Page 4 - Martin Downs Bulletin - November '20

Page 4, Martin Downs

Kids Corner

Common Causes Of Reading We offer reading testing for dyslexia, learning disabilities, in working for the common good; or perseverance and inner
strength to overcome physical, financial or other difficulties.
and processing problems. Learn more at JimForgan.com or call
Problems (561) 625-4125. Nominations for this year’s Joe Kordick Youth Character
Awards, Friday, Nov. 14, can be submitted either by the
By Jim Forgan, Ph.D., Nominate A Student For An student’s school, or any community member who has seen
School Psychologist the student continually display good character.
Reading is a critical life Annual Youth Character Award Nominees must be Martin County public school
skill but up to 25 percent of students in eighth or 12th grades. Once nominated,
kids struggle with learning Instilling good character in children as they prepare for students will receive application information. Middle
to read. Common causes of the real world is a big deal in Martin County. school award recipients will be presented with a plaque,
reading problems include United Way of Martin County’s CHARACTER COUNTS! and high school award recipients will receive a $1,000
having a breakdown in one of program sits at the forefront of this effort. It recognizes local cash award. Nomination forms and guidelines are
the five main areas of reading. students for exemplifying good character during the annual available at www.unitedwaymartin.org/JKYCA or by
These areas are phonemic Joe Kordick Youth Character Awards. contacting Tara Zweben at (772) 283-4800, Ext. 234 or
awareness, phonics, fluency, Each year, United Way of Martin County’s CHARACTER tzweben@unitedwaymartin.org.
vocabulary, or comprehension. COUNTS! presents the Joe Kordick Youth Character Awards About United Way Of Martin County
Testing your child can identify the problem so you can provide to honor students whose lives and achievements demonstrate United Way of Martin County’s mission is to lift the
specific support. Then your child will gain reading confidence. an enduring commitment to any or all of the Six Pillars community and change lives together through the collective
Phonemic awareness is the awareness of sounds and how of Character – Trustworthiness, Respect, Responsibility, power of advancing the common good. Since 1972, United
they work in words. This is a foundational reading skill and a Fairness, Caring and Citizenship. Way has been working to create long-term social change
breakdown can interfere with reading and spelling. Phonics is Examples of qualities associated with good character and provide support to Martin County residents by investing
understanding the relationship between letters and their sounds. include uncompromising integrity and courage shown by a in programs that strive to enhance healthy living, improve
A breakdown here interferes with your child’s ability to quickly willingness to do the right thing despite social pressures or education and support financial stability.
and automatically sound out unfamiliar words. personal risk; generosity of spirit and a willingness for self- For more information about United Way of Martin County,
Your child’s reading fluency is important because fluent sacrifice in devotion to helping others; community service visit www.UnitedWayMartin.org or call (772) 283-4800.
reading frees up your child’s thinking power to focus on
understanding what is being read. If your child lacks fluency
they spend so much mental energy on pronouncing the words
that they often don’t understand what they read.
Some children read words but don’t understand their meaning.
For example, “The pig did a jig.” Your child might not know a
jig is a type of dance so a vocabulary weakness interferes with
comprehension. Reading comprehension is the ultimate goal of
reading and in kindergarten through second grade kids learn to
read but from third grade on kids read to learn. Your child will
struggle in most academic areas if he or she struggles in reading
comprehension.
Additional causes of reading problems include weakness in
memory, attention, language, or processing speed. Let’s figure
out your child so you can provide support where it’s needed and Johanna Cruz-Deleon, Martin County Javaris Hampton, Indiantown Middle Christian Molina, Martin County High
build areas of strength. With the right help your child can become High School, was a 2019/20 Joe Kordick School, was a 2019/20 Joe Kordick Youth School, was a 2019/20 Joe Kordick Youth
a strong reader and even love to read. Youth Character award winner. Character award winner. Character award winner.
eduCation

GWCCC’s Drive-Through Thelma Washington, executive director of GWCCC, are so grateful that we do this year after year.”
Community Thanksgiving is looking for volunteers to share in the joy of the day. “I To learn more about how you can be a sponsor or
volunteer, call Gertrude Walden Child Care Center at
don’t know who feels the spirit of Thanksgiving more:
Dinner those of us who cook the food or the smiling people who (772) 283-6321.
By Jackie Holfelder
It’s going to take more than a pandemic to keep the
staff from Gertrude Walden Child Care Center (GWCCC)
from providing its traditional free Thanksgiving turkey
dinner to members of the community.
This gift that is sponsored by local organizations,
churches, businesses and individuals, continues to grow
every year – and for health and safety reasons in 2020,
each and every meal will be offered on a drive-through
basis.
On November 19, some 100 committed and caring
volunteers – including all five city commissioners –
will start cooking at 9 a.m., preparing traditional turkey
dinners with all the fixings for those who come to the
center to pick them up between 3 to 6 p.m.
Community Service Officer Joe Hogan of the Stuart
Police Department will be doing his part, delivering Ruth Pietruszewski, Martin County tax collector; Joseph People line up to get their Thanksgiving dinner in 2019.
meals to several sick and shut-in senior citizens in the Tumminelli, Stuart police chief; Thelma Washington, This year, all meals will be available drive-through only.
neighborhood. GWCCC executive director; and Tom Campenni, GWCCC
Sponsors include Christ Fellowship Church, Cleveland board member; volunteer in 2019. Photos provided by Gertrude Walden Child Care Center
Clinic/Martin Health System, TC3, Erneston Produce and
Dyslexia, ADD/ADHD,
Event Makers.

Gifted Testing

NOW OFFERING: Dr. Jim Forgan & Associates
• Jupiter & Stuart Offices Licensed School Psychologist
• Testing for Processing www.JimForgan.com
Problems, Anxiety,
Defiance (561) 625-4125
• Weekend and After
School Appointments

“Helping Parents Help Children”