NHC Park City

Jeremy Ranch Students Get a Real Life Lesson

2009-09-28T07:43:00.000-07:00

The NHC, along with the Chier Foundation, sponsored an assembly at Jeremy Ranch Elementary on September 18th for the 5th grade students and their parents.
The students are currently studying American History and had participated in many activities involving immigration. Jeil Michael Yai, a "Lost Boy" from Sudan made an appearance to discuss his journey coming to the United States. He shared many of his experiences with the 10-11 year old children who were immediately in awe with his size (6 feet 7) and his kindness. He discussed the situation that led to a civil war in Sudan and how he fled his village, losing two brothers and his father to the continuing war and violence in his country. He continued his story taking his audience to Ethiopia and told of the many difficulties he faced during the 1,000 mile journey.
Jiel spoke to the children for a short time and opened up the conversation by answering the never ending questions the better part of the hour. The children were most interested in his family. They could not imagine that he has not seen his mother in almost 20 years. They were also curious what he ate and what he wore while he was on his journey throughout Africa.
Jiel's story is remarkable. He learned the alphabet by writing in the dirt with his fingers. He did not receive any formal school books until he was in the third grade. In the five years he has lived in Utah, he has nearly mastered the English language, he has become an United States citizen, and he has enrolled at the University of Utah currently a graduate student in economics. This is truly the lesson we were after and one we wanted to share with our children.
The Chier Foundation is a nonprofit organization that provides funding for 26 "Lost Boys" while they attend college. There are currently 150 of these exceptional young men living in Utah.

Projects for the 2009-2010 School Year

2009-09-03T13:26:00.001-07:00

Our first project for the school year. What a nice way to gently remind others to follow school rules! Thanks to Laurie for painting these lovely children!

NHC Community Garden - Update

2009-09-02T14:14:00.001-07:00

Seedlings started in March....fruit on the vines for months. I finally ate my first ripe tomato on September 1st! Who said high altitude gardening could not be done.
We have bell peppers we will harvest soon, several varieties of squash in bloom just now and dozens of tomatoes on the vine waiting to ripen. I failed with my cucumbers, eggplant and green beans this year. Next year. It has been a fun learning experience. I think we should host a children's cooking class with our bounty!

2009-2010 School Year

2009-09-02T14:01:00.000-07:00

Second week of school and already we have jumped right in on getting projects done! Our first activity was to create more "wooden kids" to display at school with signs to remind others: not to idle while waiting in line, keep the speed limit to 5 mph, and no talking on cell phones while driving in the parking lot. Photos to follow.
The Homework Club is partnering with the United Way to support their effort during the Day of Caring which is a drive to collect school supplies to donate to needy families in the Park City area. These families will be identified by the Holy Cross Ministries.
And last, the HW Club is sponsoring an assembly for the entire 5th grade at Jeremy Ranch. The 5th graders are studying American History with a focus on Ellis Island and immigration. Members of The Lost Boys of Sudan - college age men based out of Salt Lake City supported by the Chier Foundation - will come speak to the children about their experiences coming to a new country. We are very excited to supplement the curriculum with real life stories and hope this will make a lasting impression on both the children and their parents.
Tune in to see what else we are up to!

End of Summer Celebration - 4th Annual Friendship Fence

2009-09-02T13:46:00.001-07:00

Summer has gone by so quickly! Where did time go?
The children have had lots of fun this summer playing together on the water slide, riding scooters together, making digital movies, fostering puppies for Furburbia and participating in my favorite activity which is our community art project we fondly call the "Friendship Fence". We have marked the end of summer this year by getting together and creating our fence the day before school. It is a fun way to share in the excitement of a new school year and a good way to reconnect as a group. We get so busy with the long days and summer vacations we tend not to check in with each other.
This year the fence has taken the next step in creativity! The children have shown their individualism in creating their "wooden selves". Check it out!

