Author: Eric

August 11, 2022

Shopping Spree for Matteson Schools

Read the Chicago Defender Article by Clicking Here

Summer Reading

July 14, 2020

Hello Parents, 

Today, we will talk about why Summer Reading is important for your child/children. 

Summer reading builds a bridge while children are on summer break from June to September. Children who participate in a summer reading program and read a minimum of six books over the summer score higher in reading and math. ⁽¹⁾ 

Summer Reading helps to prevent what is called “the summer slide.” The summer slide is defined as “a decline in reading ability and other academic skills that can occur over the summer months when school isn’t in session. Children who do not read during the summer can lose up to two months of learning before they return to school in the fall. ⁽¹⁾ 

Parents help your child(ren) by encouraging them to read books online or reread a book they enjoy. Encourage your children to read for fun 30 minutes a day. What an improvement this will make in their comprehension and confidence in themselves. 

Parents, please read to your younger children. Child(ren) that are read to do better in school. Make time to read to your child(ren) 20 minutes a day, (for example right after dinner or right before bedtime). Do what works for your schedule, consistency is key. Your child(ren) will love the time spent (bonding) with them and you will be amazed by their development. 

Once you have started and are progressing through the summer please write to us and tell us how your children are doing. Email us at makingdisciples2015@gmail.com 

Enjoy Your Summer

—Eric Bassette 

1) Resource Guide for this article: www.ireadprogram.org

Reading to Your Children

June 13, 2020

Greetings Parents, Today, let’s talk about reading. Over the next few blogs, I want to introduce (or reintroduce) the concept of reading to your child/children. Reading to your child is very important; especially for very young children. Reading to your child for 20 minutes a day would help them immensely. 

Your child must hear the word first before they can read it. So children that have been read to day after day – the Cat in Hat- will have an advantage from hearing the words cat and hat. When the child sees the word in print he/she will recognize it quicker and thus be a more comprehensive reader. To start the process keep it short, simple and consistent. Now watch your child’s enthusiasm over the coming days, weeks, and months. 

Let us know how you and your family are doing with the reading by emailing us at makingdisciples2015@gmail.com 

—Eric Bassette

Letter From the President, March 2019

Hello Friends,

Making Disciples Boys Mentoring Program had a exciting year in 2018.  Here is a look back at those thrilling moments. The mentoring program had four outings with the mentees and mentors.  The first outing the mentors took the mentees to see the movie Black Panther in February. The second outing was to the DuSable Museum of African American History in April.  The third outing was to a Chicago White Sox baseball game at US Cellular Field in June. And we finished out the year with the fourth outing which was our annual Back To School Event in August.

These outings are a fun time for the mentees and they also provide an opportunity for the mentors to teach, instruct, set positive examples, and most important, spend time with the young men.  

The Black Panther Movie allowed the mentees to see an African American male as a King.  The movie was fun and educational.

The DuSable Museum gave the mentees the opportunity to learn things about their heritage.  The displays and art tell the history and progress made by individuals such as African American inventors, engineers, mathematicians, artists, doctors, civil rights leaders, and many others.  The mentors were able to show them that they can accomplish extraordinary things because they stand on the shoulders of these great leaders who came before them and who led by example.

The White Sox baseball game was a fun day for mentees and mentors;  there was also some teachable moments for the mentees and therefore strengthening mentor/mentee relationships.

The Back To School Event was the last outing for the mentees.  The Event was a fun day. Each mentee was given a new book (along with 250 other children) to encourage them to read on a consistent basis.  

Below are pictures from three 2018 outings.  

(The 2018 Back to School pictures are also on the website.)

Eric Bassette

President