650 West North Street | PO Box 111 | Auburn, Indiana 46706 | 260.925.0311
News Articles
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9-29-2011 - Dad benefits from Children First parenting class THE STAR
Tim Wueller, center, hangs out with his two boys, Conner, 7, left, and Cayden, 4, right. Wueller successfully completed the Children First Center’s Redirecting Children’s Behavior class earlier this year. Wueller said he came away from the class with a new perspective on how to interact with his two children.
AUBURN — Sitting in a room with other parents, Tim Wueller wondered what to expect from the Children First Center’s Redirecting Children’s Behavior class. What he found, Wueller said, was a better perspective on how to interact with his two children, Connor, 7, and Cayden, 4.
Wueller, of Auburn, said he sought out the classes online by doing a simple search for parenting classes in DeKalb County. At the time, Wueller and his ex-wife were going through a divorce, and with custody being a prime issue, Wueller said, he was repeatedly asked whether he had ever taken a parenting class. Since he hadn’t, he began to explore.
“I figured it doesn’t hurt to add tools to your parenting toolbox,” Wueller said.
After the five-week course, which was interactive and never boring, Wueller said he has a better understanding of why his kids do the things they do.
For example, before the classes, Wueller said, his son would resist going to bed at night. Cayden would repeatedly come out of his room to avoidsleeping. Sometimes the situation would end frustratingly for both of them, he said.
After learning a few techniques for dealing with certain behaviors, Wueller now uses a different tactic. Instead of talking to Cayden when he comes out, Wueller kindly reminds his son that there will be no discussion and that he must return to bed.
“After a few times, I say ‘Cayden, I am not talking to you right now, you are going back to bed,’” Wueller said. “I keep things even-keel and no one gets upset.”
Another beneficial aspect of the course, Wueller said, is the way the facilitators teach about various parenting styles. From being an a strict authoritarian to being too permissive, parents learn how their own parenting style impacts their children behavior.
“It is enlightening to learn from other parents’ experiences for those who don’t know about different parenting styles,” Wueller said. “They teach that every parent should have a mix of styles they use.”
Wueller understands parenting isn’t an easy job, in fact, he said it is the biggest job an adult will ever have. And, just as people work to keep their job skills up-to-date, Wueller said parents should be open and willing to the idea of keeping their parenting skills sharpened.
What better way to hone those skills than with an engaging course filled with role-playing, storytelling and first-hand examples, Wueller said.
“I know this course was beneficial to us. I think it has helped me (as a parent),” Wueller said. “I would take more classes.”
Children First Center, 1752 Wesley Rd., will host Redirecting Children’s Behavior classes beginning Oct. 4 from 6-9 p.m. The five-session class continues each Tuesday through Nov. 1.
Some topics included in the course are preventing sibling and peer rivalry, teaching children respect and responsibility, understanding why a child misbehaves, holding children accountable for their actions, open communication among family members and more.
The cost to participate is $25 per person or $40 per couple, which includes tuition and class materials. For more information, interested parents can contact Children First Center at 925-3865 or (800) 824-2698. |
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10-24-2011 - United Way Donates to Learning Link The Star
 Learning Link, an initiative of the DeKalb County Community Foundation, receives a grant from United Way of DeKalb County in support of bringing the community together around raising the level of educational attainment. From left are Dave Bunn, United Way board president; Julie Hill-Lauer, United Way executive director; Judy Sorg, Learning Link director; and Erik Weber, Learning Link Steering Committee chair.
AUBURN — Learning Link, an education initiative of the DeKalb County Community Foundation, shared its progress and invited input at its semi-annual community meeting Oct. 10 at the First United Methodist Church in Auburn.
“The United Way of DeKalb County is committed to supporting education,” United Way executive director Julie Hill-Lauer said at the event. “Our board of directors is happy to support Learning Link’s efforts in bringing the community together around lifelong learning with a grant of over $28,000.”
“This is a wonderful example of countywide collaboration,” Learning Link committee chair Erik Weber said.
In progress reports, early childhood team member Tonya Weaver reported that of 426 incoming kindergarten students countywide in 2011, 38 percent were screened as “ready” in the three domains measured: academic, social and language skill development. The team’s goal is for 50 percent of entering kindergarten students in 2012 to screen as “ready.”
