September 11th Post


THRIVE Director Notes

Posts on this Blog will be directed to help families see what is going on in our THRIVE Program.  Items
discussed on the Blog have already occurred. To keep updated on what’s coming up please refer to 
the THRIVE activity calendar or UCM activity calendar.


First-Year Students:

University Foundations:

This was a short week. We are working on time management. Each student created their own to-do list.
Students were assigned some reading from the text. We discussed getting any makeup work done so 
they can play softball. Mandatory study hall will come before any extra activity. Discussed in class was 
procrastination, respecting others time and we had a pop quiz on Friday. We are practicing keeping a 
weekly checkbook, completing a deposit slip and recording their transactions in a check register. We
are also stressing to students to check emails 3 or 4 times a day that is the primary way we communicate.
 Also, students should be checking the grades regularly.

Daily & Independent Living Skills:

DILS has been focusing on Careers. Through the use of Missouri Connections student were able to 
complete an interest inventory to aide in the search for career paths. Once inventories were completed 
the students researched the career of choice. They were to learn the job overview, salary, skills needed 
for the job, education needed, job availability etc. Once all information was found about the career the 
students were to create a power point and present the power point to the class.

Technology Literacy:

This week we finalized a paper with a cover page and clipart to wrap up our section on using Microsoft 
Word. We also accessed the Notability app, and we had a news crew visit our class! I'm excited to say 
that students were focused and attentive during class in spite of the cameras present. I am proud of the 
great impression they made and the hard work they do on and off camera.

Relationships 101:

This week’s topic was conflict resolution. We read a story about Blind men and the Elephant. It illustrated 
how several people can have different perceptions and all be right. Discussed where strategies to resolve 
conflicts. Students were arranged in groups of three or four and each given a different scenario to read 
and discuss how to solve the issue. Also discussed were different ways people to deal with conflict that 
may or may not be the best.

Second-Year Students:

Transition Planning I:

The students have submitted a rough draft of their Professional Development Plan (PDP).  We are going 
through the plan and talking about SMART goals and how those goals fit into the PDP.  Further, we are 
starting a book study on The Seven Habits of a Highly Effective Teen/Individual by Sean Covey.  The 
students have to read so many pages and then do a written reflection on those pages. Then in the next 
class, we will have a class discussion about the pages.

Internship I:

During the students' internships, we are working on taking initiative in their positions and not standing 
around and waiting for someone to tell us to do something.  We are also working on respecting our fellow 
co-workers and communicating with the customers in a respectful, professional and friendly manner. 
Not only the way we talk but on our mannerisms.

PLATO:

New assessments were taken this week which creates a prescription for that student based on their 
assessment scores. Students are still required to complete 6 hours of each topic their assessment time 
is counted toward their time.  Anytime a student has a problem with Plato or their computer running Plato 
please encourage your student to email Mrs. Southard and make an appointment as soon as possible. 
Sometimes we need to call the company for them to make adjustments to the program.  Or sometimes 
we need to make an adjustment on the students' laptop.

Counseling:

Darryl continues to work with the THRIVE students on their Person Centered Plans. This will be an ongoing goal for 
Darryl and the THRIVE students.

THRIVE Activities:

The students had fun last night (Thursday night) at the Get the Red Out.  This was our first home football 
game. The Mules won 62 - 10. Way to go Mules.  But, before the game, there were activities near the 
stadium. Here are some of the pictures, thanks to Dr. Manning for the pictures.  


Important upcoming dates:

Special Olympics Bowling-Special Olympics is sponsoring a Bowling event on UCM”s campus on September 12th.  Last Friday I 
announced this and the students have been asked to email me if they are interested in attending this 
event.  We have already had a couple of students show interest. Thank you to one of our parents for 
relaying this information to us.  We are glad we are able to add this activity to their list.

Slow-Pitch Softball will be starting Wednesday the 12th of September.  
We’ll make sure we have pictures to show on Facebook.  The students are studying for the quiz that they 
have to pass before they play.  They will be having a practice soon.

Family Weekend-September 14-16- Here is a link with more information. Watch for an upcoming event.

This year THRIVE is a sponsor for the Down Syndrome Guild of Greater Kansas City’s Step up for
Down Syndrome.  We will be putting together a team of 10 students that will go to Arrowhead Stadium to 
walk for this event, held on October 20th from 10 am to 2 pm.  We are excited that we are able to do this 
and see our students show support. A Google Form was sent out last Friday morning for students that 
want to sign up for the team.  There are limited spots available for this activity.

Homecoming Weekend is October 27th.  Put it on your calendars.

Athletics to watch: Women's Volleyball, Cross-Country, and Mules Football start up later this month.

"This blog is a programming blog written by the director and staff of the THRIVE Program 
on the University of Central Missouri campus.  This blog doesn't accept any form of cash 
advertising, sponsorship, or paid topic insertions.

The views and ideas expressed on this blog are purely the blog owners.  This blog does 
not contain any content which might present a conflict of interest.  We are simply telling 
you what we plan to do in our program and using the blog to help spread what we are 
doing on a weekly basis."

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