelson Mandela elementary school. Mandela is a free private elementary school located in the heart of North Omaha and is the closest educational institution to a charter that exists in Nebraska.

Nebraska law prohibits charter schools.

• Homeschooling & Unschooling – Homeschoolers traditionally turn their homes into a classroom whereas Unschoolers encourage a more open and organic learning style directed by the enthusiasm and interests of the children.

Omaha Unschoolers and tradition homeschoolers connect via Facebook and plan monthly parent meetings, field trips, kids club, camping trips, and Unschooling Art Gallery and Performances.

Black families are the fastest growing group of homeschoolers in the United States due to growing consciousness about the racial disparities of the American educational system and a desire to connect deeper with Black culture by incorporating Afrocentric studies into their children’s education.

One can find many more methods of education by searching online or visiting a local library.

How and what children learn is largely based in their environment, encouragement, and exposure to ideas. By exploring new and different ways of teaching, we can ensure our future is always bright.

Express Yourself Syndemic The opiate crisis is continuing to get worse in the United States and is now being considered a “syndemic,” after graduating from being an epidemic. A syndemic is when 2 or 3 other epidemics start playing off of each other.

Right now, besides the opiate epidemic, we also have the benzodiazepine epidemic and the methamphetamine epidemic as well. What’s happening is that all three epidemics are fueling each other. The opioid crisis has been around for quite some time, as well has the benzodiazepine problem, and the methamphetamine problem has recently reappeared in the last few years.

The opioid epidemic came first and can be said to have spun the other problems alongside it.

What we have happening now is that these three problems have created major increases in new HIV infections, Hepatitis C infections, sexually

transmitted diseases, and infectious endocarditis.

I knew that if we didn’t really step up and get a handle on this problem, it was going to get worse, and it has. The opioid epidemic that has claimed thousands upon thousands of lives has now grown into a different, scarier monster.

For more information on the opiate syndemic, visit http://www.narconon-suncoast.org/blog/ opioid-crisis-now-considered-a-syndemic.html .

If you are in need of a referral to a treatment center, call us at 877-841-5509 Jason Good Clearwater, FL, 33755 (Editor’s Note: The views expressed do not necessarily reflect the policies and position of the staff and management of the Omaha Star newspaper.)

August 24, 2018

EVENTS/COMMENTARY/CLASSIFIEDS

THE OMAHA STAR

Page Seven

Teachers continued from page 6

In The Village!

Things to do, people to see, places to go.

Aug. 24 – Join the Staff of OEDC, Step-Up Students (artist crew), and FLYIE Arts as the Historic Tribute to the North Omaha Tuskegee Airmen: “Black Skies” Mural is unveiled in the OEDC parking lot, 2221 N. 24th St., from 5:308:00 p.m. The evening includes a brief program, the unveiling, and light refreshments. For more info, contact Terri Sanders at: tsanders@oedc. info or 402-216-3852.

Aug. 25 – Sharon SDA Church, 3336 Lake St., is having a Men’s Day program at 11 a.m.

The theme is “United We Stand.” The featured speakers is Pastor Kory Douglas, Conference Youth Director from Kansas City, Kansas. The afternoon program will begin at 3 p.m. The guest speakers will be Dr. Viv Ewing and John Ewing, Douglas County Treasurer. All are welcome to attend.

Aug. 25 – The Union and Omaha Small Business Network are seeking community input for the design of a new mural to be created on 24th and Ohio Street. This is the second of three community meetings to be held at The Union, 2423 N. 24th St., to share your ideas! Lead Artist Reggie LeFlore will present his ideas for the direction of the mural and d rafted design ideas based on the first community meeting’s input.

Give the artist feedback on the direction of his design. The meeting begins at 2 p.m.

Aug. 25 – Playing with Fire free blues concert featuring Blackie & the Rodeo Kings, Matt Cox, Blues Ed/Us & Them at Turner Park in Midtown Crossing. Gate opens at 3:30 and music begins at 4:30 p.m.

Aug. 26 – Clair Memorial United Methodist Church, 5544 Ames Ave, will celebrate the 105th church anniversary at 10 a.m.. Dr. Aaron D Black will be the guest speaker. The theme is “Putting Love into Action.” Scripture reference is 1 Corinthians 13. The community is invited to share in this celebration.

Aug. 28 – Gentrification: Good or Bad? Enjoy dinner and discussion on Omaha’s changing urban landscape at First United Methodist Church, 7020 Cass St., enter commons door 4, 6. For more info, phone 402-556-6262.

Aug. 28 – The Union for Contemporary Arts’ Plays Out Loud summer reading series concludes with A Man A Fish. A Man A Fish was inspired by real-life events in Burundi and is a part of Donna-Michelle St. Bernard’s 54ology project, which seeks to provide artistic responses to contemporary and historical events in Africa.

The Union is located at 2423 N. 24th St. The play begins at 7 p.m. and concludes at 9 p.m.

Register at eventbrite.com.

Aug. 30 – U-Turn hosts “Join the Movement” Violence Prevention Community Rally from 6-8 p.m. in Miller Park, 27th & Redick St. Free food, fun, games, entertainment, community

resources.

Aug. 31 – The Forum is back! Black City Hall Live Forum will feature speaker Spencer Danner, candidate for Nebraska Secretary of State, and other black candidates including sheriff candidate Michael Hughes. The location is Emery’s Café, 2218 N. 24th St. The Forum begins at 11:30 a.m.

Aug. 31 – It’s an eclectic mash-up of trendy vendors, food and entertainment at Turner Park Night Market from 6-10 p.m.

Aug. 31 – It’s the “Last Blast of Summer” at Ralston Arena from 6-8:30 p.m. Enjoy live music, food trucks, kids’ activities including water tag and fireworks at dusk. Free entry and parking.

Sept. 5 – Black Men United (BMU) hosts UNL Board of Regents, Districts 8 & 4, Candidate Forum from 12-1 p.m. at Big Mama’s Kitchen & Catering, 3223 N. 45th St. BMU believes it’s their responsibility to bring accurate, impartial information to the voting public. Having the candidates in front of citizens in an open public forum is the best way to achieve that. For more info, email will@blackmenunited.org or janice@blackmenunited.org.

Sept. 6 – Omaha Home for Boys hosts Imagine Our Youth fundraising celebration at 5:30 p.m., at the Omaha Marriott Downtown.

The keynote speaker is J.R. Martinez. For more info, phone 402-457-7014.

Sept. 15 – The annual Omaha Marathon will be conducted at TD Ameritrade Park between 7:00 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Residents should expect the longest delays when attempting to cross or access the following streets: 19th St, Florence Blvd, Miller Park Dr, Redick Ave, and Minnie Lusa Blvd. For more info, go online http:// omahamarathon.com/course-maps or contact Omaha Marathon at 845-246-8833 or john@ hitsendurance.com Sept. 15 – Mt. Nebo will host their annual Laymen’s Conference at the church, 5501 N. 50th St, from 8:30-11:30 a.m. Breakfast and registration begin at 7:20 a.m. Lunch will also be served.

Sept. 15 – In celebration of National Recovery Month, Prevention Means Progress (PMP) sponsors the annual “Hands Across the Bridge for Recovery” from 9-10 a.m., at the Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge (Council Bluffs side).

