New Initiative 

Recently, President Obama unveiled a bold, new initiative called ConnectED to connect 99 percent of America’s students to the internet through high-speed broadband  and high-speed wireless within 5 years.

Internet Connectivity

The President also directed the federal government to  make better use of existing funds to get Internet connectivity and educational technology into classrooms, and into the hands of teachers trained on its advantages.

Living In A Digital Age

“We are living in a digital age, and to help our students get ahead, we must make sure they have access to cutting-edge technology,” President Obama said. “So today, I’m issuing a new challenge for America – one that families, businesses, school districts and the federal government can rally around together – to connect virtually every student in America’s classrooms to high-speed broadband internet within five years, and equip them with the tools  to make the most of it.”

Skills They Need

Preparing America’s students with the skills they need to get good jobs and compete with countries around the world will rely increasingly on interactive, individualized learning experiences driven by new technology. But today, millions of students lack high-speed broadband access and fewer than 20 percent of educators say their school’s Internet connection meets their teaching needs. ConnectED will bring high-speed Internet within their reach, with a particular benefit for rural communities that have lagged behind in connectivity.

Private Sector

In addition to connecting America’s students, ConnectED harnesses the ingenuity of the American private sector get new technologies into students’ hands and support digital learning content.

Support Educators

ConnectED also better invests existing federal funds to ensure that every educator in America receives support  and training in using education technology tools to improve student learning.

Increase Broadband

The ambitious new vision for digital, connected learning builds on work the Administration has done over the past four years to increase broadband access across the country.

Cordially,
Woody Woodchuck
“Words of wisdom from the Prairie Dog”

Prairie Dogs Access The Internet

For more details on the ConnectED initiative, click on: http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact

We Love To Garden

We love kids, and we love to garden. On that – excuse the expression – common ground, we’ve organized . It’s for growing sprouts, and the ones who love to teach them with
the endless lessons of a garden!

Lesson Plans

If you subscribe, you will receive one youth gardening lesson plan per week via email. Of course, you can come to this website any time and get other ideas. Whatever it takes to get kids gardening, we’re all for! And it’s all free.

The Purpose

The purpose is to serve the organizers of youth gardens associated with schools, after-school programs, youth-serving organizations, neighborhood associations, churches, ministries, community gardens – anywhere there are children and youth interested in gardening, and at least one gardener willing to lead.

For more information please download the following webpage:
www.KidsGardenClub.org

Cordially,
Woody Woodchuck
“Words of wisdom from the Prairie Dog”

Prairie Dogs Join Kids Garden Club

Parents Can Choose

The No Child Left Behind Act provides new education options for many families. This federal law allows parents to choose other public schools or take advantage of free tutoring if their child attends a school that needs improvement.

Another Public School

Also, parents can choose another public school if the school their child attends is unsafe. The law also supports the growth of more independent charter schools, funds some services for children in private schools, and provides certain protections for homeschooling parents.

Help Parents Make Choices

Finally, it requires that states and local school districts provide information to help parents make informed educational choices for their child.

 More information 

More information on No Child Left Behind, including the Act and policy, and the Obama Administration’s blueprint for reauthorizing the Elementary and Secondary Education Act can be found by “clicking” on the following webpage: http://www2.ed.gov/nclb/landing.jhtml

Cordially,
Woody Woodchuck
“Words of wisdom from the Prairie Dog”

Groundhog Helps Parents Make Decisions

Hosted By A Consortium

In January 2010, the website “ipl2: information you can trust” was launched, merging the collections of resources from the Internet Public Library (IPL) and the Librarians’ Internet Index (LII) websites. The site is hosted by Drexel University’s College of Information Science & Technology, and a consortium of colleges and universities with programs in information science are involved in developing and maintaining the ipl2.

Public Service Environment

ipl2 is a public service organization and a learning/teaching environment. To date, thousands of students and volunteer library and information science professionals have been involved in answering reference questions for our Ask an ipl2 Librarian service and in designing, building, creating and maintaining the ipl2’s collections. It is through the efforts of these students and volunteers that the ipl2 continues to thrive to this day.

We Value Your Input

Need an answer to a question that is NOT about the ipl2 site? Use our Ask an ipl2 Librarian form to reach our team of volunteer librarians. (If you’re under 13 years-old, please see the For Kids Ask an ipl2 Librarian form.)

Cordially,
Woody Woodchuck
“Words of wisdom from the Prairie Dog”

Prairie Dog Accessing The Information
You Can Trust

Someone Cares

Grants To Cities And Tribal Communities

As part of Attorney General Holder’s Defending Childhood Initiative, grants to eight cities and tribal communities have been awarded. These grants are aimed at developing strategic plans for comprehensive, community-based anti-violence efforts, including anti-bullying programs. In Boston, Massachusetts, for example, they’re supporting work to implement state-wide school bullying intervention and prevention legislation. In Grand Forks, North Dakota, they’re funding efforts to expand restorative justice services for youth involved with bullying. And in Portland, Maine, they’re helping to train teachers and other school staff in bullying prevention strategies.

