Hello Fans!

A Promise is a Promise

I know that I'm to answer a very important question for you:

"How will I help my child affirm and strengthen his/her self-esteem armoring him/her with self-worth and love for self?"

Don't Worry

I'm going to answer your very important question right after the New Year. In fact, I'm going to help you with lots of questions and concerns about this annoying act called Bullying.

But for Now

Let me close out this 2017 year with a hearty Thank You for your continued support. I love assisting you and your family.

Video

Please click on the words 'Thank You Video' below to view. I'll see you in 2018!

Thank You Video

From My Home to Yours -- HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Fondly,
Dr. Cherrye

'Come to Jesus Meeting'

YOU’RE ANGRY!  I KNOW

I know just how you may feel. I was the same way when my own child came home with red scratches on her body. She shared the stories of the mean, nasty words the classroom bully said to her, and it infuriated me. I said, “How dare ANYONE do this to MY CHILD!” Yes, it did spark outrage. It got personal. Like many of you, I could not sleep at night. I tossed and turned. My angst was certain. I knew I had to do something to save my child, and I knew that it could not wait. After all, I am my child’s mouth piece for peace. I am her anti-bully advocate. I am her spokesperson.  

ANTI-BULLY ADVOCATE FOR MY CHILD

My husband and I always told our child that her job was to obey the teachers, remain respectful, adhere to the rules and regulations of the school, and be truthful with her parents. As long as she remained truthful, we’d fight for her rights. It is our job – not hers.

SOLID, ORGANIZED DOCUMENTATION

I also knew full well that I could not police the school on a daily basis. I wouldn’t be in the classroom, in the hallways, at lunch, or on the playground to protect her. So, I got busy! I was on fire! I began getting my documentation in order.  In part, some of what I did can be read in my FREE parent resource guide titled: The Bully Band Parents in Rhythm.  From experience as an educator, and mom, I also knew that my approach had to be gentle, but firm. Parents – if you don’t get this part right, I’ve found the problem will persist (under cover). Yes, I needed to secure the campus Principal was on my side. I needed the Principal to have buy-in, and listen to me, so I could not approach the school with my pinned-up anger. I had to calm down. But, trust me the meeting with the Principal was going to happen.

COME TO JESUS MEETING!

I like to call it my “Come to Jesus Meeting” – LOL

Once you have ALL your ‘ducks in a row’ (your organized and solid documentation), you are now armored with the tools needed to schedule an appointment with the school Principal. Notice, I said – School Principal – That’s right! I did not want to speak to the Assistant Principal, Counselor, or anyone else at the school. I wanted to speak to the Instructional LEADER in charge. The head ‘honcho’ -  I was not in the mood to play games, or be told later on, “It’s my first-time hearing about this.” I wanted to ensure that I spoke directly to the person who could make immediate changes. I wanted the Bully to STOP.  Even though I approached the school calm, I meant business and I needed the Principal to realize my seriousness from the beginning of the meeting until the very end.

CHAIN OF COMMAND LINGO DOES WORK

I also informed the Principal that out of respect for her, I wanted to begin with her in the district’s ‘chain of command’ – Did you hear what I just said parents? I used the word ‘chain of command’ –  Ding-ding-ding! By now, I have the Principal’s attention. Although I began the meeting in a friendly, calm manner, you’d better believe I now had her undivided mind. She was on board. She was all ears.

Once I began to flip through my color-coded documentation while sharing my concerns, I also did another clever thing – I shared solutions with the Principal, but not only solutions to rid my child of the Bully (of course this was my major concern), but I offered suggestions to help the child-bully. 

We have to remember, parents – Even though we are angrier than a ‘mad hatter’ the child-bully needs help, too. This child is angry for reasons we may never realize. So, what I said to the Principal about this one child is this: “You know. This child seems to be a bit bossy. Perhaps the classroom teacher can allow this child to take a positive/productive leadership role in some way in the classroom setting. Who knows? Maybe one day she may become a great leader, or teacher in our community. She just needs to learn how to do so in a proper manner using great social skills.” 

