Governor's Coalition for Youth with Disabilities Scholarship Program

The Governor’s Coalition for Youth with Disabilities (GCYD) is a nonprofit organization founded in 1996 with the mission of recognizing the outstanding accomplishments of Connecticut high school students with disabilities and promoting educational opportunities to help students achieve their career goals.  The GCYD has awarded over 200 scholarships totaling more than $650,000 to students with disabilities that has helped offset the cost of their first year of college tuition or other post-secondary training expenses. 

To learn more about the scholarships, to apply, and what types of scholarships are available, check out the web site at www.gcyd.org and click on Scholarship.

October is .....

Okay, here goes, there are so many awareness month activities that (and yes, I may have missed a few - Sorry!) ----- I am going to have to list several here at one time, I am just running out of time and I have so many other posts I want to share, so here we go ----

International AAC Awareness - October is the month that the AAC promotes the awareness of Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) and to inform the public about the many ways in which people may communicate using communication devices.  For more information, check out http://www.aac.org/

World Blindness Awareness Month is also celebrated in October.  Check out Eye Care America's website from the Foundation of the American Academy of Ophthalmology for more information at http://www.aao.org/

In October we also celebrate National Disability Employment Awareness Month.  Congress designated each October as National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) to increase the public's awareness of the contributions and skills of American workers with disabilities.  Check out the Office of Disability Employment Policy at  http://www.dol.gov/odep/about/

National Physical Therapy Month is celebrated in October.  Check out http://www.apta.org/ for more information on the unique benefits of treatment by a physical therapist.  

Celebrating the Joy of Shared Reading --- October is National Reading Group Month - this is the month we salute reading groups!  For more information, visit http://www.nationalreadinggroupmonth.org/

and last but not least ------

Celebrate National Book Month!!! --- Book a trip this October, embark on a journey of a lifetime, go to exotic places, mythical lands and enjoy and experience an adventure beyond imagination!  Or, escape to another era in time ---- with no luggage, no packing, no tickets -- or -- and this can be good or bad --- never leaving home!  What do you  need ----- an open mind and an open book!  For more information go to http://www.nationalbook.org/

Whew --- I apologize if I missed something ----- too many things to celebrate this month! 

October is Head Start Awareness Month

Okay, are you  ready ---- here is another month long celebration for October ----- Head Start Awareness Month! 

Created in 1965, Head Start is the most successful, longest-running, national school readiness program in the United States.  The program provides comprehensive education, health, nutrition, and parent involvement services to low-income children and their families.  More than 25 million pre-school aged children have benefited from Head Start.

President Ronald Reagan on October 22, 1982 proclaimed October as Head Start Awareness Month.  In his speech stated that "Perhaps the most significant factor in the success of Head Start has been the involvement of parents, volunteers, and the community.  Their commitment and the services provided by dedicated Head Start staff have been instrumental in creating a quality program that truly provides young children with a "head start" in life."

Wow ---- have to say that his words are still relevant today!  Happy Head Start Awareness Month!

For more information on Head Start visit:  http://www.nhsa.org/

Down Syndrome Awareness Month

This October marks the 30th year of Down Syndrome Awareness Month!  This is the time to celebrate the achievements and abilities of people with Down Syndrome!  Visit http://www.ndss.org/ to learn more.

In addition, check out the Time Square video which aired on Saturday, September 24th, in Times Square on the morning of the New York City Buddy Walk.  People from all over the world gathered to watch the video presentation.  The version posted here includes music composed especially for the 2011 Times Square Video.  Follow this link:  http://ndss.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=275:ndss-times-square-video-2011&catid=74:video&Itemid=120

October is Celebrating the Bilingual Child Month

During the month of October join in the Celebrating the Bilingual Child Month!  This month is to recognize the many children who speak two or more languages and understand multiple cultures.  These children connect our communities and can play a big part in improving global communications.  Check out the SERC Library's catalog for bilingual books at http://serc-verso.auto-graphics.com/iluminar/home.asp?lid=serc#Iluminar or check out your local Library.

Men Make A Difference Day, October 10th

On October 10, 2011, SERC is joining in on urging all fathers and significant male roles across the country to participate in Men Make a Difference Day (MMDD).  Research indicates when fathers and significant male role models are involved students:  (a) make better grades; (b) have greater motivation to succeed in school; (c) have higher self-esteem; (d) have less health and emotional problems; (e) more confidence; (f) are less likely to use drugs; (g) girls are less likely to engage in pre-marital sex; and (h) are less likely to become teenage parents.


Men Make A Difference Day is a great day for fathers to rediscover their place in the academic lives of their children.  The concept of Men Make A Difference Day began three years ago in Prince George's County, Maryland when Dr. Michael A. Robinson called on fathers to escort their children to school.  This remarkable one day event resulted in over 10,000 dads and significant male role models engaging their children's schools.  Many of the dads escorted their children to school, while others observed classrooms, met teachers, committed to volunteering more at the school and yes there was an increase in the number of men who joined school PTAs.  The outcomes of the first Men Make A Difference Day continued  throughout that academic school year as well as subsequent years.  Data indicated more fathers participated in teacher parent conferences, assisted with homework and volunteered in the past three years than every before.  There was even an increase in the number of men who attended school sponsored parent workshops.

On October 10, 2011 fathers, uncles, brothers, sons, nephews and significant male role models in the lives of children are encouraged to participate in Men Make A Difference Day, by visiting their child's or family member's classroom and spending quality time with the student.  Dads and significant male role models in the lives of children all over America are asked to observe the student's daily routine, participate as allowed in the interactive classroom instruction, and get involved in the excitement of teaching and learning.

For more information, please visit, http://menmakeadifferenceday.weebly.com/.