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Cosby's shirt???? And why does it not say "Howdy Friend"?

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Drs. William H. and Camille O. Cosby established the Hello Friend/Ennis William Cosby Foundation to fulfill the goals and dreams of their son; its name was inspired by Ennis' common greeting. Formed in early 1997, the organization is dedicated to the vision that no one with learning differences be denied the lifelong joy and fulfillment of learning. The Foundation.s mandate is to effect fundamental changes in services, attitudes, educational systems, families and communities, in order to realize the capabilities of learning within all human beings.

The Foundation recognizes that early childhood literacy is a critical flashpoint in determining a child.s academic success or failure, since students who fall behind as early as the fourth grade rarely catch up to their peers. To address this problem at its source, the Foundation created The Ennis William Cosby Graduate Certificate Program. This was developed and implemented in partnership with Fordham University.s Graduate School of Education. Since its inception in 2000, this customized two year-program has produced 239 "Cosby Scholars" from the pool of New York City.s working kindergarten through second grade public school teachers. Many of these teachers, who work in some of the city.s most challenging schools, have gone on to leadership positions in their field as teacher-trainers and intervention specialists, teaching techniques and methodologies. So many of the Cosby Scholars have said that their biggest wish is that they could go back in time and help the students they couldn.t reach prior to receiving their advanced training. The tenth cohort will graduate in January 2010.

Too often, children who have academic difficulties in school because of learning differences face an added, formidable challenge from the negative projections and attitudes of others and diminished self-esteem. To create awareness and a fundamental shift on this issue, The Foundation funded and co-produced the award-winning documentary entitled Ennis. Gift: A Film About Learning Differences. Hosted by Ed Bradley, this emotionally-powerful film features the voices of actors, artists, business leaders, athletes and others who overcame the challenges of having learning differences, mixed with the viewpoints of children facing these same issues in their everyday life. Ennis' Gift aired on HBO in 2002 and on public television throughout 2003. It continues to be in widespread use across the country at professional conferences, parent meetings, and teacher training sessions.

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Wait a minute....RC knows Bill Cosby, now thats sweet.

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