Guess what parents? The Principal loved my idea. You see, we can turn unhappy moments to happy ones by our approach. Remember, how angry I was at the start? I wanted to march right into that school building and set things straight. My emotions were all over the place. I wanted the Bully to STOP and I wanted relief for my child. Guess what parents? I got it! The Bully did STOP!

FREE DOWNLOAD

If time permits, please take a look at my FREE parent resource guide titled: 

The Bully Band Parents in Rhythm. You’ll be glad you took the time to download it.

Click Link - The Bully Band Parents in Rhythm    

Dr. Cherrye, okay ....

Question: I've scheduled the meeting, but what can I do to help my child in the meantime? My child is scared, and does not want to go to school, but the meeting isn't until next week. My child is constantly complaining of a stomach ache to avoid school. What are your recommendations?

Answer: Don't worry -- I'll help you with that, too. Stay tuned for my next blog post on how to help your child affirm and strengthen their self-esteem armoring them with tightened self-worth and love for self.

I hope you'll enjoy much more information on my website: Click Link to Website

Surprise News: In January you'll be getting another FREE gift from me, titled:

Self-Identity Worksheet  Sharing My Goals & Positive Attributes    

Bully Upstander NOT Bully Bystander

I Already Know What Bullying is, Dr. Cherrye!

Okay, okay, I know you're tired of hearing that bullying hurts. You already know that bullying is on the rise, and you may already know the latest statistics, too. What you really want to know is how to intervene. You want resources, and tools that you can actually put into practice.  I feel you!

Bully Upstander

One of the ways you can help is to teach your children how to be Upstanders. But wait a minute! You might ask - "Are you telling me to have my child get involved in a bad situation that isn't his/her business? Don't you realize that by doing so the bully could turn his/her cruelty on my child? You can't be serious!" 

Well, yes, I am telling you to have your child do something, but not in the way you're thinking. Give me a chance to explain, please.

Before I try to convince you that one powerful way to teach children to help decrease bullying is to become an Upstander, and why this movement is so very important, perhaps I should pause a minute, and define what Upstander means.

Definition of Upstander

An Upstander intervenes by either speaking up, or moving toward a positive action to help the victim. Simply put - If a child sees another child being bullied, he/she realizes it's wrong, so he/she is driven to action. An Upstander is no longer a Bystander (one who witnesses bullying, but remains silent with no positive, workable actions). 

Why Teach Children to Become Upstanders?

First of all, it's the right thing to do.

Before you think about telling your child never to get involved, or to mind his/her own business less the bully turns on him/her, just imagine your child becoming a victim - and at a whim. 

Just imagine your child being bullied, and needing the help of an...... that's right - an Upstander. Wouldn't you love it?

Imagine having a school full of children who think on the lines of, and own the acts of becoming Upstanders. Wouldn't this look like a school with minimum to zero bullying?

Upstander Actions

Tell your child:

• Just be a friend. You don't have to be best friends, just friendly
• smile
• lend a helping hand
• answer a question
• Let the victim know that you understand, and you feel their pain
• Let the victim know that they are not alone
• It's okay to walk with the child being bullied 
• It's okay to eat at the same table with the child that's being bullied
• See how you can be the leader of an Upstander Movement at your school
• clear this with the school administrator, first
• Get your friends involved
• make this an exciting club, or movement
• Each day, see how you and your group of friends can point out a child who is lonely, upset, or sitting in the cafeteria alone
• take positive action
• ask how you can help
• take the victim to an adult to talk

Feeling: Wouldn't it be nice to have another student do this if your child was being bullied?

Tell your child:

• Gossiping/rumors can be a part of bullying acts. When this starts see how you can end it.
• Can you change the topic?
• Can you say that isn't true, or that isn't how I heard it, or saw it?
• Or, simply say, "You know that isn't true."

Feeling: Help your child understand how it would feel if an untruth was told on them

Ask your child:

• Have you noticed any new students at your school, or entering your class?
• See how you can help the child feel comfortable
• Does the new student need to catch up, and could use your notes?
• Does the new student need a pencil/pen?

Feeling: Wouldn't you appreciate and feel relieved if another student did this for your child until they felt comfortable in a new school environment?

