Monthly Archives: January 2021

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AmazonSmile -You Shop, Amazon Gives

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Like most of you, shopping for needs and essentials, especially during the current pandemic, has been a nightmare. So what do we do? We switch over to online shopping of course. There are many pros to online shopping; no long check out lines, shopping from the comfort of your home while staying safe and budget awareness. But what if I told you that you can now shop online for yourself while donating to a charity all at the same time? Mi C.A.S.A Eduction is now affilitated with AmazonSmile.

What is AmazonSmile?

AmazonSmile is an easy way for you to support Mi C.A.S.A Education Inc every time you make a purchase on Amazon, and it doesn’t cost you a penny extra! When you shop at smile.amazon.com you will see the same items, for the same prices, but Amazon donates a portion of your purchase to Mi C.A.S.A Education Inc!

How do I shop at AmazonSmile?

Instead of going to amazon.com to shop, simply go to smile.amazon.com to shop! Don’t forget to bookmark the page for ease of finding it the next time! 

Which products on AmazonSmile are eligible for charitable donations?

There are millions of products available and eligible for donations. Look for the products marked “Eligible for AmazonSmile donation” on the product details page.  

Can I use my existing Amazon.com account on AmazonSmile?

Yes, you use the same account on Amazon.com and AmazonSmile. Your shopping cart, Wish List, wedding or baby registry, and other account settings are also the same. 

How do I select Goodwill Industries of Southeastern Michigan to support when shopping on AmazonSmile?

On your first visit to AmazonSmile smile.amazon.com, you need to select Mi C.A.S.A Education Inc to receive donations from eligible purchases before you begin shopping, by typing our name in to the bar to select your own charity. Your selection will be remembered, and then every eligible purchase you make at smile.amazon.com will result in a donation. 

How much of my purchase does Amazon donate?

The AmazonSmile Foundation will donate 0.5% of the purchase price from your eligible AmazonSmile purchases. The purchase price is the amount paid for the item minus any rebates and excluding shipping & handling, gift-wrapping fees, taxes, or service charges.  

Can I receive a tax deduction for amounts donated from my purchases on AmazonSmile?

Donations are made by the AmazonSmile Foundation and are not tax deductible by you.

Academics

Covid & Learning 2021

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Any other given year Mi C.A.S.A Education has seen the many smiles of children walking through the front doors after Christmas break. This school has been different. While different is not always a bad thing, it has been an adjustment. Currently there are approximately 10 students, 4 teachers and 2 admin on site. This means students are completing much more than expected and individual tutoring has been extremely prosperous. Although we would love to have all of our students back at the program, we are doing everything we can to maintain a healthy and safe environment for all. All field trips have been cancelled this year. We will begin Fun Friday and continue with safety implementations (masks, sanitation, social distance) the last week of January. We are confident we are serving our students and the community to the best of our ability during this time of uncertainty.

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January 2021 Newsletter

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To 0ur Friends and Sponsors ,

Our name tells you that we, our students, families, tutors, and board strive to be healthy in Character, Academics, Service and Achievement.  2020 was a strange year.  

​We attempted to assist students with the virtual learning classes presented by the school district in the spring of 2020. Most of our students did not have theknow how, experience or confidence to participate, and just dropped out, stayed indoors, and waited. During the summer, having hopes of presenting a summer learning option, staff trained and prepared activities. As the COVID 19 cases rose, we closed completely and put our training and preparations on the back shelf for future opportunities. In the fall, the schools opened to ZOOM classes, and review software. Again the farm labor students were unable to participate. 6 weeks into school, parents reached out to Mi CASA and our staff was able to put the primary students into ZOOM classes (on the chrome books provided by the district teachers) and open up instructional software. We were with the students from the time school opened in the morning until 2:30 in the afternoon. Students flourished and got involved. When the buses came and classes opened up for in person lessons, we returned to our after school support role. We serve the primary students, but are pleased to know that the older students are doing their best.

​We must share, that Yessenia Castaneda’s entry into the annual “What Home Means to Me” poster contest won at the national level. Her poster will be included in the National Housing Authority 2021 calendar, Congratulations, Yessenia!

​Also, past high school graduate, Armando Garcia, is registered in the Political Science Department of U.C.Berkeley this spring ! Great job, Armando!

​We have all the COVID 19 precautions in place. Staff and students have their temperature read and recorded upon entry, then, there is a screening of symptoms and contacts which is recorded. Next, students and staff wash their hands with warm soapy water and go to their designated learning space. Using social distancing, there is one tutor per student, or family group (the twins have a tutor). All of us want to stay well.

​Remarkably, everyone is reading, completing their homework and several virtual learning sessions, writing paragraphs, and memorizing math facts, just like always. But this year, with all the challenges and 6 months of no school in 2020, it is wonderful to see students moving ahead to succeed in school. The staff is dedicated to their students and Mi CASA . Thanks to you, your faith in us, and your encouragement, we continue to help farm labor students do their best and  help farm labor families keep safe and well. Your donation cover the expenses incurred by social distanced tutoring, motivational awards and required non profit expenses. Thank you!

Sincerely,
Staff and Board of Mi C.A.S.A. EDUCATION, INC.

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What Home Means To Me Contest Finalist!

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Mi C.A.S.A is thrilled to announce that one of our very own students, Yessenia Castaneda, age 10, was a finalist in the What Home Means to Me Contest by NAHRO in Washington D.C.!
 

NAHRO stands for National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials, their mission statement is to be the leading housing and community development association that inspires the creation of strong and sustainable communities. 

This contest started in 2008 and recognizes the art of students who live in affordable housing across the country. The artwork must share the visual thoughts or ideas of how the students views their home. each year, hundreds of students, ages 5-18,  participate in the contest.  

The final contest, conducted in Washington, D.C., is the culmination of numerous poster contests held by public housing authorities all across the United States. Three judges choose 13 winners from hundreds of entries to be featured in NAHRO’s “What Home Means to Me” calendar. 

Although our very own, Yessenia, did not win first place, she is the Regional Elementary School Winner! 

Her artwork will be featured in the 2021 calendar. We are delighted that we have such a talented young girl in our community of Gridley and are very proud of her!