Eagle Scout Johnathan Batts |
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Johnathan Batts Eagle Scouts 2021 |
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"Bike In My Sight" is what he calls it. A local 17 year-old saw a need for a new bike rack at the Largo/Kettering/Perrywood Community Center and Elementary School. Johnathan Batts, a long-time member of Boy Scouts planned to complete an Eagle Scout project, and decided to build a bike rack closer to the playground and basketball court at his local community center. “There would be people on the basketball court and their bikes would just be in the grass, without them paying attention,” said Johnathan. He didn’t want to see anyone's property stolen, so he thought a bike rack closer to the courts would be a great idea. “I built that as a way of saying you can just put your bikes here, so you will be able to watch them.” To earn the Eagle Scout rank, Johnathan explained, “You come up with an idea, bring it to your Scout Master, gather the resources to execute it and then document it as a portfolio.” Once the project was approved by Boy Scouts and the community center director, it only took Johnathan and the volunteers he recruited to help about three to four months to construct. Then it was installed onto the property by park maintenance crews. |
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Installed Bike Rack at Largo Kettering Perrywood Community Center 2020 |
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Although he doesn’t use the court these days, Johnathan did attend Perrywood Elementary School and saw the project as an opportunity to give back. “Most of the kids who utilize the playground and the basketball court had nowhere to put their bicycles," he said. Johnathan's mother LaShaun Batts says seeing her son take an interest in a community project is rewarding. “It makes me very proud of him. "I know that he has a very kind and caring spirit," she said. "He rides his bike and likes to walk in the community, so he is very observant,” she added. Largo/Kettering/Perrywood Community Center Facility Director Gary Mattocks says the new rack serves a great purpose. "We needed an additional bike rack to accommodate our patrons that bike to the center or park daily," said Gary. The director says the modern design that spells out "BIKE" catches the eye. "The new bike rack has been an awesome addition to LKPCC," said Gary. "We have had a lot of people utilize it and comment on how beautiful it looks with the color scheme," said Gary. About 6% of Scouts earn the rank of Eagle Scout. “I am looking forward to seeing what he is going to do in the future and how he will impact not only my life and other people’s lives but what he has to offer to the world as a young man,” said LaShaun. |
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This month is Mental Health Awareness Month. M-NCPPC recognizes the importance of good mental health and keeping a healthy community full of resources. The goal is to reduce the stigma behind having a mental health or behavioral condition. According to the National Alliance of Mental Health Illness (NAMI), mental health conditions are common in teenagers and young adults. NAMI shares, 50% of all lifetime mental illnesses develop by age 14 and 75% develop by age 24. Having a mental health condition isn’t anything to be embarrassed about, and it is not your fault. The good news is you can live a healthy, prosperous life with a mental health condition. It's manageable and starts with talking about it out loud. You may know someone struggling with a mental health condition, or you could be struggling yourself.
According to NAMI here are a few signs you may have experienced, or someone you know may have experienced in a mental health crisis.
- Feeling very sad or withdrawn for more than two weeks
- Seriously trying to harm or kill oneself or making plans to do so
- Severe out-of-control/risk-taking behaviors
- Sudden, overwhelming fear for no reason
- Not eating, throwing up or using laxatives to lose weight; significant weight loss or weight gain
- Seeing, hearing or believing things that are not real
- Repeatedly using drugs or alcohol
- Drastic changes in mood, behavior, personality or sleeping habits
- Extreme difficulty in concentrating or staying still
- Intense worries or fears that get in the way
If you recognize any of these signs within yourself or someone else, NAMI says here’s what to do next.
- Tell someone- a teacher, a friend, a parent, a mentor, anyone you can trust.
- Next, get in contact with your primary care-provider. Your provider can help link you with a therapist or mental health specialist.
- Finally, join a support group. You are not the only person or young adult with this battle.
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For more resources on support groups and keeping yourself and your loved ones healthy, click here!
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Summer Programs Are Back! |
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This year M-NCPPC is offering you some of the best summer experiences in person and virtually. Although we are welcoming children back in person this summer, safety still remains our first priority and face coverings will be required at all times! There are four types of programs for the youth to choose from. They are Summer Day Camps, Summer Playtime, Summer STEAM and Virtual Clubhouses. Each program is unique and has activities for children of all ages. The programs run from June to August 2021. You don’t want to miss out on this year's return of Summer fun! For more information on safety and how to register click here. Registration is now open.
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Keeping It Safe For the Holiday |
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Memorial Day is around the corner, and most of us would like to enjoy the outdoors and this break in the weather. It's a time where family and friends typically gather for a barbecue, good music and all-around fun. Although we are all looking forward to this holiday, unfortunately COVID-19 still exist. So here are a few ways you, your friends and your family can practice a safe and healthy Memorial Day 2021.
According to the Prince George's County COVID-19 mandate and the CDC:
- Indoor gatherings remain limited to 20 persons, for all locations and venues including private residences and other gatherings.
- Outdoor gatherings remain limited to 50 persons, for all locations and venues including private residences and other gatherings.
- Only residents of Prince George’s County who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 no longer need to wear a mask outdoors alone, or when in small gatherings with members of their own households or other fully vaccinated individuals.
- Masks are still required in crowded outdoor venues like sports stadiums or outdoor concert venues, in indoor venues and while on public transportation.
- Unvaccinated residents are strongly encouraged to get vaccinated and continue wearing their masks outdoors until they are fully vaccinated.
Although many restrictions have been lifted, the CDC and Prince George's County leaders strongly encourage everyone to exercise caution and use good judgment to keep themselves and others safe. Also continue to wash your hands often, as well as practice physical distancing.
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While you are enjoying your hotdogs and burgers amongst your family and friends, keep in mind the reason we observe this holiday. Memorial Days is to remember those who died while serving in the U.S. Military fighting for our freedom - a sacrifice not all are willing to make. Memorial Day became an official federal holiday in 1971. |
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The Cicadas Make Their Return! |
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Cicadas are chunky, noisy insects with bright red eyes. Contrary to popular belief, they are not locusts (which are a type of grasshopper).
This May, billions of cicadas from Brood X are set to burst forth from the soil in 14 states of the eastern United States after 17 years of mysterious lives underground. The emergence is the loudest part of a life cycle that began when adult cicadas deposited their eggs on tree branches. Nymphs hatched, fell to the ground, burrowed into the soil and fed on fluids sucked from the roots of plants and trees for years. When the temperature warms this spring and soil eight inches below the ground surface reaches 64 degrees, cicadas will rise up from the dirt. The raucous four to six week-long event rages until all the participants die and litter the forest floor. Where you alive the last time the Cicadas resurfaced in 2004? Are you prepared for their return? Learn more information about these unique insects here.
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The Maryland State Department of Education board has waived the Student Service-Learning hours requirement for this year's graduating seniors. As of now, next year's graduating seniors are still expected to meet the Student Service- Learning hours required to graduate from Prince George's County Public Schools.
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If you have questions about volunteering or student-service learning hours contact jo-ann.martinez@pgparks.com.
If you have any ideas for upcoming newsletter features contact andrea.braswell@pgparks.com.
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