Upstander  -- It's Everybody's Business

School officials cannot be everywhere noticing everything, so the children who are right there in the midst may see things that no one else does. It is everybody's business and responsibility!

Important Notes: There is no way that children can all be the same. They are different mentally, physically and socially. Teach children how diversity makes them uniquely special. Teach children to share their diverse talents, and learn from one another. Tell them to listen, learn, and then share. 

Parents: If you haven't already, please download my FREE resource guide titled: The Bully Band Parents in Rhythm. What I've written within this guide is what I used when my own child was bullied when she was in 4th grade. I met with the school principal calm, ready (with my documentation in hand), and I felt confident that I would make a difference as my child's anti-bully advocate, and guess what? It worked. The Principal was receptive. She met with the student, and then the student's parent. The mother of the bully felt the severity of her child's actions, and realized that I meant business about her child's bullying behaviors.

Remember, parents - We are our children's mouth pieces for peace. 

The Bully Band Parents in Rhythm - Free Download

Click Here

Your Child's Voice Piece for Peace

Please Take Action!

BULLYING DOESN'T SEEM TO BE GOING AWAY
More and more, children are being bullied on school campuses. There has to be a push to intervene more effectively, but how?

Administrators: At the beginning of each school year, consider mandating staff development sessions on bullying. We need teachers/staff members to receive training on how to identify children who are likely targets of bullying, but most importantly, we need you to target school bullies. Afterward, we have to depend on you to train your ENTIRE staff.

DID YOU KNOW?

Children who are likely targets of bullying: 

• Children who are new on a campus (other children already established their friends, and now the new child is an outcast trying to find friends)
• Sometimes, children who are scholars may become targets
• Children in the minority on school campuses 
• Children from diverse, or low-socioeconomic backgrounds
• Jealousy is a huge factor in bullying, too
• Children with learning challenges
• Children with physical challenges

All these listed above, breaks my heart, but educators can play a huge role in the intervention process.

TEACHER EXERCISE
Administrators: On the first day of school, ask your teachers/staff to look for patterns.

These patterns may include:

1. What child has not been included within a table group?
2. What child has not been chosen to play a game/sport?
3. What child is sitting alone in the cafeteria?
4. What child seems lost or lonely?

5. What child is sitting or walking alone on the playground?

6. What child appears sad all the time?

Administrators: Train teachers to teach children not to become bystanders watching cruelty happen. Train teachers to role-model how some behaviors may hurt others (their peers).

We need teachers in our classrooms focusing on Social-Emotional Learning techniques.

Train teachers to help children with social issues. Help children understand the ('this could be me' syndrome). Children need to consider how it would feel to be an outcast at school, thus — the need to include their peers (those that are left out) of groups. 

Empower children to become leaders who are doing great things for others in need.

SCHOOL ENVIRONMENT

Yes, it’s sad to think that we must deal with bullying issues along with educating our children. Isn’t this the real reason our children are in school - to learn? Instead, we are dealing with adverse behaviors called bullying. Yes, bullying! Bullying hurts and can lead to unthinkable actions, so we must act fast and intervene. Our children deserve to attend safe schools free from the terrible acts of bullying behaviors. We are our children’s greatest advocates against bullying.

PARENTS
If your child has been a victim of constant bullying, please download my FREE parent resource guide titled: 

THE BULLY BAND PARENTS IN RHYTHM   
Website: cherryesbooksthatsow.com 

The Bully Band Parents in Rhythm - FREE -
Download today! Click Here

I used these tools when my own child was bullied in school, and they work. Know your rights. Intervene and become your child's voice piece for peace.

Cherrye S. Vasquez, Ph.D.
Books That Sow Strength, Character & Diversity

Help Your Children Affirm Their Greatness!

Dear Parents,

I want to ensure your children feel great about self-identity, have great self-esteem and are armored with 'feel good' thoughts and affirmations. School is in full session now, so you may see changes in your child's affect (their mood change).