PMP is asking the public to join 1,000 hands across the bridge in an effort to unite Omaha and Council Bluffs in a demonstration of support for recovery from substance use and addiction.

Sept. 21 – Embracing Our Season 7th annual African American Leadership Conference 8 a.m. - 4 p.m., at Hilton Omaha, 1001 Cass St. Register at www.events.r20.constantcontact. com/register.

funding over the acquisition of highly-effective teachers.

Many reasons have led to frustrations with teaching in the United States. Work-to-pay ratio, a lack of resources, and an increased focus on standardized testing has made it increasingly difficult for teachers to be highly-effective.

This year, teacher strikes broke out in several states concerning school funding and teacher pay. Teachers in Arizona, Colorado, Oklahoma, Kentucky, and West Virginia left the classroom for the state house to protest the lack of resources in the profession. NPR reported in April that teachers have begun to seek support outside of the educational bureaucracy; forming “supply shops” where teachers can swap educational materials for free or at a dramatically reduced cost.

A first-year teacher who attended the National Black Parents’ Town Hall Meeting in Norfolk, VA, said that she stepped into the role of teaching, initially excited, but found by the end of the year she was extremely drained physically and emotionally. “I stepped into the role, mid-year, with no lesson plan. What can be done to keep teachers teaching and encourage new teachers coming into the program? I really want to teach, but there is very little support.”

Highly-effective teachers require competitive pay, professional support, and access to innovative resources. President Barack Obama signed the current national education law, the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) in December 2015 with educators in mind. Title II of ESSA provides program grants to states and districts that can be used for teacher preparation, recruitment, support, and continued learning. ESSA also ends the requirement of states to set up teacher evaluation systems based significantly on students’ test scores which should reduce the pressure teachers feel to teach to the test. The Teacher and School Leader Innovation Program provides grants to districts that want to try out performance pay and other

(Dr. Elizabeth Primas is an educator, who spent more than 40 years working towards improving education for children of diverse ethnicities and backgrounds. Dr. Primas is the program manager for the NNPA’s Every Student Succeeds Act Public Awareness Campaign. Follow Dr. Primas on Twitter @elizabethprimas.)

We’re Hiring!

CORR OFFICERS - $16.74 hour plus benefits. corrections.nebraska.gov/careers

Powwow Returns to Fort Omaha Sept. 15 The 27th annual Fort Omaha Intertribal Powwow will be hosted by Metropolitan Community College on Sept. 15, 1-7:30 p.m. on the Parade Ground at MCC’s historic Fort Omaha Campus, 30th and Fort streets. The powwow will celebrate Native American cultures with traditional dances, music, artistry, oral history, crafts and foods of regional tribes.

Grand entry into the powwow will begin at 1 p.m. This year’s theme is “Unity in the Community” and will be reflected in study circles, which are an opportunity for attendees to learn from Native American experts. A study circle will be led by Dwight Howe, Omaha/Ponca. Fontenelle Forest Raptor Recovery will also have a display from 1-4 p.m. Lisa Odjig, Odawa/Ojibwa Nation, world champion hoop dancer from Toronto, Ontario, Canada, will do a special presentation at 4 p.m.

The event is free and open to the public. Attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs for seating.

Coolers are welcome. No alcohol or smoking will be permitted.

This year’s master of ceremonies is Jerome Kills Small, Oglala Lakota, with Gentry St. Cyr, Winnebago, serving as arena director. Orlando Ike, Omaha, will serve as head man dancer while Amanda Proctor, Osage, will serve as head lady dancer. The event also features a princess contest, with Liliana Tamayo, Sicangu Lakota, serving as judge. Meskwaki Singers, Tama, Iowa, will be host northern drum while Sidney Toppah, Wichita, Kansas, will lead the host southern drum.

The 27th annual Fort Omaha Intertribal Powwow is made possible with the support of the Nebraska Arts Council and National Endowment for the Arts. The event is funded in part by the Douglas County Board of Commissioners’ Visitors Improvement Fund.

For more information, phone 531-MCC-2253.

teacher quality improvement measures. ESSA became effective this 2018-2019 school year.

With data compiled from 26 school districts, the Institute of Education Sciences (IES) found that on average there were small differences in the effectiveness of teachers of high- and low-income students, hiring patterns and teacher transfer patterns were consistent, with only minor differences, between high- and lowincome students, and that in 3 of the 26 chosen districts there was meaningful inequity in access to effective teachers in math. Data showed that access to highly-effective teachers was relatively equal across the board. Yet, inequities in educational outcomes between low-income students and students from wealthier families persist throughout the United States.

As a new teacher, the constant challenge for me was parental engagement. A working parent’s schedule often left little time during school hours to participate in their child’s education and those who were free during school hours, failed to realize the importance of their presence and participation.

Today, meaningful parental engagement remains a challenge for educators.

So, this is a call to action for all parents. Let’s listen to teachers. They are calling for more support and increased pay. Let’s attend to school meetings to find out how to provide them additional support.

Let’s attend city and the state meetings to advocate for competitive pay. Let’s vote for leaders who support the academic advancement of our children through access to additional resources. We need more teacher support, not new teachers.

Business Connection

To advertise your business, please contact Phyllis Hicks.

Call 402-346-4041 Ext. 4 or email phyllis@omahastarinc.com

Attorney

Convenient Store Entertainment

100.3

Timothy Ashford

FM

Attorney at Law

Omaha NE’s FIRST and ONLY 24/7 FM Gospel Radio!

HEAR YOURSELF ON-AIR! Step 1: Call the Radio Request Line 402-819-8941 (Toll-Free 855-465-100.3) Step 2: Say “This is (your name). My favorite gospel song is (your favorite song).”

Step 3: Tune in to 100.3 FM and we’ll play YOUR VOICE when we play YOUR FAVORITE SONG!

1603 Farnam Street Omaha, NE 68102 (402) 660-5544

Brownville Concert Series to Present Anthony Trionfo

The Brownville Concert Series is thrilled to present flutist Anthony Trionfo. Anthony is quickly establishing himself as a leading and versatile musician of his generation. The Santa Barbara Voice hailed him as “spellbinding, playing with expressive maturity and authoritative intellect.” He will perform in concert Sept. 9 at 2 p.m. There will also be a Master Class following the Concert, which Trionfo will present. Students and teachers who are interested in attending, or participating, in the class should register with the Concert Series Box Office by phoning 402-8253331. The deadline for registering is Aug. 31.

There is no admission charge to students who wish to attend the Concert and Master Class.

Anthony Trionfo was praised as “a musician of prodigious talent and scintillating personality” at his New York recital debut. The flutist continues his engaging performances throughout the U.S. this season. Highlights include his New York concerto debut on the Young Concert Artists (YCA) Series on May 16, 2019 at Lincoln Center’s Alice Tully Hall, performing the Ibert Flute Concerto with the Orchestra of St. Luke’s and an encore recital on the YCA Series at New York’s Morgan Library and Museum.

