Another School Year is Over!

For most kids, the end of school and graduation to the next grade is a given. For "our kids" it is reason for celebration. At our house we have a red plate that is used for special achievements or occasions. When final report cards arrived, all three made A-B Honor Roll. Charlie, Annie and Marquel got to take turns eating off the red plate.

Chip got a turn at the red plate because he will be starting school next year!

All three received medalions to celebrate their achievements.

Marquel is still playing catch up from missing out on 1st and 2nd grade. She has worked incredibly hard. Her A's were in Language Arts and Reading, which is even more amazing. While we take learning English for granted, when you consider that English is the hardest language to learn, and for kids who do not have a good start with Pre-K, Kindergarten and 1st grade to learn the basics, Marquel has demonstrated her determination and inner drive.

Annie struggled with 3rd grade Math. Reading comprehension has been a challenge for her, and 3rd grade Math includes more word problems. We have become much more aware of why some say that standardized tests are a bit unfair to kids from different cultures. They have not been exposed to many of the things we take for granted, so they do not have that "picture in their mind" as they read. They truly do speak a "different language" at home and with their friends, their grammar and pronunciations of words is different. Vocabulary is limited, and words that are spelled the same but have different meanings are very confusing.

We have come to understand how Charlie's ADHD hinders his learning. While he is very smart, the Attention Deficit portion makes it hard for him to focus, and the hyperactivity keeps him constantly on the move. He reads above grade level, but his work often suffers because he either cannot focus on it long enough to get it done, or he feels that since he knows it, why should he bother doing the work. His teacher was very patient with him and helped him get all A's with only one B.

Marquel will be in 6th grade next year, Annie in 4th, Charlie in 2nd and Chip will start Pre-K. Chip is already a little celebrity at the school, all the teachers know him. Charlie will have the benefit of the special ed teacher next year to help out when his behavior gets in the way.

Since the kids are spending a considerable amount of time with us this summer, we have the opportunity to read lots of books and do lots of Math worksheets. After lunch each day is rest time when they can lay on their bed and either take a nap or read a book. Yesterday they discovered a box of books that had been donated to us and begged and begged to get them out. Marquel even found a new book that she thought looked interesting.

Annie loves to read, and already has a long list of books that she has read this summer. They might be short little books, but they are books, just the same. She enjoys her chapter books too.

Charlie loves to be read too. Randy started reading the Hardy Boys book #1 to him, and while he read he thought maybe it was too old for Charlie. He soon learned that Charlie was listening intently and understanding it.

Reading is hard for Marquel, she would rather watch movies. I believe it is because she has a difficult time with "making a movie in her head" as she reads.

Chip sits and either recites a book he has memorized because it has been read to him so many times, or makes up stories from the pictures.

We are so proud of "our kids" and we hope that they will keep their love of reading and learning! And a big thank you to all who have given books to the kids. Reading is the key to education and education is the way out of poverty. For those living in poverty, there are few if any books in their home.

August will be here before we know it, and the kids will all need new uniforms for school. Last year Marquel went through 3 sizes! If you would like to help with school clothes and supplies please consider making a tax deductible donation:

Make Checks Payable to:
St. John Lutheran Church
Memo: Thornton Family Fund
Mail it to:
St. John Lutheran Church
PO Box 1081
Boerne, TX 78006

100% of this fund is used for the family needs.

Until next time . . .

Stephanie

Happy Birthday Marquel and Annie!

Marquel turned 12 and Annie is now 10! Since both girls have May birthdays their Father let them have a party and invite their friends, which they thoroughly enjoyed.

Marquel has grown so tall, she has gone through 3 sizes this school year alone. We came up with a plan for doing extra chores to earn money so that she could pick out her own clothes and learn the value of money.

Both girls passed their Reading and Math achievement tests. Yeah!! They got to take turns eating off the red plate that we use to celebrate special occasions. Marquel can now look forward to 6th grade and Annie to 4th.

Events such as birthdays always make us look back over the events since we met them in September, 2005. How far they have come -

from never going to school to never wanting to miss a day!

from failing grades to passing their tests easily.

from needing help to get dressed to picking out clothes that actually match.

from never having any toys to learning how to take care of their things.

from existing on a bag of chips to eating a family meal with good manners.

from looking at the floor to looking people in the eye to say hello.

We realize they have a long way to go to bring their emotional development up to their chronological age, but we see so much progress. We have learned more than we ever thought we would about the results of a mother who is an alcoholic and the long-lasting effects on the children. They will no doubt have to work the rest of their lives to overcome the trauma caused by neglect and abuse.

A few weeks ago Marquel asked me, "Will I still come to your house when I am in college?" I assured her that she sure could if she chose to. How wonderful that they have a future to look forward to! Of course we could not do this without the help of all of you!

Until next time -

Stephanie

Marquel Passed her Math Test!

We are so proud of Marquel! At our house we have a special red dinner plate. When one of the kids has a special event to celebrate, such as birthdays, passing a test, or an exceptionally good report card, they get to eat off the red plate.

Last weekend Marquel was counting the money in her bank that she has earned for doing extra chores or given to her by wonderful friends for special occasions. As she was counting she asked me, "Miss Stephanie, will I still come to your house when I am in college?"

I was very touched by her question. Our sincere hope is that she will be able to attend college without the extra burden of being mother and supporter of their household as their father gets older.

5th grade tests include Science, which is one of Marquel's favorite subjects. We'll let you know how she does.

Annie's Math test will be the last week of April. Please keep her in your prayers!

Stephanie

PS. Results for the Survey question: Only 60% of Texas children pass the Math portion of the test. We are SO PROUD of our girls!

"Trouble the Water" on HBO

Last summer we saw this movie in the theatre. We had heard that it created a lot of buz at Sundance, won several awards, and was a Best Documentary nominee for an Academy Award. So we went out of curiosity more than anything.

