A VERY appropriate song...

One of the students shared a song that she thinks embodies the A.C.T. spirit.  I would have to agree with her!  Thanks to all of those that have been involved so far!

The lyrics are from the song, "Waving Flag", by the Young Artists for Haiti.

If you weren’t involved before it’s never too late to start
You probably think that it’s too far to even have to care
Well take a look at where you live what if it happened there?
You have to know the urge to make a change lies within

Subway Day Tomorrow!

Please visit the Subway on Oakton for the first of the restaurant fundraisers this year!  We are so excited to be teaming with Subway again, and thank them for supporting our cause!  Make sure to get a flyer, or print the one from this blog!  Thanks for your support!

Another student reflects on what A.C.T. and A Better Life For Kids means to her...

Hello, my name is Trisha, and I am a student at McCracken Middle School. The Better Life For Kids foundation is very dear and warm to my heart! I have been working with this foundation for a little over two years, and I am absolutely attached to it! My 2nd grade teacher, Mrs. Nizynksi, is the founder of this foundation. This makes me even more close to this because my teacher went to Ghana for the first time when I was in her 2nd grade class. I am very familiar with what kind of a person she is. She is very caring and loving.  I can tell that these kids from Ghana really do mean a lot to her, and she is very very attached to each and every one of them. She always wants to be with the kids in Ghana, and she is always very sad when she has to leave.

Each time that she goes to Ghana she takes money that we raise to help the children in Ghana.  Last year, in the 2010- 2011 school year, McCracken Middle School raised over $5,000, which was a huge help towards all of the purchases that needed to be made in the local Ghanaian market. 

A Better life for Kids has really made a huge impact on me! I have only been working with this foundation for two years, but I am very, very attached to it. Seeing kids all around the world that are less fortunate than I am really makes me immensely sad and depressed. I believe that all kids around the world should have the same opportunity to life to live in a safe environment that gives them food, education, and clean drinking water, which are essentials to living. Each day I think of these kids in Ghana and what I can do to help them out.  I will do anything and everything that is possible to help these kids out and give them a better and brighter future. Each year I get excited to go to school knowing that each day everyone can help out.  If we all raise enough money for this foundation we can save hundreds and hundreds of kids. I love the feeling of accomplishment! I love the feeling of raising enough money to hear that we had saved hundreds and hundreds of kids at this orphanage. I love seeing the pictures of happy children after Mrs. Nizynski goes there, helps them out and buys them food. A Better Life for Kids has really become a HUGE part of my life, and I know it will stay that way for a long time!

My goal with this orphanage and foundation is to be able to actually go there and hug all these kids that I have helped out! I want to see them smile and be happy, and I want to be able to see them in person. I want to be able to hold and feed the babies! I want to be able to have that feeling of warmth and happiness be filled inside of me! This orphanage and these kids have really made a huge impact on me! I will forever try to help. This Foundation has made me a better person on the inside! I love to be able to give and have smiles lit up on kids faces. This orphanage will forever have an impact on me, and one day I wish to be able to actually go to Ghana and see all these kids! Every dollar counts! Be a donator, have a heart, and join me to be apart of A Better Life For Kids! <3

First Donation!

The first donation is in!  The 8th graders raised over $200 by donating their extra money at lunch to rise to the challenge made by two of their teachers.  Today, Mrs. Blades and Mrs. Wade, in response to this donation, and in acceptance of the challenge, ran a mile at recess!  Mr. Blomquist is up next.  He plans to eat a bug!  Yuck!

Voices of A.C.T. Students

My experiences with ACT have been nothing but interesting and astonishing all at one time! Last Friday, Mrs. Nizynski came to our school's extended advisory and talked a little bit more in detail about the orphanage and A Better Life For Kids. She mentioned that the people of Ghana enjoy playing soccer, and they can't even participate in tournaments and events because they don't even have the money to get a field. Also she mentioned that many kids were going to school for the very first time this school year. She explained that Ghana doesn't have the money for medicine when these kids have deadly diseases. She also mentioned that the leaders don't know what many of the diseases are that their own people have. Although the thing that I found the most astonishing was that they were feeding the babies bread at the orphanage instead of milk because the orphanage was always run out of baby formula. I found this the most astonishing because I have an 18 month old sister and could not imagine her eating bread all day long.

