Indianapolis Recorder, Indianapolis, Marion County, 3 October 2003 — Page 26

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PARENTING TIPS

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Teams plan to toke stop show to

C SECTION

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2003

How lo avoid another level during this year's Classic

Hie report card surprise

(NAPS1) — For many parents, the first report card of the year can bring about feelings of pride and happi■bl ness. Fm parents I who are surprised by their * k • j ehild’s disap|t ftK 1 pointing grades. ® it can produce feelings of anxiety and frustration. Fortunately, there are steps parents can take to make that surprise a happier one. “When a parent is surprised by a poor report card it often means they haven't been staying informed about their child’s progress," says Richard Bavaria, Ph.I)., vice president of education for Sylvan Learning Center. “A continuous and open dialog among teachers, parents and students will help alleviate any concerns and enable parents to address areas of concern before they receive their child’s report card," he said. Sylvan offers the following tips to help parents maintain clear communication with their child: • Teach your child that education is important to your family. • Discuss goals and objectives for the school year. This may be a great way to learn about difficulties your child is having in specific subject areas. • Talk about school every day. Make it a regular part of the family's routine. Openly talk with her about her worries and concerns its w ell as her joys and achievements. » Don't wait for a report card to talk about school and grades. Frequently discuss how your child is doing in each subject and what grade he anticipates receiving. • Talk w ith your child about her study habits and develop a study plan. Set aside specific time for studying and make sure that she has a properly equipped and well-lit area to Work. • Discuss extracurricular activities, such as team sports or after-school jobs. Being overscheduled may affect his grades. • If your child is having trouble in school, talk about a method to help get organized. A calendar can help track tests, homework and activities.

l or additional ideas on communicating with teachers or for tips on w riting, reading and making math fun, visit www .educate.com/tips or call I KOO-BI SI 'CCT.SS.

By BRANDON A. PERRY Staff Writer The time has come for fans of Circle City Classic to get prepared fora lively dis|)lay of unity among proud Black college fraternities and sororities. Participants can expect to sec flawless formations, hand clapping, foot stomping, and verbal interplay used as entertaining tools to help these organizations offer their best in a friendly competition. The 1.9th annual Greek Stepdown will be Friday from 7 to 10 p.m. inside Malls F and G ofthe Indiana Convention Center. Tickets are $13 in advance and $15 on the day ofthe show. Limited VIP seating is available for $ 18. Tickets can be purchased at the RCA Dome Box Of fice or from Ticketmaster by calling (317) 239-5151. Comedian Ced Delaney, who has appeared on such popular television programs as Comic View and DefComedy Jam, will sene as host for the show. Organizers said 14 teams are expected to compete for a first place prize of $2,000, ora $500 aw ard for second place winners. This year, as opposed to the previous “free-for- all events,” the stepdown will be divided by gender, with fraternities and sororities competing in their own categories. "We’re going to have a spectaculartime," said Nieole Green of Aleho Enterprises, the main organizer of this year’s stepdown. “This gives the community a great opportunity to see Black college life at its best. It’s also a chance for current fraternity/sorority members and alumni to enjoy each other as Greek-letter organizations during an evening highlighted by brotherhood and sisterhood." America’s most prominent African-American fraternities, indudingAlpha Phi Alpha, Iota Phi Theta, Kappa Alpha Psi.

Omega Psi Phi and Phi Beta Sigma will be represented along with supporters of the major sororities Alpha Kappa Alpha, Delta Sigma Theta, Sigma Gamma Rho and Zeta Phi Beta. Green has confirmation from visitors who will come from places as far away as Philadelphia, Daytona, St. Louis, Milwaukee and several other cities. She expects the event to sell out, as it has in previous years when turnout reached between 7,000 and 8,000 people. According to directors ofCircle City Classic, the annual Greek Stepdown in Indianapolis is the largest gathering of its kind among similar “classic” sporting events held in other parts ofthe nation.

The first Circle City Classic Greek step show was organized in 1984 by promoter Al “The Bishop” Hobbs and Rev. Henzy Green, Nicole’s husband. “We were looking for ways to expose youth to various aspects of the Black college experience,” stated HenzyGreen. “Wefelt, and still feel, that fraternities and sororities represent such an intricate part of Black campus life that they needed to be represented.” When asked why people should come out for this year’s step show, Henzy Green replied that the event is fun for Greeks and nonGreeks alike. “There's no doubt students who are currently in a Black Greek letter organization will have a great time," he said. “The whole

family can come out; it may bring back memories for older relatives who are alumni. I remember parents who attended a recent step show and said their 3-year old son was stepping when they got home.” Stepping “represents Black Greek unity, hard work, dedica-

tion, friendly competition and pride in one’s Greek organization,” wrote Veronica Bohanan, a writer for the University of Iowa’s NABJ Black student publication. For more information about the Greek Stepdown, call (317) 925-1802 or (317) 329-9220.

What is stepping? Stepping is a dance form that combines elements of military drills with contemporary jazz, hip-hop moves and complex, synchronized body movements. For over 50 years it has been a popular tradition among students of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) in general, and Black Greeks in particular. After hours of practice, contemporary step teams carefully choose hard-soled shoes that will amplify their sound on a wooden surface. Some teams might incorporate the use of canes and sticks in their routines to achieve a wider range of percussive sound.

Meeting the candidates

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Lillian Jackson displayed her admiration for Mayor Bart Peterson, the Democratic Incumbent who's running for reelection. National Council of Negro Women

The fourth annual HobNob event was held last Thursday evening at the Indiana Historical Society. Those in attendance took part in an opportunity to personally meet candidates running for Indianapolis mayor and city-county council. William Mays (lower right), president of Mays Chemical Company and publisher of the Indianapolis Recorder enjoyed a discussion with business owners Tim and Gobble Smith (center). The Smith’s own Perfect Impressions Printing Company. (Photos/J. Hurst)

The Indianapolis chapter of the National Council of Negro Women recently held a swearing-in ceremony for Its newly elected officers. Seated (left to right) are Joyce Mdore, Rosalynn West and Katherine Blaine. Standing (left to right) are Fay H. Williams, Brenda Roper, Marty Montgomery, Lula Nichols, Alfarena Williams, Hlwa "Ruby" Davie and Debra A. Cooper. (Photo/C. Guynn)

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