With your help, Believe 2 Become is making a difference
It’s been an active year for the partners of the Believe 2 Become initiative, which draws from many areas of the community to help students in Grand Rapids Public Schools.
All the valuable effort has paid off, providing inspiration, motivation, education and support to thousands of students.
Here are a few highlights, with links to media coverage and more information…
September 7: Students at Ford Middle School are met by a red carpet, paparazzi and a cheering throng of community leaders on the first day of school. If you were there, you felt the positive energy and excitement firsthand! The kids’ faces LIT UP as they walked the red carpet, getting high fives every step of the way.
September 29: GRPS seniors receive “I believe I become Class of 2011” wristbands. Students in grades 6 through 11 get wristbands too, color-coded for each graduating class. Designed to reinforce the goal of graduation, the wristbands give each class a sense of identity and affiliation, and remind adults to tell kids every day
that they believe in them. We hope they help kids believe in themselves, too! If you see a student wearing an I believe I become wristband, please take time to affirm his/her unlimited potential, convey your high expectations, and encourage him/her to take advantage of every opportunity.
August 26, September 16, October 7 and October 28: Hundreds of students, parents, pastors, neighbors and community leaders turn out to hear how they can help improve academic achievement and graduation rates. The reviews are in: great food, passionate crowds, inspiring leaders, awesome prizes. See the story on Oct. 28 in the Grand Rapids Times.
October 4: Thirteen after-school experiences for first, second and third graders kick off with Heart of West Michigan United Way Schools of Hope, and three middle school after-school enrichment programs begin at Gerald R. Ford and Burton Middle Schools.
October 11: Grand Rapids Student Advancement Foundation receives a $4 million W.K. Kellogg Foundation grant to support Believe 2 Become programs that help students succeed in school, work and life. This generous grant significantly expands the scope of what Believe 2 Become will be able to accomplish. Thank you, W.K. Kellogg Foundation!
October 28: Residents gather for the fourth central zone community meeting at Ford Middle School to identify and choose strategies for increasing parent involvement in student success. Parent involvement was voted the top goal by parents and residents of Central Zone.
But we’re just getting started! Looking ahead…
November 18: The final community meeting in the central zone will be held at Ford Middle School. We would love to see you here to celebrate the hard work of parents and residents in choosing community strategies to help support the goal of parental involvement. Lots of prizes, a raffle for a large-screen tv, dinner, and entertainment. Come one, come all–even if this is the first meeting you’ve been able to attend. 5:30 p.m., 851 Madison SE.
In 2011:
- Community meetings in the West Zone will roll out. If you know community stakeholders who should be involved in the conversation with neighborhood liaisons, encourage them to be in touch with Ana Aguilar Doonan, LaKiya Thompson or Willie Patterson.
- Central zone residents will move into the “Action Phase” of community planning. Action groups will develop plans and proposals for implementing the community strategies that were developed in the 2010 community meetings.
- After-school experiences will continue to support the learning and achievement of GRPS elementary and middle school students. Contact Renee Borg (616-752-8634) at Heart of West Michigan United Way Schools of Hope to learn more or for information about sign-ups.
- Summer experiences will bring experiences such as college visits, career ideas, and education to hundreds of qualified hope zone students.
- Parent resources are being developed and will be part of the 2011 activity.
Thank you again for all you have done and continue to do for the children of Grand Rapids. Together, we can help them believe in their ability and become their dreams.
Download the November Communications Overview for the latest and upcoming activity!