School is in Full Session

School has been in session now for about 2.5-3 months, so the 'honeymoon' is over. Children are now more comfortable in their daily routines, and feel comfortable with not only their paths, but their friendships, and actions. While this is a great doing, we must also realize that some children may not be focused solely on academics, but their behaviors may have taken a different turn. With this in mind, we must make certain that we're having daily talks with our children. We must ensure they have healthy outlooks on life, and they feel comfortable in their own 'skin'. But how can we do this?

Affirmation Techniques

Definition of Affirmation

Affirmations are voiced, or written by a person confirming and declaring who they are, what they are, and what they want to do and/or become in life. Affirmations are tools of creative faith and strong certainty, each believed to be true by the individual.

Positive Affirmations will lift up a person's self-esteem, so make certain the affirmations you bestow on children are very positive and motivating, please.

Some Theorists Believe

Now let's be clear. Some researchers maintain that telling children they are this or that in positive ways, only sets them up for false truths. If you are one who believes this theory, it's perfectly okay to tell children how great they are along with what you have determined is a long-term growth/need/or improvement, BUT - I believe this can be done in a positive, healthy way.
For example: If your child has an issue with keeping his/her room tidy, you certainly don't want to tell them a false tale that you like how that they keep their rooms clean. Rather, you could say, "I love how organized you are with keeping your Math folder organized, how can we work toward keeping your room just as tidy? Together, let's work on a plan-of-action." You can involve your child in the planning stages of how to keep his/her room tidier.

Affirmation Prompts (few examples)

I affirm love for myself. Here's how:
I affirm love and joy in my life
I affirm that I am a true friend
I affirm responsibility
I affirm making right choices in my life
I affirm peace in my life
I affirm empowerment
I affirm positive leadership
I affirm social problem-solving skills

Each of these affirmation prompts above can be expanded. Please assist children with writing meaningful sentences that will really help them evolve, and impact their lives as they advance into greatness.

For example:

I Affirm Social Problem-Solving Skills

I affirm taking charge of my own problems in life. I always solve problems by first taking these steps:

I affirm taking on academics that I've never learned before as a challenge to learn more. Today I will learn:

Tomorrow, I affirm and plan to:

Another example:

I Affirm Responsibility


I affirm making sure I know what my homework assignment is before leaving school because:

I affirm that I will complete my homework in a timely manner because:

I affirm that I will turn my homework assignment(s) in to my teacher(s) each morning because my homework is:

Another example:

I Affirm Belief in Myself

I affirm and believe that I am:

I affirm and believe that I can:

I affirm and believe that I am intelligent because:

I affirm recognition of my talents, abilities and skills. So far, I've:


Affirmations can be used as a tool to encourage increased empowerment. Please guide and empower children. Give them the self-confidence needed to persevere. Affirmations can help change the focus of what children achieve, what they want to achieve, and what they hope to achieve.


Affirmation Daybook Journal by: Cherrye S. Vasquez, Ph.D.
Amazon Link: https://www.amazon.com/Affirmation-Daybook-Cherrye-Vasquez-Ph-D/dp/1469914573/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1510591718&sr=8-1

October is Bully Awareness Month

Among other important recognitions in October, this month is also Bully Awareness Month, so it certainly shouldn't go unnoticed.

With immediacy, we should certainly help the child who has been bullied, but today I want to focus on the child bully because no child can receive bullying if no one is administering the action(s) that comes packed with so much pain.

Just in case you didn't know what bullying is, or what it entails, please take a look at the words carefully crafted within the image below.

Okay, just imagine how you would feel if someone treated you this way. Now, please take time to imagine how the bully-ee (the child who receives this pain) feels.

On page 20 and 21 of my parent guide titled: A Bully Blueprint Solutions for Kids, I've outlined ways to pinpoint and help stop the bully from his/her menaces. We must stop to realize that a bully may be in lots of pain due to variables we aren't aware of.

As leaders, teachers, parents (adults), we must begin to unlock the reasons, but we must dig deeper (get right to the core).

This inquisition brings me to my next important point.

Do you really know the 'why' behind the bullies' actions?

