Marie Lee, the First Lady of Tennessee, has a summer challenge for our elementary age children who are rising kindergarteners through rising sixth graders. They are invited to participate in the Tennessee Kids Serve Summer Challenge. The challenge is simple, but the impact will be lasting on the people they serve this summer. Students are asked to “give back to their communities and care for their neighbors” from Monday, July 1, to Thursday, August 1.

Students who accept the challenge will complete a required number of service hours and are able to choose from a number of ways to serve in different capacities. They must do the following to meet the challenge:

Rising Kindergarten through Second Grade

1) Complete three (3) of the service categories.

2) Complete eight (8) service hours.

Third Grade through Rising Sixth Grade

1) Complete five (5) of the service categories.

2) Complete 12 service hours.

The Eight Categories of Service Activities

The First Lady has included examples in each category to help, but not limit, children with ideas of service activities. Students are encouraged to complete more than the minimum number of service hours. The top participants will attend the Summer Service Carnival event on September 14, 2019 at the Tennessee Residence where they will meet Governor Bill Lee and the First Lady Maria Lee.

Parents or guardians will need to help the child complete the service log and ensure it is returned to the First Lady’s office by Friday, August 9. Be sure to have a representative at the place of service sign your child’s service log to confirm the hours they volunteered. Only service hours with a signature confirmation will be accepted.

Watch the video to learn more.

Registration for the Tennessee Kids Serve Summer Challenge  is easy. Complete the registration form after which you will receive a service log for recording the child’s  hours. Three bonus points may be earned if the student writes a paragraph about how the challenge has impacted their summer. Participants may join the challenge at any time during the challenge period. All participating students will receive a certificate.

RETURN SERVICE LOG

USPS: Office of the First Lady, 312 Rosa L. Parks Avenue, Nashville, TN 37243
E-mail: E-mail First Lady Maria Lee
Fax: (615) 741-7850

Join First Lady Maria Lee on social media and share your child’s efforts during the challenge

Facebook:First Lady Maria Lee
Twitter: @MariaLeeTN
Instagram: @firstladymarialee
YouTube: First Lady Maria Lee
Flickr: First Lady Maria Lee

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©2019 Homeschool Roster. Article by Jennifer Smeltser. All rights reserved. All text, photographs, artwork and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written consent of the publisher http://www.homeschoolroster.com/.

There is nothing better than the feeling of knowing you spent your time in a productive manner that is going to make a difference. That is how I felt last month as a student in the Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) interactive workshop, which was presented by the Tennessee Suicide Prevention Network  (TSPN). I am now ASIST certified and better equipped to make a difference in the cause of suicide awareness and prevention.

In 2018, I became a suicide survivor when my younger brother died by suicide. It is a telephone call I never thought I would receive. Suicide is an act only familiar to most from what they read or hear in the news or through social media. It happens to other people in other families; just like every other tragedy. You never think it could or will happen to someone you love.

His death gave me a new purpose to learn more about suicide and an eagerness to help those struggling with depression and suicidal tendencies, and the survivors who are left behind.

According to the American Association of Suicidology, the suicide rate in Tennessee has dropped since 2005, but remains twenty-second in the country. You may see the statistics for Tennessee, which includes children and teenagers. It is alarming and sad that the numbers continue to grow. Suicide is the third leading cause of death for people, ages 15 through 24, and the tenth leading cause of death in the state.

Now that I am ASIST certified, I can apply my suicide first aid education to help me identify a person who may be at risk. The goal is to “create a plan that will support their immediate safety”. My training does not guarantee I will always be successful in saving a life. What it has done is given me tools, so my response will be more educated than it was before I completed the workshop. I pray I am able to help someone who is suffering and possibly prevent another family from experiencing the loss of a loved one to suicide. Although people who may be considering suicide or die by suicide do not always exhibit these warning signs or have these risk factors, it is good to be familiar with all of them.

The ASIST workshop is open to any people who are 16 or older. The training is usually taken by healthcare, law enforcement and emergency professionals, but the information can benefit anyone. If you are a teacher, in ministry, a counselor, a parent or someone who comes in contact with other people (everyone), there is something you can gain from becoming certified. No previous training is required.

Another way you can support the cause of suicide awareness and prevention is by purchasing a specialty license plate for only $35. One thousand signatures/purchases are required for production of the license plate to begin.  Tennessee would be the first state to have such a license plate. If the required number of signatures is not collected by Friday, June 28, all funds will be returned. Hopefully, one thousand purchases will be made and production will begin. I believe the visibility of the license plates will result in people feeling freer to discuss suicide more openly and give those struggling with depression and other mental illnesses the courage to seek help.

If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts, you may text anonymously to TN to 741741 to the Crisis Text Line for Tennessee or call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at (800) 273-TALK (8255) and reach out for help. Also, feel free to contact me if you have any questions about how you can help promote suicide awareness and prevention, are a survivor and want to talk, and/or just want to talk.

More Resources
Tennessee Suicide Prevention Network
Team Mica Fund
Youth Suicide Warnings

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©2019 Homeschool Roster. Article by Jennifer Smeltser. All rights reserved. All text, photographs, artwork and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written consent of the publisher http://www.homeschoolroster.com/.

Homeschooling in Tennessee is awesome! There are so many opportunities for homeschoolers in the state. We have athletics, educational and fun field trip opportunities, and fun social events. Just because they are out there, does not mean homeschoolers know they exist or how to find them.

When my family moved to West Tennessee, I looked forward to the new experiences, adventures and events we would enjoy together. Unfortunately, I usually found out about many things too late. Because of that, Homeschool Roster was created. Over the years, Homeschool Roster has grown to become a realiable and useful, online information resource for West Tennessee homeschoolers, as well as families in the surrounding states of Mississippi, Arkansas, Georgia and Kentucky.

Homeschool Roster is creating a directory of groups that include co-ops, support and tutorials that cater specifically to homeschool students and their families. If you direct or manage any one or more of these types of programs, I would love to include your group in the directory. The listing will be another free resource from Homeschool Roster, so there will be no charge for your group to be included. The focus of the directory will be West Tennessee, but I will consider including other groups that are within a reasonable distance to that area.

I know many groups are already thinking about (have completed planning – where is this school year going?) the 2019/2020 school year. The directory will be a great resource for those currently homeschooling, are new to homeschooling or are considering making the move to homeschooling. Help those families to quickly and easily find your group, and learn about the offerings of your co-op, support or tutorial group.

If you are a director (ex: administrator, teacher, etc.) or are affiliated with an extracurricular organization or program that caters specifically to homeschoolers (ex: athletic, theatre, music, etc.), there will be a directory for your group too.

To be included in one of the group directories, complete the form:

Register – – – >Co-op, Support or Tutorial Directory

Register – – – >Extracurricular

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©2019 Homeschool Roster. Article by Jennifer Smeltser. All rights reserved. All text, photographs, artwork and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written consent of the publisher http://www.homeschoolroster.com/.