CURRENT NEWS

Newsletter.pdf

Totally Positive Productions received a grant from The National Crime Prevention Council and is conducting six weekly workshops sponsored in part by Totally Positive Productions and The National Crime Prevention Council in Washington D.C. We would like to thank The National Crime Prevention Council (Washington D.C.) for their contribution and the parents for allowing their child to partake in a positive endeavor. We also like to thank all of the youths who are actively participating and doing well in using their creativity to develop an essay. The service learning project is entitled "Hip-Hop Movement as it relate to crime prevention. Youths are discussing methods on how to translate the hip-hop into a positive outlet to help prevent crime and create social change in their communities. The youths select their topics as a group and venture out individually to create their own essay. Participants are excited about being a part of a hip-hop movement concept and express their opinions and concerns openly among each others. They^re enjoying working with other youths and adults in a positive environment. We have several youths participating and preparing to compose their essay for the final competition which will be held on Saturday, June 10, 2006 at Christ Center of Truth Church, located at 402 W. 71st Street at 2:00 p.m. Totally Positive Productions is extending an invitation for parents, youths and anybody interested to join us. The first prize is $25, second prize $15 and third prize is $10.

ATTENTION!!!

If you are a youth age 9-25 and interested in attending our TPP After-School Entertainment Workshop and field trips throughout the summer. Please contact us at (773) 488-9553. More detailed information on the dates will be.

IN THE COMMUNITY

In July 2005, Totally Positive Productions attended and supported Howard B. Brookins, Jr. Alderman of the 21st Ward in their Annual Summer Youth Festival. The youths of TPP Task Force participated and distributed free ink pens, literature and mingled with other youths present.

CAN T.V. STATION

In July 2005, Totally Positive Productions taped and appeared on CAN television station broadcasting live the organization mission and programs. Rapper "Awesome" A.C. Wolfe was the featured artist on the show.

AFRICAN AMERICAN RESOURCE FAIR

Totally Positive Productions

Staff was present at the Chicago Children^s Museum in Navy Pier, Chicago, IL in February 2005 for the "African American Community Resource Fairs". TPP had a booth set up to hand-out literature about the organization, membership application and discussed the program to over 200 youths and adults. We signed-up several youth interested in being a part of our program.

TODAY'S BLACK WOMEN EXPO

Totally Positive Productions appeared at the Today^s Black Women Expo at the McCormick Place as vendors in March 2005 and March 2006. We showed the television commercial to the audiences, signed up members, sold t-shirts and hats, raffle tickets as a fundraising venture. There were over 25,000 people of all ages and ethnic background present.

OPPORTUNITIES

FYI for Youth looking for jobs contact:

Sherry Heard Community Service Coordinator SMART Program Chicago Public Schools

Phone #: (773) 553-3869 Fax # (773) 553-3879

FYI.... ask questions now or pay later.

Subject: High School - Certificate of Completion

The "Certificate of Completion or Attendance" that is being offered in lieu of high school diplomas, is a part of Bush^s "No Child Left Behind". This is how it works:

It is for students who are unable to pass both the Language Arts and Math portions of the 10th grade State Student Assessment Exams Students must take the same 10th grade test over in the 11th and 12th grades until they pass both portions. If they are unable to pass the 10th grade test by the 12th grade then they have two options:

• Drop out and go to a GED program or,
• Accept a "Certificate of Completion" - it is NOT a diploma. Once a student accepts it, they cannot ever
  get a diploma or a GED. A certificate of completion means that a student can never (as long as they live):
• go to the armed services.
• go to college.
• go to trade school.
• go to journeyman^s school.
• go to beauty school.
• go to culinary arts school.
• get a federal loan in their lifetime.

At a high school in Indiana, in 2005, there were 87 seniors in the graduation class. Five got diplomas and 82 got Certificates of Completion".

This is being referred to as the "Paper Plantation". It is better for students to drop out and get into a GED program so they may seek other forms of education, later in life, if they desire to do so.

All 50 states have "Certificates of Completion or Attendance".

Please share this information along to EVERYONE you know who has school age children.

"No one can make you feel inferior unless you allow them."
Martin Luther King, Jr.

UPCOMING GRADUATIONS

Totally Positive Productions President, Mr. Tajudeena Jones, MBA -- June 25, 2006
Keller School of Management Graduation ceremony at UIC Pavilion at 11:00 a.m. all are invited to attend.

Youths participating in Totally Positive Productions^ Crime Prevention Service Learning Project who are graduating:

Chevas Pankey - 8th grade
Dawes School

Ryan Scarlett - 8th grade
Dawes School

Dominka Smith - 8th grade
Nicholson School

Lakeshia Triplett - 8th grade
Nicholson School

Latonia Thompkins - 8th grade
Nicholson School

Brianna Cooley - 8th grade
Scott Joplin School

Congratulation & Accolades goes out to the class of 2006!!!

You are the leaders that will build tomorrow future.

UPCOMING EVENT

Totally Positive Productions will be sponsoring a field trip this summer to The Medeival Times a tournament and dinner. The date of event will be announced at a later time.

SPECIAL THANKS

Totally Positive Productions received a grant from Sam^s Club in the amount of $2,000 to help sponsor the Medeival Times field trip. We give thanks to Sam's Club for their generous donations and wish their business much success.

Also, we would like to thank Pastor Roberta Lockett-Collins of Christ Center of Truth for sharing her love and kindness to the youths, families, friends and Totally Positive Productions. She opens up her heart to enable us to utilize the church for the youths to have their essay competition held at the church.

The Young People of today are the leaders of tomorrow, but we sometimes wonder whether they are going to be followed or chased.

We wish all of the youths a safe, pleasant and crime free summer.

Thank you all & stay blessed.