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November 2021 

Dear Friends of Ready Ready,

For many Americans, November is about gratitude, celebration, and memories. The five-day festival of Diwali begins on November 4. Diwali coincides with the Hindu New Year, celebrating both new beginnings and light over darkness. 

We observe Veterans Day on November 11, honoring men and women who have served in the U.S. military. The holiday arose out of a memorial day honoring those killed in World War I on the anniversary of the war’s end and now becomes a way for us to thank and honor all veterans who have served our country.

Two weeks later, we celebrate Thanksgiving. There can be conflicting emotions around this holiday. It’s been observed in America since the 1700s when George Washington declared November 26 a day of public thanksgiving and prayer and became a federal holiday in 1941. In the 1970s, Indigenous peoples began bringing awareness to the issues of racism and oppression of Native Americans that clash with the history lessons around Pilgrims and Indians celebrating a meal together after a successful harvest. November is also Native American Heritage Month. Read on in our newsletter for more information on how you can observe this month with your family.

New traditions are arising, such as Friendsgiving -- a meal with friends before or on Thanksgiving -- or efforts to decolonize the holiday by focusing on gratitude and celebrating culture, not the history book retelling. Some families spend their holidays at churches or shelters, offering meals to people who suffer from food insecurity. 

More problematically, this year, nearly every ingredient in the celebration dinner will cost more. According to the New York Times, Thanksgiving 2021 could be the most expensive meal in the history of the holiday. Some blame falls on the supply chain, where retailers are already warning holiday shoppers to make purchases in advance. Another way around the shipping issue is to support local businesses in Guilford County on Small Business Saturday, November 27.

As November ends, Hanukkah begins at sunset on November 28. Guilford County’s Jewish community dates back to as early as 1853. Also known as the Festival of Lights, the holiday represents joy. More ways to celebrate and lists of books to share with your children are featured in this month’s newsletter.

With our diverse cultures in Guilford County, we all have much to celebrate and remember this month. From the staff at Ready Ready, we are grateful for your dedication and support of our mission to support Guilford County’s youngest children and their families. Let us be lights in the darkness together and remember to share our joys as well as our challenges.

Sincerely,


Charrise Hart
CEO

Equity Statement

Ready for School, Ready for Life (Ready Ready) promotes equity, justice, diversity, and inclusion, which are woven through our mission, values, and principles. We stand against racism in all of its forms. Ready Ready will work with our community to address the structural inequities that drive disparate child and family outcomes and work towards an environment where equity, justice, diversity, and inclusion are core values. When we are working to address these structural inequities, Ready Ready will be bold in our actions.

When Guilford County Black and Indigenous children and families of color (BIPOC) feel welcomed, heard, respected, safe, supported, and valued, all of our community and our society benefit.

Family Voices

Celebrating gratitude

We asked members of the Guilford County Parent Leader Network their thoughts about gratitude this month.

Community Clean Up

Inspired by professional development gained through Community Organizing and Family Issues (COFI) Phase 1 and Phase 2 training, Guilford Parent Leadership Network member Eugene Penn led a community clean-up event. Penn’s event was held in Park Terrace in early October and featured a clean-up and food, prizes, and fun activities for families. 

“I feel the impact of COFI training provided Eugene the skills and drive to coordinate this event and partner with other agencies to provide educational and child care services,” said GPLN member April Butler. “I enjoyed watching the children be led by a community male and see the joy he brought to the young children, especially the boys, to be active in their community.”

“I just want to give a big kudos and thank you to everybody who came out to the event,” Penn said. The event offered information about rental assistance, food pantries, utilities, and child care. “I can’t wait for the next one.”

“Eugene saw a need in his community and took action,” GPLN member Amber Robinson said. “The kids in attendance enjoyed helping to set up, cleaning up trash around the community with vests and grabbers, competing in jump rope, and receiving information books to take home. COFI alumni were there to staff the sign-in table, greet community members with a smile, explain what was going on, get info about concerns in the community and lead a big group session of Simon Says. It was a great time had by all.”

Join our parent leaders

Would you like to join the GPLN? Meetings are held on the third Monday of the month from 7-8:30 p.m. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, these meetings are being held via Zoom. When meetings resume in person, child care is provided to alleviate barriers to participation. 

For more information, please contact Heather Adams, Director of Engagement and Literacy Initiatives, at (336) 579-2977 ext. 2004 or heathera@getreadyguilford.org.

Celebrate Diwali

Diwali is celebrated by more than a billion people of many faiths all over the world. It is a special time of year for Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, and some Buddhists. There are many ways families can celebrate together from November 4-9.

National Native American Heritage Month

November is National Native American Heritage Month -- a time to recognize the contributions and achievements of Native American people while celebrating their vibrant cultures. North Carolina is home to eight tribes and four urban Native American organizations. The Guilford Native American Association (GNAA)  is the oldest American Indian urban association in North Carolina and one of the oldest organizations of its kind in the United States.

Ways you can celebrate:

The UNC American Indian Center has more information on events, education, and other resources.

