April, 2009:  We have been busy at work with our students and partnering with other organizations.  We recently formed a partnership with local animal organizations and a local veterinarian to provide animal care and housecall services.  We are avid animal lovers and this is opportunity is a wonderful extension of the work we have been doing with families for many years.  Please feel free to contact us about any of our new services, if you or anyone you know may need them.  Take good care of yourself, The 5House Group and Get-A-Grip.  Have a great Earth Day!! 

June, 2007:

Happy Father's Day to all of the great fathers out there.  It is the season of summer vacations and kids out of school.  We are hosting another great summer camp and youth leadership development series.  We will also be hosting weekly journaling sessions every Saturday for all of you who have a lot to say and want help in presenting it.  Life is so full of options and choices, that it is encumbent upon us to ensure we make choices that benefit us.  With each passing day, I learn more about the choices that benefit me and getting closer to my vision.  It is hard to sometimes take the bitter with the sweet but I am a work in progress just as each of us is.  So, I have learned to be blessed for the opportunity to even be here to share my thoughts, my vision and my experiences.  What I ultimately do at the end of each day is getting me one step closer to becoming the me I was born to be. 

May, 2007:

With graduations and new beginnings looming for many students and families, we invite you to dwelve into your future.  What is your vision for your life?  What is your life's mission?  What are you utmost determined to succeed at?

We must continually ask ourselves these questions to ensure that our vision, mission and daily lives are in order.  Why wait for your life to pass by and wish you would've, should've, could've? 

As you strive to make more of your tomorrows, then you did of your yesterdays, have in the back of your mind that you will never accept defeat and never quit.

Be honest.    Be encouraging.    Be original.    Be direct.

But, most importantly, be the best YOU that YOU can be!

April, 2007:

Recently there was article published in Yahoo! HotJobs by Caroline Levchuck on the topic of references, particularly for jobs.  This article could apply to any arena where professional references would be needed and sought.  Ms. Levchuck discussed how most people spend so much time on the resume and cover letter, but do not seem to put the same energy into obtaining thoughtful reference letters.  I am pretty sure that we have all been guilty of this from time to time with so much on our plates.  It is true that a thoughtful and stellar reference letter can help you get hired, while an unenthusiastic, uninformative reference may hurt your chances at the job or program entry. 

The Do's cited were:

Do remove "References available upon request" from your resume. That is expected. 

Do mention, ie., name drop especially if your reference works at the company or has ties to the place where you are applying.

Do keep a list of active and current references, of generally three to four people.

Do check-in with references a few times a year to let them know about your current affairs, and see if there is a way for you to help them as well.

The Dont's cited were:

Don't voluntary give references until you are at a point of being in final consideration for the position.

Don't provide a prospective employer with more than three references, so long as each one has a unique perspective on your qualifications. 

Don't ask references to stretch the truth about your qualifications.

Best Regards,

Educational Coaches

Get-A-Grip Tutoring

www.5houserocks.com

March, 2007:

Hello Friends,

Did you remember to set your clocks ahead 1 hour on March 11, 2007 for the Spring forward time change?  Well, the first quarter of this year is well on the way and students should begin preparing for high school and college entrance exams, interviews and summer plans.  This time of year can be filled with anxiety-producing events, but do not let them get the best of you.  You are the your own best salesman, so start selling.  Call about our study skills and leadership skills academy registering now.

These are five great tips for a good interview:

1.  Be friendly, smile with confidence, and have a good, firm handshake.

2.  Be prepared for questions about yourself (strengths and weaknesses), why you chose a certain school, program.

3.  What makes you unique and why you should be selected for this program?

4.  How have you prepared yourself for future academic pursuits?

5.  Be able to articulate, talk about your dreams, goals and desires.

February, 2007:

Hello Friends,

Happy Valentine's Days to all our friends, families, and students in the Get-A-Grip Tutoring family.  We wish you and yours the best of days.  This month we also celebrate the accomplishments of Africans and African-Americans during this monumental Black History Month.  Take time this month and always to celebrate the diversity of all immigrants and cultural groups. 

January, 2007:

Hello Friends,

Here's hoping you all have had a great start to 2007!  Recently, we have heard about the DC Mayor Fenty's plan to take over the public school system in Washington, DC.  Now, Montgomery County, Maryland is planning on revising its test-preparation system.  Other local counties and school districts are continuously revamping their educational structures and systems.  Before any major changes are made in the current educational systems, we must examine how well the schools are teaching students the basic math, reading, writing and sciences.  Otherwise, we are not really creating thinking, problem solving students, but students who merely regurgitate what was taught in class. 

Let us know what the families and students think about these initiatives and plans?  Do you feel that the current systems are preparing students to be competitive within the global culture?  How are the constant changes affecting your educational outcomes either positively or negatively? 

December, 2006:

Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Happy Kwanza, and Felice Navidad y Prospero Ano!

To all of our clients, friends, families, and visitors, may you all enjoy a blessed holiday season with those you love and care about. To all of our service members, be safe and our best wishes are always with you. To those of us who are going crazy with what to get for gifts, remember that the best gift is love and time together. Memories are made of experiences, not things, so have yourself a merry holiday season and see you soon. www.5houserocks.com or (202)882-3360

Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Registry Ring Owner: Service Disabled American Veterans Foundation  Site: www.SDAV.org