Weaver added, “Now that our targets and domains are clearly identified, we believe the community can collectively make an impact on school readiness for all children.”
The early childhood team then shared a video titled “Early Learning Matters,” which emphasized the importance of early childhood education (see the video at ECAlliance.org). Team members Carrie Holbert, representing Garrett-Keyser-Butler Head Start, and Sherry Hanchar, Butler Early Education, shared examples from their own programs that illustrated what quality early childhood education could look like. Well-trained staff, continually assessing children’s progress, and taking advantage of teachable moments were three quality indicators mentioned by Holbert and Hanchar.
The kindergarten to 12th grade education team also reported recent actions, including KiPS, a summer program that prepares children for success in kindergarten in the DeKalb Eastern district, and DeKalb Reads, a workshop series for parents of kindergarten students striving to reach grade level in the DeKalb Central and Garrett-Keyser-Butler school districts. A team focused on promoting school-business partnerships reported on the multitude of ways businesses can become involved in shaping the future workforce. Roadmaps describing each team’s accomplishments can be found at DeKalbLearningLink.org. Click on “news,” then“semi-annual overviews.”
At the close of the evening, meeting participants were asked to identify the most important next steps to moving the initiative forward. Participants favored going to parents and building trusting relationships to enhance parents’ skills, along with making quality early childhood care and education more accessible for families. Another high priority was creating community awareness around the need for higher levels of adult learning in DeKalb County.
Learning Link, an initiative of the DeKalb County Community Foundation, provides a platform upon which community members can work together to improve the quality of life for all in DeKalb County through continuous learning.
“Imagine if DeKalb County could say 90 percent of our kids are entering kindergarten ready to learn. Learning Link efforts benefit the DeKalb County community’s quality of life, income levels and personal satisfaction,” Weber said.
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10-3-2011 DeKalb Reads offering parent workshops The Star
 Garrett High School students help prepare literacy kits for DeKalb Reads workshops.
AUBURN - DeKalb Reads offers parents of kindergarten students a better understanding of their role in their child’s learning. The two-part workshop series will demonstrate how parents can best help their children achieve grade-level learning.
Workshop activities are hands-on and designed to make learning fun for parents and children. Six community members received special training for guiding parents through the series. Workshops will be held at local libraries and a church.
DeKalb County Learning Link, an initiative of the community foundation, is sponsoring DeKalb Reads with key partners, DeKalb Central and Garrett-Keyser-Butler school districts. The schools selected workshop participants based on the students who have the most to gain. Parents or guardians who attend both sessions will receive a start on their child’s home library valued at over $100. Generous community donors funded the program.
Learning Link works to improve the quality of life for all in DeKalb County through continuous learning. Its early childhood education team set a goal for 90 percent of entering kindergarten students being ready for success in school by 2015. DeKalb Reads will help ensure school achievement for the children of those who participate.
For more information about Learning Link, an education initiative of the DeKalb County Community Foundation, go to DeKalbLearningLink.org or call Judy Sorg at the DeKalb County Community Foundation, 925-0311, or plan to attend the Learning Link community meeting on Monday, Oct. 10, from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the Auburn First United Methodist Church. Three action teams will make brief reports and solicit community input in small groups. Dinner will be provided by sending reservations to Dwilson@DeKalbFoundation.org by Wednesday.
