States slimming down inmate meals

As the Choice Bus continues to travel the US giving young people a hands on look at the benefits of having an education and the likely consequences of making the choice to drop out of school, this article is yet another stark reminder of the choices that are lost once a person ends up on the inside of a prison cell. 

"The recession is hitting home for inmates, too: Some cash-strapped states are taking aim at prison menus.Georgia prisoners already didn't get lunch on the weekends, and the Department of Corrections recently eliminated the midday meal on Fridays, too. Ohio may drop weekend breakfasts and offer brunch instead. Other states are cutting back on milk and fresh fruit."

Read the article here.

The Choice to Stay in School

Source: WMBF News

Story from Dillon, SC about a visit of The Choice Bus:

The Choice Bus is a half-prison, half-classroom mobile experience dedicated to reducing the dropout rate and the latest tool created by the Mattie C. Stewart Foundation.

Students at Dillon High School boarded the bus and watched the documentary, InsideOut. While watching, students heard from people in prison who encouraged youth to get an education because they learned the hard way what can happen when you drop out of school.

After the presentation, a life like jail cell was revealed. To make the consequences of dropping out of school more tangible, the Mattie C. Stewart Foundation built a life-sized replica of a prison cell on the bus. It included a toilet and a bunk.

"If we can just touch a couple of lives and save a couple of children from making bad choices or choice of not getting their education, then we've done our job," said Executive Director of the foundation, Phil Christian.

The Choice Bus first rolled out in September of 2008 and has already impacted more than 40,000 students across the country. More info about the Choice Bus can be found at the Mattie C. Stewart Foundation website: mattiecstewart.org.

Alabama Gov. Bob Riley signs law raising state minimum drop out age to 17

Alabama Gov. Bob Riley has signed a new law raising the minimum age to drop out of high school in the state from 16 to 17. The law, which Riley signed today, requires that a student must attend an exit interview with a school administrator and a parent or guardian before dropping out.

Source: AL.COM

Alabama Legislature Approves Raising Dropout Age to 17

Story from ABC 33/40:

On Friday, March 15, 2009, the Alabama Legislature decided to raise the school dropout age from 16 to 17 in a further attempt to keep students in school.

The Senate voted 21-0 Friday to approve minor changes that theHouse made in a school dropout bill sponsored by Sen. Arthur Orr, R-Decatur. The bill now goes to Gov. Bob Riley. Press secretary Todd Stacy said the governor is generally supportive, but needs to study the bill before saying if he will sign it into law. Orr said allowing students to drop out at 16 almost guarantees them a life of poverty and struggle.

"We don't allow young people to drink until they are 21, and we don't allow them to vote until they are 18. But we've been allowing them to make one of the most important decisions of their lives at 16. By raising it one year, hopefully some maturity will come into play," Orr said.

See full story at link above.

Choice Bus visits Wayne County, NC

Eighth-grade students at Dillard Middle School lined up to board a bus in the school parking lot Wednesday morning, unaware that within minutes their entire future would be questioned.

"Choice Bus," a modified school bus that is half classroom, half prison cell, is meant to illustrate what can happen to students if they drop out of school.

Created by the Mattie C. Stewart Foundation, an Alabama-based nonprofit organization dedicated to reducing dropout rates, AT&T of North Carolina sponsored the bus that made two stops in Wayne County, including one at Brogden Middle School that afternoon.

Groups of students first viewed a short video featuring prisoners sharing their stories, most expressing regret over choices they had made that led to their incarceration. An announcer also quizzed the audience, revealing that 75 percent of prisoners are high school dropouts, while 81 percent of inmates can't read or write.

Full Story Here

Choice Bus makes rounds to educated kids

Video from News 14 in Charlotte, NC:

CHARLOTTE – A national non profit is using a powerful tool to educate students in North Carolina.

The Mattie C. Stewart Foundation is an organization dedicated to reducing the national dropout rate. They partnered with AT&T to bring the Choice Bus to middle schools around the state, showing students the importance of staying in school.

Once onboard the bus students are shown a video about staying in school, followed by an unveiling of an exact replica of a jail cell. Eight of out every 10 high school dropouts ends up in jail.

Statistics show most high school dropouts lead a life of crime and eventually wind up behind bars. Representatives from the Choice Bus tour hopes their presentations will help students make the right choices in their lives.

MLK Day of Service

America's Promise Alliance, an organization founded by Colin and Alma Powell, has produced a public service announcement encouraging people everywhere to participate in the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service on January 19, 2009.

According to America's Promise Alliance, "In these difficult economic times, it is more important than ever to work together to solve community problems. Service is a bedrock strategy for fulfilling America’s promise for all of our young people and we hope you will help us mobilize all sectors and communities to help bring about profound change."



To view the PSA at the America's Promise Alliance website, click here.