March "roared in like a Lion" in Texas, and our kids have been springing over meadows and lawns pursuing robins, butterflies and rabbits. Teachers too have been feeling a little lighter in spirit as our thoughts turn to Spring. We live in wonderful era. New opportunities abound. The ARKGroup is busy with new school, church and community projects. As we approach the Easter season, we are thankful for the challenges as we know you must be also. We say to you again, THANK YOU for your service to our children who comprise our world's future.

A Reminder: New Training DVDs are available: ARK Facilitator Training, The ARK Group Process and an Introduction to the Course hosted by Pat Summerall. Order yours today at www.thearkgroup.org. This excellent training guide will supplement the ARK lessons DVD's, manuals, workbooks, texts and advertising materials -- equipping you to begin ARK programs today. ARK programs provide breakthrough parenting and teaching "skills courses," With your help, we can make ARKRelationships the norm for the 21st century family, church, school and community".

Dr. Brooks' article discusses the works of Dr. Timothy D. Lackaye and Malka Margalit which showed that children with learning problems felt lonelier and more socially isolated in school in comparison with other students. Their findings revealed that "successful students were ready to work hard and reported higher levels of effort" whereas "unsuccessful students who need to work hard have little motivation". This reflected the impact of mindsets of failure which were markedly "self-defeating and negative". Where special attention can be focused by intentional adults in helping children to encourage "hopeful beliefs" and helping them to have "more positive self-perceptions", they are better able to manage little steps that lead to bigger steps in growing their lives.

Dr. Brooks is convinced that "our educational and parenting environments must not only address a child's academic weaknesses but, as importantly, must intervene to lessen feelings and beliefs that serve as significant obstacles to engaging in learning tasks and achieving academically".

The research we have conducted at The ARKGroup has shown that good parenting involves being intentional in the love and care you give to your children. This commitment of "unconditional love" is the single most significant influence on a child's self-concept and is the key to that child living a life of meaning and fulfillment as a person of worth

Questions which we must ask as parents and teachers:

• "What steps must a teacher take to develop a relationship with a student so that the student will be receptive to accepting and engaging in empowering interventions?"
• "How do we nurture a resilient mindset in students who feel defeated and lonely?"
• "Do we know students and children who are dominated by self-doubt and pessimism and if so, how will we grow our relationship specifically with them?"

Dr. Brooks' article points out, that "whenever teachers create an empathic and responsive environment, students not only improve in their grades and test scores -- they become eager learners." It takes just one supportive adult in a school to make a difference.

We at the ARKGroup are convinced that individuals can begin today to nurture the life of a single child (their own, a neighbor's, one in our classes or in our neighborhoods) and with each tomorrow, the world will be changed, opportunities will develop, and life will be more fulfilled. We encourage you to get involved. We suspect that you have been waiting for someone to ask. Call us. We will be happy to help.

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In the computing revolution, digital logic made possible by finite-state combination analysis has made use of the simplest of numerical calculations at immense speeds based on the digital logic of 0-1 binary arithmetic.

In the molecular biological revolution, the genetic code has been conquered by binary base-two building blocks represented by the four chemical letters A,G,T, and C (Adenine, Guanine, Thymine and Cytosine).

In the financial world, new larger sets of "financial securities" have evolved which in effect use an arrow principle of binary units that seeks to match all possible uncertain future states of the world with a security to offset the uncertainty.

In all three of these revolutions, I am struck by this world's ability to take the most complex of problems and use the simplest of arithmetical solutions to understand new frontiers. At ARK, we are about a fourth revolution. We believe the principles which are over 2000 years old are also very simple. We believe that children are our hope and will be the future of the world. We know that adults who are intentional about nurturing young people in an environment of "unconditional love and care, separating the person from the behavior and enabling them to recognize their lives as persons of worth" will grow a better world.

We would be interested in your suggestions, ideas, hopes, knowledge, experiences, plans and efforts about ways to make tomorrow an even greater opportunity for our children's futures

Please share your ideas and read on...

A short fable: "The simplicity of the little first steps are demonstrated by an ancient Greek wrestler who would carry a calf on his shoulders for a few hours each day. He did so from the time the calf was born until she was three years old - and despite the fact that the calf grew heavier and heavier, he was able to do so. Those who watched him were amazed at his incredible strength; those who heard about it did not believe what they heard. None of them realized that what he had done was fooling his subconscious mind by conditioning it.

His mind was well aware that lifting a full grown cow was a virtual impossibility. However, lifting a newborn calf was within his abilities. The day to day growth of the animal was so slight it was nearly imperceptible. His strength increased daily in small binary increments."

Here then is the secret to accomplishing the impossible. Break your tasks down to small pieces. Do the little ones first and work-up with care and confidence. The implications are enormous.

• From now on, I will pay more attention to my child in the morning, in the afternoon, in the evening.
• From now on, I will read to a child everyday.
• From now on I will tell my child everyday that "I love you".
• From now on, I will ask my children to reflect on what they have done during the day before I kiss them goodnight.
• From now on, I will find one point of encouragement to give to every student in my classroom every week, then one point every day.
• From now on, I will volunteer to help a Sunday School teacher with her class.
• From now on .....

At the ARKGroup, we are dedicated to education and processes that create networks of support and the opportunity for creativity through "new ideas" shared from the experiences of others that can impact our children's tomorrows. Our programs can make available a number of strategies in your parenting or teaching toolsets that will result in resilient, loved children whose lifestyles are characterized by feelings of compassion, satisfaction, happiness and fulfillment.

Thank you for your commitment to what is possible and for your modeling of the BEST of life to your children and students

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• Become a program sponsor by funding an ARK for Teachers Program in School Districts: Electronic Packages for $950.
• Funding an ARK for Parents in Schools, Community Centers, Churches, Neighborhood Centers, Sunday Schools, Youth Centers: Facilitator Training Programs for $500.
• Purchasing individual manuals for $30 each to support organizations who need materials.
• Purchasing ARK for Kids or Teens workbooks for $30 each for deserving kids' networks.

Your support of The ARKGroup, Inc. creates possibilities in our churches, community centers, and public schools. If you have an opportunity, idea, challenge, or destiny to fulfill through helping children to grow into their full potential, please contact us. Together we can improve the quality of life in our communities--one child, one family, one classroom, one school at a time. Helping other people lifts one's spirits and gives hope for the future.

Read on...