Love Your Curls Giveaway #2!

Good Morning!

The winner of our last giveaway has been selected, CONGRATULATIONS DIANNA! 

Now it's time for our next giveaway!!

This is a very simple and fun giveaway, but first you have to head over and LIKE our Facebook Page: Caramel Curlz N Swirls

HERE ARE THE DETAILS

****GIVEAWAY TIME! GIVEAWAY TIME! GIVEAWAY TIME*****

Please read the rules carefully, the name of the participants who submit the correct answer will be added and only one winner will be selected.

RULES:

LIKE this image;
SHARE SHARE SHARE this giveaway; and
COMMENT below with your answer.

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Well ladies and gents, it's that time again for our annual Black History Month.... let's do a Fun Trivia!!

Today's QUESTION is:

Who doesn’t enjoy a fresh scoop of ice cream on a hot day? This gentleman invented the ice cream scoop making it easier for people everywhere to enjoy their favorite treat. He studied at a seminary, worked as carpenter and then became interested in mechanics. He was first black man to receive a patent in Pittsburgh.

Who was he?

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Do you know the answer?  Great... go to our Facebook Page and follow the rules!! 

GOOD LUCK and hurry, this ends TODAY at 11:59 PM (EST)

Our STEAM Project & Georgia Day Parade!

Our STEAM Education Project

 Hello Everyone!

Many of you have asked me what type of school our children attend and why don't they attend the school assigned based on their home address.  

The reason as to why they don't attend their designated school is because we learned very early on that the curriculum was not advanced enough for our son.  In fact, our son was regressing instead of progressing.  Little Billy had attended private school since he was six months old.  Therefore, we decided to look around.  We were recommended to Virginia L. Heard Elementary and their Advanced Learning Specialty Program about three years ago.   Our son was tested during the summer and the rest is history.

WHAT IS AN ADVANCED LEARNING SPECIALTY PROGRAM? 

An Advanced Learning Specialty Program provides elementary school students with an enriched, accelerated curriculum that meets the needs of the advanced learner.  Visual and performing arts are also an important part of this program.  To qualify, all students, first through the fifth grade must meet rigorous entrance requirements.

WHY ATTEND AN ADVANCED LEARNING SPECIALTY PROGRAM?

• STEAM--Students are engaged in lessons where they investigate and incorporate concepts from science,technology, engineering, art and math to become innovative life long learners.
• Students are provided R.A.R.E. (Rigorous, Accelerated, Relevant, and Engaging) learning experiences. Core Knowledge® materials are used as resources to teach students in culturally-based, comprehensive activities. Student-centered lessons allow students to work collaboratively using higher-level thinking skills and problem-solving strategies.  
• Twenty-first century technology is used throughout the school.  Computers are in each classroom, as well as in our state-of-the-art Computer Lab.
• Students in first  through fifth grade are offered the opportunity to take violin on campus before or after the school day.
• Dance classes are offered by the Maxine Patterson School of Dance on the Heard campus.
• Foreign Language is taught in kindergarten through the fifth grade.
• Students take weekly Art classes from a certified Art teacher who frequently supervises student teachers from SCAD on the Heard campus.
• Science Lab, hands-on experimentation and investigation, enhances classroom science instruction as part of the weekly Fine Arts classes at Heard.
• All specialty program teachers are gifted-certified.
• Heard has five teachers who work with students in the Gifted Education Program (GEP).
• GEP Teachers serve all classes through enrichment. Identified gifted  students are specifically served in pull-out classes.
• The GEP Program features competitions in the Stock Market Game, Quiz Bowl,  and  various contests throughout the year.
• There are various student leadership opportunities at Heard: Student Council, National Junior Beta Club, and Safety Patrols.
• Students have an opportunity to participate in after-school enrichment camps held every marking period.
• Heard has a strong school-family-community partnership.  PTA projects offer parents numerous opportunities to participate in both the academic and social events at the school.

I think the information above answers a lot of your questions.  Now, keep in mind that all schools operate at a different level.  Since the cost of a private school is very high, I think this is the next best option.

We are constantly helping the kids with projects.  We have lots of homework that include reading and comprehending as well as Math online. 

Our son's biggest project was his science project which lasted approximately five months, from beginning to end.  

Our daughter was presented with a "February Choice Menu". 

Students had to chose ONE topic to research, it can be someone who has had made an impact on history and can be remembered during Black History Month or a President of our country.  Students also needed to research and write five important facts about their person. They also needed to create a poster or craft that represented their person as well.  

This activity was created to help the students become more familiar with the engineering design process as Heard is on its way to becoming a STEAM School.   As parents, we were instructed to talk with our children about the five steps of the engineering design process: 

• Ask;
• Imagine;
• Plan;
• Create; and
• Improve

Ms. Bree chose to do her project on "Harriet Tubman".  I truly believe in letting my children express themselves and I push them to try to make their own decisions.   Our sweet daughter has no problem in that area.

She knew from the very beginning who she wanted to talk about.  Of course, I still asked the question: "But do you even know who Harriet Tubman is ma petite?"- her response was simple, closing her eyes and pressing her little fist to her forehead she said "of course I know, she was the brown girl who was a teacher, she conducted the underground railroad and help lots of people to be free". 

Now, let me say this.  You think you remember everything you studied in your younger years, but no, you don't, at least I don't. 

My job was to help her do research, I found all of the first grade level biographies I could find.  We read them together and we learned so much about Harriet Tubman.  It was an eye opening experience.  Sad at times but she was a very brave, strong and determined individual.

