Whether you are planning a week full of activities or simply celebrating Kids at Hope Day, the following are some quick and easy ways to integrate the Kids at Hope belief system into your day. We'd like to acknowledge Kingswood Elementary in the Dysart School District and especially Brandy Pentecost, for the following Kids at Hope week activity ideas!

ALL school/organization staff and community representatives position themselves at the beginning of a hallway or entrance creating a sort of tunnel of "OTHER CARING ADULTS" that children must walk through. As kids pass through the Tunnel of Hope we shake their hands, applaud, and let them know we appreciate being able to co- journey with them.

Make the environment fun and festive with helium balloons, Kids at Hope stickers, t-shirts, banners, etc.

Invite community members to visit and share with your kids - firefighters, police officers, military personnel, business leaders, etc. Let your kids know they live in a helping and caring community.

Another idea might be to schedule a community service day - empower the youth to choose a project that is meaningful to them whether it be picking up trash around campus or reading to younger children.

Hold a Kids at Hope themed essay contest by grade or age level. Themes can range from "I am a Kid at Hope because..." to "Someone who believed in me more than I believed in myself..." Honor contest winners over announcements or in an assembly.

Another idea might be to have staff wear t-shirts representing their alma mater. Or put up a GRADUATION DATES bulletin board with all kids COLLEGE graduation dates!

The ONLY Report Card where children cannot fail! Celebrate the treasures and talents that lie inside every child with a Kids at Hope Report Card. Invite parents and other caring adults to visit your classroom while you publicly acknowledge all the wonderful qualities about their children.

The Kids at Hope Rally is the ultimate expression of the Kids at Hope belief system. November is a great time of year to stop the pre-holiday hectic pace long enough to celebrate the successes your children have achieved. However you choose to celebrate, make sure that EVERY child leaves your event feeling successful, NO EXCEPTIONS!

Ideas include staging a one hour event and inviting your class, your grade level or your whole school or organization to participate. Successful events include members of the community to speak on behalf of childrens' success - local radio DJ's, law enforcement, fire department personnel and school board members are popular choices for emcees. Don't forget to include your youth groups to provide the entertainment portion - dance groups, choir, band and even rappers make for a fun event.

Remember, this celebration is about the kids, for the kids, and can even be planned by the kids!

Just let us know what you did on Kids at Hope Day or Kids at Hope Week. Limit entry to 2 pages and please email, fax or mail to: Kids at Hope 9040 W. Campbell Ave. Phoenix, AZ 85037 kim@kidsathope.org fax 623-877-8072

We look forward to hearing from you and how you celebrated that ALL CHILDREN ARE CAPABLE OF SUCCESS, NO EXCEPTIONS!