A Message From Attorney General Eric Holder

Since the launch of the Defending Childhood Initiative in 2010 the Justice Department has been working with leading researchers to take an in-depth look at the problem of children exposed to violence. What they  have learned has been a wake-up call, and warning bell, for all of us. They found that the majority of our kids have been exposed to crime, abuse, and violence — many in their own homes.  And both direct and indirect exposure to violence is having a profound negative impact on the mental and emotional development of young people across the country.

Engagement With Youth Is Essential 

Local, state, and regional child-serving initiatives and agencies should be directed to involve youth as leaders, planners, problem solvers, and communicators and be given the support they need to do this. Engagement with youth is essential in order to develop effective solutions to the complex problems leading to and resulting from children’s exposure to violence

What Parents Can Do

The best way to help children is to make sure that they feel safe (for example, creating a predictable environment, encouraging them to express their feelings by listening and hearing their stories) and ensuring that they know that the violence they witnessed or experienced was not their fault.

Ways Parents Can Help

Remaining calm and reinforcing a stable and safe environment;
Keeping a regular schedule or routine for meals, quiet time, playtime, and bedtime;
Helping children prepare for changes and new experiences;
Spending more time together as a family;
Being patient and letting children identify and express feelings; and
Providing extra attention, comfort, and encouragement.

Big Brothers Big Sisters

It’s a big step for your little one, but you might find the enrollment in Big Brothers Big Sisters will give them a chance to see their unlimited potential and develop into even more responsible, successful, well-rounded individuals. To get started, contact the National Office listed below:

Big Brothers Big Sisters National Office

450 E. John Carpenter Freeway, Suite 100
Irving, TX 75062
(469) 351-3100- phone

Cordially,
Woody Woodchuck
“Words of wisdom from the Prairie Dog

Involve Youth Prairie Dogs As Leaders

Bullying Defined

Bullying is unwanted, aggressive behavior among school aged children that involves a real or perceived power imbalance. The behavior is repeated, or has the potential to be repeated, over time. Both kids who are bullied and who bully others may have serious, lasting problems.

Aggressive Behavior

In order to be considered bullying, the behavior must be aggressive and include an Imbalance of Power. Kids who bully use their power—such as physical strength, access to embarrassing information, or popularity—to control or harm others. Power imbalances can change over time and in different situations, even if they involve the same people and  happen more than once or have the potential to happen more than once.

Bullying Includes Various Actions

Bullying includes actions such as making threats, spreading rumors, attacking someone physically or verbally, and excluding someone from a group on purpose.

Working in the Community

When the power of a community is brought together, bullying can be prevented, Community-wide strategies can help identify and support children who are bullied, redirect the behavior of children who bully, and change the attitudes of adults and youth who tolerate bullying behaviors in peer groups, schools, and communities.

Cordially,
Woody Woodchuck
“Words of wisdom from the Prairie Dog”

Groundhog Bullying

You are encouraged to access the U.S. Government information “one-stop”  link on bullying topics. We believe that you will find the material an excellent resource: StopBullying.gov

Met With Youth And Adult Leaders

Recently, at the 2012 National Inter-tribal Youth Summit, Acting Assistant Attorney General of the Office of Justice Programs, Mary Lou Leary, met with more than 200 American Indian and Alaska Native youth and adult leaders from 53 tribal communities across the country.

Held At 4-H Conference Center

The conference ran through  August  2^nd  at the 4-H Conference Center in Chevy Chase, Maryland, and at various locations in Washington, D.C.  “I was inspired by the enthusiasm of these remarkable young people who are so strongly invested in the future of their communities, and so eager to help bring about positive change” she stated.

Critical Indian Country Issues Discussed By Teens

During the summit, the teens discussed the critical issues facing them in Indian Country.  The participants had a chance to develop their leadership skills and engage in interactive discussions with tribal elders and leaders, youth advocates, and field experts on cultural values and community-based solutions to these pressing issues.  They talked about their concerns with officials from Congress and the White House, and from the Departments of Justice, Interior, Health and Human Services and Education.

Respond To Requests From Tribal Leaders

The Justice Department launched the Youth Summit initiative to promote long-term improvement in public safety in tribal communities.  The Department was responding to requests from tribal leaders for the development of culturally appropriate prevention, treatment and reentry programs for tribal youth and families.  The Summit provided an important opportunity for the Department to ask the young people themselves how they perceive the problems and what they recommend in formulating solutions.

Hear Directly From Youth Representatives

As Acting Associate Attorney General Tony West said at the opening ceremony: “This summit is an opportunity for those of us in Washington to hear directly from youth as representatives of their tribe. The choices that young leaders make will help define the future of their tribal nations.  Working together, we can develop solutions to the challenges that they, their families, and their peers face each day.”

Creating Positive Change

The 4-H program is the nation’s largest youth development and empowerment organization, reaching more than 7 million  4-H  youth in urban and  neighborhoods, suburban school yards, and rural farming communities. Fueled by University-backed curriculum, 4-H’ers engage in hands-on learning activities in the areas of science, healthy living, and food security.

