NAACP HOPES TO KEEP KIDS IN SCHOOL

Members of the NAACP are working with parents, educators and business owners to improve attendance and excellence in Cape Girardeau public schools.

The Cape Girardeau chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People has joined the organization's national campaign to "educate, agitate and motivate" youths to stay in school. The Back-to-School/Stay-in-School program was developed to reverse chronic absenteeism and drop-out rates among minority youths and to develop positive attitudes toward the importance of education.

Dr. Bernice Coar-Cobb, local chapter vice-president, said the program is aimed at helping students see the importance of attending school regularly and setting post-graduation goals. "We're doing this so that there will not be absenteeism and so they can set goals for themselves beyond high school," she said.

The first event in the on-going program will be an overnight shut-in Aug. 15-16 at the Salvation Army, Cobb said. The event will provide students with a fun setting where they can hear motivational speakers, talk to professionals about career options and learn goal-setting skills, she said.

"We aren't going to just load them with information," said Cobb. "There will be speakers, information and a lot of fun as well."

Michael Sterling, chapter president, said an important aspect of the shut-in is that it will double as a family summit. Parents and other care-givers are encouraged to participate and join in the learning experience, he said. In fact, parents and caregivers will be required to register their students if they want them to attend the event.

"No kids will be dropped off," Sterling said. "Parents have to sign the kids in and also attend some parenting sessions."

Among the list of speakers at the event are Luther Bellinger, an inner-city school motivational speaker; J.J. Williamson, Cape Girardeau city councilman and Allstate insurance agent; and Dr. Michelle Brown-Barnum, a psychiatrist practicing in Sikeston. Representatives from Educare, Cape Girardeau Public Library, and St. Francis Medical Center will also be on hand to provide information during the event.

"It promises to be just a fantastic program to motivate, agitate and educate our youth to stay in school," Cobb said. "It's about self-actualization, not just self-esteem."

Sterling and Cobb emphasized that the initiative was not a single-event affair; students will be tracked throughout the year and until they graduate so that the program can chart its success.

"It's not a one-shot deal," said Sterling. "It will be something that's part of our on-going program."

Registration for the overnight shut-in will begin at 6 p.m. Friday, Aug. 15, at the Salvation Army, 701 Good Hope. For more information, contact committee co-chairperson Shirley Bell or educational chairperson Juanita Spicer.