Celebration of Reading

For a birthday, you have a celebration,

for Dr. Seuss’ birthday, you read with elation.

On March 2, local celebrities came to the Q

They came armed with books, some old and some new

Upstairs they went where the children were gathered

They read to the kids and let them know that they mattered. 

Superintendent Adkins read a book about animals

Some with nostrils or a blowhole, and all with jawbones we call mandibles.

 

Artist Michael Letts read a book about hands,

He drew a picture of his dog, and made some new fans.

Former Q swim coach and now TV show host,

Lee Pitts came back to read to the kids - he's really the most!

Lt. Larry King came from LCSO to read a book about bears.

He let us know literacy is important, and the sheriff’s office cares!

Weatherman John Patrick, wearing a big, striped hat

Gave kids a choice, then read “Pete the Cat.”

Dressed is Seuss attire, Fort Myers Police Officers Harris and Brown

Showed their fun side, read books, and turned frowns upside down.

Tony Sadiku came from Fox4 bearing gifts of books

He read with expression, and a sunny outlook.

We had a visit from the Fire Marshal and firefighters too

They read about fires, and a Seuss character with a crazy hairdo!

Children who spend more time reading, do better in school.

Community celebrities inspired, and gave kids a new tool.

Through their actions, this community they are leading

With their participation, they demonstrate the joy of reading.

The Early Learning Coalition got the books and organized the day too.

For their time and support, all of us here say, "Thank you!"

It’s Crazy Out Here… and What You Can Do

A 4-year old Egyptian boy was given a life sentence for murder. A dude with weird hair says he can shoot someone on the street and still win the Republic presidential nomination. And 35% of black kids dropped out of school last year. Again. 35%!!!

If you are one of those optimistic folks who think change begins one person at a time, and we can all be part of the solution, hurray for you! And keep reading.

Last year, Quality Life Center launched a new tutoring program, combining features from the Australian First Steps Literacy program with Florida Sunshine Standards to create a comprehensive, skill-based tutoring program focused on literacy and math fluency.

Combining in-house assessments and students' individual grades, the Q's academic coordinator, Talissa Soto was able to identify specific student needs and pair students with volunteers from FGCU and around the community.

In addition to helping improve academic standing, the tutoring program builds positive relationships between our students and tutors, who serve as role models and provide emotional support and motivation.

Shy 4^th grader “Kim” began the last school year with C and D grades, despite showing indications that she was familiar with the concepts she was learning in school. As she participated in the Q's tutoring program, Kim's confidence began increasing and she became more comfortable asking questions and participating in class. By the end of the second quarter in January, she earned all A's and B's on her report card.

You may not be able to do anything for the boy in Egypt, but you can make a difference in a child’s life right here, right now. Help your neighbor, help your friend, go volunteer at the Q or another organization that could use a hand. For information about Quality Life Center’s tutoring program, contact Talissa at tsoto@qlcswfl.org or come on in and get started by filling out a volunteer form.

Learning to FLY!

Empowering parents to see themselves as their child’s primary teacher – while allowing parents to take advantage of adult literacy classes and their children acquire early learning education. That is what Family Literacy Yes! (FLY!) aims to achieve.

Preschool-aged children attend early learning classes at Quality Life Center free of charge while their parents take English as a Second Language (ESOL) or GED preparation classes at Dunbar Community School. The final component of the program takes place weekly when the parents and children spend time together reading. Each week, parents are given a book to take home.

This opportunity for early learning development and adult literacy comes about through a collaboration with Quality Life Center, the Southwest Florida Community Foundation, the Hunter Institute at FGCU, Dunbar Community School and the Barbara Bush Foundation.

An unexpected benefit of the program has been the diversity that has been added to the early learning classrooms with children from Haiti, Uzbekistan and a variety of Spanish-speaking countries. “The different cultures the children bring to the classroom adds a richness to the educational experience that could not be achieved otherwise,” said Early Learning Instructor Nephtalie Loiseau.

A few new spots will be available beginning in January. To qualify, parents must not have a high school diploma or GED, enroll in an adult class at a Dunbar Community School, family income is at or below the federal poverty level and have a child age 2-5 years old.  For more information, call Larry Aguilar at Quality Life Center, 239.334.2797. Quality Life Center is a Barbara Bush Family Literacy Program Provider.

Arts at the Q Begins with a Roar!

Each of the 735 available tickets had been distributed.  Every last tutu was completed. The final touch-ups to each of the seven hand-crafted lion masks had been made. It’s show time. And not just any show, but the epic performance of The Lion “Qing,” Quality Life Center’s version of The Lion King.

As the lights dimmed at the Dunbar High School auditorium on August 13, director Keesha Allen and her crew of over 100 children were ready. The discipline and work ethic instilled at the Q was evident, as was the confidence gained from the kids’ efforts.