Trionfo is pursuing his master’s degree under the tutelage of James Walker at the Colburn Conservatory of Music, where he has been a Teaching Fellow. He graduated from the Interlochen Arts Academy. Mr. Trionfo is

committed to community outreach, teaching through the Jumpstart program in Los Angeles.

To purchase tickets online go to www. brownvilleconcertseries.com or Facebook or phone 402-825-3331. The Lyceum Restaurant and the Bluebird Bistro in Brownville are now open.

Come early and enjoy a meal before the show. The Nebraska Arts Council (www.nebraskaartscouncil. org), a state agency, supports this program through a matching grant funded by the Nebraska Legislature, the National Endowment for the Arts and the Nebraska Cultural Endowment.

Proudly Black-Owned and Operated. Lady J and LuvLuv, Founders.

For more info: www.GospelMusicOmaha.com

attorneytimothyashford@gmail.com

Housing 55 & older

Insurance

Insurance ATTENTION ATTENTION ATTENTION

BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND

We are offering very LOW Rates!

Independent Seniors 55 & Over Call Seven Oaks at Notre Dame HOME! Call for a Tour Today!

3439 State Street Omaha, Nebraska 68112 402.451.4477 www.sevenoaksnd.org

Auto • Home • Life • Health • Dental • Vision ALSO AVAILABLE Commercial Insurance Kim Robinson, M.B.A. 6311 Ames Avenue Omaha, NE 68104 402-999-8357 (office) 402-502-0253 (fax)

Sherman P. Willis, Agent 4915 N 120th St Ste 107 Omaha, NE 68164 Bus: 402-493-1000 sherman@shermanpwillis.com Mon-Fri 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Evenings and Sat by appt.

24/7 Good Neighbor Service

1211999

State Farm, Bloomington, IL

robinsoninsurance@omhcoxmail.com

Insurance John Lord, LUTCF, RHU® Agent

New York Life Insurance Company One Valmont Plaza, Suite 100 Omaha, NE 68154 Bus. 402.496.6429 Cell 402.510.4186 Fax 402.496.6458 jlord@ft.nyl.com Authorized to Offer

Anthony Trionfo

Life Insurance and Annuity Program fromNew York Life

Tree & Landscape GTL Tree and Landscape •Tree installation, maintenance & removal • Retaining walls, flower beds, & paver patio construction Over 10 years experience Fully licensed & insured.

402-880-3706

Have You Heard About The Business Connection?

To advertise your business, please contact Phyllis Hicks.

Join Today!

Call 402-346-4041 Ext. 4 or email phyllis@omahastarinc.com

Page Eight THE OMAHA STAR

LOCAL/YOUTH/EDUCATION NEWS

August 24, 2018

Applications Sought For Reading & Math Tutorial Program Decision Eradicates Criminal History For the past 10 years, the 100 Black Men of Omaha (100), in partnership with Title I, has conducted its 100 Saturday Academy Math and Reading Tutorial Program.

The academy provides extended learning and enrichment opportunities for 3rd through 6th grade students. Students receive instruction from state certified teachers to master concepts in reading and mathematics. The goal of the academy is to help our “youth with promise” meet or exceed state academic standards.

The 100’s mission is to “Improve the quality of life in Omaha by helping our youth to be Respectful, Responsible,

and Ready to Lead.” This has been the organization’s challenge since 1995 when a group of concerned AfricanAmerican men realized that the survival of the community rested on their willingness to come together and be a vehicle for positive change.

The 2018-2019 academy sessions will begin with a mandatory Parent Orientation and Kick Off on Sept. 8 at 10 a.m. at Monroe Middle School, 5105 Bedford Ave. For more information about the academy, or how to get involved with the 100, phone 402-934-7065 or email info@100blackmenomaha.org.

Chris Wiley with Academy 7-Habits Enrichment Session 2017-2018 School Year

MCC Named National Training Center for Data Center Courses Metropolitan Community College has been named the EPI-USA National Training Center. Through the partnership, MCC and EPI-USA will offer a wide range of globally accredited certified data center training courses in Omaha at the College’s Center for Advanced and Emerging Technology on the Fort Omaha Campus, 32nd Street and Sorensen Parkway. Beginning this fall quarter, information technology professionals and students will descend upon MCC to receive in-demand training in data center management and operations.

“MCC has always been a leader in data center training for the region,” said Tom Pensabene, MCC associate vice president of Workforce and IT Innovation. “By partnering with EPI-USA and becoming the National Training Center, we are better positioned to serve the rapid growth of data centers in the four-county area by providing training and new talent to keep them in operation.”

With more than 15 certification offerings, EPI-USA trainings at MCC are designed for professionals with

a variety of background and experience levels. Each certification can be completed in as little as two or three days and include a final assessment which individuals must pass to become certified. The MCC and EPIUSA training partnership will not only serve business and industry through providing accessible certification training to local workforce professionals, but will also put Omaha on the map as a destination for globallyaccredited data center training throughout the United States and Canada.

About EPI-USA EPI-USA is a provider in North America of EPI, an international company that offers an extensive range of data center training and infrastructure services. EPI’s global services are able to provide organizations with all types of data center services, be it auditing, data center audit certification, data center consulting or data center and IT training courses. For more information, visit epiap.com.

Question from College Application The Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law (Lawyers’ Committee) has announced an important victory in its work to remove the criminal history question from the standardized college application form used by more than 700 colleges and universities across the country. Last week, the Common Application Inc. announced that it is striking the question from its standardized form.

“No student should be automatically disqualified from seeking access to higher educational opportunity based on their criminal history,” said Kristen Clarke, president and executive director of the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law. “Because racial disparities infect virtually every stage of our criminal justice system, questions regarding criminal history have an unjustified impact on minority applicants.

The Common Application has taken one step in the right direction by eliminating a barrier that significantly impaired access to higher education for justice-involved individuals.”

Since 2016, the Lawyers’ Committee has called for The Common Application Inc., a nonprofit organization that issues a standardized college application form used by more than 700 colleges across the country, to terminate use of questions concerning college applicants’ criminal records. These questions have a discriminatory effect on African American, Latino, and other minority applicants because of the racially disparate treatment that permeates the criminal justice system. The Common Application’s criminal question had asked: “Have you ever been adjudicated guilty or convicted of a misdemeanor or felony?”

Clarke continued, “This is an important first step. However, we urge Common Application to go further by striking questions concerning high school disciplinary history and juvenile justice

backgrounds. The school to prison pipeline is part of our political reality in this country and questions regarding high school discipline inevitably have a starker impact on African American, Latino and other applicants of color.”

Roughly 100 million Americans have some form of criminal record. Black youth make up 35 percent of juveniles arrested, despite amounting for only 17 percent of their age group. The same disparities plague school disciplinary actions: Since the 1970s, the racial gap in suspension rates has steadily grown wider so that today black students are more than three times more likely to be suspended than white students. The deterrent effect of questions regarding criminal history is notable. A 2015 study

by Center for Community Alternatives study found that two-thirds of individuals with felony convictions who started applications for admission to State University of New York schools did not complete the application process because of the burdensome process tied to detailing their convictions.

Clarke closed by noting that “individual schools should follow the lead of the Common Application and eliminate consideration of criminal history.” Last year, schools such as New York University announced that they would ignore the Common Application’s checkbox questions about criminal and disciplinary history.

The Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law is committed to promoting fair and educationally sound policies and addressing barriers faced by people who have had police contact or have been referred to the criminal justice or juvenile justice systems. Individuals who believe that they have been denied or discouraged from pursuing educational opportunities at colleges and universities because of inquiries into stops, arrests and detentions in the admissions process can contact help@lawyerscommittee.org.

Check out our Facebook Page!

OPS continued from page 1

NP Dodge Park Closing Due to Elevated River Levels Due to heavy rains and the rising levels of the Missouri River, the City of Omaha Parks Department has closed NP Dodge Park effective immediately. For the safety of the public, there are also areas of Hummel Park that are closed due to fallen trees and debris.

Facility user groups, campground reservations, and contracted park users have been notified of the following closing.

NP Dodge Park will remain closed until further notice. For more information on this matter, contact Brook Bench, Parks Director at 402-444-5901.

Op-Ed Where Did Our Liberation School Go?

By Dawaune Hayes 14-year-old Vivian Strong was killed by police on June 24, 1969.

According to Vivian’s sister Carol Larry, the girl was attending a party at a vacant unit in the Fontenelle Logan housing project. “I know some of the kids had gone into the empty apartment, and they were playing music,” Larry said. “They were just dancing.”

Police arrived stating they were called under suspicion of robbery. Larry went to alert her sister and the party when everyone ran out the back door. Not long after, Larry said she heard a sound like firecrackers and saw a crowd gather from where it came. Vivian had been shot in the head by white officer James Loder. Upon her death, unrest ensued for three days along North 24th Street.

After flames subsided, distrust of police and government remained high. The Civil Rights Act had been enacted 5 years prior, but with slow moving policy and racism still pervasive, many were still fighting to have their rights recognized and protected.

One of those rights was access to quality education. Segregation in schools was federally illegal but its effects held tight, especially within African American communities. The disparity in transportation, supplies, and resources left Black families with limited choices for quality instruction compared to their white counterparts.

The Black Panther Party (BPP), and similar groups, recognized this gap across the country and implemented survival programs to address the need. A key program was the development of liberation schools.

The BPP ten-point program declared the party’s platform. Point number five stated, “We want education for our people that exposes the true nature of this decadent American society. We want education that teaches us our true history and our role in the present day society.”

Liberation schools were a form of community education taught and run by members of the Panthers. Ericka Huggins, a former party leader and director of the Oakland Community School in California, one of the most successful liberation schools, said the Panthers were building a model for education that was to be replicable anywhere.

Mondo Eyen we Langa, formerly David Rice, one of the founding members of the Omaha BPP, lived at 2616 Parker St., where he started the Vivian Strong Memorial Liberation School the

summer of Strong’s death.

In 2013, we Langa wrote, “At the school, located in the house that was our chapter headquarters, we taught African children and youth and fed them.

To put it another way, we fed their minds and their stomachs. We gave lessons on politics and history, spelling and so forth. We encouraged them to discuss topics, to express themselves, to become thinking sisters and brothers. With the history, we strove to instill pride in these students. At the time, we called this ‘Black’ pride.” Teachings included the writings of Eldridge Cleaver and Huey P. Newton. A guiding principle of the schools nationwide was to use the world as the classroom and for children to “learn how, not what, to think.”

In August of 1969, the Omaha BPP chapter was dissolved by the Oakland-based central committee.

Within days we Langa and Poindexter, with other former Panthers, reformed as the United Front Against Fascism. Congressional testimony from Omaha police in 1970 indicated that the school taught upwards of 12 children and may have operated for only a week.

Fall of ‘69 the school was investigated and we Langa was called before a grand jury to explain its purpose and was told to close the school.

Within eight months of that trial, we Langa and Poindexter were implicated in the murder of Officer Larry Minard by Duane Peak. Both were convicted and sentenced to life in prison.

Today the site at 2616 Parker St. is a vacant lot where neighbors park their cars. Neighbors say the owner of the lot, Bernard Morello of Mobeco Industries, gave them permission to park there as long as they maintained the grass.

Morello was called for information about the lot but said he knew nothing of its history or when the house was torn down. He mentioned his records could have the name of the previous landowners but said he did not have the capacity to find such records at the time of contact.

Investigation of the school’s duration, participants, and when the home was torn down and by whom is continuing. If you have knowledge regarding the Vivian Strong Liberation School, please contact me at 402-452-0931.

start to this school year, and setting high expectations for the administration and school district.

“It is still very early in her time with OPS, but up to this point I am excited about Dr. Logan’s energy, visibility and outreach to schools, teachers, parents and community. I’m excited to see what impact that will have on the start of school next week. I am also anxious to see what impact her leadership will have on an expected update to the district’s strategic plan. Happy to have the new energy at OPS,” Miller Dr. Logan welcoming student to first day of school said.

However, other parents say expectations and the impact of strong leadership cannot be met solely by the efforts of a new superintendent. While the role takes authority across the administrative function of the school district, local parents like Bruce Briggs, father of an incoming freshman, believe it takes a collaborative effort to make the school year a success.

“Since my son is transitioning from a small, private school to public and entering his first year of high school, I’m expecting exposure to cultural diversity, the demanding of accountability from administration when it comes to his conduct, and seamless communication with me if and when any issues or problems arise,” he said.

Veterans Affairs Career Fair Scheduled Are you ready for a career change or just beginning one? Looking for a position where you make a difference caring and supporting our nation’s heroes?

Then the September Veterans Affairs Career Fair is just for you!

Mark your calendars now for the career fair to be held Sept. 28 from 2-6 p.m. at the Omaha VA Medical Center in the Education Conference Room.

The search will be on for all positions from administration to those in line with direct patient care.

Bring your resumes and come meet some of the managers of the Nebraska-Western Iowa Health Care System, whom you may have the opportunity of working with in the very near future.

Veterans Affairs is an equal opportunity employer. For more information on the career fair, contact Beth Kelly by phoning 402-995-3634.

Visit us on the web at theomahastar.com

Asthma In-Home Response

Does Your Child Have Asthma?

TALK TO YOUR DOCTOR ABOUT PROJECT AIR

Project AIR helps reduce in-home hazards for kids with asthma We make home improvements to address asthma triggers We educate families about hazards in their home We empower families to make positive behavior changes

LEARN MORE AT: OMAHAHEALTHYKIDS.ORG To enroll, call us at 402.934.9700 or talk to your doctor about Project AIR

(Editor’s Note: The views expressed do not necessarily reflect the policies and position of the staff and management of the Omaha Star newspaper.)

Omaha Healthy Kids Alliance

We work to ensure every child in Omaha lives in a lead-safe, Healthy Home

Back to School!

The Omaha Star Education Special Edition

Back to School Tips Back to school time can be hectic for parents and the kiddos. These are some great back to school tips to help ensure this school year gets off to a great start!

• Walk or ride the route your child will take and make note of school patrols, crossing guards and high traffic areas along the way. Talk to your kids about NOT talking to strangers and find out what, if any, policies your child’s school has regarding early arrivals or late pick-ups. Learn about the school’s entrance and exit policies. Then, if you can, pop in and check out what the inside of the school looks like.

