Alvin, Manvel & Neighboring Communities
SEPTEMBER 2020 Volume 3, Issue 9
s e m o C e p Ho g u H A h t i W PAGE 3
A publication of the Alvin Advertiser
WHAT ’S INS IDE PAGE 3
Cover Story The Alvin Chapter showing just a few of the handmade dolls constructed for distribution to children in need of comfort and hope. From left: Jessica Winebrenner, Treasurer, Addie Ward, Volunteer, and Linn Hazley, Coordinator.
PAGE 6
PAGE 13
Back To School
Guest Columnist
PAGE 10
PAGE 14
School Tips
Local Business Directory
Alvin, Manvel & Neighboring Communities
Editorial Writers & Photographers Alex Wukman • Stephen Collins Prentice C. James • Michael Edmonds Graphic Designer Linda Knight
Advertising Account Executives Darlene Hall advertising@alvinsun.net Sheila Rieke ads@alvinsun.net Betty Crawford classifieds@alvinsun.net Office Manager Donna Hopkins
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COVER STORY
Hope Comes With A Hug Story / Photos by Brenda Groves When 7 year old Malako Ferrer’s step-father was stationed overseas he was very sad to say goodbye to the man who loved him like his own son. But a very special organization stepped in and gave Malako a handmade military doll named “James.” Just to hug a doll in place of his dad made a difference and put a smile on his face. “The Giving Doll” had completed another mission. The Giving Doll organization was founded in March of 2006 by Jan Householder of Wadsworth, Ohio. Householder, a home economics teacher at Wadsworth High School, was asked by one of her student teachers, Paula McVey, to make a doll for her daughter. Twelve year-old Katherine McVey was suffering from an inoperable brain tumor at the time and undergoing treatment at St. Jude Children’s Hospital. She made several dolls for Katherine to share with other children receiving care at St. Jude. The dolls brought so much comfort to the children that soon Katherine came back to Householder and asked
Malako Ferrer holding “James,” his military Giving Doll as a comforting reminder of his stepfather serving overseas.
Continued on page 4
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COVER STORY if she could make some more so the home economics teacher recruited some help. Since its founding, the non-profit Giving Doll organization has itself given away over 56,412 dolls to children in every U.S. state along with 60 countries worldwide. Currently, the only Chapter in Texas is located in Alvin and was started in 2018 by local resident Linn Hazley who also serves at the Coordinator. Jessica Winebrenner is the Treasurer along with numerous other volunteers who come together to make the
Giving Dolls. Before Katherine passed away in 2007, she enjoyed writing poetry. To honor Katherine’s memory, the Alvin chapter created an autograph book to go in the pocket of each doll for friends and family to write their own prayers and words of hope to the child. There are many different steps to creating the special dolls. Each doll comes with its own blanket, tote bag, autograph book and name tag. Even though the dolls are created from one patented pattern they are uniquely
These volunteers from the Alvin Chapter of The Giving Doll organization spend countless hours sewing seeds of love into each doll.
individual. There are girl and boy dolls with different hair and skin colors. All the dolls are handmade including their hair, clothes, bags and blankets. Beautiful creative patterns and thoughtful prayers are lovingly woven into the fabric of each doll. There are sweet girl dolls along with military, police, fire department and various sports dolls. Each doll is individually bagged for protection during delivery and sanitation purposes. The Alvin Chapter has hand distributed over 500 dolls so far but they need more volunteers who are willing to learn. “We need stuffers, stitchers, hair makers, blingers, and packers. At this time monetary donations are gratefully accepted and appreciated. We are also taking orders for a Giving Doll Cookbook with recipes from all twelve chapters across the nation. They are priced at $15 and will be available at the end of September,” adds Hazley. Jan Householder has one mission in mind, “To give faith, love, joy, hope and comfort to children worldwide, at times of special need, through the construction and distribution of handmade cloth dolls. Just to hug a doll makes a difference.” To find out more about The Giving Doll organization visit thegivingdoll.org or you may contact the local Alvin chapter by emailing thegivingdollofalvin@yahoo.com.
Local volunteers
work insync crafting the different parts and apparel for
each unique Giving Doll.
Continued on page 5
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COVER STORY
Several women from the local Alvin Chapter display “just a few” of the special handmade Giving Dolls that are ready to be packaged up and delivered to children in need.
