Chess at the Club

Many of our members have shown an interest in learning how to play chess.  One of our dedicated volunteers has been teaching each member how to play by giving those interested personal lessons.  So far, about twenty members have learned how to play chess.  Thank you to Mr. Craig for inspiring these members in the game of chess as well as donating several chess boards to our club.  Beow are some pictures of members playing chess.

Friday Fun Day

This past Friday, we decided to throw a movie and popcorn party for our members.  We watched the movie Shrek and Mr. Bryant popped us some fresh popcorn.  Here are some pictures from this event.

MCA Testing

In the Education Center, members are not only completing homework, but are extended their learning by focusing on the skills in Math and Reading our members will need in order to pass the Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment Tests given to our members in the public schools.

The Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment Tests (also known as the MCA tests) are administered in the spring.  In preparation for these standardized tests in both Math and Reading, members have been taking item sampler tests to familiarize themselves with the test format as well as making sure they are prepared for these tests in April.

These item samplers can be found at the following
link: MCA Item Samplers These tests are given to all Minnesota students in grades 3-8.  I am very proud of their dedication and hard work towards meeting this goal.  Keep up the good work!

Friday Fun Day

On Fridays in the Education Center, members take a break from the rigorous homework routine by playing games, coloring, reading books, making crafts and using the computers. Here are some photos of students participating in their choice activities this Friday.

The "Chop It Up" Boys Group

One of the many classes we offer at  the Jerry Gamble Boys and Girls Club is called, "Chop It Up," and is run by our Social Development Director John Bryant.  These group of boys range in age from six to nine years of age.  They have had meetings that discussed many issues such as how to make lasting friendships and how to stop bullying in our schools and the Club.  These young members have also worked on goal setting and life skills such as doing their homework and turning it in on time as well as the importance of staying focused at school.  Great job to these members who have graduated from this ten week program!

Black History Month Talent Show

As part of the ending to our Black History Month activities at the Jerry Gamble Boys and Girls Club, we put on our first talent show highlighting many of our members' varied talents.  Members read information about selected influential African Americans that they studied in the Education Center such as Rosa Parks, Thurgood Marshall, Michael Jordan, Martin Luther King, and Harriet Tubman and her efforts with the Underground Railroad.

We also had several members show us their talents in gymnastics, singing, dancing, as well as magic tricks.  I would like to personally thank all of the members for their outstanding efforts in this year's talent show.  It was great to see so many members participate in this event.