Stereotypes: We All Have Them

Stereotypes. We all have them. One definition of a stereotype is a short cut. A more sociological definition of why there are stereotypes was proposed by professors at Stanford University: "Stereotypes simplify an overly complex environment and create prejudices that function mainly to release frustration and make people feel superior to others."...

... Too often, negative stereotypes are associated with poor people. Words such as lazy or uneducated are used. But I have learned that the only stereotype that can be associated with poor people is that they don't have much money.

heraldpalladium.com/articles/2010/05/05/opinion/editorials/1397263.txt

By chosing Kalamazoo Central, Obama sends a strong message towards reform

Yes, as many of you have already heard, President Barack Obama has chosen to speak at Kalamazoo Central's commencement ceremony. This is a time to celebrate the spotlight that his arrival will bring to the positive work in our community.

His choice is significant not only because it highlights a local school in our community, but because of the message it sends of education reform across America. 57 percent of its students are from low-income families and 61 percent are minorities. It was struggling to send its students on to higher education.

Enter the Kalamazoo Promise in 2005: Since then, over 91% of its students have attended college. The Promise is a public-private partnership that took advantages of the resources available in the community to offer disadvantaged children an opportunity to succeed. By doing this, Kalamazoo Central represents a model other struggling urban districts to turn themselves around.

Julie Mack of the Kalamazoo Gazette said it best:

Specialty schools such as Clark and Denver School for Science and Technology “are good for some families,” but won’t solve the problems of American education, Miron said.

That’s what makes K-Central “such a viable model” for the White House competition, he added. “It’s a model for reform that can serve all kids.”

Read the full article: http://www.mlive.com/news/kalamazoo/index.ssf/2010/05/winner_of_president_barack_oba.html

Battle Creek Homeless Man Attacked with Paintball May Lose an Eye

"A Battle Creek man may lose his eye after Battle Creek police said he was shot with paintballs about 1:48 a.m. today.

Steven Soderborg, 54, who police said is homeless, was under the M-66 bridge over Dickman Road when he heard several shots and was hit several times in the face."

www.lansingstatejournal.com/article/20100503/NEWS01/305030003/-1/rss13

www.wwmt.com/articles/margin-1375969-bottom-creek.html?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

Kalamazoo Central: A National model for turning around struggling school districts

The city home to the Kalamazoo Promise has had the opportunity to demonstrate its worth with the Race To The Top High School Commencement Challenge, where the top prize is a commencement speech from President Obama. Last weekend, Western Michigan University just graduated its first Kalamazoo Promise class.

Picking a winner, which the president is expected to do by Tuesday, is likely to boil down to what kind of message Obama wants to send about education reform. From the Kalamazoo Gazette:

Does the White House want to highlight a small, specialty school that produces outstanding results for a self-selecting groups of students?

Or does Obama opt for Kalamazoo Central High School — a traditional school that represents a model for turning around a struggling urban district?

This is going to be an important choice,” said Joseph Kretovics, an education professor at Western Michigan University who has long been involved in school reform. “These are three very different schools with three very different populations.”

White House officials have said they are looking for a school that serves as a national model for preparing students for college.

Here is a breakdown of the competition:

• Kalamazoo Central, which is the only traditional high school in the mix. K-Central’s entry focused on The Kalamazoo Promise, the college scholarship program for Kalamazoo graduates, and the districtwide reform efforts that The Promise has inspired. Since creation of The Promise in 2005, 91 percent of Central graduates have gone on to college.

• Denver School of Science and Technology, a charter school that boasts that 100 percent of its first three graduating classes have been accepted to four-year colleges. The school does not have entrance requirements, but students must take pre-calculus and five science classes over four years, plus complete an internship and a senior project to graduate.

• Clark Montessori Junior and Senior High School, a magnet program in Cincinnati Public Schools. The school says 100 percent of the Class of 2010 has been accepted to college. Like the Denver program, Clark has open enrollment but parents and students must sign a contract promising the student will work hard, behave respectfully and perform 200 hours of community service during the four years of high school. Students also are required to take honors courses in core subjects, and undertake a senior project that involves a 30- to 40-page paper.

Whatever happens, we can be proud of the Promise and its affect on reducing poverty in the City of Kalamazoo. More on K Central:

Kalamazoo Central High School

Type of school: One of two traditional high schools in Kalamazoo Public Schools. Enrollment: About 1,700.
Claims to fame: K-Central graduates receive The Kalamazoo Promise, which pays for four years of college tuition.
Entrance requirements: None. By the numbers: The final number in the Class of 2010 has not been determined. Since creation of The Promise in 2005, 91 percent of Central graduates have gone on to college. Demographics: 57 percent are from low-income families; 61 percent are minorities.

Read the Full Article: http://www.mlive.com/news/kalamazoo/index.ssf/2010/05/obama_contest_keys_on_school_r.html

SW Michigan Paper Asks: Are the Poor in America Better Off Today Than Yesterday?

"Are the poor in America better off today than 75 or 100 years ago?

Statistics on the amount of government assistance available to those in need indicate that the social safety net is stronger than ever.

