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Over The Coffeecups
Warren Mitchell - Editor
TODAY'S PROGRAM
Bill Scarborough will
introduce Sherry Gardner, our guest speaker. Sherry is
an Auburn graduate in education and has spent most of her
career in elementary education. She is now enjoying being
part of the Medical Outreach Ministries team as the front
office manager and volunteer coordinator. Sherry and her
husband, Joe, have three grown daughters who are also
graduates of Auburn University. The Gardner's belong to
Thorington Road Baptist Church here in Montgomery and live in
the Arrowhead Subdivision. Sherry is here today to speak on
the continuing need of support, both monetarily and in the
area of volunteers at the Medical Outreach Ministries.
LAST
WEEKS PROGRAM
Vince Cox
introduced Sheryl Coprick, Principal of Floyd
Elementary School. He said he meets interesting people who
come into his business; met Sheryl when she came in the store
to do some business. He knew about her from searching the
web, and found out about her and a program at her school.
When she came in with her daughter, Courtney, he was impressed
with her passion for children.
She began by saying how thrilled she was to
walk into a building with such good looking men and such an
exciting, motivated group. That is something our society
needs today. She is a true advocate of, our attitude affects
our altitude.
There are approximately 543 children at the
school, which is considered at risk. However, she thinks that
is an error, because the school has promise. She has seen
many strides take place in her building. Many boys and girls
come from single home families, but you wouldn't know it until
you actually became involved with them. They need lots of
nurturing and love. One thing she can say about her boys and
girls; they are respectful. She told Vince she couldn't be in
a building where there wasn't order; children need structure;
she can't stand a lot of noise. She likes a quiet school, and
there is order in Floyd School. She would like us to come and
visit the school; don't need to make an appointment. All we
have to do is show up, because what we see is what we would
get. Nothing has been written up or planned, because if she
can't speak from her heart it's not worth it.
She believes in children and she knows we
believe in children. That is why she is where she is, not
choosing to go to the central level, because it would have
removed her from children. If everyone is pulled away from
children, who would they have. Some people are not meant to
go to the central level and she is one of them. Children need
someone to listen to them, who will be patient, and believes
in them.
When they are at school, she requires her teachers to make
certain they speak up to the children and not down to them,
and to take the time to work with the boys and girls. It's
not about the book all the time, they need outside
experiences; doing the touchy kinds of things. If you come
into her building you should know her. For the first 9 weeks
of school she stands in the foyer to learn who the children
are. If their coats aren't buttoned, or something isn't
right, their mind set has to be changed before they go into
class.
She started the program "Read First". It is
a system wide program that has really made a difference.
Reading is an area of weakness at the school. Sheryl would
love to have us come and tutor the children if we have extra
time. She would like men to come in, because that is one
thing missing in the boys and girls lives. They need that
male role model, because she believes the male is the head of
the family. If they have a good strong male role model coming
in; doesn't matter what the skin color is, (she doesn't see
skin color) the children will be able to follow them. If we
have a heart for children, a heart for learning, a heart for
seeing children excel, and we feel we can make a difference in
a child's life, then she is looking for those individuals.
Looking around the room, she saw a wealth of
experience, an abundance of knowledge and she wouldn't like to
see that wasted; not that we don't have other things to do.
They have young, little impressionable minds just waiting to
absorb our many experiences.
Many of the children have never been outside
of Alabama. It blew her out of the water when she became
Principal at Floyd, she discovered many of the children had
never been on a trip or a commercial bus before. Many had not
been outside of their community, or even to the Montgomery
Mall. A trip was put together to take the children to the
Montgomery Mall. A Trailways bus was chartered. When they
got on the bus, they were amazed to see a bathroom on the
bus. When the instructors returned from the trip, they told
her the children had not been outside of Normandale. The
children need experiences, exposure and she said if they
couldn't charter a bus, individuals would be brought in to
share their experiences with them.
The children are exciting, they like
movement. If we have a few moments and would like to come to
Floyd School and be part of the school, she would welcome us.
Sheryl is looking
forward to becoming part of the Builders Club, because we
would be building the future of young men and women. They are
important and reading is important. She was a reading teacher
before becoming an administrator. Children have heart and
they need to be heard. Sometimes if we stop and listen to
that heart, there is a message behind it. She never wants to
miss it, where she could make a difference with a child.
LAST
WEEK'S GUESTS
Scott Powell had
his children, Emily and Ben as his guests. Both Emily
and Ben attend Halcyon Elementary School.
FUTURE
PROGRAMS
Ken
Carrick announced it was reading day at Dalraida School,
and Ed Melton, Barnie Paulson, James Dill and himself
were scheduled to read. On February 12th the kindergarten
children will sing for us.
Ken said he needs speakers for February. He
passed out the list of speakers.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
The Board met last Monday, January
19th at John Burch & Al McLellan's office.
AL McLellan announced there is a free
tax service available. The IRS supplies the materials and
computers. The service has volunteers trained by H & R
Block. It's housed in the Crump Community Center on Highland
Ave. Call to make an appointment, and then go in with your
tax form and last year's tax return. They specialize in
simple returns; meat and potato type returns. He has a card
with the telephone number if you are interested.
Mid-Winter Conference
will be March 5th-6th at the Embassy Suites.
PEANUT
Report
Jerry Evelan reported we have almost
$6,400.00 collected so far. There is $265.00 outstanding.
There may be a calling for peanuts up to Pancake Day. El
Kidd said there were some bags left.
PANCAKE
DAY
Ed Melton passed out
assignment sheets. El Kidd had last year's place mats
for us to see. If you had an ad, nothing is needed to be
done. Ads need to be in by the last of February. Ads are
business cards - $30, 3x3 - $50 and 3x5 - $100.
ILL
MEMBERS
Henry Roddan
took his father, John, to Jackson Hospital last
Thursday. We hope John is alright and our prayers are with
him.
Pete Summer
had a hip replacement done at UAB Hospital. He was expected
home last Saturday. Hurry back Pete, we miss you.
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