Neighborhood Homework Club Community Garden

2009-05-27T19:39:00.000-07:00

The children have started a community garden in my backyard turning an old sandbox into a garden of their own. We started seedlings in March (too late, I hope not) planting sunflowers, tomatoes, cucumbers, and herbs. We nurtured our garden interest with a visit to Copper Moose Farms - a local organic CSA farm in Park City. Daisy and Lauren from CM taught the children the basics of running an organic garden. We learned about composting, how to care for bees, how to manage a greenhouse, and when to plant certain vegetables. Our tomatoes look nothing like the gorgeous tomatoes we saw in the greenhouse! We have a lot to learn but we are enjoying the process. Thank you to Daisy for her time and the lesson she taught our children. They now have a basic understanding where food comes from and how long it takes to go from seed to mouth!

More Photos Scales and Tails

2009-04-22T18:54:00.000-07:00

Scales and Tails and More...a slimy afternoon

2009-04-22T18:43:00.001-07:00

What could be better than doing homework for a bunch of kids than hanging out with snakes and lizards. A big thanks to Shane at Scales and Tails Utah for putting on an excellent educational show for our kids! The moms were creeped out but the boys and girls loved learning about not only snakes and lizards but other creepies as well....like a giant scorpion that Shane put in his mouth! No thanks. A big hand to those brave souls who handled the animals.

Homework Club Kids Participate in the Science Fair

2009-02-28T19:22:00.000-08:00

A big hug to all of the children who participated in the science fair! These children did such a good job with their projects and posters - it was obvious how hard they all worked. What a fun night we had showing off our work to Dr. Tami and having pizza after practicing. The science fair this year was amazing. We saw projects about fingerprinting and DNA, exercise physiology, what makes the best chocolate chip cookie, where germs are found, growing grass in pony poo vs soil, and which gender has the best sense of smell. What amazing, smart kids we are surrounded by! Thank you parents for putting in the effort. The kids are empowered by it. Looking forward to next year.....

Homework Club Family Attends the 2009 Inauguration

2009-01-25T07:53:00.001-08:00

We started this journey way back one summer day when we stood in the warm Park City sun for a few hours waiting for a visit from a little known Senator from Illinois. We were curious about Senator Obama and felt that it was important to take some time out of a busy day to participate in an informal rally held a the Park City Visitor Center. We also felt that it could be an educational opportunity for our son Andrew, who was 8 at the time. Andrew thought he was on his way to the swimming pool for the day before we made a change in plans.
We had prepared him for the occasion, doing our best to explain who he was about to see and why the Senator was in Park City. We thought we had our basics covered but when he was asked by a reporter from our local paper why he was there his answer was simply " I don't know, my parents made me come"! What an opportunity it was though to share this moment with a small crowd of 1000. The impression was made though and it was lasting. We just did not know how significant it would become.
Close to a year later, a Presidential campaign in full swing, our son not only knew who Barack Obama was but he proudly wore his button on his backpack and watched each debate faithfully with us. This campaign was remarkable, so much so the children in our Homework Club followed it closely and had very strong opinions - for both sides. It was a beautiful time. So, it is only fitting that we made our journey complete by attending our first Presidential Inauguration. With the help of Senator Bennett, a generous family who hosted us in Alexandria, and luck at scoring some affordable airline tickets we travelled to D.C. for five days and celebrated with the rest of the country witnessing history.
The most significant impression we came home with is how much optimism, enthusiasm and hope we felt during our time in D.C. The crowds were overwhelming. We were surrounded by the entire population of Utah in just a few square miles. The unofficial count was 1.8 million on the Mall, several hundred thousand lined up for the parade, and another hundred thousand in hotel rooms and other public venues watching the Inauguration on television. Yet, there was a sense of cooperation and tolerance in spite of the chaos. To my knowledge, there were no arrests or serious protests. It was another beautiful experience that I hope others were able to feel and one that I hope lasts and lasts.What an honor it was to be present and witness it first hand. This was an experience we will never forget it.

Happy Holidays - The Homework Club Spreading Some Holiday Cheer!