• Introduce yourself to your child’s teacher and ask him or her about the preferred method of communication.

(Some teachers are active on email and social media, while others prefer the phone or in-person meetings.)

• Make homework time a daily habit. Find a quiet and consistent place at home where your child can complete his or her homework. If your child is having difficulty with homework, make an appointment with the teacher sooner rather than later.

• Set up a special place at home to do school work and homework. Remove distractions. Make it clear that education is a top priority in your family: show interest and praise your child’s work.

• Limit the time that you let your child watch TV and play video games, and when you do decide to do TV time, make it a family affair. Talk together about what you see and ask questions after the show ends.

• During the summer, children aren’t always on a schedule, which is understandable. But, proper rest is essential for a healthy and productive school year. Help your kids get back on track sleep-wise by having them go to bed earlier and wake up earlier at least a week in advance of when school actually starts.

• Let’s face it – no one can concentrate when they’re hungry. Studies show that children who eat healthy, balanced breakfasts and lunches do better in school. Fix nutritious meals at home, and, if you need extra help, find out if your family qualifies for any child nutrition programs, like the National School Lunch Program.

• It’s a good idea to take your child in for a physical and an eye exam before school starts. Most schools require up-to-date immunizations, and you may be asked to provide paperwork showing that your child has all the necessary shots and vaccines. So, check your state’s immunization requirements. And, always keep your own copies of any medical records.

• Make a plan to read with your child for 20 minutes every day. Your example reinforces the importance of literacy, and reading lets you and your child explore new worlds of fun and adventure together.

Getting Real About High School Graduation for Black and Brown Students

By Nate Davis CEO and Board of Directors Chairman K12 Inc. Our nation’s graduation rate is at an all-time high. The national figure shows 84 percent of young people, overall, graduating from high school within four years after first entering the 9th grade, a trend that has been on a consistent upswing since the 2010-2011 school year.

Still, despite much progress with that indicator, major gaps still exist. And there is great concern that the graduation rate hype not only masks those gaps, but distracts us from what must be our ultimate goal: ensuring all students earn a high school diploma and are college and career ready.

Even as overall graduation rates improve, Black and Hispanic students continue to lag behind that curve. Graduation rates for African American students are 76.4 percentage points – 8 percentage points Pixabay.com behind the national average – and Latino students are at 79.3 percent.

Native American students fare even worse at just 72 percent graduation. school.

Sadly, the drive to meet on-time graduation has led to recent cases of Meanwhile, White and Asian students are anywhere from four to six manipulation and fraud, which, of course, is wrong, but it also misses points higher than the national average.

None of us can reasonably expect the closure of inequality gaps, if the primary purposes of high school altogether: preparing students for we’re simply satisfied with overall graduation rates while resigned to higher education, careers, and the workforce. The linkage between these stubborn achievement gaps. Yet, it seems as if we’re in a phase whereby goals – graduation and college and career readiness – is crucial for these disparities are being treated as normal – “the way it is” – as broader national competitiveness. Graduating students is meaningless if they are not prepared. opposed to addressing a larger parity problem.

The number of high school students heading into remedial courses in We have to ask ourselves: are we having a responsible and responsive their first year of college are staggering, and the gaps between varying conversation about high school graduation?

The most recent “Building a Grad Nation” report from America’s demographics are even more troubling. Nearly 60 percent of African Promise Alliance says that, “Twenty-three states have Black-White American students are forced to enroll in non-credit remedial classes graduation rate gaps larger than the national average, including five in college, according to the Center for American Progress, compared states – Wisconsin, Nevada, Minnesota, New York, and Ohio – where to 45 percent of Latino students and 35 percent of White students. This the gap is more than 20 percentage points. Twenty-four states have means that Black, first-year college students, already burdened the most Hispanic/White graduation rate gaps that exceed the national average, by rising college costs and loan debt, are taking on a greater share of the and in two states – Minnesota and New York – the gap is more than 20 $1.3 billion wasted on non-credit remedial courses.

There is no one silver bullet that will solve our nation’s graduation percentage points.”

The persistent normalcy of lower achievement among certain problem, but we can start by realigning graduation standards to the disadvantaged student populations is deeply troubling. Closing those expectations of colleges, career training programs, industries and gaps should be as important – if not more – than simply raising overall jobs, and developing competency-based, personalized learning paths for students unconstrained by four-year cohorts. And we must finally graduation rates.

At the same time, graduation rates can be used to unfairly malign address funding gaps that exist for too many alternative schools working schools that are serving underprivileged youth and, in fact, helping to eliminate achievement gaps between advantaged and disadvantaged at-risk students earn a high school diploma. Alternative schools are students.

Addressing this complex challenge requires a mix of other solutions, singled out for having four-year cohort graduation rates that are generally lower than the national average, but left out of the conversation is how too; improved learning models and instruction, greater support for our these schools are intentionally designed to serve credit-deficient transfer teachers, innovative technology, and increased services to disenfranchised students groups are just a few that we should be working on. But none students and former dropouts at risk of never earning a diploma at all.

Measuring how well schools are graduating students is important, but of this can happen without educators, policymakers and business leaders it should be done right, and must not create disincentives for schools to willing to engage in honest and constructive conversations, and then serve credit-deficient students or dropouts looking for a second chance. pledging to act.

A rising graduation rate is worth celebrating, but let’s not become After all, what is more important for these students: graduating or graduating “on-time”? It’s why graduation rate calculations should be complacent.

Learn more about improving the educational outcomes for the reformed altogether so schools are held accountable for students’ annual progress toward graduation every year, not just in the fourth year of high students in your life at nnpa.org/essa.

An Elementary School Teacher’s Tips on Back-to-School Success

By Asia Rollins Yep, it’s that time of the year again. Parents and students are preparing for another school year while their relaxing summers come to an end.

The transition from a carefree summer to a busy school year can be a tough one. Luckily, fifth grade elementary school teacher, Myra Hudson, has some tips on how to start the school year off right.

• What are some things that parents can do

to ensure that the first weeks go as smoothly as possible?

First and foremost, parents of elementary students should start their child/children on a bedtime routine. Students need no less than 8 hours of sleep each day. This routine needs to be established a week or two before school starts.

• How do you engage with students in a new classroom?

Most teachers, including myself, usually will do some “team building” activities with the class,

in which all students will have to contribute to the activity. This creates a sense of belonging and class unification.

Within the first two weeks, I like to visit with the students one-on-one regarding their interests and comfort or even discomfort levels (subjects in school). That way, I have some idea of how to present a “discomfort” subject to this student in a way that they will feel successful.

• Does parental involvement help?

Visit the child’s school and visit often. Safe

Walk to School Night is held before school begins. During this hour or so, visit with your child’s teacher and classroom. The teacher can briefly discuss expectations and procedures and answer any questions from the parents/student.

After about 3 weeks into the school year and prior to the first quarter Parent / Teacher Conference, I like to ‘touch base’ with my parents to see if they have any concerns, suggestions, and/ or clarification that I can help with. We discuss homework procedures and how their child is doing so far.

When the Bully is the Teacher Bullying is being taken more seriously than in days past. But the focus is decidedly on kid-on-kid abuse.

