Dear Operation Xcel Family,

As we prepare for the weekend, our first priority is your safety. With a winter storm warning in effect for Guilford County from Saturday through Monday, I want to urge all our families to stay warm and stay safe. We are praying that you maintain power and that these icy conditions pass quickly.

In this issue, we also celebrate the International Day of Education (January 24th). The 2026 theme, "The power
of youth in co-creating education," reminds us that our students are partners in change. At Operation Xcel, we believe quality education is a right, not a luxury. While elite tutoring centers are out of reach for many, we bridge that gap by providing high-quality STEM and SEL programming to Title I families at no cost.

In the pages below, you will find:

Stay safe, stay warm, and thank you for being part of our mission.

Warmly, Charlene Gladney

The 2026 UNESCO theme is "The power of youth in co-creating education." This global observance reminds us that education is a fundamental human right and a public responsibility.  However, a significant "equity gap" remains:

UNESCO emphasizes that youth should not be mere "observers" of their education, but active partners.2 By bringing 21st-century digital literacy and career mentoring to underserved areas, we are ensuring our students aren't just keeping up—they are leading the way.

January is National Mentoring Month, and we are embracing the theme: "Mentoring Across Career Journeys: Bridging Experience and Innovation." At Operation Xcel, mentoring is an economic lever. By connecting our youth with "near-peer" mentors from local colleges like NC A&T, UNC-G, and HPU, we provide a roadmap to the professional world:

Are you looking for a meaningful way
to give back while completing your graduation requirements? Operation Xcel
is an approved site for Guilford County Schools Service Learning hours.

Mentoring our younger students is a powerful way to satisfy your required
20 service-learning hours while building your own leadership skills.
Come be the "bridge" for a student in our after-school programs!

Meet Ginni, an 11-year-old 5th grader who attends our Operation Homework afterschool program. When Ginni joined us two years ago, she was performing at a "Level 1" in ELA and Science. By taking a holistic approach and ensuring that teachers attended to every aspect of her well-being, including both her physical needs and emotional health, Ginni gained the self-assurance she needed to flourish.

Today, she has achieved a Level 3 (Proficient) rating! Her new goal? Becoming a doctor.

Your support turns "Level 1s" into "Level 3s."

During this month's Parent Cafe, our Program Director, Mrs. King, facilitated a deeply resonant Parent Café titled "Squabble Up." In a safe space filled with both men and women, the room hummed with the sounds of Kendrick Lamar’s "Squabble Up" as Mrs. King shared her own personal journey through struggle and the valuable lessons she learned along the way.

The discussion focused on staying grounded when facing modern adversities—such as food insecurity or housing challenges. The group explored how to navigate these pressures with a centered, purposeful, and intentional plan. Key takeaways included:

You don’t have to fight alone: Community is our greatest strength.

Settle yourself: Grounding allows you to confront issues without "throwing punches aimlessly."

Be intentional: Counter adverse experiences with a calm, focused strategy rather than reactive stress.

It was an incredible evening of vulnerability and resilience. Thank you to everyone who joined the conversation.

With snow, sleet, and ice predicted from Saturday through Monday, the safety of our Operation Xcel families is our top priority.

Stay Warm & Connected: Our thoughts are with all our families during this time. We hope you stay warm, and we are praying that everyone maintains power and stays safe throughout the duration of the storm.

Show Us Your Snow Days! ❄️ If the snow piles up enough for some outdoor fun, we want to see it! Whether it’s building the "Xcellence Snowman" or enjoying a cup of cocoa, please share your moments with us:

Please stay tuned to local news for weather updates and stay off the icy roads.

Tip: When a conflict arises, take a 30-second "Peaceful Pause" before reacting. Breathe deeply and remind yourself: "My child is having a hard time, not giving me a hard time."

Why it works: Responding with calm instead of anger prevents power struggles and teaches your child emotional regulation by example.

Operation Xcel Connection: Our Parent Cafés often discuss these types of stress-management strategies!

Address:  PO Box 412 - Stokesdale, NC - 27357-0412

Phone:     336-644-3530     EIN 26-3948215

Website:  https://www.operationxcel.org