And that need for help may be closer to home than most people think. Figures show that 58 percent of Americans will fall below the poverty line at some time in their lives. Double-digit unemployment rates have brought that reality home to many and have created a need for widespread aid in unemployment benefits and other programs.

But an ambivalence about helping the poor persists in American society. A recent New York Times-CBS poll showed that 38 percent of Americans believe that providing government help to the poor encourages them to stay poor."


- Benton Harbor/St. Joseph Herald Palladium

www.heraldpalladium.com/articles/2010/05/02/local_news/1307877.txt

Michigan Falling Behind Other States in Offering Universal Pre-School

"When do children learn the fastest? Scientific studies are unanimous that it's from birth to age five.

So when do we start sending them to school?

In most cases, not till Kindergarten, which usually begins at age five. In other words, there's a vast disconnect between what we know and what we do. Which brings us to the "Pre-K" movement, which recognizes that what happens from birth is hugely important, and that kids ought to be going to school earlier.

Now let's look at the record. The Center for Michigan, the non-partisan, non-profit "think and do tank" (Phil Power) founded, had an education action group meeting this March. An issues guide prepared for that meeting revealed that as of two years ago, 16 percent of Michigan four-year-olds were in federally funded Head Start preschools. State-funded pre-K programs served another 18 percent.

But that leaves out nearly two-thirds of the rest. How do we do in comparison with other states? Not as well as we should. Currently, Michigan ranks 19th as a proportion of population served, while we rank 16th in support per child enrolled — below where we should be."

More of Phi Power's comments at the Center for Michigan:

www.thecenterformichigan.net/blog/missing-the-potential-of-michigans-youngest-students/

Battle Creek Schools Announces Locations for Free Meals During the Summer

Children ages 18 and younger may qualify for free meals during the summer at 10 Battle Creek Schools.

The list of participating schools may be found in the Battle Creek Enquirer at:

www.battlecreekenquirer.com/article/20100429/NEWS01/304290009/1002/BCPS+announces+free+summer+meals

May 8: National Assoc. of Letter Carriers Nationwide Food Drive for the Needy

"For local food pantries it is one of the most affecting days of the year.

The National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) will hold its nationwide food drive on May 8. On that day, postal workers across the country will once again pick up bags of canned good and non-perishable food items left out by residents to help those in need.

“Millions and millions of families are suffering – struggling to make ends meet and put food on the table,” said Frederic Rolando, NALC president. “Food banks, pantries and shelters need our help more than ever this year. As families count on them for support, they’re counting on us and we will not back off on our commitment.”

In the NALC’s announcement for this year’s drive, Rolando “also noted that donations are particularly critical at this time since most school lunch programs are suspended during the summer months and millions of children must find alternate sources of nutrition.”

Countless food pantries benefit from the donations collected during the drive, including the Niles Salvation Army.

“We have seen a lot of new faces, new people who have never been (in) the system, so to say,” Captain Bill Walters said Thursday. “That’s just one of the changing things of the times, we’re seeing a lot of people needing assistance right now.”'

- Niles Daily Star

Read more at:

www.nilesstar.com/2010/04/23/letter-carriers-to-deliver-help-for-needy/

Fiesta 2010: April 30 and May 1 in Holland Michigan

There was a small but wonderful reminder in the Grand Rapids Press over the weekend of the Fiesta 2010 to be held in Holland on April 30 and May 1. To me, it sounds like it will be a beautiful celebration of Latino culture and heritage.

Unfortunately, in the "comments" concerning the celebration, the first person to comment suggested that:

"Its time to send in ice (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) and start to arrest the illegals at these events."

Our Latino brothers and sisters in Holland are getting ready to have a party, a fiesta. I would hope that the only police or law enforcement presence is there to maintain order, direct traffic, etc., no different than any other large gathering of people be they of European, Asian, African, Pacific Islander, or Native American descent.

www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2010/04/fiesta_translates_into_inclusi.html


P.S. I also wish that folks had to identify who they are when they submit comments to the on-line editions of responsible newspapers and magazines. For what it is worth, I'm Roblloyd in the comments section of the GR Press and MLIVE.com.

Should the Federal Government Extend Unemployment Benefits Again?

"Up to a million people could find themselves with neither a paycheck nor an unemployment check by year's end, according to preliminary estimates by one advocacy group.

These folks are begging lawmakers to extend the duration of benefits into the triple digits. Scores have emailed CNNMoney.com, detailing their desperation. But there's no movement currently in Congress to add more weeks.

"People will endure extreme hardship," said Andrew Stettner, deputy director of the National Employment Law Project. "We can't just let everyone fall off of this cliff."

But a growing chorus of economists and lawmakers say another extension would be the worst thing for the unemployed. It would likely further delay these Americans' re-entry into the workforce.

"If you are subsidized to stay out of the workforce, many people will," said Alan Reynolds, senior fellow at The Cato Institute, a libertarian think tank."

- CNN Money.com

money.cnn.com/2010/04/23/news/economy/extending_unemployment_benefits/index.htm