While the mean girls, the taunters and tormentors, the physical abusers, and the excluders are very real threats, so too are educators who abuse their power over the very kids they are supposed to protect.

But when teachers verbally and even physically abuse kids, the abuse is often blatant and rarely called what it is – bullying – reinforcing the false notion that only kids, not the grownups in charge, are bullies.

Amid mounting data that bullying is on the rise, there’s a glaring absence of statistics on adult school bullies.

In part, perhaps, because bullying by a teacher or principal is far more complex to identify, address, and rectify. It’s difficult to know what to make of a teacher who crosses the line from basic discipline to regularly berating, intimidating, humiliating (and even physically abusing) a student – so much so that a child’s afraid to be in school.

In response to an article on bullying, a brave teacher confessed (in a comment) to having bullied students in the past – until he changed his ways. “I became a teacher when I was in my early 20s, and I was horrible to the kids. I was a monstrous bully to the special ed kids I taught … I

was eventually forced to resign, and after three years, I realized why I was wrong. I changed completely, and when I went back to teaching, I never raised my voice or made any threats.

It was wonderful. I learned to lead by example…”

His honest admission prompted a further look into bully teachers, a topic rarely discussed, by asking students if they’d ever had a teacher who was a bully. Dozens of people came forward with painful stories – but none had a clear way to redress the situation.

When children bully other children, experts offer viable theories on how to deal with the problem: Fight back, walk away, ignore the bully and he’ll move on, tell a teacher, tell your parents, ask any adult for help.

But when the bully is the grown-up in charge, how should a child respond?

With a bully teacher, fighting back, walking out of the class, or ignoring the teacher are hardly viable solutions, and ones that will most likely get kids in even more trouble. Even telling another teacher or the principal gets tricky. At the very least, the child knows by telling a teacher, another adult at the school, or even their own parents, that the problem isn’t likely to be solved overnight. So what’s a kid – or a parent – to do?

The first step, perhaps, is to listen to the stories and learn from others,

like one retired teacher. Her bully was the principal at the New Jersey high school where she taught. She endured anti-Semitic comments, watched as the principal screamed at AfricanAmerican students, and cringed when the principal mocked parents with accents. Other teachers were terrified to be seen talking to her, afraid they would face the principal’s wrath.

“They’d hide behind a cabinet door,” she says. After battling it out with the principal for two-and-a-half years, she threw in the towel and transferred to a Hebrew school.

Taking action In the face of blatant bullying, the first thing you have to do is document, document, document.” Write down the date, the time, and exactly what happened. Despite the obvious pain you’re feeling as a parent. It’s crucial to be as reasonable and objective as possible.

If the situation isn’t too egregious, meet with the teacher to see if you can find a resolution. If that doesn’t work, learn what you can from everyone at school – your child, other kids, parents in the class. Volunteer at school, drive the carpool, keep your ear to the ground, all the while documenting everything you learn. During this fact-finding period, start building a support network of parents – after all, one parent’s complaints can easily be waved off, while a group of concerned parents has more chance of being heard.

Resist storming the principal’s office right away. Follow the chain of command, starting with, the head of that teacher’s department, then the vice principal, principal, principal’s supervisor, and superintendent. This approach works in your favor for two reasons: One, the closer someone is to the problem, the more likely they’ll be able to take swift, effective action; and two, when you go to the top, one of the first questions will be, ‘Who have you talked to about this, and what did they say?’ If you can’t answer effectively, you’re likely to be directed back to those you’ve skipped. And always document every bullying incident. If you have documentation for a couple of months, they can’t ignore that. And if they try to say, “I’m going to the newspaper.”

A battle kids can’t fight When it comes to protecting kids from bully teachers, sadly kids are in a vulnerable position – and ill-equipped to fight the battle on their own.

Case in point: A high school junior in Boston, MA who now needs an attorney’s help to clear his school record. The teen repeatedly – and in vain – asked to be moved out of a class where he felt like the target of an abusive teacher, says his lawyer.

The acrimonious situation came to a head one day when the boy vented his frustrations – and it sounded like a threat. He was summarily suspended, putting a mar on his permanent record that may jeopardize his college prospects. Moral of the story? The teen was unable to defend himself against the bully teacher and now needs legal help to protect his future.

When it comes to bully teachers, there’s no real silver lining – but there are different routes parents can take. Following certain protocol – like documenting every incident, building a support system, and working up the chain of command – can protect kids from continued trauma at the hands of a bully teacher and save them from the ordeal of leaving a school altogether.

The fight to protect your child from a bully teacher may not (and usually won’t) be easy.

Page Two

BACK TO SCHOOL

THE OMAHA STAR

August 24, 2018

Helping Preschoolers Cope with Separation Anxiety

By Katie Hurley, LCSW The first day of a new preschool, or even the first day in a new classroom in the old preschool, can be met with a mix of excitement and anxiety for kids and parents alike. Although it’s fun to embark on a new adventure and many preschoolers delight in the feeling of being “big,” change can be scary for little ones (and their worried parents).

While a highly orchestrated morning routine might get you and your little one out the door on time, that final goodbye can leave even the most upbeat preschooler in a puddle of tears.

Preschool parking lots are packed with tearful parents afraid to put their cars in reverse for good reason: separation is hard.

It’s only natural for kids to feel anxious when saying goodbye to their parents. In fact, separation anxiety is a normal part of child development.

It can begin before the first birthday and pop up again (multiple times) until

age four, and sometimes even into elementary school. It can even begin later in the school year. Some kids seem to be doing just fine with the transition only to experience separation anxiety a few weeks into the school year.

Crying, tantrums and clinginess are all common symptoms of preschoolers struggling with separation anxiety.

Parents should also be on the lookout for signs of regressed behavior. Try not to worry too much if your recently potty trained preschooler suddenly fails to make it to the bathroom on time.

When a child is challenged by a new developmental task, he is likely to temporarily lose ground in an area recently mastered.

As you prepare to drop your child off at preschool, try these strategies to help your child cope with separation anxiety: • Confront parental ambivalence.

It’s perfectly normal for parents to worry about the transition to a new preschool classroom. It’s hard to trust

a new person or a new school with a little one! Kids will pick up on parental ambivalence. If parents hesitate, kids will feel unsafe.

– Talk your feelings out with a friend who knows the drill to get some perspective.

– Plan a coffee date with a friend or your spouse immediately following drop off so that you have support.

– Get to know the school and teacher as much as possible in advance (talking to other parents involved in the school helps!) so that you feel comfortable with the environment.

• Start with a warm up. Bring your child to visit the school a couple of times before the first day. Many preschools offer visiting days. Comforted by parental presence, your child will feel free to explore the classroom and check out the toys. This is also a great time to ask about the first day routine and chat with the teacher about the typical schedule.

• Create a goodbye ritual. Creating a specific goodbye ritual prior to the

first day of preschool can ease some of the anxiety about that final goodbye.

Try one (or more) of these ideas: – Develop a special handshake or special wave.

– Hug, kiss, high five and goodbye!

– Tuck a transitional object (i.e. a wishing stone, a small photo or a special charm) in your child’s backpack and fill it with love before you drop your child each day.