• Is the child negatively acting out his/her own pain?
• Has the child been harassed, or bullied at home, or by someone else, therefore, he/she wants to pass this pain along?
• Is the child not really in pain, but just being mean and enjoys seeing others in pain?
• Is the child self-centered, or selfish?

Form committees to analyze antecedents determining what is actually prompting (or causing) these unwanted behaviors.

It's time to explore as we determine the very root of the problem behavior(s).
Yes, we must begin to identify (target) problem areas for the bully, and then ask ourselves:

• What is the problem behavior?

• Have I pinpointed the behaviors so that I may work toward dismantling them one-by-one, step-by-step?

• Where does the behavior occur?
• home
• hallway
• lunchroom
• classroom
• between classes
• playground

When does the behavior occur?

How will you gather your findings?

Finally, how will you utilize the data once gathered (documented) about the child?

I've actually gone into much more detail within the parent guide, so feel free to read it, and/or gift it to a loved one in need.

If you're interested, please see the amazon link below:

A Bully Blueprint Solutions for Kids
http://amzn.to/2hIMnrt

Whatever you do, please make sure that your child has a bully-free month, and from now on.

Sincerely,
Dr. Cherrye

'Preventive Medicine'

Let's face it! Bullying hurts!

If you don't believe me just take a look at this video which, in my opinion, is painful to watch. While you're looking, close your eyes for just a moment. Now, just imagine how this child's mother must feel. The pain and agony has to throb!

8-Year-Old Biracial Boy Nearly Lynched

Link: https://www.theroot.com/new-hampshire-police-refuse-to-release-information-on-c-1803054596

Our children depend on us to help them figure out how to handle these annoying, and sometimes ruinous behaviors, and that's expressly why I've written The Bully Band Parents in Rhythm giving you simple tools of how to successfully take charge of your child's fate by documenting incidences of bullying that your child may deal with almost daily.

Your child will no longer be the victim. Now, you're ready to calmly take your well-documented notes to school officials explaining what's been going on in your child's world at school. Go ahead, download your free e-book. Read through this guide, and get started today.

Absolutely FREE 
The Bully Band Parents in Rhythm

Link: http://eepurl.com/cWAak1

or
Amazon - .99

Now that you've learned how to document and take the "bull by the horn" you've graduated to more advanced step-by-step procedures making you aware of what to look for, ways to intervene, how chart data, pin-point and analyze antecedents which prompt undesired behaviors, and finally wipe out bullying one child at a time. This is where A Bully Blueprint Solutions for Kids comes in. Take a look inside this 67-page resource guide chocked full of answers and strategies.

*FOR A LIMITED TIME - NEW reduced price of only $4.99

Kindle Unlimited/Kindle app  FREE

*To purchase on Kindle          $4.99

CreateSpace (paperback)        $13.99

Amazon (paperback)               $13.99














Just a moment of your time, please.

Have you had a chance to review my new website at: cherryesbooksthatsow.com

Yes or No

Do you think my website is comprehensive and building your interest in a meaningful way?

Yes or No

My goal is to serve you and your family, so how can I improve upon it?

Courageous Conversations about Race

Courageous Conversations helps us to be better educated, and that is exactly what every educator should want. Courageous Conversations About Race (2nd ed.) is a perfect place to begin.

Foreword of Glenn E. Singleton's book,

Courageous Conversations About Race

Gloria Ladson-Billings

Purpose of this Blog Post

To encourage conversations about the marginal topic concerning race. How can we get to the essence of this issue? Once identified, how do we grapple with, or unravel the deeply rooted impact of how race issues dramatically impact our progress toward a united nation?

Preface

One of my Facebook (FB) friends posted a forum discussion question on his timeline, and I responded.

Forum Discussion Question

I would appreciate help and advice of my American friends on here. For me this is very difficult to comprehend. Is there much debate in USA on this incident?

(He was referring to the video that you can find in the link below). 

Utah Nurse in Arrest

http://ktla.com/2017/09/04/utah-nurse-in-viral-arrest-video-speaks-out-says-she-was-scared-to-death-but-stood-my-ground/

My response:

Yes, it's all over the news and FB. It has gotten lots of coverage and people cannot believe it one bit!