Below you will see a few other projects from Bree's classmates. 

GEORGIA DAY PARADE

As part of the annual commemoration of the founding of the Georgia colony of February 12, 1733 by James Edward Oglethorpe.  All students, musicians, local dignitaries, and costumed historical figures march through Savannah’s historic squares during this beloved annual event.  The parade usually starts at 10:30 in the morning and the kids end at the park to enjoy some sun and a fun filled picnic before returning to school. 

Not everybody is required to dress up but, what kid doesn't like to dress up right?  Well, unfortunately, our son was sick and was not able to be part of the parade but Ms. Bree did and she was in the good company of her "BFF", Ms. Madi.

WATCH THE LOCAL VIDEO HERE: 

Watch-live-2016-Georgia-Day-Parade

Black History Month: Fighting Quietly

By Bill Cunnigham

Hello Readers:

 

In the wake of Black History Month, it is not only important that we discuss the prominent African Americans but also the “unknown’ African Americans that have helped paved the way for others to succeed today, like Retired Lieutenant John White who was one of the first black Police Officers on the Savannah Police Department. 

By caring that heavy burden of being one of the first African Americans, Lieutenant John White, who was one of the “First Nine Black Officers” to be employed by the Savannah Police Department in 1947.  HIS ACT AND STRUGGLES paved the way for so many other blacks both male and female.

 During an interview in February 17, 2010, with Savannah Morning News, “Lt. White reflected on his days patrolling a city where the color of one’s skin dictated what level of justice one would apply”.

(photo by Savannah Morning News)

In Atlanta, Georgia, Claude Dixon, one of the first eight black police officers appointed to serve in 1948 said, “When we took our oath, all of us had to stand up there and say, -“I do solemnly swear as nigger policemen that I will uphold the segregation laws of the City of Atlanta.”

(photo by unknown)

Said statement was countered by Former Police Chief Herbert Jenkins of Atlanta, who stated the following: “Black police officers were not required to take an oath any different from that of the white officers”. 

However, did you know that black police officers throughout the country were not allowed to arrest white no matter what crime thy committed?  The officers had to hold the white criminal until a white officer arrived to make the arrest. This continued until the 1960s.  Savannah is one of the oldest black community and through the hardships of slavery, “Jim Crow Laws” and the fight for civil rights, “colored people” as they referred as at that time, founded their own churches, schools and communities in the City of Savannah. 

As I mentioned above, Lt. White is one of the original nine officers hired by the Savannah Georgia Police department, and is now the last surviving member of the “Original Nine” who still resides in the City of Savannah.  I’ve had the pleasure of meeting him and the opportunity to talk with him about his experiences on the Police Department   Lt. White explained to me that when he was hired, he was trained in secret, once the training was completed and he was sworn, it was stipulated that the black officers were forbidden to arrest any white criminals. 

He further explained the hardships he encountered as a black officer in this city during the 1950s.  He recalled the fact that all white officers had patrol vehicles while the black officers had to walk even during the cold winter. 

Lt. White shared with me a particular experience when two white police officers had to give him a ride to headquarters and once he was out of the vehicle, the vehicle was taken to have the inside of it cleaned out because he had been in it.  The gut wrenching feeling he experienced at that particular moment cannot be described, He said, these were officers he knew, officers he worked with and smiled at him, laughed and joked with him but felt he was dirty and not fit to sit in back of their patrol car, merely because of the color of his skin.

(photo by Savannah Morning News)

In spite of everything, Lt. White remained strong, continuously fought battles of discrimination and racism.  During the Civil Rights Movement, he often found himself arresting the very people who were fighting for the civil rights of every African American to include him.  As he explained to me, it was one of the hardest things he had to do, but he also realized that it was his job to treat those protesters with the up most respect and kindness. 

His retirement brought on commendations from Senators and President Ronald Reagan in 1984. When SGT. White retired he was promoted to from Sergeant to Lieutenant. 

Is it better now in law enforcement because of Lt. White’s actions?  YES, it sure is, but there is still much work to be done to eradicate the stench of discrimination that has pledged our country and continues to diminish the quality of life and even end the life of so many good people, like the young Trayvon Martin, who could have been a future doctor with the cure for cancer, another black president, or another astronaut. (the key word here is ANOTHER)

With the election of our first black President, we have seen the resurrection of racial hate groups to indicate that racism is far from dead.  However, there are plenty of African Americans who have achieved because of their hard work, dedication, determination and their willingness to never back down and fight the fight. 

Whenever I talk to my seven year old son and my five year old daughter about the contributions of their people, I cannot only mention the famous and most celebrated African Americans but I also the ones who are not so famous like Lt. John White or my wife’s mentor and friend, Judge Tammy Cox Stokes, who was the first African American Woman to be appointed as Recorder’s Court Judge in Chatham County.

We take our hat off, bow our heads and have a minute of silence in to remember those famous activists that pave the way for future African Americans but let us not forget those that suffered alone in silence. Those who were not cheered for by the thousands but who paid the price, sometimes with their life, so their children and grandchildren could have a better life.  So If you are blessed with someone like Lt. White in your community, which there are at least one in every community, take the time to honor them in your local paper, radio, and/or T.V. but most of all honor them with your work and when you see them, tell them thank you for a Job well down.  

"The Original Nine: Pioneers of Law Enforcement"

Lt John White;Retired Officer Alexander Bryant, Jr.;
Howard Davis;
Milton Hall;
Stepney Houston;
Frank Mullino;
James Nealey;
Leroy Wilson.