Nora

Deborah Ellis!

The A.C.T. group at McCracken has a very unique opportunity to meet with author and activist Deborah Ellis on March 8, 2012!  She will be coming to McCracken for the entire day to work with different groups of students.  A.C.T. members are asked to have read one of her books before that meeting in order to have a discussion about Ellis' writing, along with the mission of our organization and our work with A Better Life for Kids.  For a list of her books and a description of her work, please visit: http://www.paperbackswap.com/Deborah-Ellis/author/  We can't wait to have her visit, as this could be a great partnership between a well-known author and our organization!

A.C.T. Meetings Have Begun!

It was great to see the A.C.T. committee together again for another great year!  Sixth, seventh, and eighth graders came out today to discuss plans for bringing the message of A.C.T. to the community.  The members had great ideas and are so excited to get started!  Keep an eye out for upcoming restaurant days and other events to support A Better Life for Kids!

Welcome Back!

We're excited for another year of working with A Better Life for Kids on their project in Ghana, Africa!  Ms. Nizynski will be presenting her video, pictures, and exciting news at our first extended advisory.  Be ready for another year of fundraising!  We'll see if we can beat our last year number! 

A Better Life for Kids!

A Better Life For Kids has a new website.  Check it out!  http://abetterlifeforkids.org/index.php 

They also have a benefit this Friday on August 5th, where Mrs. Nizynski will be sharing her most recent experiences in Ghana.  We look forward to hearing about how our money was spent, and how it benefitted the kids!

Check out the article about the walk-a-thon!

Another great article about A.C.T. and A Better Life for Kids!

http://skokie.suntimes.com/5721146-417/mccracken-students-walk-for-orphanage-in-africa.html

Thanks to Mike Isaacs for his continued support on this important issue!

Also, take a look at the video put together by Andrew G. and Daniel S.  Thanks to these boys for their help in raising awareness!

http://webservices.sd735.org/groups/morningannouncements/wiki/202ed/ACT_WALKATHON_2011.html

$5221.38!!!

What an amazing accomplishment!  After paying our bills, and recounting again, our donation to A Better Life for Kids will be $5221.38!  Great job to all the students, staff, and community members who were involved in this amazing year of service!  We are looking forward to next year and all the excitement it will bring!

Walk-a-thon on June 1st!

We're getting ready for our big event on Wednesday, June 1st!  Donated A.C.T. cups from Premium Access have been flying off the shelves, while the t-shirts from MSM Promotions look fantastic!  We can't wait for our big event!  Look for a grand total and pictures from the walk next week!  Thanks to our sponsors for all their help and donated services!

A Great Article!

http://skokie.suntimes.com/5337236-417/rep.-schakowsky-revisits-mccracken-school-kids-making-a-difference

Thanks again to Mike Isaacs for being a great supporter of our cause!  This is a wonderful article about our meeting with Congresswoman Schakowsky!

Thanks for a great discussion!

A.C.T.'s meeting with Congresswoman Schakowsky!

Check it out!

We are pictured on Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky's website!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/janschakowsky

Thank you Congresswoman Schakowsky!

At 8:45 this morning, around 20 McCracken students and staff had the opportunity to meet with Congresswoman Schakowsky and ask her questions regarding children's rights and education around the world.  The Congresswoman was extremely impressed with the work that we have done as a school to raise awareness about this issue.  The students asked great questions and gave their opinions on tough issues affecting the country today.  Look for upcoming video exerpts and pictures to get a taste for our conversation (thanks to Josh for taping and the Skokie Review for taking photos). 

Representative Schakowsky's Visit

On May 17, 2011, Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky will be coming to meet with the students and staff associated with A.C.T.  We are looking forward to sharing what we are doing this year to help further children's rights around the world.  We are also hoping that she will share some of the things the government is doing to help with this cause. 

2,119 CRANES!

Congratulations McCracken Students!  2,119 cranes for the kids affected by the earthquake and tsunami in Japan!  Thanks to Carter's for their generous donation of clothing for each crane made!

New Total! And T-shirt sales begin next week!

