More Underdogs News

Congressional Representative Buck McKeon visited the students at McGrath Elementary School - -- and he has written a letter to President Obama asking him to consider visiting these students who are achieving at exceptionally high levels.



If you haven't seen this featurette from the documentary we're making that highlights why President Obama should recognize these students, please check it out: http://vimeo.com/20115070.

And, please like us on Facebook. We're so proud of these students and think this story is an important story to tell.

Underdogs Update

McGrath Elementary School, the school we're currently profiling in our documentary, "Underdogs" is a recipient of the National Blue Ribbon Award. They are one of only 4 schools in LA County to receive this award, with only 256 public schools, nationally, being recognized.

On Friday, Ramon filmed the announcement at the school, and the school will be recognized in Washington D.C. in November.

We're so proud of the students, teachers, staff and leadership of McGrath Elementary School for another successful school year last year (e.g. the 6th grade students improved their Math test scores by 25%), and we know this school year their hardwork will continue with even greater success.

You can see a featurette and teaser trailer for the film at http://vimeo.com/20115070 and http://vimeo.com/16123214, on youtube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rdJ8iDLw8lY or on our website http://thinktenmediagroup.com/underdogs.htm.

UNDERDOGS: The Story of a Successful Public School

I am proud to be kicking off fundraising for my first feature-length documentary project, "Underdogs," which follows a public school in Newhall, CA (outside of Los Angeles) over what should be a monumental school year this year.

The school is considered a classic "school of poverty." It should be failing, like so many other schools with similar demographics, but the students, staff and administrators at McGrath Elementary School have created a culture of success. This year they want to do the unthinkable -- have 90% of their students score as proficient or advanced on the state's standardized tests. The 6th graders at the school set this goal. And, they're inviting President Obama to go to the movies with them next year if they achieve this goal.

The students are at the heart of the film. I'm enjoying getting to know them through the editing process and am proud of the filming that Ramon is doing on the project and of the teaching he is doing, as he is teaching filmmaking to students at the school.

Ramon and I are very proud of this project and are working very hard, but we need your help. Every dollar counts! Go to http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/657589189/underdogs-the-story-of-a-successful-public-school-0 to find out how you can help, what you can gain for supporting the project -- AND TO SEE A 7 MINUTE VIDEO EXCERPT FROM THE FILM.

Thanks!

More Than Enough

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has." - Margaret Mead

Recently, there was an Alice in Wonderland Tea Party at the after-school program I run. There were cookies, cupcakes and pizza slices being sold. There were "mad hats" being made and other art activities. The goal was to raise money for clean water in Burkina Faso (a small country in Africa).

The students hoped to raise $250, which would provide a toilet for students at a school in a small country across the world. When, the activity booths were closed, and the cookies and cupcakes and pizza were gone, everyone gathered in the cafeteria. I proudly announced that we raised $225. After the claps died down, I heard a small voice.

"Miss Jen, here," came the words of a little boy, who extended his hand and offered another dollar. Then, another student raised their hand and offered up a couple more dollars, then another and another and another. $5 here, 35 cents there, and on and on and on.

I was noticeably moved by this generous act of students, who know all to well the value of a single dollar.

Later, when I had a chance to count what was given in that final burst of generosity (where the students were not receiving activity tickets, cookies, cupcakes or anything else in exchange for their money), I counted $41, and that didn't include the change.

$41 more dollars, which all began with 1 student and $1.

In my mind, I heard Margaret Mead's words: "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has."

And I added my own: "Never doubt that a simple, single act of kindness is too little. Indeed, it may become more than enough."

Post-Sky Diving Photo from August 2006

Five Non-Vestments + Five Potentials

Five things that I'm glad I don't spend money on:

1. Cable/TV - we don't have any type of TV service. This is great, primarily because it means the "one-eyed baby-sitter" is not just always on, but also because it makes me really consider more deliberately the media I consume. Between hulu.com and espn.com, I typically catch the few TV-related things I might be interested in and avoid the rest.
2. Baby "gear/toys" -- I'm not really into crowding our house with baby stuff. We've been blessed to be given a lot of stuff from friends (hand me-downs and new). Plus, babies are innovative. Sky doesn't really need a lot of toys. The box that my Toms shoes came is very entertaining, as are diapers (clean ones of course), measuring cups, an old remote control, etc.
3. Morning coffee -- I make it at home, instead of getting elsewhere. It saves money and is, usually, just the way I like it.
4. In that same vein - "grab-it-on-the-way breakfast" (AKA take out breakfast) -- which typically means a bagel or muffin (I used to do this). Now, I make breakfast at home. It's healthier, less caloric and sugary, gives me a much better start to my day and saves money.
5. Accessories and excess clothes -- I'm very basic when it comes to fashion -- always have been, always will be. I prefer good finds at a thrift store -- better for my wallet, better for the environment, better (typically) for the cause the thrift store supports (in most cases), and (at times) more unique. Also, regarding accessories, now that I have a baby, I really am glad because the few "nice" things I did have, Sky has broken, spit up on, etc.

Five things I wonder if I would truly get my money's worth from if I bought:
1. Food processor or maybe just a mortar and pistol
2. More coffee items - frother, espresso maker, etc.
3. Fancier cell phone (mine is VERY basic)
4. Waffle maker
5. A new dress for my friend Amiena's wedding

Thoughts??

Top Ten "Investments"

In my commitment to the good long road, I strive to be a conscientious consumer and to consume as little as possible (sometimes successfully, other times, not so successfully), to reuse as much as possible, and to be generous and giving, even with a limited income. Here's my Top Ten "Investments."

10. Toms Shoes - Pregnancy did a number on my feet and shoes, so after I had Sky I invested in a new pair of shoes. This time, Toms Shoes, which I have found to be quite comfortable (physically and mentally - knowing that my purchase meant that a child would also now have a pair of shoes). I also purchased a hoodie from Tom Shoes, since pregnancy had broken the zipper and several seams of my previous hoodie. (I now have my second pair of Toms Shoes).

9. Books - Two specifically that I want to mention: Yoga Mom, Buddha Baby by Jyoth Larson and Ken Howard, which I purchased at the local thrift store and True Love by Thich Nhat Hanh. I didn't purchase True Love for myself. It was a gift from my brother, Kyle, but I have purchased it for 2 friends, so far. You can buy it at amazon or Barnes & Noble, or straight from Parallex Press. Here's a review.

8. Abundant Harvest Organics (a weekly box of locally-grown, organic produce - I typically only need to buy it once or twice a month. I"m supporting locally farmers and getting organic food at a great price). You can read about my recent cooking experiments with this produce on my other blog, Cooking With Love.

7. American Red Cross Donation for Haiti, Donation to a Birthing Center in Palestine, Food Purchase for items to give to the local food pantry, etc.

6. Train Fare - to meet a friend Downtown rather than guzzling gas and adding to LA's notorious traffic problem.

5. Plane Tickets - to Boston just after Christmas (the reason was unfortunate, Ramon's father's funeral), but the trip (with Sky) was a beautiful opportunity for reconnections with family and friends and also (for my grandmother's funeral) to Kansas in April. This weekend I'm going to Chicago to be with my family for my mom's 65th birthday.

4. Compost Bin -- will save money, improve our soil at home and reduce our waste.

3. Sustainable kitchen items - Pyrex glass food containers, a reusable coffee filter, wood cutting board and reusable water bottle.

2. Reusable baby items - G Diapers, cloth nursing pads and such.

1. Fabric - for a sling my mom made for Sky (see below); extra fabric was used for pillowcases (that double as bassinet sheets) and for a boppy case.