Education Community Impact Council Update

On Tuesday, November 11, the Education Council had its second meeting.  Attendees talked about existing efforts in the education field working towards helping children and youth achieve their potential, and how they can help move the community-level indicators to align with the impact council’s goals. In addition, what metrics to be used was discussed, so there will be a better understanding about what data would be needed to understand the effects the committee is having on the community-level indicators.  Overall, good discussion was had, with a sense of accomplishment and moving forward.  The council is looking forward to its next meeting in December.

~submitted by Heather Palermo, MSU College of Technology, UWCC board member and education community impact council member

Education Community Impact Update

Last week, the Education Community Impact Council met for the first time. The community impact councils are small groups of influential people in the field. So, for the education council, there were representatives from early education, the public schools, Indian education, higher education, and youth services. The group talked about many topics, but the main focus was looking at indicators in education and how to measure them. Currently, there is a lot of data out there. It is just a matter of putting it all together. The group was very enthusiastic and willing to meet in about a month to continue the discussion. The council members were asked to think about the current local efforts and how these efforts are working to achieve positive change in Education. This is just a first step by United Way to help facilitate change in Education to help improve the lives of everyone in Great Falls. Soon this conversation will continue, so watch for more updates.

Submitted by Heather Palermo, MSU Great Falls College of Technology and United Way board member

Investing in Education

Reading a friend’s blog today, I couldn’t help but reflect on how President Obama’s goal to make the US the worldwide leader in college degrees by the year 2020 seems to perfectly align with what United Ways across the country are doing in terms of Education. By ensuring that kids are ready to achieve in school by time they enroll, focusing on and celebrating academic achievement, and encouraging them in their transition to higher education or work upon graduation, we’re essentially all working towards the same thing, which is a better-educated workforce and greater quality of life for all (which, in turn, leads to more stable incomes for local working families, who then can afford things like healthcare and healthy food options…).  Education, Income & Health, the building blocks for a good life!

MSU Great Falls College of Technology is such an asset to our community, a true “beacon of hope” to many that may not have the option or the ability to go elsewhere for their education, and in turn pours back a talented, educated pool of workers into Cascade County.  And if that doesn’t epitomize LIVE UNITED, then I don’t really know what does.

What do you think?

Volunteer Challenge

For all you Facebook junkies out there! United Way of America just rolled out a very cool Facebook application called the United Way Volunteer Challenge. It’s a place where you can declare your intentions to accomplish tasks realated to Education, Income, and Health. Later, you can go back and report on what you actually accomplished, while letting your friends know of the great work you do to advance the common good. It’s like having your own social resumé on Facebook. Plus, its a fun way to get involved and your friends can do it too!

Early Childhood Literacy

Just read an article in today’s Tribune about local students receiving new bikes for demonstrated reading results during the school year–how great is that?!  Elementary school kids had to read 30 books during the year in order to be eligible for the bikes…which, in turn, promote an active lifestyle, just in time for summer break.  Somebody’s right on the mark with this one.  Now if only there were such a program for us “big kids.”

Check out the article here.