The Heyman Interages®Center is a program
of JCA® - Jewish Council for the Aging of Greater Washington.
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THE INTERAGES CONNECTOR
STAYING CONNECTED WHILE STAYING HOME
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Staying in Touch
Hello JCA Interages Volunteers,
We are pleased to introduce Andy, a ninth-grader at Walter Johnson High School. Last year he participated in the Kensington Club/Interages Spanish Club on Zoom. Andy, a young JCA Heyman Interages journalist, wrote the following segment about African American History Month. Thank you, Andy!
The month of February is Black History Month, a tribute designed to celebrate the achievements of Black Americans and recognize their vital and irreplaceable role in U.S. history. Black History Month began as a week-long effort to encourage Americans to study the often unacknowledged history and culture of Black Americans but expanded to include the entirety of February in 1976. During these 28 (or 29) days, the influence of Black Americans in the fields of science, mathematics, the arts, sports, and the economy is annually spotlighted.
Although today, many schools, companies, popular culture, and various organizations recognize the accomplishments of Black Americans all year round, the month of February serves as a platform for many organizations to highlight the Black community’s accomplishments. Actor Morgan Freeman, however, criticized Black History Month because he feels that ‘Black History is American History’ and that Black history should be integrated into conversations about American history all year-round, and not just reserved to the month of February.
Black History Month is not just for students, however. People of all ages can take part in Black History Month events and programming. Many Black History events will take place in Montgomery County this February. The following are some websites that list some great local Black History month activities that all are welcome to attend and enjoy!
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Virtual Volunteer Recognition & Awards Ceremony
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As a thank you to JCA volunteers and community members, JCA is holding a virtual volunteer appreciation, recognition, and awards ceremony on April 5 at 7:00 pm. We will be emailing invites!
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Program A Thriving
Reading Experience
The JCA Heyman Interages Wheaton Woods Elementary Virtual Reading program is delighting children and adults alike. Many of the kindergarteners and first graders viewing from home computers bring their stuffed animals to share the experience. Recently, volunteers read the book "Little Hoot" to kindergartners and made them move their heads to the right, to the left, and make owl sounds. All of them seemed very happy to participate.
The groups start with ice-breaking questions for the kids and adults, such as: Which is your favorite book? What did you do this week? Currently, they are reading books such as “Snowmen,” “Blackout,” “Wonderful Winter,” “Cinderello,” and “The Day Crayons Quit.” Volunteers read a book about Antarctica to 2nd/3rd graders and asked them if they would like to go there. No one really wanted to visit Antarctica. Snow and winter-related books are popular at this time.
When Wheaton Woods Elementary School children see the community school liaison in the school corridors, they often tell her they are looking forward to the next Reading Club session. One 5th grader told the community school liaison he was happy this Reading Club was running until the end of the school year.
After the Zoom training was provided to volunteers, they have improved the sharing of books using Zoom and feel more confident with computer use at each session. They are even using different online programs as the source of online books.
Our volunteers select from a list of MCPS-approved books by grade level. Ten volunteers work with 4 groups – PreK and K, first; second and third; fourth and fifth. Normally a total of 25 students participate. Some students join virtually from home, and some are with the teacher in school. The volunteers adore being involved.
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VOLUNTEER HIGHLIGHT
We appreciate Angela Clark's time and efforts as a JCA Heyman Interages volunteer. Angela retired in 2016 as an employee of Montgomery County. Her goal when she retired was to focus more on supporting and encouraging children and youth. Angela felt there was more she could do in addition to serving as a youth minister. She joined the REAL program in 2017, a JCA Interages program currently on hiatus due to COVID. The REAL program allowed her to read, talk, color, play games, do crafts with both children and you. The program allowed them to express themselves. It also allowed her to encourage and support them in learning different topics.
Currently, Angela is training to help virtually tutor second graders through fifth graders at Daly Elementary in math and reading. Angela believes there is a need for more open communication and support them. She said that she enjoys the opportunities JCA offers our various programs.
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NEW JCA HEYMAN INTERAGES READING PROGRAM!
We invite you to join a new Gaithersburg Elementary School Grandreaders program which will meet virtually on Zoom from 9:15 to 10:00 am on Tuesdays to read books to second graders. Grandreaders program promotes literacy in elementary schools. Students work with volunteers during school to increase vocabulary, fluency, comprehension, and literacy skills.
This program will run from March 1 until the end of the school year. Depending on Covid19 regulations, the program will move to in-person toward the end. Gaithersburg Elementary School students will be divided into 5 or 6 Zoom break-out rooms depending to the number of volunteers. A volunteers' orientation will be held before the start of the program. Thank you for considering this opportunity!
A valid MCPS badge is required for this program. If interested, please contact the Volunteer Manager Indira Dingledine at idingledine@gmail.com.
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Interesting history in honor of African American History Month
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Hired in 1955 as a human computer, mathematician Annie Easley led a 34-year NASA career developing software code for numerous programs. Her work on the Centaur rocket booster project framed the technical foundation for launching future satellites: For more information click here.
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Mark your calendars! Tuesday, April 5, JCA Heyman Interages will be holding a food drive for the 2022 Good Deeds Day event from 10am to 3:30pm at 12320 Parklawn Drive Rockville, MD 20852. Young volunteers will be at 12320 Parklawn Drive to help you with your donation.
Items Most In Need
- Low-sodium canned vegetables
- Canned fruit (in juice)
- Rice
- Beans
- Pasta
- Canned tomato products
- Tuna in water or canned chicken
- Peanut butter
- Crackers
- Granola bars
- Diapers size 3+
- Wipes
- Masks (adult and children)
- Hygiene Items: small toothpaste, toothbrushes, soap, toilet paper
- Feminine hygiene products
- Ziplock bags (quart and gallon sizes)
- Hand sanitizer
- Nitrile gloves
- hand held can openers
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Interages Interview
We bring you this month's intergenerational interview project. The students earn Service Learning hours for their time preparing and interviewing. Previous interviews are available on our website, including the very first interview with Interages Founder Austin Heyman.
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Art Project: Reaching Out
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Six middle schoolers volunteered to help decorate bags and tie-dye masks for the Kensington Club's Loaves of Love program. Each earned Service Learning hours.
The Kensington Club's Loaves of Love program is one of JCA's newest COVID-19 ventures, delivering freshly-baked challahs from Sunflower Bakery right to the homes of isolated older people. Human contact is provided-- at a social distance and with masks on, of course -- along with delicious aromas and tastes.
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Essence Magazine highlights 18 Black Museums To Visit Across The U.S.
Celebrate African American artists and learn about African American history at one of these national institutions. Click here.
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“Losing is not my enemy. Fear of losing is my enemy.”
– Rafael Nadal (a Spanish professional tennis player)
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For your convenience, past issues of the JCA Interages Connector are available on the JCA Interages website.
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Jewish Council for the Aging of Greater Washington
"Jewish Council for the Aging," "JCA," "Helping All Seniors Thrive" and "Interages" are registered trademarks of the Jewish Council for the Aging of Greater Washington, Inc. Visit us at AccessJCA.org.© 2022 Jewish Council for the Aging® All rights reserved.
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