Statement/Question posed to me from another FB visitor 

Cherrye to be fair it is not new, this has been happening, the police have become so emboldened. It is not just Black and Hispanic youth. What is new is the cameras. Yet still that officer felt that behavior was appropriate in that environment. He was in communication with his boss as well telling him to get the sample. He is still not under suspension. Back to (name here) country the first battles between the police and the black community broke out in the early eighties when the harassment moved from the youth to the middle age and middle class. This is an exceptionally worrying video. Last week Trump scaled back Obama's XO stopping military surplus going to local sheriffs. So here is the question: When that nurse is having a conversation with her teenage son about respecting the police, are her words the same as yesterday or does she sound like a black mother?

My response:

Hello (name here)

How are you today? I hope fine.

Actually, I didn't mean to imply that the actions of the police officer were new. My attempt was to answer (name here) question: "Is there much debate in USA on this incident?" Perhaps I misinterpreted (name here) question. I answered it in the here and now. I thought (name here) was asking about this particular incident, and not the reality that SOME police officers in some parts of the U.S. hatefully target and racially profile black people just because they have hate and disdain in their hearts for black people. I suppose I missed (name here) point altogether.

If I had interpreted (name here) question using your slant, I certainly would have answered his question in a much different manner. I realize this has gone on for years, and that the cameras are new. Actually, that part is beginning to bother me as well. I'm wondering why Chief police officials in higher places look at some of the footage using different lenses, are blind, or heartless because it appears that the cameras are not being used to convict. In fact, SOME police officers (those who hate and abuse the system) have become very clever using words such as: "I feared for my life" or "I felt threatened" or "He appeared to be going for a weapon." Need I say more? You know the jargon.

This video is just as appalling as the many we've seen for months, and the one that I witnessed today where the cop violated a young black woman by performing a body cavity exam right on the streets humiliating her. That one is on FB as well.

To answer your question, "When that nurse is having a conversation with her teenage son about respecting the police, are her words the same as yesterday or does she sound like a black mother?"

In my opinion, the nurse's response could go variety of ways depending on where she is (in terms of her thought processes, emotions, and recent experiences).

What I hope is this: She's had time for personal reflection.

Has she been a White woman who in her past has blamed black people overlooking their plight failing to understand what black people has gone through for years? If so, perhaps this incident has humbled her heart and spirit, so that now she can teach her son love, equality, and true diversity.

What I really hope is that ALL people, regardless of their race, creed or color will teach their children to look past skin tones, and do what is just, good and right for ALL people.

To boot, (name here), Racism against black people shouldn't just be a 'black mother' issue. It should be a people issue. If one's heart doesn't hurt witnessing a White cop unjustly and unnecessarily murder, thereby taking a black child from his black mother, then their heart is cold, cruel and hateful, and only God can help them.

Finally, she shouldn't have to sound like a 'black mother." She should sound like a good, God-fearing mother.

Dear Fans,

How would you answer the question?

When that nurse is having a conversation with her teenage son about respecting the police, are her words the same as yesterday or does she sound like a black mother?

Note: Using effective dialogue and discourse respecting one another's points-of-view, please weigh-in on this very important topic. When doing so, please respect the fact that we comprise differing background experiences, home life experiences and influences.

Just as Glenn E. Singleton said, we must begin to have courageous conversations about race.

Getting Kids Pumped-Up to Read

GETTING KIDS PUMPED-UP TO READ

As a children’s book author, I’m always thinking of ways to get children interested in reading, so whenever I happen upon great ideas from others, I am thrilled. 

My own plan is to offer Reading Contests and perhaps a Book Scavenger Hunt during the upcoming months.  Hopefully, children will have fun with these two activities, so stay tuned for what’s to come. I’ll be sure to keep you posted, and hopefully your children engaged.

To me, reading makes the world go round-and-round as it connects us to every other subject matter there is such as English, Biology, Social Studies, and yes, even Math, to name a select few.  I  believe reading is at the core of everything that we do.

There are times however, that some children are just not exposed to reading, and they are not to blame, so when people become clever finding ways to help children connect to books, it makes my heart sing.