It is the story of one couple with their video camera, capturing what came along for them during Hurricane Katrina. The raw footage is revealing and their calm spirits during those horrific days is uplifting.

We came away from this movie moved by the tenacity of the people, disturbed by some of the events that they captured, and uplifted by this couple's enormous desire to get their life back. We were also saddened at their loss, not only of home and belongings, but of their entire community, which to them was their extended family in many ways.

This movie will be shown on HBO on Thursday, April 23rd at 8:30 PM ET/PT

http://www.troublethewaterfilm.com

I thought you might like to know, and be able to watch it if you so desire. I do recommend it!

Until next time!

Stephanie

Easter Fun

The kids were thrilled to spend a long Easter weekend with their favorite "aunt and uncle", Randy's sister Deb and her husband Bryce.

We hate to complain about rain when we are in such a draught, but we were sure glad to see the sun come out Sunday morning! When we got home from church, the Easter Bunny (AKA Teresa) had found our house and left eggs all over the yard.

If any of the kids doubt the existence of the Easter Bunny or Santa, they don't let it show. We feel that Marquel and Annie missed out on so much of their childhood, just being allowed to enjoy the innocent fun things, that they want to hold on to these fun times as long as they can. The Easter baskets that we got them 2 years ago have been used and reused - they even use them for Halloween!

And a special thanks to Leigh and Ed for including the kids in their fun! What great memories everyone is creating for these kids.

The long weekend was a welcome break from studying for tests. But then, studying Math with Miss Debbie is much more fun! Marquel has taken her Math test, and Annie is cramming for her test the end of April.

Hoping you all had a great Easter weekend!

Stephanie

Girls TAKS Reading Test Results!

The other day Marquel was complaining about what she perceived as bad behaviour and special treatment of her younger brothers. In an attempt to pacify her, Randy said, "Well just remember, in a few years you will be out on your own and you won't have to deal with it."

"I'll be in college," was Marquel's quick reply.

Randy and I were so thrilled to hear her say this. We talk about college as if it is the expected next step after high school, but we weren't sure that they really comprehended the concept. Any cash that they are given goes into their bank, which is their "college fund".

Marquel continued by asking, "How will I get to college?" We assured her that we would make sure she had a way to get there. "But if I have a car, what if I have an accident?" We realized she had given this a lot of thought!

Considering Marquel's latest school progress report shows 90's with one 86, and taking into account that she has the height and physic of a basketball or volleyball player, we are hoping she can maintain her grades, keep out of trouble and qualify for a college scholarship.

New Survery question: While we do last minute cramming and studying with the girls for their TAKS tests (Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills), I found some statistics for Texas that were interesting. Let's see how our girls who had such a poor start in school will measure up!

Vote now!

(See below for girls test results)

Last Survey Results for "Primary Risk factor of Low Income"

According to National Center for Children in Poverty, a primary risk factor for low income is the lack of Parental Education. 67% of those who voted in the survey chose this answer. When you think about this, it makes perfect sense:

• A parent who does not have a high school diploma or GED is destined to low paying jobs


• This parent is more likely to become involved in alcohol/drug abuse as an escape


• Crimes such as theft or drug dealing is more tempting


• Lack of education means lack of access to or understanding of the importance of health care


• As a result, children have low expectations for their own future and model their parent(s), continuing the cycle of poverty

"The most commonly held stereotypes about poverty are false. Family poverty in the U.S. is typically depicted as a static, entrenched condition, characterized by large numbers of children, chronic unemployment, drugs, violence, and family turmoil. But the realities of poverty and economic hardship are very different. . . About 40 percent of Americans will experience poverty at some point in their lives; only a small minority experience multi-generational poverty and chronic dysfunction." from: National Center for Children in Poverty

Statistics like this make us realize how fragile that line can be and how vulnerable we all are.

Now for the girls Reading test results: A score less than 2100 is not passing. A score 2400 or above is commendable. Both girls scored over 2300!!

According to the Children's Defense Fund statistics, 70% of 4th graders in Texas public schools are reading below grade level!

Stephanie

The Crooked Princess

Our neighbors had a garage sale and Annie came home with the most fitting purchase for our little drama queen - a Barbie Princess crown!

She wore it all day every day - along with a big smile.

The fact that it was a little crooked was even more perfect!

It was a great opportunity to learn that if you are a princess you must act like a princess. This seemed to go much further than nagging at her to mind her manners.

She is immensely proud of her braces and her pretty new smile.

School has been more of a struggle this year. We have studied hard on reading comprehension and Math. Her teacher has been outstanding, getting Annie extra tutoring and even doing tutoring herself before and after school.

In the process of trying to help Charlie better with his ADHD, I have been reading a book that the counselors recommended. I think I also found Annie described in that book, realizing that Annie is a very "concrete, black-and-white" thinker. We call her our "Calendar Girl" because she knows everyone's birthday, and loves to keep track of important dates. A calendar is organized nicely into little boxes, but when it comes to more abstract word problems in Math, she has a hard time. Perhaps this will help us find more effective ways to help her learn.

Annie was probably the most influenced by her mom's lifestyle. When her mom partied with her friends, beer and "explicit" songs blaring, Annie loved the drama of it all. Our challenge is to channel her wonderful energy and spirit into more constructive avenues.

We are so pleased when our friends are around and demonstrate the same values. It helps the kids understand that Randy and I are not just mean old fuddy-duds, our friends tell them the same things. And they do listen! We overhear many little conversations and comments that let us know that they take these lessons to heart.

Keep up the good work, and keep us all in your thoughts and prayers.

Stephanie

ps - Remember how hard Marquel struggled in school last year? Her last progress report was all 90's with one 86. Prayer works!