Preparations began in January with script-writing and choreography, but the 9 groups of dancers and 13 major performers ages 5 -17 had less than nine weeks to learn every line, and every dance step. Many of them are used to the pressure. The Q’s biggest performance each year has been taking place at the end of summer camp for the last six years.

That may soon be changing. Arts at the Q is a multi-discipline program offering arts instruction beyond the exposure classes that have been offered in Quality Life Center’s afterschool and summer camp programs. In addition, there will be more opportunities to perform throughout the year.

Ms. Keesha and other guest artists will be teaching dance. “This will not be classical training,” she said. “I want to do something different than is traditionally offered. A class may include hip hop, African dance and ballet.” Students will learn a variety of dances and techniques which they will showcase at festivals, shows and community events.

The Lion “Qing” was well received, with a professional set, a story with a positive message, beautiful, creative costumes, and captivating performances by local children. “There are so many talented youth in our community,” said the Q’s Executive Director Abdul’haq Muhammed. “Opportunities for self-expression are always welcome, and Ms. Keesha has the vision and ability to make it an amazing experience.”

Classes are open to children and youth, both male and female, who have the desire to learn. All arts classes – dance, visual arts and martial arts - are included to students enrolled in Quality Life Center’s afterschool program. The cost for other students is $20 per week. For more information call 239.334.2797.

Literary Upgrade

“I like to be smart,” said 6-year old Makayla when asked why she likes to read. She is happy because the library at Quality Life Center now has a huge section of Junie B. Jones books. “I’ve read almost all of the Junie B books,” she said.

The library at Quality Life Center sees a lot of happy faces these days thanks to a grant from The Lois Lenski Covey Foundation.  The foundation provided $2,880 in funding for new books for the library which had been started and sustained solely through donations.  With the assistance of Jubilee Brainerd, Senior Librarian and Branch Manager of the Dunbar Jupiter Hammon Library, the center was able to purchase over 400 books.  Ms. Brainerd provided guidance, and was able to help staff determine how to make the most of the funding.

The inspiration behind the project was volunteer Bettye Middlebrooks who undertook the massive task of sorting, organizing and labeling books with Accelerated Reader codes to help students meet school-set reading goals. It was a lot of work, but teens and other volunteers, including students from FGCU and Florida SouthWestern came to help.

“I was motivated by the need,” said Ms. Middlebrooks. “Kids would come to the library, looking for a book, and could not find something suitable.” Students can now easily locate books appropriate for their reading level, and with a flip of the page know how many AR points they will earn from reading each book.

Schools closest to Quality Life Center have pass rates averaging 37% on the 2014 FCAT in reading. “Literacy is one of our areas of focus,” said the center’s Academic Specialist Mitzi Ritter. She noted several students who did not like reading, and refused to read. “Now we have current books, graphic novels, and books about subjects that interest them. Not only will [those students] read now, but they want to finish the book.” Last year, 89% of Quality Life Center students increased their reading level or maintained an A or B in reading.

Inspired by a book written by world-renowned dancer and choreographer Debbie Allen, Q student Shannarie, 10, says that she really loved that a book she found in the library was about her favorite activity - dance. “But, I really like that it was about believing in yourself.”

“If children can read books here while meeting their school goals and build their self-confidence, then our efforts -and believe me, this was a lot of effort by many people- were worth every minute, day and weekend we dedicated towards enhancing the Q’s library,” concluded Ms. Middlebrooks.

The Q & Gulfshore Ballet

                                        

Quality Life Center's partnership with Gulfshore Ballet has been featured in The News-Press.                                           

                                                                    Take a look here!

Stuck on an island...

               Check out the "Survivor Challenge" shared by Academic Specialist, Ms. Mitzi:

The Survivor Challenge requires collaboration, communication and cooperation-- in short, teamwork. A small group of students of slightly varying ages, skill, academic standing and personalities are told to imagine themselves stranded on an island together. The sun is setting. The temperature is getting colder. They are hungry, thirsty, tired & cold. Then, the group is given a mathematical word problem. They are told that the only way off of the island is by working as a team to solve the problem and escape the island together. 

Let's just say that after about an hour, things on the island got a little.....tense. LOL! Eventually, the girls calmed their frustrations, re-grouped and, as a team, solved the problem and made it off the island just in time for dinner. I have to admit, at times, I could barely keep my composure. It was quite entertaining! But the girls worked together, worked through their challenges and eventually solved the problems! Go, girls! 

About Quality Life Center of Southwest Florida

Quality Life Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization transforming the community by developing the potential of underserved populations in Southwest Florida through early learning and youth development programs, including afterschool, teen and summer camp programs. For 25 years, the “Q” has been instilling values of discipline, integrity and self-sufficiency. Quality Life Center is headquartered in Fort Myers, Florida. For more information, call (239) 334-2797 or visit http://www.qualitylifecenter.org.