2318.74!  That's our new total!  Great job fundraising as we get ready for our main event!  Next week t-shirt sales will begin in advisories.  We look forward to everyone buying a shirt, and wearing it the day of the walk-a-thon! 

McCracken students take up teacher's plan to help :: News :: PIONEER PRESS :: Skokie Review

Check out the most recent edition of the Skokie Review for a great article about the work A.C.T. and the 8th grade McCracken students are doing to help A Better Life for Kids!

McCracken students take up teacher's plan to help :: News :: PIONEER PRESS :: Skokie Review

Paper Cranes at McCracken (and eat at Subway on April 12th)!

Aside from the upcoming Subway day on April 12th (see coupon in the previous post if you need one), other exciting things are taking place at McCracken to help children get the things they deserve!  The library has taken on the charge of making 1000 paper cranes to help those that have been affected by the earthquakes and tsunami in Japan.  They will be donating those cranes in the name of A.C.T. to OshKosh.  See the post by Ms. Gammeri on the Library Leaks page!  Thanks Ms. Gammeri for recognizing the work we do through your activism!

From Library Leaks:  (http://webservices.sd735.org/groups/tgammeriblog/blog/)

Aiding Children Together (A.C.T.) is a grassroots organization started and run entirely by McCracken staff and students, under the guidance of Ms. Jen Ciok. A.C.T. has the simple but important goal of improving the lives of children in our global community. They have organized various fundraisers and activities to raise money and awareness for children in need. To find out more, visit the A.C.T. blog.

We have decided to join forces and donate our origami cranes on behalf of A.C.T. to the clothing company OshKosh B'gosh. OshKosh B'gosh is running a program called Cranes for Kids.

For EACH crane we give them, they will donate an article of clothing to a child affected by the tragedy in Japan! We are so excited to have a way to help and a purpose for all our handmade cranes.

We have 781 cranes so far!

Eat at Subway!

On April 12th, Subway will donate 10% of their sales to A Better Life for Kids if you use the flyer below!  Thanks for all your support so far!  We are excited to break the $2000 mark to help the children in Africa get the rights they deserve!  This flyer will be sent home and posted in the weekly too.

It's McCracken Day

at Subway

(At 4025 Oakton just west of Crawford)

Mark your calendars for
Tuesday, April 12, 2011.

Subway Restaurant will donate 10% of any purchase made at their restaurant on Tuesday, April 12, 2011 to McCracken School ACT (Aiding Children Together) and the 8^th grade fundraiser!

ACT and the 8^th grade are raising money to help support an orphanage in Ghana, Africa.  One of our districts’ second grade teachers, Shelley Nizynski, has made seven trips to Africa devoting a great deal of her time, energy and resources to run the orphanage.  She started the foundation, A Better Life for Kids which funds the orphanage.  The orphanage houses many children, some with disabilities that are shunned in the Ghanaian society.  Most of the children can’t go to school and the orphanage has difficulty simply feeding the children and giving proper medical care.  Please help support our school by dining in or carry out on April 12. Eat delicious food & donate to a worthy cause. 

Present the attached coupon to the Subway employee when paying for your purchase.

Thanks to Subway and YOU for supporting A Better Life for Kids!

Present this coupon when purchasing your order at Subway on Tuesday. April 12, 2011.

Order amount:              $____________________________

(Completed by Subway)

Thank you for your support!

Winners of the A.C.T. for A Better Life for Kids T-Shirt Design Contest!

Thank you to all the students who voted for your favorite design for A.C.T. for A Better Life for Kids T-Shirt Design Contest.  I would like to congratulate all of the students who entered a design, and thank them for lending their artistic talent to our cause.  The winning designs for our contest were 8^th grader Daniel in 1^st place with his design “Reaching Out So They Can Reach Higher” and 7^th grader Myhanh in 2^nd place with her design “Break the Chains of Child Labor.”  Their designs will appear on the t-shirts sold in May to continue our efforts of supporting children’s rights and the orphanage in Ghana.

T-Shirt Design Contest Voting Begins Tomorrow!

We are looking forward to having a new design for this year's logo!  Thank you to all the students who entered our contest.  Voting begins tomorrow in advisory.  We'll post the winner by the end of the week!