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5-26-2011 - Game Teaches Students Value of Higher Education The Star, Friday, May 20, 2011
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4-14-2011 - Learning Link Reports Progress, Plans The Star
Vivian Likes and Mary Simcox discuss adult learning at Learning Link's semi-annual community meeting held at Eastside. BUTLER — Erik Weber, chair of the Learning Link Steering Committee, kicked off its semi-annual community input meeting telling 77 participants from across the county, “This community belongs to every one of us here, and we are all responsible for taking ownership and making it what we want it to be.” The committee invited the public to its meeting April 4 at Learning Link, focused on learning for all ages, is an education initiative of the DeKalb County Community Foundation. Learning Link “is not about starting new programs, but coordinating and aligning the goals of Glenda Ervins, Regional Coordinator of the 21st Century Scholars program, spoke to audience members about the statewide program that enrolls sixth-, seventh- and eighth-grade students who are part of the free and reduced-price lunch program. Once enrolled, students pledge to maintain a C average and stay away from illegal drugs and crime in exchange for four years of paid tuition at any one of 88 Learning Link’s early childhood learning team reported on the development and success of a kindergarten-readiness screening tool in 2010. Tonya Weaver, incoming principal at J.E. Ober Elementary School in Garrett, said, “The good news is the tool worked and was effective (as one of the pieces of evidence) used to identify students in need of extra assistance. We plan for the tool to be used countywide in 2011.” The team’s vision is to increase the number of children ready with the skills they need to learn successfully in kindergarten. The kindergarten to 12th-grade team divided itself into two work groups, one focused on increasing the percentage of third grade students reading at grade level. Brennen Kitchen, principal at Riverdale Elementary School in St. Joe, introduced three projects of the third-grade literacy group: •KiPS, a kindergarten preparatory series scheduled at Butler Public Library this summer in partnership with DeKalb Eastern schools providing curriculum and transportation; • parent literacy enrichment, a two-part series for parents of identified kindergarten students starting in the fall; and •EXCEL, an afterschool program in partnership with DeKalb Central schools, which provides children in grades 1-5 with homework help, recreation and academic enrichment after school. The K-12 team’s second work group is promoting more business involvement with students related to career development. Chris Straw of Team Quality Services reported, “We are now working with career development teachers in the classrooms of each of the public high schools in Ann Williams, director of Purdue Extension in Organizational leaders who work with families were encouraged to consider posting the team’s brochure to their websites. The brochure includes 36 opportunities for “Everyone has room for improvement in their skills as parents. Letting parents know that there is help and information out there is one key, getting them to open the door to learn is the other,” Williams said. Following the team presentations, audience members divided into interest groups. Participants reported especially liking: • all communities of • the promotion of business involvement in the schools; and • the focus on third-grade literacy, because after third grade, children need to read to learn. Participants were asked for suggestions for moving teams forward. A suggestion for the early childhood team was to reach the parents of “at-risk” children, possibly by using more social media. It was suggested that the kindergarten to 12th-grade team help expand internship opportunities for high school students. A suggestion for the adult learning team was to increase the awareness of unemployed and underemployed individuals of opportunities for further learning or retraining. “There are many people in Anyone with an interest in getting involved is invited to join an action team of interest. For more information about DeKalb County Learning Link or its publications, call Judy Sorg at 925-0311, send email to JSorg@DeKalbFoundation.org or go to DeKalbLearningLink.org. |
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3-30-2011 - Learning Link Plans Community Meeting in Butler Learning Link, an educational initiative of the DeKalb County Community Foundation, invites community members countywide to its semi-annual Community Input meeting on April 4 from 6 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Eastside Jr.-Sr. High School in Butler. DeKalb County Learning Link is a platform upon which individuals and organizations across sectors work to achieve the community’s vision of “working together to improve the quality of life for all in DeKalb County through continuous learning.”
Creating a culture of learning for all ages is Learning Link’s goal in its broadest sense. Three life stages are being addressed by volunteer groups. Those stages include early childhood learning, kindergarten to 12th grade education, and adult lifelong learning. Reports of each team’s progress, successes and challenges will be shared at the April 4 working dinner meeting. Following reports of accomplishments and measures from each team, input and suggestions for moving forward will be sought from audience members.
Guest speaker Glenda Ervins, regional coordinator for Indiana’s 21st Century Scholars program, will also be on hand at the meeting. The 21st Century Scholars program helps ensure that any Indiana family can afford a college education for their child. “Many DeKalb County families aren’t taking advantage of this financial opportunity to put their child on a career path of their choice,” stated Judy Sorg, facilitator of the community foundation’s Learning Link initiative.
“We are excited to share progress reports from Learning Link's action teams and hear ideas from community members on improving our work,” said Wendy Oberlin, the community foundation’s director.
Anyone with an interest in learning across the lifespan in DeKalb County is invited to attend. Because dinner is provided, reservations are requested. Call Diane Wilson at the DeKalb County Community Foundation, 925-0311, or e-mail DWilson@DeKalbFoundation.org by the extended deadline, Friday, April 1. For more information about DeKalb County Learning Link, call Judy Sorg at 925-0311 or go to www.DeKalbLearningLink.org.