– Love notes in the lunch box remind kids that mom and dad love them and will return soon.

• Send positive signals. While it might be tempting to sneak out the moment your child is distracted, this can actually cause stress for your child later in the day. Acknowledge your child’s feelings and normalize his worries. It’s perfectly natural to feel a little bit scared, and a little bit of empathy can help your child feel safe and understood.

Watch your body language as you say goodbye. You might feel sad, but you want your child to feel safe and secure

in this new fun environment. Stand up straight and smile for your little one to model a cheerful goodbye!

• Stick to a routine. Children are at their best when they have plenty of rest, eat a nutritious breakfast and don’t feel rushed.

– Prepack lunches and snacks the night before to save time in the morning.

– Wake up twenty minutes before your kids to factor in extra time for you.

– Have shoes, socks and backpacks waiting by the door at night.

• Read all about it. Preschoolers love to read and there are several great books to help prepare kids for preschool. Llama Llama Misses Mama and The Kissing Hand help ease the transition and normalize the process of separation for little ones.

The preschool years provide a great foundation for kids and kids have a lot of fun during this first school experience. Once you get over that first hurdle of saying goodbye, you will see your child grow and learn in leaps and bounds!

6 Reasons After-School Activities are Worth the Effort

By Claire Gillespie

If you ever feel like you’ve somehow become your kid’s personal chauffeur, constantly ferrying them to numerous after-school activities, you’re not alone. And you’re totally forgiven for wondering whether all those activities are more hassle than they’re worth. But extracurricular activities come with a wealth of benefits for your child – beyond the obvious (mastering that backhand at tennis lessons or being able to count to 100 in Spanish). Here’s why they’re worth it.

1. Decision-making skills For starters, after-school activities let kids figure out what they like and what they’re good at. “When kids are selecting which activities to participate in, they are looking inward and deciding if they are enjoying it, which creates self-awareness and a sense of knowing what they like, what they don’t and how to make decisions accordingly,” says Dr. Sanam Hafeez, an NYC-based licensed clinical psychologist and the founder of Comprehensive Consultation Psychological Services.

3. Socialization After-school activities can also help kids develop socialization skills away from the structure of the classroom according to author and practicing clinical psychologist Dr. John Mayer (no, not that one). Because after-school activities give kids more time to interact freely, kids then have the opportunity to practice and experiment with socialization skills. They are allowed to fail and then learn from their failures, which are vital experiences for them, says Mayer.

tapped into their passions,” says Mayer. Kids who find a passion early on have an even greater incentive to stay focused, and they learn what is required in working toward a goal.

4. Friendship It may be a controversial statement, but here’s the truth: Kids don’t have to make close friends at school. It’s great if in-class bestie bonding happens, of course, but if it doesn’t, afterschool activities can be fantastic places for children to develop friendships with peers who are “sharing the same interests or passions,” says Mayer.

6. Teamwork & strategic thinking Sure, not all after-school activities encourage teamwork, but many of them do. “Team sports are great for building teamwork and communication skills, and they are also good at helping kids develop some strategic thinking: ‘What’s the other team good at? How will we defend against that?’” says Katherine Firestone, founder of Fireborn Institute, a nonprofit that provides parents with clear, practical and easy-to-remember strategies to help their children thrive in school. If team sports aren’t your child’s cup of tea, more introvert-friendly activities such as chess are also great for strategic thinking, creativity and problem-solving.

5. Passion Speaking of passion, one of the greatest benefits of afterschool activities is that they can help a child discover what really ignites a fire within them.

“One of the biggest deficits that I encounter in teenagers that leads to substance abuse, aggression, poor grades, lack of motivation, delinquency and on and on, is that they have not

But the benefits aren’t just for kids “After-school activities benefit parents by giving them the peace of mind that comes with knowing your kids are busy doing something beneficial and productive and not just ‘hanging around,’” says Hafeez. “This is especially true for parents of preteens and teens – where drugs, alcohol and sex may be

2. Confidence Giving kids something to do that interests them can increase their confidence and give them direction and purpose, says Hafeez. And it doesn’t have to be sports: being part of a volunteer group, marching band, photography or computer lab comes with the same benefits of being a part of a peer group.

That confidence can transfer into other areas of their lives, such as giving them the confidence to thrive in their studies.

Getty Images/Design: Ashley Britton

Back-to-School Breakfast Rescue This is the time of the year that has us humming the old-school hit “Back to Life” by Soul II Soul. The lyrics include a warning for us: “Back to life, back to reality … back to the here and now.” Summer is coming to an end.

Students are returning to school. Parents are adjusting their routines to fit their children’s schedules. As the children hurry to catch the school bus or get into the car, an exhausted parent can be heard yelling, “Where’s your backpack? How did that braid come undone, where’s the barrette? Did you turn off the light in your room? Did you make your bed? Those shorts are too short. Pull up your pants? Where’s your belt? Grab something for breakfast. It’s time to go!” Sound familiar? Although we know that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, there is just not enough time to cook breakfast, eat, and clean the kitchen before the yelling begins. Below are the ingredients and directions for your easy-to-make breakfast rescue. The ingredients combine to make a nutritious and delicious Tropical Energy Ball that the whole family can enjoy while on the go.

INGREDIENTS • 1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats • 1/2 cup Creamy Peanut Butter • 1/2 cup semisweet chocolate morsels • 1/2 cup wheat germ or ground flax seed • 1/3 cup honey • 1/4 cup shredded coconut • 1/4 cup chopped dried pineapple • 3 tablespoons macadamia nuts • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract • Additional shredded coconut, optional

of concern – and for working parents who aren’t home after school.”

What if your kid really doesn’t want to go?

Ultimately, though, the decision to do after-school activities lies with your child – and if they really don’t want to do it, it’s best not to force them.

However, it’s one thing if your child is simply sports-averse; it’s another if they avoid all after-school activities, period.

If that’s the case, it’s worth thinking about why your child doesn’t want to do any activities, says Firestone. Is it because they need some quiet time at home after an overstimulating day at school? Or is it because they are worried about bullying?

“If it’s bullying, it’s important to find an activity they can get involved in where there aren’t any kids that are teasing your child already – and where your

kid has the opportunity to meet new kids in a less scary way.

Think individual sports, like

chess, tennis or swimming,” says Firestone.

Your Journey to College Begins with Us

Our free resources will help you get there.

EducationQuest.org 402.391.4033

BE A MAV DAYS JOIN US FOR OUR SIGNATURE OPEN HOUSE E VENT

Our open house event will give you access to exceptional resources that will help you prepare for the college application process. Attend our breakout sessions, ask a lot of questions, and take a walking tour of campus to find out what it means to be a Maverick.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR FOR OUR UPCOMING EVENTS THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

SATURDAY

SATURDAY

FRIDAY

OCTOBER 11 NOVEMBER 17

OCTOBER 19 DECEMBER 1

OCTOBER 20 DECEMBER 7

REGISTER ONLINE

[ BE aM AV.C OM/M AV D AY ]

STEP ONE – Stir together oats, peanut butter, chocolate morsels, wheat germ, honey, coconut, pineapple, nuts, and vanilla until well combined.