$1854!

Congratulations to everyone!  Our new total is up to $1854!  Keep up the great work!

THANK YOU!

Thank you to Dengeos for sponsoring a day to support our cause!  Thank you even more to all the students, parents, and staff members who went there for a meal yesterday!  Dengeos informed us that it was their biggest fundraiser ever, and because of that we are getting a $600 donation from them.  We appreciate all the support, and look forward to offering even more of these restaurant days in the near future!  The District 73.5 community is fantastic, and the A.C.T. organization, along with the children of Ghana, thank you!

Dengeos Restaurant Day!! Thanks for your support on March 2, 2011!

 It's McCracken Day

At Dengeos

Mark your calendars for Wednesday, March 2, 2011.

Dengeos' Skokie Restaurant is located at the corner of Main and McCormick.  Dengeos will donate 20% of any purchase made at their restaurant on Wednesday, March 2nd, 2011 to McCracken School ACT (Aiding Children Together) and the 8^th grade fundraiser!

ACT and the 8^th grade are raising money to help support an orphanage in Ghana, Africa.  One of our districts’ second grade teachers, Shelley Nizynski, has made seven trips to Africa devoting a great deal of her time, energy and resources to run the orphanage.  She started the foundation, A Better Life for Kids which funds the orphanage.  The orphanage houses many children, some with disabilities that are shunned in the Ghanaian society.  Most of the children can’t go to school and the orphanage has difficulty simply feeding the children and giving proper medical care.  Please help support our school by dining in or carry out on March 2nd. Eat delicious food & donate to a worthy cause. 

Present the attached coupon to the Dengeos employee when paying for your purchase.

Thanks to Dengeos and YOU for supporting A Better Life for Kids!

Present this coupon when purchasing your order at Dengeo’s on Wednesday, March 2^nd, 2011.

Order amount:              $____________________________

(Completed by Dengeos)

Thank you for your support!

Trying Gruel

This morning, the 8th graders in extended advisory tried vitameal, which is what we as a school are helping to provide to the orphanage in Ghana because it is rich in nutrients, anyone can eat it and it doesn't make you thirsty.  The majority of the group thought it was ok, but it needs more flavor.  Vitameal is a mixture of rice and lentils that needs to be boiled in order to eat it.

Raising money for A Better Life for Kids

Past events:

1. Despicable Me was shown at recess for a $1 donation
2. Badminton tournament at recess to raise money
3. Handmade bracelets were sold by a student

Ongoing events:

1. A Better Life for Kids bracelets are being sold for $2.  If you'd like one, please contact Bethany Blades or Paula Freeman through the McCracken School Office (847-673-1220).
2. Monetary donations for the cause

Upcoming events:

1. Basketball tournament begins Monday, February 14th!
2. T-shirt sales for the A.C.T. Walk-A-Thon.
3. A.C.T. Walk-A-Thon for A Better Life for Children on June 1, 2011. 

A Better Life for Kids

Second grade teacher, Ms. Shelley Nizynski, at Middleton Elementary, devotes much of her time and resources to help manage an orphanage in Ghana.  Her foundation is called A Better Life for Kids.  Ms. Nizynski has made seven personal visits to Ghana to help make these children's lives brighter. This orphanage accepts all kids no matter if they have a disability or illness.  Many of the kids are found on the street because they are not accepted in other orphanages or by their own families.  Some of these children that became orphans have no other way to feed themselves, but to become prostitutes for money. At hospitals there are children with AIDS who offer their blood for money, spreading this disease around the country. The orphanage tries to help kids like these have a better and more promising future, but it is still bleak. A very improtant and specific need for this orphanage is baby formula. When they run out, the only thing they have to feed the babies is bread, which isn't safe and doesn't give them the nutrition they need. There are very few hospitals and only one that is anywhere near the orphanage. Their supplies are very limited, and many of the children need specific medical attention that cannot be provided in Ghana.  For example there is one boy who has an enlarged brain that is pushing his eyes out of his head.  Therefore, the McCracken A.C.T., Aiding Children Together, organization definitely needs to help do what we can to give these children a chance to the rights and development they deserve!!!

--By:  Megan