2008-12-19T15:50:00.000-08:00

The Neighborhood Homework Club supported the United Way during their Neighbor to Neighbor Response Campaign. Serveral children and their parents collected spare change for one week during the fundraising drive. They were able to make a significant contribution to the UW.
The families of the HW Club also spread some holiday cheer to two families in Park City. We had fun shopping, wrapping, and delivering gifts to our new friends. We sure felt the Christmas spirit as we shared with others.
A little spirit can go a long way.
Happy Holidays

Neighborhood Homework Club For Clean Air

2008-10-12T13:11:00.000-07:00

The families of the NHC launched a "no idle" campaign at Jeremy Ranch Elementary School the last week of September. Thanks to everyone who joined me at school encouraging parents to "turn their key" as they waited in their cars to pick up their children. We used newly created wooden "children" from our friendship fence holding signs to kindly inform parents of this health issue.
Did you know that 50% of air pollution in Utah comes from vehicle exhaust. Air pollution is linked to increased rates of cancer, heart and lung disease. Our children are especially vulnerable because of developing lungs and increased breathing rates. Most people are unaware that more than 10 seconds of idling a car consumes more fuel than restarting the engine. Help spread the word: "Turn Your Key....Be Idle Free!"

NHC Grand Prize Winners of the Dryers Neighborhood Salute Contest!

2008-09-20T17:40:00.000-07:00

We did it! Our essay was chosen as the Grand Prize Winner for the Dryers Neighborhood Salute Contest. Our prize - an ice cream party for 200 of our friends!
A sunny day, live music by the Mollies, balloon creations by DK Balloons, amazing ice cream provided by Dryers and a gathering of good friends. What could be better?

Third Annual Friendship Fence

2008-09-05T14:20:00.000-07:00

The Friendship Fence is up!
Thanks to all of the families who helped create this masterpiece. We have thirty-eight children this year! New to the fence are our canine friends Lily, Daisy, Roxy, Penny and Alfie.

Summer Activities

2008-07-18T18:44:00.000-07:00

What fun this summer has been so far!

The Neighborhood Homework Club made their first appearance in the Park City Independence Parade. We are proud to announce that our group took first prize in the children's category for our effort. Seven families marched with dogs, bikes, golf carts, and wagons. Thanks to all of my families for getting up early that morning and celebrating with us.

Next up is our challenge to our community to take the pledge to reduce bottled water waste!
Did you know Americans send about 38 BILLION water bottles each year to landfills. Now consider this, more than 24 million gallons of oil - enough to fuel 30,000 cars for a year - are required to produce just one billion bottles. The environmental impact of plastic bottle waste is truly staggering.
What can we do as a small group? The children of the NHC have purchased reusable water bottles and have decorated them as a way to bring awareness to this issue. Contact me if you would like a bottle to support our cause. We are selling the bottles at a cost of $5 and will use the funding for this project to educate our children and our community on environmental issues. Bottles will be available at the end of August.

The Third Annual Friendship Fence Day is scheduled for August 24th. We will celebrate the beginning of school and the end of a fantastic summer. The NHC children have all been working on the Homework Club Summer Challenge and will soon be rewarded with a party. This year I expect 50 children will participate in our art project. Contact me if you would like information on how to construct a fence in your neighborhood!

I would like to thank Stacy Swain and all of the HWC families for your support and contribution to my recent XO award. I will be recognized August 29th at the Galivan Center in SLC for the work I (WE) have done with the Homework Club. The XO Awards is a celebration of extraordinary acts of kindness. Each year six persons are recognized for their contribution to their communities. I appreciate all of the support I have received from my community. It truly is a group award. For more information log onto www.xoawards.com. I will be with incredible company!

And last, the NHC was selected as the grand finalist for the Dryers Slow Churned Neighborhood Salute Contest. I submitted an essay on why our neighborhood is special - and we are! Our prize - courtesy of Dryers - is an ice cream party for 100 of our neighbors! The NHC will organize this event and celebrate our community.