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FEATURE
Back To School Story / Photos by Karla and Prentice James
Principal Monique Gadson, in her first year leading E.C. Mason, shares plans for the upcoming school year. Store shelves are lined with school supplies, and racks are filled with stylish clothing. It’s “Back to School” season! Soon, schools across Alvin ISD will reopen their doors to welcome back students. The lifeless hallways that appear to have been frozen in time will be revived with sounds of voices and the pitter-patter of feet. How glorious! Campus administrators, teachers, and staff worked diligently throughout the summer preparing for the return of
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students for the first time since March. Numerous days were spent engaged in professional development ranging from virtual learning to designing lessons which focus on safety protocols. This school year is sure to be non-traditional in many ways, but one thing that will remain constant are strong teacherstudent relationships. More photos on Page 7, 8 & 9
FEATURE
Bridget Landry, assistant principal at E.C. Mason, is seen reviewing information leading up to the first day of school.
Photos prentice.james@imagohouse.com
Lead custodian Peterson Michel works to prepare the grounds for students.
Tanya Yeamans, a second grade
teacher at E.C.
Mason, is all smiles as she prepares for kiddos to start the school year.
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FEATURE Photos prentice.james@imagohouse.com
Alvin ISD food services meet to discuss protocols
and plans to keep youngsters safe and nourished.
There will be many questions throughout the school year,
but E.C. Mason faculty
and staff are more than ready
to respond and provide support.
Second grade teacher Patricia Hernandez works to decorate
bulletin boards in her pod at E.C. Mason.
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FEATURE
First grade bilingual
teacher Patricia Echeverria empties storage cabinets that have been packed
away since the COVID-19
pandemic started in March.
Photos prentice.james@imagohouse.com
Hand sanitizer dispensers will occupy every nook and cranny at Alvin ISD schools.
E.C. Mason second grader Avery Whitbeck is eager for school to start.
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SCHOOL TIPS
Recognizing and preventing bullying Alvin ISD takes the issue of bullying very seriously. We want our students to feel welcome and safe in a caring, learning environment. Counselors are provided at every AISD campus to assist students experiencing difficulty in school. However, students are always encouraged
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to talk to any school official (teachers, assistant principals, or principals). What is bullying? Texas Education Code, Chapter 37 Section37.001 Definition: “Bullying” means
engaging in written or verbal expression, expression through electronic means, or physical conduct that occurs on school property, at a school-sponsored or school-related activity, or in a vehicle operated by the District and that: 1. Has the effect or will have the effect of physically harming a student, damaging a student’s property, or placing a student in reasonable fear of harm to the student’s person or of damage to the student’s property; or 2. Is sufficiently severe, persistent, and pervasive enough that the action or threat creates an intimidating, threatening, or abusive educational environment for a student.
This conduct is considered bullying if it: 1. Exploits an imbalance of power between the student perpetrator and the student victim through written or verbal expression or physical conduct; and 2. Interferes with a student’s education or substantially disrupts the operation of a school. If you suspect your child is being bullied, please contact the school counselor. The AISD counselors have tools to aid in identifying a bullying situation and the steps to take to rectify. Info taken from the Alvin ISD website. www.alvinisd.net
SCHOOL TIPS
Helpful tips to find a tutor Many children are natural-born students but others may not catch on as quickly. Every student has unique learning requirements, and sometimes all it takes is some one-on-one intervention with an experienced tutor. The National Tutoring Association reports that the offer of private tutoring has increased dramatically, which can make finding a tutor challenging. It also means parents may face stiff competition in regard to procuring the services of qualified tutors. These strategies may improve their chances. • Specify what you need done. The more clearly you define what you and your child hope to gain from individualized instruction, the more capably you can zero in on a tutor who will meet those needs effectively. Some students need reinforcement for testing, while others may struggle with a particular skill set. The more specific you are when illustrating your needs, the more likely you are to find
someone who can help address those areas that need improving. • Seek recommendations. Ask around for recommendations from other parents or educators. Speak with school personnel to find out if someone on staff may tutor in his or her off hours. • Try a favorite teacher. Many students may have a favorite teacher, past or present, with whom they developed a rapport. If your child fits that mold, contact this teacher to see if he or she tutors students on the side. • Call the library. Many times high school or college students offer free or reduced-rate tutoring at local libraries. These sessions can be just as beneficial to young students as sessions with professional tutors. • Consider a tutoring center. Nationally recognized tutoring organizations can be invaluable to students struggling with their studies. Explore the cost options of one-on-
one sessions versus small group instruction. • Look for specialized tutors. Certain tutors specialize in certain subjects or skills. Lean toward those tutors for advanced lessons in tricky subjects like maths and sciences. Upon hiring a tutor, give it a few lessons to see if the tutor clicks with your child. Set benchmarks for success that the tutor can work toward. If the relationship is not working, start the process over.
