I'm often asked if Whiz Kids staff take the summer off, and the answer is a resounding, "Are you kidding?"  Although our tutoring/mentoring program for children runs only when school is in session, the summer months provide us a chance to brush up on the "Three R's":

• RELAX (a little)--yes, we do take vacation time, but at least one of us will be in the office Monday-Thursday each week through the summer.
• REFLECT on the previous year's successes and challenges--our volunteers, tutors, teachers, children and parents have provided us some truly insightful feedback in their end-of-the-year surveys!  From their comments, we KNOW we are making a difference and look forward to continually improving how we serve at-risk children.
• RECHARGE for the new school year--and with the addition of a brand new Whiz Kids site in Midwest City, we are already very excited about what's coming next! 

This summer is also bringing a host of changes to the way we do things in the Whiz Kids office.  You've probably already noticed our new website design (isn't it pretty?), but we've also made improvements to several other areas of technology, including our email capabilities (watch for the latest Whiz Kids E-News coming your way in July!), and our database. 

We are also already making plans for several big events happening in the late summer and fall.  The Leader Luncheon and School Year Kick-Off for our volunteer coordinators, teacher liaisons and Club Time leaders is scheduled for Saturday, August 21, at First United Methodist Church OKC.  Our fundraising committee is also polishing plans for the 6th Annual Seeds of Hope Fundraising Dinner in the fall (and their plans are BIG, so check back soon for all the exciting details!). 

So, to those of you who were wondering if we'd answer the phone this summer, let me invite you to give us a call!  Our mission to improve the lives of inner-city children keeps us busy all year, and with more than 20,000 students in Oklahoma City Public Schools alone who qualify for our services, we can always use more help.  We would love to include you in our plans for the 2010-2011 school year, either as a volunteer or a donor.  Contact us, and we'll show you how YOU can change the life of a child!

Together, we make a difference!