Blog 3/27

 

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.

Classes for Fall Semester:

Students in the first year of our program will be enrolled in their classes a couple weeks after Spring Break.

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

All students have given their choices for roommates.  THRIVE Staff will be going through their choices and then in Mid-April will let students and families know more information.

First-Year Students:

Some students are studying before class…

Learning Strategies: Debra Southard  

Students have figured out that it's almost April and they have almost made it through their first year. Class discussion this week focuses on taking notes in classes. Things we discussed were how to know what to write down, why it's important to take notes when to review notes, and different ways to take notes. We have a couple of assignments due this week. All students have improved their writing skills since they started in August and we are still working on them. 

Workplace & Community Skills:  Gary Manning

 Students printed and turned in their resumes to Dr. Manning. He had tutorials with each student and discussed ways to update and improve them. Students are completing their third job shadowing this upcoming week and will have a couple of paragraphs due about the experience.

Further, the student has met with Dr. Manning to discuss Fall 2023 classes and Fall 2023 internships.  Please have a conversation with your student about these two items.  

Daily & Independent Living Skills (DILS):  Joni Shelton

We continued learning about professionalism with a lesson about acceptable, safe, and positive workplace behaviors. Students also continued exploring their interests and plans for future jobs. On Thursday we took a field trip to the UCM Career and Life Design Center’s Professional Clothing Studio. Students learned what is appropriate attire for a job interview, as well as some tips for caring for professional clothing items.

Looks like the students were able to see how the Career and Life Design Center can help students get ready for interviews…

Second-Year Students:

Notes from the Director:

Hello third-year families, We will be setting up individual meetings for students coming back for a third year in the coming week.  Please watch for an email from me with the days/times.

Transition Planning II: Gary Manning

 During class, we have been discussing what the next six weeks will look like until the end of the semester and graduation.  Usually this time of the year the students get stressed. overwhelmed, sad, and excited. We discuss these emotions during class and with the THRIVE counselor in training.  

Further, during class and weekly meetings, the discussions involve what the student is going to be doing after graduation.  If the student is coming back for a third year we are discussing classes in the fall and internships in the fall semester.  If the student is choosing to not come back for the 3rd year program we are discussing applying for jobs and having discussions with families about what may be next.   

Internship II: Gary Manning

We have been discussing different types of motivation within a career.  That motivation can be doing something that you love doing, making money, and being independent and responsible.  

We also have been discussing as we get older and have jobs, how we should be able to handle stress and being overwhelmed with your job.  

Personal Finance II: Mrs. Garnier

Investing is the current topic in class. We have discussed the difference between saving and investing: Savings accounts are short term and investments are long-term. We are learning about stocks, and we are learning the importance of consulting a professional financial advisor to assist in long-term investing because it can be very confusing for us regular folks.

Plato: Debra Southard

Best news ever: all first years completed Plato the week of March 13 to 17th. Great job students!! Keep up the good work. 

Third-Year Students:

Notes from the Director:

Hello third-year families, We will be setting up individual meetings for students coming back for a fourth year in the coming week.  Please watch for an email from me with the days/times.

Transition Planning IV: Mrs. Garnier

We began our apartment search project this week. Students are using their job analysis to find an apartment in their budget range (based on what the job they found pays). They are looking at location, lease length, upfront costs, utilities, amenities, pet policies, and transportation options. 

Internship IV: Mrs. Garnier

Students have finished their second internship summary papers and continue to perform their jobs to supervisor's satisfaction. 

Foods & Nutrition II: Mrs. Southard

This week students had a big two-part assignment. Each student selected a recipe that contained fruit. It could be fresh, frozen, or canned. The recipe should be approved by Mrs. Southard. Students looked up ingredients on Walmart.com and figured out the price... Each Student included: Name of the assignment "SELECTING A RECIPE AND PURCHASING FRUIT", the student's name, the recipe, and how to prepare the recipe including all steps, pictures, and prices of each ingredient, the total price to prepare the recipe. I didn't want them to spend more than $10.00. Students are also included in the written assignment  (1) when they purchased the items, (2) if they have some already in their apartment, (3) which store did they go to. (4) is someone going with the student. Students prepared these on March 21 and March 23. All students got an opportunity to taste each other's recipes. 

THRIVE Activities:

Mentor Activities: This past weekend the students went to the movies… Well, two students did.  Taylor and Logan went with Katelynn…

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 cooking breakfast for Dinner with Katelyn and Stacy.

"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."