'LITTLE FREE LIBRARIES'

I recall my daughter coming home from school one afternoon sharing with me a Reading passage that caught her attention from her state mandated STAAR exam, titled: Little Free Libraries, but it wasn’t until recently (last week in fact), when we were traveling through a street in a Houston Heights neighborhood, that she excitedly pointed at this beautifully adorn-mainly bright yellow-colored wooden fixture that was mounted on a wooden post just in front of a home sitting on a corner lot. My kid was driving that day, so at my request she turned the car around, so that I could marvel at the fixture with her, as she continued to share and remind me of the passage she'd read.

I asked my daughter what she thought about me adding a couple of my children's books to the ones already in the library box (I'm so happy I keep extras in my trunk), and she consented it would probably be okay, so she  popped open the trunk, and I pulled out six of my books (2 sets of 3) adding them to the wonderful collection of books already neatly stacked inside.

It made my day complete donating to the Little Free Library located in the Houston Heights.  I'm not sure how often the children come to this box, but I hope they'll notice 3 new books, and enjoy reading them. Perhaps I'll hear from one or two of them one day.

I plan on revisiting that site adding more of my books each time I have one published, and I hope to share this exciting new venture with my daughter who took these photos for me. I want to make this an expressed goal of mine. Isn’t the little library beautiful? And, what a wonderful idea!

PARENTS TAKING CHARGE

Parents can give children the gift of reading making it magical -- and here’s how: 

·         Children must see parents interested in reading 

·         Parents should read to their children often

·         Parents can share Reading time with their children 

         * read every other page, or

         * every other chapter, or

         * every other paragraph

·         Parents can role-model reading with enthusiasm

·         Parents can read using inflection in their voices

·         Parents can ask questions about paragraphs, or main points of the story

·         Parents can create (build) home libraries

·         And yes, even creative ideas such as the Little Free Libraries

THE GOOD OLD DAYS

Hey, does anyone remember mobile libraries? I do! But, again that was the days of old, and yes, I’m ‘dating’ myself back to ‘the good 'ole' days.’  





Learn more about 'Little Free Libraries' and how it all got started at: 
http://wuwm.com/post/take-book-return-book-growth-little-free-library#stream/0

Back To School

MY LOVE - YOUR LOVE

Take a good look at this face -- My daughter, a happy-go-lucky teenager, who is still growing and making sense of her world. Just replace this photo with that of your own child or grandchild. We have such high hopes for their happiness, don't we?

A NEW SCHOOL YEAR

This 2017-2018 school year, my kid will be in 10^th grade. I'm not at all sure where the time has gone, but it certainly has flown by. Like your children, she has so many expectations, and she's counting on so many people to help her 'get it all right'.  As you read these words, I know you’re thinking about your own children/grandchildren while sharing similar hopes regarding their new school year. Together, we can pray for the best school-year ever. We have lots to look forward to, and be grateful for, and I know you'll agree with me.

Like so many parents, I pray to God that my child’s journey, along with so many others with their very own high hopes, will be rewarding as they progress academically, behaviorally, and socially. As I take a look at my child's schedule, I know it will be very taxing, but all worth it.

Our children will learn things that neither of us ever thought possible, some good and some bad – just a part of learning and growing. Our children will discover, make new friends, learn to make adjustments, continue to realize that not all students/teachers are alike, and so much more.

JOB OF PARENTS

As parents, our job is to ensure our children have the tools needed to “jump start” their school year. This entails plenty of good rest each night, nutritious breakfasts, proper school supplies, lots of love and academic/behavioral support. Remember, we must also support great teachers and staff, be ready and willing to show up at school functions from time-to-time, monitor our kids' activities (especially social media), and more. We must also have talks with our children about their goals (short and long), and their role in taking charge of their world.

