While materialistic expressions of love may abound during the holiday season, a greater sense of regard for intangible life treasures such as health and happiness for the people in your life who matter most is also prevalent.
To break the cycle of poverty in Memphis, we must support programs that help children develop language skills in their first three years. According to the 2011 Data Book published by The Urban Child Institute, 40 percent of children in Memphis live in poverty, compared with 20 percent nationally. These children are at risk of remaining in poverty unless they receive help developing the language skills they need to succeed academically and cope with difficult emotions.
The holiday season is officially here, bringing with it the promise of exciting opportunities to relax and unwind, spend quality time with family and friends, and celebrate a brand new year. For many people, finding time to attend parties, confirming final details for vacations, shopping until you drop and putting smiles on kids’ faces are among the primary concerns.
The average child in America will spend less than 10 percent of his or her life in school through the 12th grade. If we are serious about education reform, we need to understand what's happening to our students the other 90 percent of the time, and adapt to those realities.
I remember the "good ol' days" when I knew Thanksgiving was coming because the stores were putting out Thanksgiving decorations in November. We all know those days are long gone; if you are like I was last year, you may have found yourself setting up your Christmas decorations in October!
National statistics released in 2009 – the most recent figures available – showed Shelby County's staggering infant mortality rate between eleven and twelve percent, the highest among the nation's largest cities. According to the Urban Child Institute's 2011 Data Book, infant mortality is now more than twice as common in Shelby County as it is nationwide.