STEP TWO – With wet hands, form a tablespoon portion of the mixture into a ball. If mixture is not holding together as desired, add additional honey until balls hold shape. Roll in shredded coconut if desired. Repeat with remaining mixture to make 36 balls.

Add 2 tablespoons vanilla protein powder to the oat mixture if desired.

THE UNIVERSI T Y OF NEBR A SK A DOE S NOT DISCRIMINATE BA SED ON R ACE, COLOR, E THNICI T Y, NATIONAL ORIGIN, SE X, PREGNANC Y, SE XUAL ORIENTATION, GENDER IDEN TI T Y, RELIGION, DIS ABILIT Y, AGE, GENE TIC INFORMATION, VE TER AN S TATUS, MARI TAL S TATUS, AND/OR POLITIC AL AFFILIATION IN IT S PROGR AMS, AC TIVI TIE S, OR EMPLOYMENT. 012 8 A D U G A 0 818

BACK TO SCHOOL

August 24, 2018

THE OMAHA STAR

Page Three

Students everywhere in these United States are saying goodbye to their far-too-few days filled with hot fun in the summertime and are eagerly filling ready, waiting classrooms. As they cross the school’s golden threshold to their future, their minds are not on reading, writing and ‘rithmetic, they are pondering if their first-day-of-school fashion choices are on point. Let’s face it, for many of them, next to a good breakfast, looking good is fundamental to learning. However, “looking good� to one student may mean something totally different to the next. It all comes down to “You do you� and “I will do me.� Here is a sampling of first-day-of-school outfits for students in Omaha and beyond.

my J. Shaw, Jesuit Acade A.J A

Kortney Cunegin, Nathan Hale & James Garrett, North High Magnet

Aubrey Young, Wakonda Elementary

ks, Aniyah and Nailah Hic Las Vegas, NV Somerset Academy,

Davian & Brooklynn Brown, Westbrook Ele mentary

Antonio Gullie, UNL Devin Williams, ol, Austin, TX Vista Ridge High Scho

Brandon B Wi W lliams, Un U iversity Tex T as Arl A ington

dere Elementary Kayden Austin, Belve

Kamara Cullins, Southern University and A&M College

Damon Jackson Jr., Monroe Middle

Nalayah Ammons, Walnut Hill

Just because you’re serious about where you want to go in life doesn’t mean you can’t HAVE FUN getting there.

1 2 +3

" 1 4 ! " 1 4 5 "

Check out BU’s Be A Bruin Day Thursday, October 18 8:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.

For more information, email

6

"

#BeABruinDay

SSCHOLARSHIPS C H O L A R S H I PAVAILABLE S AVA I L A B L E !

highschool.bellevue.edu

!!!" " # $ "%" & ' ( )

' *

" +,./0 ,.+.

Page Four

BACK TO SCHOOL

THE OMAHA STAR

August 24, 2018

Children’s Biggest Back-to-School Worry

By Eileen Kennedy-Moore The start of the school year means a lot of change for children. They might wonder whether their teacher will be nice and whether the work will be too hard or too much.

But the No. 1 concern for children as they head into the new school year is whether they will have a friend in their class.

As parents, we know it’s a good idea to help kids get Encourage friendly behavior, such as greeting other children their school supplies organized and smiling, to help kids show classmates that they’re open and try to shift their sleep to making new friends. (Getty Images) schedules to align with waking up early on school days. However, paying attention to the friendship factor can also be important to help children have a positive start to the school year.

When my children were young, I used to tell them, “Somewhere in your new class is a kid who is just waiting to be your friend!”

They’d ask, “What does he look like?” or “What’s her name?”

I’d say, “I don’t know. You’re going to have to figure that out. What are some clues that might tell you who it is?” We’d come up with possibilities such as someone smiling, playing with them or sitting next to them. Being on the lookout for these signs made them more aware of friendly gestures from their classmates. They almost always came home from school the first day feeling proud that they’d “figured out” who at least one new friend would be.

Beyond setting up positive expectations about friendships, here are some other tips for helping your child make friends in a new classroom drawn from a book I co-authored, “Growing Friendships: A Kids’ Guide to Making and Keeping Friends:”

Find your school’s Pack and get registered online

SignUp4Scouting.org

1. Encourage friendly behavior.

Greeting other children, smiling, complimenting, helping and cooperating show classmates that your child is open to friendship. Shy children often have trouble with this. They’re focused on their own discomfort, so they tend to shrink away from others, but that unintentionally sends the message, “I don’t like you, and I don’t want anything to do with you.” Practicing friendly greetings with family or close friends can help children gain confidence with this.

TThen join us for a day at Camp!

Sat., Sept. 15 9am-3pm Little Sioux Scout Ranch (Just off I-29, one hour from the Omaha)

Spend as much (or as little) time as you want experiencing Bouldering, Fishing, Hiking, STEM, Shooting Sports and more! Register at https://scoutingevent.com/326-FirstCamp

2. Look for similarities.

Children are most likely to become friends with kids who are similar to them in age, gender, interests and behavior. Help your child figure out, “Which classmates are like me?” Some children focus exclusively on wanting to be friends with the most popular kids, but if they have nothing in common, that friendship is not likely to develop. Looking for common ground is a better bet for identifying potential friends.

3. Focus on fun activities.

Kids make friends by doing fun things together. What does your child enjoy doing with other kids? Whether it’s an informal interest or an organized activity, this could form the basis of a friendship. Lonely children are often inactive children. Staying home alone is not a good way to make friends. Help your child find activities that fits her interests, personality and aptitudes. For some children, you may need to look beyond the common activities of sports and dance. A Lego club, choir, religious group, volunteer activity or less common sport like fencing may be key to helping your child find kindred spirits.

4. Replace off-putting behaviors.

Sometimes, because of immaturity or misguided efforts to get attention from peers, children do things that are irritating to classmates. This could include bragging, being aggressive, disrupting a game or making annoying noises. If you see your child doing these things, explain how your child’s actions make other children feel and offer better alternatives.

5. Arrange one-on-one play dates.

Once your child has identified some potential friends, inviting them over for a play date is a great way to deepen the friendship. Often, children hesitate to invite classmates over unless they know them extremely well. However, if your child has had fun with a classmate at school, he knows that child well enough to have a play date. Inviting someone over says, “I like you, and I want to spend more time with you!” That’s a wonderful compliment that can launch a friendship.

MCC E POWERS

Visit Campus.

NOW.

YOUR FUTURE A 2-year start to a 4-year degree that can save you thousands.

YOUR EARNINGS YO Sh Short-term training and certificates can an boost your earnings. bo

Come see for yourself what it’s like to be a Reiver. Visiting campus is the best way to see all that Iowa Western has to offer you. Check out the buildings, peek in the classrooms, and talk to other students and advisors.

Call us at 800.432.5852 to schedule a campus visit. Your future begins NOW at Iowa Western.

On campus and online. Call or click today.

Visit mccneb.edu or call 531-MCC-2400.

Metropolitan Community College affirms a policy of equal education, employment opportunities and nondiscrimination in providing services to the public. To read our full policy statement, visit mccneb.edu/nondiscrimination.

Get started NOW at iwcc.edu