Take the Homework Club Summer Challenge

2008-06-22T09:08:00.000-07:00

What are you going to do this summer?
We challenge you to get off the couch, away from the computer and get outside!
Ideas:
-Plant something and nurture it throughout the summer. Share your bounty with someone else - herbs, flowers, vegetables for example
-Identify and press ten plants
-Identify ten species of birds
-Teach someone something about our local ecosystem
-Adopt a trail - pick up trash along your favorite trail
-Visit your farmer's market and learn where our local food comes from
-Hike on a full moon and imagine what it would be like to be a nocturnal animal
-Keep a "Farmer's Almanac" and keep track of the weather for two weeks
-Go fishing
-Spend time watching the clouds go by and describe what you see
-Plan and cook dinner for your parents
-Write a song
-Volunteer in your neighborhood - dog walking, watering, lawn care

Don't forget to exercise:
-Ride your bike three times each week
-Hike with your family each week
-Challenge your dad to 100 push ups each week
-Challeng your mom to 100 sit ups each week
-Swim and run each week

Exercise your mind:
-Read 20 minutes each night
-Keep a journal and practice your writing skills
-Practice your math skills
-Play music
-Create a masterpiece - art, dinner, music, play
-Create a movie
-Play "smart" games with your friends - chess, puzzles

Have a fun summer!

The Homework Club and the Park City Community

2008-05-02T19:22:00.001-07:00

We May Be a Small Group But We Are Mighty!

There is a saying that goes "one determined person can make a significant difference and a small group of determined people can change the course of history". Imagine what an entire community can do.

Traditionally in sociology, a "community" has been defined as a group of interacting people living in a common location. However, the definition of the word "community" has evolved to mean individuals who share characteristics, regardless of their location or degree of interaction.

Our Homework Club has recently experienced the true meaning of community and has added to the list of traditional definitions with "a group of people coming together and supporting a small group of children in their effort to create positive change in their community and beyond". That is what our long time friends, new friends and close neighbors have done for our children in supporting their effort to raise money and awareness in our recent community service project.

We appreciate every individual who helped support our children host the benefit dinner April 27th. From the many generous sponsors who helped underwrite some of the costs of dinner, to those who donated the amazing auction items, and to the many volunteers who came that night with big hearts to help and support our cause.

What a celebration we had. Over two hundred guests came to show their support and validated our effort by their presence. The parents and children who worked so hard those nine weeks now live with a sense of peace and accomplishment.
Thank you Park City.

Congratulations to Our Runners

2008-05-02T08:20:00.000-07:00

Twelve children and twelve adults completed the 5K at the SL Marathon concluding the NHC children's fund raising efforts. The final numbers are in and the children will make a $705 donation to one-revolution foundation. Well done group!

Chris Waddell Speaks about Nametags

2008-05-01T13:07:00.000-07:00

On April 19th, instead of doing homework, our children visited with Park City paralympian Chris Waddell, who made a special appearance at the Neighborhood Homework Club to talk to our group about his new youth program called "Nametags". We took this oppourtunity to have Chris speak to our children about giving people a name tag, a label, without honestly looking at the individual. Our children are at a perfect age to start a conversation with them about how you talk to people within the disabled community and that it is fine for them to stare and ask questions. Starting a dialogue is what is important to understanding, tolerance and ultimately acceptance. All things we need more of in this world.

The children had a chance to share their medals, trophies, ribbons, and accomplishments with Chris who brought along some of his many Olympic medals.

How many of you have held an Olympic medal? I have!

What's Next? Some Fresh Ideas!

2008-04-26T09:20:00.001-07:00

The Neighborhood Homework Club is pleased to announce that we are working with freshbrain.org on some "fresh" ideas!
Check out our link at:

http://www.z9.freshbrain.org

More to come...check back

Catalyst

2008-04-25T16:38:00.000-07:00

Every calendar year when we start planning for the end of school testing, summer activities, and community projects we try to decide on a theme that teaches our kids something important about being a leader, and about being participants in their schools and communities.

This year we have chosen the theme of being a catalyst. One of the classical definitions of a catalyst is; "somebody or something that makes a change happen or brings about an event". Our idea was to plan educational activities and community events that help us to teach our kids that we can create big changes and solve big problems just by being willing to try.

