September 25th Newsletter
Meeting Date: September 20, 2022
Reporter: Don Saracen
Pledge
George Babcock, led us in the pledge
Inspiration
Sharon Garland This year the Fall Begins on this Thursday, September 22.
Because the Fall Equinox is not a fixed day, but is based on an astronomical prediction, the date can change year to year. But it always occurs between September 21 and September 24. Many people, like me, love autumn, others not so much because of the winter season that follows. Here’s several quotes celebrating the season:
- “As long as autumn lasts, I shall not have hands, canvas and colors enough to paint the beautiful things I see.” ~ Vincent van Gogh
- “Autumn… the year’s last, loveliest smile.” ~ William Cullen Bryant
- Finally, “A fallen leaf is nothing more than a summer’s wave goodbye.” Here’s to enjoying the beauty of Autumn!
Announcements
President Steve welcomed members on Zoom and our in-person guest Jonathan Kaufman.
Steve reminded members that our club will be participating with other Rotary clubs in Good Night Lights, flashing lights to sick kids at HASBRO Hospital on Sept. 30
th 6-8:40pm. Details contact Kris
kd7950@gmail.com
On the get well front Cap Willey is feeling better. Margaret Kane is back in the hospital due to a fall.
Don announced new Gala Sponsors:
- Barry & Elaine Fain are Super Bowl Sponsors;
- Partridge Snow and Hahn are Division Champion level, thanks to Anthony Hollingshead who’s vacationing in Rome Italy;
- and Mike & Kathy Kelly are Game Sponsors.
Thank you for your support. In addition, Barry & Elaine are sending out a 100+ mailing to family and friends for sponsorship or donations.
Happy Bucks
- $5 Mary Brewster is looking forward to painting during her upcoming trip to Spain.
- $2 Don for an enjoyable lunch with Cherie and Roberta Segal last week.
- $5 Barry for his trip out to the West Coast to surprise his grandson on his birthday.
- $5 Rob for a successful trigger finger operation.
Speaker
Past President and Literacy Chairman Art Norwalk, made a presentation on behalf of the Jane Babcock Childhood Literacy Initiative, which was recently named in memory of George’s mother, a life long librarian and inspiration to generations of young people. Art thanked George for his vision and leadership over the years. The Literacy Initiative is a carefully planned and generously funded program to help advance literacy among the most at-risk students in Providence.
Art discussed how we are spending our money. The focused goals are to supplement Providence Public Schools’ literacy curriculum with innovative, sustainable methods and materials targeted mainly to at-risk students, to measure and report on the effectiveness of the interventions, and to demonstrate how a small organization like our club can have a meaningful impact on a critical community issue.
Some of our success in the past year includes the adoption of the MyON Reader in all middle schools district-wide use after our initial purchase for the Harry Kizirian School. Middle School students met these accomplishments – 72,446 books accessed, and 23,240 Books completed!
The IRLA Toolkits being used at the Kizirian school have shown improvements in students’ literacy. Its success paved the way for this year’s goal.
The 2022-2023 Plan is to narrow the focus on early grades. To that end, we are building on the successes at Kizirian with new materials, expanding to the George J. West School with proven materials, and instituting a pilot phonics support all K-1.
The Budget Summary
Harry Kizirian School $16,903.32
George J. West School $24,057.60
All K-1 $12,279.50
Sustainability $11,758.98
Total $65,000.00
Art thanked Mary Cullen and Kris David for their continued efforts developing relationships with new district players, a new principle at Kizirian and a new relationship with the George J. West Elementary School.