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11-16-2010 - Getting a Job and Keeping It: Learning Link Coordinates Presentation Butler - “When Kelly Knox, DeKalb County Chamber Director called me, I couldn’t say ‘no’. I see too many students getting out of high school unprepared for completing a job application or an interview,” stated Kassy Davis, Human Resource Manager for DeKalb Molded Plastics. Davis has worked for DeKalb Molded Plastics for two years and previously worked in the human resources field for seven years.
A goal of the Chamber Partnership’s Education and Learning Link’s school-business partnerships committee is getting more business and industry leaders involved in the education of DeKalb County’s high school students. The group includes representatives from DeKalb County’s high schools, business leaders and others in the community interested in helping high schools prepare students for their future careers. Learning Link, an initiative of the DeKalb County Community Foundation, connects or ‘links’ existing community resources to achieve the shared vision of working together through continuous learning to improve the quality of life for all in DeKalb County.
Deb Tieman, Eastside Jr.-Sr. High School Careers class teacher, suggested to the committee that her students could benefit from hearing a reinforcement of some of the points she makes in her Careers class. On her list was helping the student know the expectations of what is required to get that first job, and then keeping the job.
Davis told students, “there are simple things you need to do, like filling in all the blanks on a job application, dressing appropriately for the job position for which you’re applying and showing up for the interview 10 minutes early.” Davis continued, “I’ll ask my assistant what time you showed up for the interview. If you just slid in the door on time, that makes an impression. And above all, be courteous to everyone you meet in the office.” Davis explained that her job is to select the best “fit” for her workplace from the stack of applications that arrive for a position.
“During the interview”, Davis advised students, “leave your cell phone at home. I know you can put them on vibrate or silent, but it can still be a distraction to you. Don’t even take it in the room.” Davis also advised students hold themselves upright, “have good posture, and look like you’re confident. I want to feel a firm handshake, like you can do this.”
Davis’ biggest tips for keeping the job after landing it? “Show up for work a few minutes early, be prepared for what’s ahead of you and go above and beyond what is expected.”
After the presentation, Tieman noted "the interaction between Kassy and the students was amazing. The students hear this information through classroom discussion, but when they hear it from someone who is out in the corporate world, it actually hits home with them. The Careers class at Eastside is designed to prepare students for their future. Many will be considering looking for that first job shortly, so the presentation was relevant and well received by the class."
The Chamber-Learning Link group is also working in another area--increasing the opportunities for teachers to get outside their classrooms to see what workers in related fields do on a daily basis, the real world challenges they might come up against. Judy Sorg, Learning Link Director for the foundation, stated “this is an all-inclusive experience. For example, Alcoa engineers volunteered to mentor a DeKalb Central drafting teacher for three days. The teacher had a firsthand look at the workplace environment, the interpersonal communication and technical knowledge and skills required. He said the experience was ‘invaluable’ to what he could teach his students.”
If any organization is interested in sharing workplace knowledge or skills with a student or teacher in DeKalb County, please call Judy Sorg, director of Learning Link, 260-925-0311 or e-mail JSorg@DeKalbFoundation.org, or Kelly Knox, Director of the DeKalb County Chamber, 260-925-2100 or e-mail Kelly@ChamberInAuburn.com.
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9-24-2010 - Learning Link community meeting planned WATERLOO — DeKalb County Learning Link, an education initiative of the DeKalb County Community Foundation, will host its fourth semi-annual countywide input meeting Monday, Oct. 11, at 6 p.m. at New Hope Christian Center in Waterloo.
Learning Link action teams will report their progress toward achieving the community’s vision, expressed as “working together through continuous learning to improve the quality of life for all in DeKalb County.”
After the teams for early childhood, K-12 education and adult lifelong learning have presented, community members will be invited to offer feedback and suggestions for moving each team forward.
This will be a working dinner meeting with a barbecue meal from Dutch Heritage in Spencerville served at 6 p.m. Anyone wishing to attend should contact Diane Wilson or Judy Sorg, Learning Link director at the community foundation, by e-mail at dwilson@dekalbfoundation.org or by telephone at 925-0311.
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03-18-2010 - Learning Link members give update The Star
March 18, 2010 Learning Link members give update
By Lindsay Winslow Brown
GARRETT — Learning Links committee members shared their progress Tuesday night at Garrett Middle School.
Learning Link is a DeKalb County initiative seeking to work together, through continuous learning, to improve the quality of life for all. The program works through three groups — early childhood education, kindergarten through 12th grade education and adult lifelong learning.