I laugh now because it seemed like such a good idea at the time. Little did we all realize how true that theme would be for this year. A "little" project to have our kids run a 5k to raise money for One-Revolution has turned into a community celebration to raise money and build support for Chris Waddell and his effort to climb Kilimanjaro.

The whole NHC concept is also taking off. We wrote our first grant application to the National Science Foundation. We have budding partnerships to provide curriculum and collaboration that will allow us to launch new homework clubs throughout Utah. Even our little science fair effort yielded 10 science fair winners in our elementary group alone. It seems every time we start something it takes on a life of its own!

One of the great benefits of being a part of this community has been how much the kids teach all of us about how the world really works. When I start to see how being involved, getting good grades, and being prepared in school impacts our kids I start to see how we all are catalysts every day, with each interaction. In every situation we can make a decision to either make somebody's day better or worse by our actions. I feel so lucky that these special kids have opened my eyes to that part of the world. It makes me realize why I am such a hopeless optimist - I get to see the world through the eyes of the most powerful catalysts, our kids - and it gives me hope.

Neighborhood Homework Club Kids to Run 5K in the SLC Marathon

2008-03-27T19:50:00.000-07:00

To Run or Not to Run!
I used to ask that question each day. Now that I have promised to run the half marathon if the NHC kids run a 5K, the issue has been resolved. I will run along with three other parents.
Great news for our fundraising efforts. The entry fees to participate in the SL Marathon will be waived (thank you Devine Family). This will allow us to focus on raising money and run "gratis" for our support of one-revolution foundation. The children are currently looking for sponsors to support them in their effort. They are asking for a contribution of 1$/km.
The big event will take place April 19th. We will be prepared to make a donation to one-revolution at our benefit dinner April 27th. The children are excited about the idea that they can contribute to the climb "on their own"! And they are right. It will be their effort, not ours, who will cross that finish line. They all have their own ideas about why it is important to help out. If you see the children, please ask them about their mission. You will be delighted with their responses.
These children see the world through purity and innocence, optimism and hope. We should try to be more like them!

Neighborhood Homework Club sponsors the robotics team "Super Battle Droids"

2008-03-20T16:46:00.000-07:00

The children from Super Battle Droids, a robotics team of 9 and 10 year old students from Salt Lake and Davis counties, visited the Neighborhood Homework Club to showcase the robot they designed and built as part of their participation in the FIRST LEGO League program. These children have been invited to attend an international competition in Atlanta in April, 2008.
Robotics programs have become very popular around the country and these children demonstrated their enthusiasm for the personal rewards of teamwork and problem solving. For more information please log onto www.firstlegoleague.org

Dr. Tami Goetz meets with future scientists

2008-03-20T16:25:00.000-07:00

Dr. Tami Goetz, the State Science Advisor, was a recent visitor to the Neighborhood Homework Club. The children showed off their science fair projects to Dr. Goetz after a successful science fair showing for the NHC children. Dr. Goetz was a guest speaker at the NHC in February as part of an effort to inspire the children to "think big" with their projects. She followed up with the club members as they were able to show off their posters and awards they received for their hard work.

The Neighborhood Homework Club Participates in the JRES Science Fair

2008-03-05T16:41:00.001-08:00

Congratulations to all of the children who worked so hard on their projects. We are proud of you!
Projects Include:
"Slime Time - a model of an earthworm farm by Amelia J
"Dinoriffic" - an experiment on fossils by Annabel J
"Gum Endurance"- which type of gum lasts the by Kasey J
"Bridge for Pennies" - How many pennies can a single sheet of paper hold by Lane L
"Hand Warmers" - Which name brand hand warmers work the best by Katie T
"Rust" - How different solution react to create rust on metal by Megan T
"Evaporation" - How different solutions evaporate at different rates by Jackie T
"What Common Household Items are Toxic to the Aquatic Environment" - A measurement of toxicity to the freshwater organism D. magna by Andrew R
"Where are the Hidden Germs in our Homes" - Finding germs in our homes by Payton G
"The Solar System" - a model by Christian S
"Morning Glory" - a hot spring model by Emma S
"Who has the dirtiest mouth" - a study of a human's mouth versus a dog's mouth by James S