This week is Teacher Appreciation Week, making it the perfect time to thank all of our teachers for the fantastic work they do. Teachers make our world a better place; they influence, guide and support students so they can achieve great things.
To celebrate Teacher Appreciation Week, the National Education Association is highlighting Malala Yousafzai, the youngest person ever to win the Noble Peace Prize. Yousafzai once said, “One book, one pen, one child and one teacher can change the world.”
Malala Yousafzai’s story is absolutely amazing. As a young girl in Pakistani, Malala began advocating for girls' education. Because she was so outspoken, the Taliban issued a death threat against her, but that did not stop her from pursuing her own education and speaking out for the educational rights of all girls in Pakistan.
Because of her defiance, at age of 15, Malala was shot by a Taliban gunman on her way home from school. But even this brutal attack did not stop her from speaking out about education. Malala said, “The terrorists thought that they would change our aims and stop our ambitions, but nothing changed in my life except this: weakness, fear and hopelessness died. Strength, power and courage were born.”
Malala went on to give a speech to the United Nations, urging world leaders to change their views on education and women’s rights. She later published her first book, I Am Malala; and in 2014, she was awarded the Noble Peace Prize. Malala proved that one person truly can change the world.
In Ukiah, we have incredible, dedicated teachers at all grade levels—from kindergarten through community college—who devote their entire careers to helping our children develop the skills and confidence they need to realize their potentials and achieve success. This dedication to teaching and improving our children’s lives is one of the cornerstones of our great community, and we all should take a moment to thank those who give so much to help others succeed.
Thank you, teachers, for all you do! The impact of your work on our kids and their future success, truly changes the world.
Ukiah Boys and Girls Club
Another way to help children succeed is by making sure they are safe. As I have mentioned several times during the last few weeks, the Ukiah Daily Journal is in the midst of its annual Boys and Girls Club Spring Fund Drive. I can’t begin to tell you how important this fundraising activity is to our entire community–it allows kids to be safe, cared for and have great teachers after school as well.
The fact is, kids are most likely to become victims of crimes after school between 3:00 and 6:00 PM, while most adults are at work. Some families just can’t afford afterschool care, and it is often these kids who are most vulnerable to crime. Luckily, through the great work of the Ukiah Boys and Girls Club, any kid in Ukiah can find a safe place to spend their afternoons, and this is where we need your help!
The club is currently hoping to raise $68,000 dollars to fund the ongoing operations of the club, including scholarships for those who cannot afford the low-cost service. We kicked off the drive with contributions of $15,000 from UPD and $4,000 each from the Savings Bank of Mendocino County and the Vargas brothers, and with your help we can reach the goal.
Please help if you can! Your small contribution will allow kids to engage in fun, educational activities, and most importantly, to stay safe. To donate, send a check or money order made payable to the Ukiah Boys and Girls Club to P.O. Box 67, Ukiah, CA 95482. You can also drop off or mail donations payable to the Ukiah Boys and Girls Club to the Ukiah Daily Journal at 617 S. State Street, Ukiah CA 95482.
As always, our mission at UPD is simple: to make Ukiah as safe as possible. If you have any suggestions or comments about how we can improve, please feel free to call me, complete our online survey, or leave a crime tip on our website: www.ukiahpolice.com.