SCHOOL OFFICIALS/ADMINISTRATORS

Firstly, I can only hope school officials have done their part in searching for, and choosing great teachers for our classroom settings. I mean, teachers who really LOVE teaching and positively interacting with children. Make no mistake about it, I'm talking about teachers who are:

• highly qualified to teach assigned subject matter(s), and really TEACH
• efficacious (believe all students can and will learn)
• caring and compassionate
• nurturing (when needed)
• organized/timely
• skilled in Social-Emotional Learning techniques
• eager to continue staff development training learning new trends in education

WE ARE COUNTING ON YOU, TEACHERS

Thank you for teaching our children. We really appreciate your hard work and the time you've put into preparing your lessons for our children. Many of you are SO wonderful, and so many of us parents and grandparents alike, TRULY honor you, so what I'm about to say below does not pertain to the many great teachers who already do what I've listed above. I'm not talking about YOU.

For those of you who don't really like children, and you know full well who you are. Please find something else to do that you really love. Please stop hurting our children!

By the way, we realize our children should be able to do some things on their own. We get it. I too believe in functional developmental stages, but please do not forget they are still our children. They are not adults, and we are their mouth pieces, their voices, their advocates whenever they need us.

Teachers - We want to support you as you support our children, but please do not bully, demean, scream at, or ridicule our children in front of their peers. And by all means, please do not become angry whenever parents ask you simple questions, and begin to immaturely sulk by 'pencil whipping them.' Did your teachers do this to you? If so, did you like it? How did it make you feel?

STUDENTS YOU HAVE A ROLE, TOO

Children, it is your responsibility to take charge of your own activities. You can do it! Listen to your parents! Parents are actually wiser than you think. Why? Because we've been where you are.

Respect your teachers, administrators, friends/peers, and most of all yourselves. You must follow school and classroom rules, and you must follow the laws of our great land. You've been taught to have pride and to carry your family name well. Do That!

Show your parents and teachers that you're mature enough to take charge of your own busy schedules, homework, and balanced nutrition. You can do this! If you need help, ask questions. And, don't let things that bother you pile up in your minds/hearts. Seek help. Speak up.

THEIR SAFETY

Finally, but not at all suggested as being least important, we need our children to enter and dwell in safe and secure schools -- free from bullying acts. All children should feel comfortable attending school environments without compromise. Each of us hope for this. 
If by chance parents/teachers you need a supportive tool to help combat bullying, please see my resource guide, A Bully Blueprint Solutions for Kids. It is full of helpful tools that you can use.

Let us make it a great school year parents and teachers. We are the adults charged with massaging, nurturing and shaping the children of our future. 

Let us ALL make it a good one!

Welcome to My Blog -- I'm Back!

I’m back fans! And, I’m happy to be here.

I first want to thank you for taking time out of your busy schedules to peruse my website.  With you in mind, I often get all giddy inside thinking about materials, books and parent/educator resources I can create for you.

In regards to my platform topics, Bullying and Diversity (along with topics spun from these), my goal is to help serve families everywhere supplying you with news, statistics and updates you can use.

Sometimes, I may get off topic just a bit just to share what’s going on my world, such as taking a 15 year old to Driver Education classes this summer. 

For the last few months, and since my retirement from public school education in May, 2016 I’ve begun a new journey. My purpose was to write as many children’s books as I could in one year, exercise like crazy, eat healthier foods, spoil my family, spend as much time with my mom, sisters, brother and theirs, plus add to my Spanish vocabulary. While I’ve done a few of these things, there’s always more work to be done, and more time I can spend with the loves in my life.

I’m still working part-time as an Adjunct Professor for Concordia University. I teach adult learners (mainly teachers working toward their Master Degree) who are aspiring to become your child’s future administrators. As I do this, my intent is to guide, shape and mold these learners into leaders you can trust and depend on in our classroom settings.

Overall, I love what I do fans. I want to continue serving you and your families for years to come.


 By now, I hope you’ve grabbed and downloaded your free book, “The Bully Band Parents in Rhythm.” While I hope your child will never have to encounter a bully at school, if they do, you are now equipped with a resource guide helping you with your documentation and approach.

Click this link to get a FREE copy http://bit.ly/2unK1DQ

I want you to know there will be free resources for you from time to time, so I hope you’ll come back and visit with me as often as you can.

Blessings!

Dr. Cherrye