Cordially,
Woody Woodchuck
“Words of wisdom from the Prairie Dog”

Prairie Dogs Watch  Representative  From Sicangu Lakota Tribe, 

Singing The National Anthem In Her Native Language

Lorna HerManyHorses, from the Sicangu Lakota Tribe, opens the morning session by singing the National Anthem in her native language. More than 200 American Indian and Alaska Native youth and adult leaders from 53 tribal communities across the country attended the event.                                                   Photo Credit: Lonnie Tague for the Department of Justice

Species Of The Squirrel Family

Otherwise known as a woodchuck, the groundhog is one of fourteen species of the squirrel family, marmots, and prairie dogs. On February 2nd, millions of groundhogs will come out of their burrows and, if they see their shadow, the myth of six more weeks bad winter weather will continue.

Myth Came From A Pagan Celebration

As  mentioned, in The Life and Times of  Woody Woodchuck – Words of  wisdom from the Prairie Dog  HISTORY, Groundhog Day myth came from a pagan celebration known as Candlemas Day. It is thought to be where weather predicting began and on a sunny Candlemas Day, if the groundhog sees its shadow, there will be six more weeks of bad winter weather. When the belief of this European tradition migrated with German immigrants to America in the 18th century, a different folklore merged, and now people all over the world have made note of Groundhog Day.

Many Organizations Join Groundhog Day

Since the established in 1887 of that unique Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania Groundhog Day Club, where  thousands of members, merchants, and enthusiasts gather to see if “Punxsutawney Phil” will see his shadow or not, there have been concerted efforts in popularizing and commercializing Groundhog Day. Today, many special events and festivities are honored by schools, media, municipalities, and civic organizations such as:  the University of Dallas, the National Geographic Kids, and The Prairie Dog Coalition, who recently integrated their website with The Humane Society of the United States. 

Popularity Continues To Grow in Canada

Groundhog Day popularity continues to grow in Canada and the event has attracted much media attention. Each year, the town of Wiarton, Bruce County, Ontario, has its own celebration of Groundhog, “Wiarton Willie”, which it shares with locals, fans, news reporters, and the nation.  Early in the morning on February 2nd,  they all come out to “hear Willie’s prediction” . Other events at the festival include: dances, contests,  parades, and pancake breakfasts.

University of Dallas Alumni Event

One of the  largest celebration of the groundhog in the United States, outside of Punxsutawney, is at the University of Dallas.  Tradition  has sparked imaginations and even pride in the fact that UD host an event that consists of a proclamation involving the school President, a groundhog sighting on the mall, sporting activities, and a celebration at Groundhog Park for students, faculty, staff, friends, and alumni.  This year they will celebrate the return of the Groundhog Tour, mini-bonfires, food, live bands, and something for everyone.

Cordially,

Woody Woodchuck
“Words of wisdom from the Prairie Dog”                                        

February 2nd Is Groundhog Day!

A Groundhog Finds Its Shadow
 

Public Library

The establishment of a public library involves creating an authorized and governing structure, building a collection of books, and securing reliable funding sources.  Most public libraries are small, serving a limited population , and are in response to specific local burrow needs.

Main Task Of Library

The main task of a library is to provide the burrow public with access to books and periodicals. The American Library Association (ALA), addresses this role of libraries as part of “access to information” and “equity of access”; part of the commitment that “no groundhog should be denied because they have no access to information in any of its various formats, or cannot afford the cost of a book or periodical.”

Need Appropriate Library Card

Libraries typically offer access to many books, the majority of which are available for borrowing by any groundhog with the appropriate library card. A library’s selection of books is called its collection, and usually includes a range of popular fiction, classics, nonfiction, reference works, and subscriptions to popular newspapers and magazines.

Reading Rooms

Most libraries offer quiet space for reading, known as reading rooms. Groundhog borrowers may also take books home, as long as they return them at a certain time and in good condition. If a borrowed book is returned late, the library may charge a small library fine.  Specifically designed programs  such as: computer internet access websites, on-line educational games, digitized periodicals, and  e-books are becoming very  popular for younger groundhog users. 

Services For Other Groups

Services may be provided for other groups, such as: large print, Braille, American Sign Language books on tape, and materials in foreign languages. Part of the library mission has become helping bridge the digital divide, and almost all public libraries now offer computer lab training for users who otherwise would not be able to connect to these services.

Classroom And Meeting Space

Public libraries have a long history of functioning as community centers with spaces for reading, study, and  public meetings. In 1898, Andrew Carnegie, a prominent library philanthropist, built a library in Homestead, Pennsylvania, not  far from where the Delaware Indian nation considered my woodchuck family honorable. It had an indoor swimming pool, basketball courts, athletic facilities, a music hall, and numerous meeting rooms for local organizations. It sponsored a highly successful semi-pro football and baseball teams. Even before the development of the modern public library, subscription libraries were often used as clubs or gathering places; they served as much for social gossip and the meeting of friends as a Starbucks does today.

Summer  Reading Programs 

One of the most popular groundhog programs offered by public libraries is “summer reading” for children, families, and adults. Summer reading usually includes a list of books to read during summer holidays, as well as performances, or celebrations of reading, culture and humanities.

Cordially,
Woody Woodchuck
“Words of wisdom from the Prairie Dog”

Groundhogs Waiting For The Public Library To Open