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SCHOOL TIPS
Three ways parents can become more involved in their kids’ education The dawn of a new school year provides a host of opportunities for students and their families. Students begin a new school year with a clean slate, while their parents can look at the start of the school year as an opportunity to take active roles in their children’s education. Parents who pursue that opportunity can have a profound impact on their youngsters’ academic success. According to an analysis from the National Center for Family and Community Connections with Schools, students perform better in the classroom and enroll in more advanced classes when schools and
parents work together. Parents who want to take a more active role in their children’s educations can consider these three simple means to doing just that. 1. Help children establish academic goals. The National Education Association notes that the most significant type of parental involvement is what moms and dads do at home. Before a new school year begins, parents can discuss academic goals with their children. Be as specific as possible when establishing goals so kids have something definitive to work toward during the school year. 2. Foster a strong learning environment at home. Numerous studies have highlighted the effects that strong home learning environments can have on students. A 2014 study published in the Journal of Experimental Psychology found that something as simple as playing games with numbers with children can improve young students’ ability to understand and work with numbers. Continuing to foster that same environment as students continue their
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educations is equally beneficial. Establish quiet hours after school so kids can concentrate on their homework free from distractions. When kids ask for help, offer it promptly. Such a response sends the message to students that school is of the utmost importance. 3. Become more involved at school. Of course, it’s not just what parents do at home that can have a profound impact on their children’s educations. If possible, take an active role at school as well as at home. Get involved with parentteacher organizations and/or offer to assist with extracurricular activities. Parents also can attend board of education meetings to learn about the happenings in their children’s school district. Such meetings typically provide parents with an opportunity to comment publicly on any issues they feel are important, providing a great channel for parents to communicate directly with decision-makers. Parents can take various steps to be more active in their children’s educations, which can benefit students in myriad ways.
COLUMN The Postscript by Carrie Classon
The Blue Tarp
I noticed my wrists were sticking to my desk. This was a gradual awareness. I spend almost all day at my desk and I don’t know precisely when it started, but I finally looked down because my wrists were undeniably sticky. I had used the wrist rest in front of my keyboard for… well, forever, and I’d noticed there were a few rips in the fabric. This had apparently progressed, completely unnoticed, until the wrist rest had started to ooze some awful sticky substance, which was now stuck to my arm. “How did this happen?” I asked myself. I have a friend whose father was a hoarder. She described the process whereby the house slowly filled with his stuff. He would conquer one room and then, almost imperceptibly, move into the next room until one day, the family found they could no longer use the kitchen range because it was piled high with stuff. “How does this happen?” I asked her. I remember a trip across the country when my husband, Peter, and I came upon a mobile home, sitting by itself, completely covered in a faded blue tarp. I assumed the home was abandoned until I saw there was a light on. The light was kind of hard to see because all the windows were covered with the blue tarp. “How do you get to the point where you are living under a blue tarp?” I asked Peter. “Gradually,” he said. I think this is probably true.
I’m guessing there might have been a way to fix that roof that would have allowed the occupants to see out the windows. But they probably thought this would work for a little while. Then one day turned into two, two days turned into months and, after a while, they got used to it. Who needs curtains when all your windows are covered with a blue tarp? I am spending more time in my house than ever before and it has caused me to notice things. One morning I was waiting for my coffee to warm up and I got to looking at the poster we have hanging in the kitchen. The poster predates our marriage. I remember how I liked it when I first saw it—a cheerful print of peppers in shades of red and green with the names of the peppers underneath. I took a good look at that poster for the first time in ages and realized there were no longer red and green peppers on it. All the peppers had faded to various shades of pale pink and baby blue. Furthermore, the frame had come unglued and there was a giant gap where there shouldn’t be. The whole thing looked dreadful, and it had been hanging there in plain sight for who knows how long without me noticing.
“Peter! The pepper poster looks awful!” Peter took a look at it. “You’re right,” he agreed. “How did this happen?” I am replacing the pepper poster
with a new poster of peppers. They are brightly colored and hopefully will stay that way for a few years. In the meantime, I am looking around the house as if seeing a newly discovered land, trying to see what I no longer notice. (Why is there a box of cookies tucked behind my printer? Why are there peat pots stacked on the washing machine?) It is a revelation, looking at my house anew. And it’s probably a good exercise. I’d like to do whatever I can to keep from waking up one morning and looking out on a blue tarp. Till next time, Carrie Carrie Classon’s memoir is called, “Blue Yarn.” Learn more at CarrieClasson.com.
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