Monday, August 29^th

A Boot Camp for Hard–Core Jobless

Government–funded STRIVE program in 19 US cities helps dropouts, ex–offenders and other unemployed find jobs. A big push in the program: changing attitudes of the jobless.

Victor Green listened to classmates at the STRIVE job training center in East Harlem share stories of maxed–out credit cards and unbalanced check–books, until finally he couldn't contain himself.

"To me, it just sounds like you're all complaining," Mr. Green, a 20–year–old Bronx native, said to his peers, many nearly twice his age. "If you're in the red, it's because you did something wrong."

What happened next might seem odd to outsiders but not to those familiar with STRIVE and its motto, "Where Attitude Counts": The students agreed with Green.

"I understand what he's saying," called out Ayesha Brinson. "It's being responsible for your own actions." Read More

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Luring Chicago Dropouts Back to School, One Doorstep at a Time

To get an idea of how many dropouts are in Chicago, imagine for a minute you're at Soldier Field. The stadium is packed. There are 60,000 people here. That's how many dropouts this city has.

The dropouts range from 13 to 21 years old, kids who have no high school diploma and are not in school–they would fill up this stadium. Every seat.

Now, for the first time, Chicago is pledging to go after them.

Leonetta Sanders is not actually looking for dropouts. The district doesn't do that yet. But it could learn a lot from the way the Harper High School principal goes after her truant students. Read More

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Back to School: Simple tips for Parents

Shifting into school mode can be difficult for any child, especially after a long summer of fun. Consider the following tips when helping your child make the inevitable transition:

Planning and Time Management
Children often struggle with planning and time management. They may find it difficult to think ahead to plan a project, or they may not schedule enough time to get everything done. They may forget to write down homework assignments. Read More

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Schools Offering Rewards to Keep Students in Class

Laptops, iPods among lures used to combat absenteeism

Students who go to class every day may get more than just an education.

To combat truancy, many school districts are offering iPods, laptops and even cars in exchange for perfect attendance.

The Camden, N.J., school system will pay some students $100 if they sign a pledge promising not to skip school and attend workshops on conflict resolution and other topics. The program is funded through a state grant, and the money must be spent by Sept. 30.

California's Santa Ana Unified School District partners with a local auto dealership and holds a car raffle at the end of every academic term. Students who made it to every class for the 180–day school year are eligible to win. Read More

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At Camp Harbor View, Kids Get A Chance To Be Kids

Youth violence prevention advocates say ages 11 to 14 are critical, a time when life–altering decisions are made. Boston Mayor Thomas Menino calls them "tweenies" – too old for programs at city community centers, too young for the city's summer jobs for teens programs.

One Boston Harbor camp has been a safe, nurturing haven for 1,000 of these "tweenies" this summer.

From Boston To The Harbor
At not yet 8 a.m., the kids gather outside the Boys & Girls Club on Talbot Avenue at Blue Hill Avenue in Dorchester.

Eleven–year–old Raven Heath was dropped off by her mom, Acia Adams Heath, who said it's important to keep Raven busy. Read More

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