The early childhood group has a vision that all county children will “enter kindergarten ready to achieve,” said committee member Molly Schuman.
The group — made up of community members, teachers and administrators — surveyed public and private schools about kindergarten readiness. According to local public schools between zero and 80 percent of their students are ready. Private schools said between 90 and 95 percent of their students are ready.
By the year 2015, the group hopes at least 90 percent of students will enter kindergarten ready.
The group has kindergarten-readiness pamphlets available for distribution and hopes to conduct trainings for kindergarten screeners this spring.
The kindergarten through 12th grade education group hope students will offer outstanding performance in academic, vocational and civic areas.
The group wants more students to read at grade level by the third grade, an increased number of school-community partnerships to better prepare students for careers and more students involved in civic activities.
Currently, 78 percent of third-grade students are reading at or above grade level in DeKalb County schools, said literacy teacher Carrie Alday.
Becky Pfeffer of DeKalb High School said currently 28 students have unpaid internships, 40 have paid internships and 17 students participate in health occupation education classes.
Pfeffer hopes to continue to develop relationships with area businesses to better prepare students for careers in the area.
The adult lifelong learning team has three ideas for improvement — parenting skills, volunteerism and adult education. The group hopes to increase the number of DeKalb County adults who use community resources to improve their lives or careers.
Currently, five GED classes are available in DeKalb County. Occupational skills training is available through WorkOne, the Freedom Academy and other area colleges. The group also hopes adults will enhance parenting skills through community resources. Currently, 37 groups offer parenting skills classes and workshops.
All the groups plan to continue to bring ideas to the table.
“The people in this room are not going to solve these issues. It’s going to take the whole community,” said Learning Link director Judy Sorg.
Garrett-Keyser-Butler Schools superintendent Dennis Stockdale said he appreciated the efforts of those who attended the program. He said schools have to change for two reasons — to keep up with the demand of technology and because family structures have changed.
“It’s going to take all of us to make sure kids the opportunities they need,” Stockdale said.
For more information about Learning Link or to get involved, call Sorg at 925-0311.
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03/08/10 - Learning Link plans community meeting The Star
GARRETT — DeKalb County Learning Link is inviting community members to a working dinner meeting Tuesday, March 16, from 6 to 8:30 p.m. in the Garrett Middle School Commons.
Early childhood team members will unveil a checklist of the skills that have been shown to ensure later success in school for families and other providers of programs for young children and DeKalb County community members. "Team members came to the table recognizing the importance of children being prepared for learning in kindergarten," said Judy Sorg, director of DeKalb County Learning Link, the DeKalb County Community Foundation’s education initiative. Early childhood team members include kindergarten teachers and early childhood educators across northeast Indiana, along with community members who are interested in doing what’s best for children and for DeKalb County’s future. "This team sees first-hand how children who enter school with those early skills are those reading at grade level by third grade," Sorg said. DeKalb County Learning Link has been organizing action teams over the past year to work toward the community’s long-term vision of "working together through continuous learning to improve the quality of life for all in DeKalb County." Three action teams will present their progress at the March 16 meeting, the third of its kind since Learning Link began its work in 2008. The teams are: early childhood learning; kindergarten to 12th grade education; and adult lifelong learning. After the teams report, input and suggestions will be sought from audience members. Learning Link spent its first year working under the direction of Joseph "Jay" A. Connor, founder and CEO of the Collaboratory for Community Support. "No longer can one entity or organization solve the complex social problems. The real issues are too interwoven and the attempts to address them too fragmented. It requires the involvement of all sectors working together toward clear outcomes," Connor said. "There are many people in DeKalb County who are convinced that education is the key to improving the quality of life for their children and grandchildren," said Wendy Oberlin, the community foundation’s director. "They are willing to devote their time to work toward a common educational goal, and the community foundation is happy to provide the coordination and platform necessary to make their work possible." People attending the March 16 meeting should enter the school at door no. 20 off Britton Street in Garrett. Dinner will be provided. Anyone planning to attend should make a reservation by calling Diane Wilson at the DeKalb County Community Foundation, 925-0311, or send an e-mail message to dwilson@dekalbfoundation.org. For more information about DeKalb County Learning Link, call Sorg at 925-0311 or go to the website dekalblearninglink.org. |