The Basics Guilford: Talk, Sing, and Point

To a newborn baby, speech is just sound. Then, day by day, they learn that the sounds have meaning. This process depends on how much people talk to them. Every time you talk, sing or point to what you are talking about, you provide clues to the meaning of what you are saying. You are providing important information to their brains about how language works. By talking with them, you will also get to know the fascinating person they are becoming.

Tips for infants:

  • Use real words. The more words your baby hears, the larger their vocabulary will grow. Think of words as nourishment for your baby’s brain.

  • Use any language. It doesn’t matter what language you speak with your infant. All languages are equally beneficial.

  • Point to objects and name them. If it’s safe, move the items closer so your baby can examine them. 

Tips for toddlers:

  • Sing and recite. Sing songs and recite nursery rhymes. 

  • Follow their fingers. Young toddlers communicate with gestures, especially pointing. Label and talk about the things they point to.

  • Photo play. Sit with your child and look at photos of family members, friends, or pets. You might have pictures on your phone, in frames, or albums. Talk about what you see in the photographs and share details or memories.

Want more tips? Got 30 seconds? Watch this video.
The Basics are five fun, science-based parenting and caregiving concepts that anyone can do. Learn more about them at www.guilfordbasics.org.

Interactive Learning Center opens

Ready for School, Ready for Life (Ready Ready) partnered with the Housing Authority of the City of High Point (HPHA) to provide early childhood development resources to its residents. The Interactive Learning Center at J.C. Morgan Community Center officially opened on Tuesday, October 26, 2021, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

The Interactive Learning Center within the HPHA’s J.C. Morgan public housing community offers information on The Basics Guilford for parents and caregivers.
Take a look at how the rooms changed from office space to family resource rooms.

Would you like to be trained in The Basics?

As we share information about the Basics across Guilford County, we need your help. We’re offering virtual training on the Basics for teams of three or more people at organizations that interact with young children. Each session lasts 30-45 minutes. To schedule a training session or learn more about Ready Ready and the Basics Guilford, please contact Literacy Coordinator Megan LeFaivre at meganl@getreadyguilford.org.

We have trained more than 550 Guilford County residents so far this year.

Partner Spotlight: Housing Authority of the City of High Point

The Housing Authority of the City of High Point’s (HPHA) mission is to provide affordable housing to low-income to moderate-income families. What you may not know is that the organization also offers housing counseling services to the public. These services include financial budgeting, preparing for a home purchase, and financial literacy. HPHA also provides post-purchase education to home buyers and courses in credit counseling, rental education, and more.

 It’s a mission CEO Angela McGill takes to heart.

 “I grew up in public housing in High Point in what was formerly Clara Cox Homes,” McGill said. “In one of the units, we had a Head Start program which I participated in. I believe the early education Head Start provides sets a foundation for academic growth.”

 McGill left High Point for a stint in the U.S. Army before earning her B.S. and MBA degrees from High Point University. She began her career with HPHA in 2003, and in 2010 became the first female to head the agency since its formation in 1940.

 “There’s nothing more exciting than being able to go back to the community which impacts you the most,” McGill said. “Because living in public housing can come with stereotypes and stigmas, it’s incredibly important to have the academic resources to set the foundation for children. Having resources for parents also helps them understand child development and encourage their children to thrive. That’s why our partnership with Ready for School, Ready for Life has been so beneficial.”

 The HPHA and Ready for School, Ready for Life (Ready Ready) have teamed up to provide early childhood resources to community members by way of the Interactive Learning Center located at the J.C. Morgan Community Center. Two rooms have been transformed for families with young children themed around The Basics Guilford.

Read the full story on our website.

Read the full Partner Spotlight story

Celebrate the school staff who help your children

National Education Support Professionals (ESP) day is November 14, 2021. According to the National Education Association, more than a half-million ESPs take care of our children and ensure they have everything they need to succeed in school and class. These staff members are employed in clerical services, custodial or maintenance, food service, health and student service, paraeducators, security, technical services, and transportation.

According to the organization’s survey, more than half of K-12 ESPs have an associate’s or more advanced degree. Two-thirds of them have given money out of their own pockets to help students with school supplies, field trips, and class projects.

Teaching young children about Hanukkah

Hanukkah is the Jewish Festival of Lights and this year it begins on November 28. The word Hanukkah means rededication and the holiday celebrates the victory of those trying to keep their faith despite a powerful enemy. This eight-night festival offers many opportunities to share memories and make new ones. Here are a few resources for you.

November is National Diabetes Month

According to the American Diabetes Association, one in five people with diabetes isn’t aware they’re living with the disease. Since diabetes disproportionately affects Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) communities, it’s essential to bring awareness. Diabetes is a group of metabolic disorders that cause your blood sugar level to be higher than it should, affecting your body’s ability to use the energy that comes from food.

There are several types of diabetes. Type 1 is an autoimmune disorder that usually begins before adulthood. The immune system destroys cells that make insulin, which regulates blood sugar.  Type 2 is a disease that starts in middle age and interferes with the body’s ability to use insulin to regulate blood sugar. Gestational diabetes occurs during pregnancy and affects the body’s ability to use insulin properly. 

You can learn more about Diabetes Awareness Month at Everyday Health.
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