Weekly Blog for 10/15

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:

We discussed careers and how our values can affect what career we are interested in. We talked about
career paths for instance if a person was interested in some time of career to help others what type of
jobs are out there for that. Students created their own Dropbox account and learned how to drop infor-
mation into that so it can be retrieved at a later date. We also completed some personal assessments to
check to see if what we value is in line with our career choices.

Daily & Independent Living Skills:

We have continued to discuss careers, what it means to be dependable.  They had to write an essay
about when they were dependable and when they weren’t dependable and talk about the consequences
of not being dependable.  We discussed the jobs that they have had or currently have. They had to write
an essay of how those jobs have shaped them as an individual.

Technology Literacy:

Last week we completed our Technology Specification project. The students chose two electronic devices
(iPhone/Android, Xbox/Playstation, Smartwatch/Fitbit, etc.) and did a product comparison. They used a
table in a Word document to present their findings and wrote a short paragraph explaining which product t
hey would buy if they could and why. My apologies to parents if I gave them ideas for Christmas gifts.

Relationships 101:

Last week we worked as a team to create a list of items a baby would need. We compiled the lists for a
more complete list that included, furniture, personal items, and medical bills.  Students looked up prices
of each items. Students were surprised at all the equipment and supplies an infant needs. Students were
also shocked at the cost of raising a child.

Second-Year Students:

Transition Planning I:

Habit 4 and Habit 5 in the 7 habits book, We also discussed Relationship Bank Account (RBA) and how
this relates to our daily lives.  

Internship I:

The students have continued updating their resumes to make sure the resumes have consistency in for-
matting, they added their internships, classes, skills, volunteering, and awards.

PLATO:

Students are working on Plato pretty well. There are a couple of students once in a while that get behind. G
etting behind in plato can put added stress on a student because they have to make that up as well as
complete the time for the current week.

THRIVE Activities:

Progress Reports were emailed:

You should have received emails that included your student’s progress report.  If you didn’t receive it or
have questions, please email me at mbrunkhorst@ucmo.edu and I’ll get back to you.  Overall the students
did well.  The 2nd-year students average a 3.54 based on our THRIVE rubric, and the 1st-year students
averaged a 3.2 based on our THRIVE rubric.

Spring Semester Classes:

Gary has been working hard and as of today (Wednesday has most of our students enrolled in their next
semester classes.  If you haven’t heard what the students have asked for, please ask your student
today.

This Weekend’s activities:

This weekend there were two opportunities that the students had for THRIVE activities.  We had 8 of our
students go up to the Down Syndrome Guild’s walk for Down Syndrome at Arrowhead Stadium.  The
had fun doing some of the activities that they had and then walked around the stadium in the afternoon.  
They looked tired on the way back. Here are some pictures.

The students also had a chance to help with decorations for the upcoming dance.  Here are some of the pictures that were taken.

Important upcoming dates:

Special Olympics Bowling-

Still practicing the bowling on Wednesday’s.  I was in training last week so I didn’t get a chance to see
them.

This year THRIVE is a sponsor for the Down Syndrome Guild of Greater Kansas City’s Step up for
Down Syndrome.  This past weekend the students and I went to the walk.  I’ve included it above in the
weekend activities.

Homecoming Weekend is this weekend.  Put it on your calendars.  The students have been working
on items.  I’ll give more photos next week.

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."