Blog 2/13

 

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.

Spring Break is coming…

Helly families, the students will have Spring Break from March 4th - March 12th.  The students will need to be out of the dorms by 6 pm on Friday the third, then the dorms will open back up at noon on March 12th.  The students will have a list of things to check off before they leave.  Teachers will review this list later this week and also next week will give a reminder.   If you have any needs please email Mr. Brunkhorst.

Classes for Fall Semester:

Students in the first year of our program will be asked soon what their top 5 classes are that they would like to take next year.  So it will be a good time to talk to them over the next week or so.  Any students staying for a 3rd- or 4th-year will also be asked what classes they would like to take. 

Roommates for Fall Semester (1st-year students only):

I'll be sending out a Google form in the next couple of days to the first-year students.  It will be asking them who they would like to have as a roommate next fall.  If they like the roommate that they have now and they are also a first-year student they can check that box.  Otherwise, they will be asked to give their top five choices so we can help get roommates lined up for next fall.  They will also have the choice to choose to be with a new first-year student. 

First-Year Students:

Learning Strategies: Debra Southard  

Students learned this week how to outline a chapter and use it to study. Not the most exciting objective but important at the same time. We talked about being highly motivated and how that can help students with learning disabilities be successful. Also, some discussion on showering daily was mentioned. 

Workplace & Community Skills:  Gary Manning

The topics this week were the differences between feedback, criticism, and praise. We also discussed some possible scenarios at work and how to handle them. Students finished up their job shadowing and were asked to write two paragraphs about their experiences. Students were also asked to write a thank you note to the person they job shadowed.

Some job Shadows this week.

Daily & Independent Living Skills (DILS):  Joni Shelton

This week we continued with our discussions about mindfulness and how to relax in stressful situations. We practiced relaxation with breathing techniques and mindfulness with some meditation activities. (Pictured below) We also started reviewing the 8 Healthy Habits for Daily Living that we have been discussing since the beginning of the semester. (Also pictured below). Next week we will have a summary project of these 8 Habits, and review for the Midterm exam.

Second-Year Students:

Notes from the Director:

Hello second-year families, just a reminder that if you are planning on returning to UCM for our optional third year, please send a letter of intent to me.  This helps us know how to plan for next year.  Also, you’ll want to make sure your student goes into their MyCentral page and fills out the housing agreement for Fall of 2023 and if they are in an apartment do their new lease agreement.  They can call Housing if they have questions at 660-543-4515.  It’s important that you do this so that your student can have a chance at their top choice. If you change your mind the deposit can be returned to you.   If you aren’t planning on coming back for a third year please email me so I can also update our list.  We’ve already started to receive our letters of intent.  Please get yours in so we know what to plan…

Transition Planning II: Gary Manning

We have been discussing problem-solving skills and how you have to use these skills in a job and everyday life.  We have also been discussing different scenarios with co-workers and soft skills.   

 Internship II: Gary Manning

The students are updating their resumes and working with the UCM Career Service Office on their resumes this week and next week.  The students also have to write about their internships.  They have to write about what they have learned at their internship and what is challenging for them at their internship.  

Personal Finance II: Mrs. Garnier

We finished up our unit on taxes. Students filled out a practice 1040 form in class to get an idea of what they are and what goes into them. They did not like the fact that the government takes some of their money, but we discussed how they benefit from paying taxes. For example, those taxes go toward clean air and water, road maintenance, medicare, and social security. They felt better after they learned they benefit from paying taxes. We are moving on to insurance now.

Plato: Debra Southard

Students are doing well working on plato. All students need to work on increasing their mastery. 

Third-Year Students:

Notes from the Director:

Hello third-year families, just a reminder that if you are planning on returning to UCM for a fourth year, please send a letter of intent to me.  This helps us know how to plan for next year.  Also, you’ll want to make sure your student goes into their MyCentral page and fills out the housing agreement for Fall of 2023 and if they are in an apartment do their new lease agreement.  They can call Housing if they have questions at 660-543-4515.  It’s important that you do this so that your student can have a chance at their top choice.  If you aren’t planning on coming back please email me so I can also update our list.  We’ve already started to receive our letters of intent.  Please get yours in so we know what to plan…

Transition Planning IV: Mrs. Garnier

We are working on an independent living project that includes a realistic budget based on the amount parents are paying for their housing and meal plans on campus. They were astonished at how much money is being spent each month on “rent” and meal plans. Now we have started looking at real jobs, that they are qualified for, in their home area. They are using their budgets to see what jobs pay enough for them to make ends meet.

Internship IV: Mrs. Garnier

My 3rd years are working hard and doing well in their respective internships.

Foods & Nutrition II: Mrs. Southard

Tuesday we learned the steps involved in making potato skins. We watched a demonstration and wrote down the steps. Some students took pictures of the steps written on the board. Thursday a group used the air fryers to prepare the potato skins in the Baptist student center. While some cooked, others worked on some questions. The plan is next Tuesday will be switching students to do the same. 

THRIVE Activities:

Mentor Activities: This past weekend the students joined the rest of the university to cheer on the Jennie's basketball team.  

Great Job Everyone!!  For more pictures please join our THRIVE Facebook and/or Instagram pages.

Important upcoming dates: 

Next Mentor Activity:  The next Mentor Activity will be a cooking activity…Walking Tacos…

"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."