Blog 12/4...

 

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.  Also, if you are interested in learning more about assistance with your son/daughter learning how to drive please contact Mr. Brunkhorst.  

Director Notes: 

Happy Holiday Season!  I hope that all the students are getting some well-deserved rest and time with family and friends.  It’s been a great Fall Semester and it’s hard to believe that we are already at break.  The students have gained skills and we’ve already seen some of their cooking prowess on Facebook.  We love seeing the comments from families and friends on their skills.  THRIVE staff will be finishing up progress reports that should be ready to send out in about a week.  Then we’ll continue to finish up and get ready for next spring’s semester.  

New announcement: 

THRIVE has two newly remodeled classroom areas.  We have been working since October to remodel some of the smaller classrooms into more usable spaces for our students.  The classrooms were completed in early December but we are waiting for the technology and furniture to arrive.  We are hopeful that we can start to use them at the start of the Spring semester, if not, shortly thereafter. 

Finals…2nd, 3rd, & 4th-year students have finals during finals week ( December 4-December 8th.)  Are winding down and the last 7 students are in the dorms.  By 5:40 this evening all students and mentors will be home ready to enjoy the time off.  

Spring Semester classes start on January 8th and the students can move back into the dorms on Sunday the 7th at noon.  We hope that everyone enjoys their time with their son/daughter over the break.  Staff will be getting ready for the next semester.  We do ask that students watch their UCM emails at least 3 times a week.  This will help them know of any class changes that they need to let staff know about.  

First-Year Students:

University Foundations.Debra Southard  

This week we prepared for the final. We talked about the many topics that we covered this semester. We also mentioned lessons we have learned that were not taught in the classroom. First-year students have really changed this semester. We hope families can see the positive changes that we do. Students got into study groups this week and worked on some flashcards to help them review. The test was on Friday online.

A few of the students' pictures found their Spring Semester classes.  All were sent on a scavenger hunt-like assignment to find their Spring class locations.  Good job!

Studying for Finals…

Individual Relationships and Health:  Joni Shelton

We ended our semester in IFH&R with a lesson on reducing stress on Monday, heading into finals week. On Wednesday, students took their final exam, and on Friday we celebrated with awards and treats. 

Technology Literacy:  Joni Shelton

Students ended the semester with presentations created with Google Slides and presented to the class about their semester in Thrive. They all did a great job!

Career Exploration: Gary Manning

This was our last week with the students.  We had a work day to get support on their resumes to help them get finished up and ready for the families to look at and review over the break.  

Just hanging out between classes…

Second-Year Students:

Transition Planning I: Gary Manning

This week in class we prepared for the final on Dec. 5th.  The students received a study guide sheet a couple of weeks ago.  We continue to review by using that study guide.  If the students know the study guide they will do well on the test.  

We also started preparing to leave campus next week for the semester break.  This process can be stressful for the students.  We talked over the break, do not get too lazy and continue to do your own laundry, work a part-time job, volunteer within your community, and help your parents around the house.

Foods and Nutrition: Debra Southard

The review for the final was posted on Blackboard on November 19th. We finished the semester making rice pilaf. This class has done an excellent job cleaning. We were fortunate enough this year to use industrial kitchens in the Grinstead building. Students need to study for the final. It's

 worth 80 points and covers a lot of topics we've discussed this semester.

What a great time when the students get their Food Handler’s license.  Good for 2 years.  Great job Everyone!!

Also made Rice Pilaf this week…

Internship I: Gary Manning

We have been preparing for the students' mock interview. The students received some interview questions a couple of weeks ago.  This should have helped the students start to formulate answers to questions that they may have to answer during an interview process.  Further, we discuss what type of clothes you should wear to an interview, what time you should show up, and what materials you should have with you or not bring to an interview (No cell phones, or ear pods) The mock interview is the students’ final in internship class.  

Third-Year Students:

Transition Planning III: Lisa Garnier

We wrapped up the semester by reviewing and updating resumes.

Internship III: Lisa Garnier

Students received good feedback on their internships this Fall, and I’m looking forward to seeing them do just as well in the Spring.

4th Year Seminar/Portfolio: Lisa Garnier

4th year students are finishing their final project. They are creating an in-depth personal vision statement. I’m very impressed with the thoughtfulness and thoroughness of their responses!

Plato: Plato is closed for the rest of the calendar year. The students took new diagnostics right before Thanksgiving break. Students will get the opportunity to select some new topics they would like to learn about come spring semester. Comparing the student's grade levels in August to the grade levels that were determined in November most students maintained or increased a grade level.

THRIVE Activities:

Mentor Activities: 

The mentors had another game night this week.  Looks like another great event…

Colten had the 2nd, 3rd, & 4th year students do Pizza Monkey bites for their last activity of the semester.  It looks like they had a blast.

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

Important upcoming dates:   

Winter Break - 

First-year students: For 1st-Year students their break starts on December 1st at 6 p.m.  They have their finals from the 27th through the 1st.  Then they leave for home and aren’t due back to UCM until January 7th, dorms open at noon, and classes for Spring start on the 8th.

Second-year students: It’s normal time, they have their Finals from December 4th - 8th.  They will have to be out of the dorms by 6 pm on the 8th.  The students are the best ones to ask when they can leave.  Each student has different finals times that week.  They may also choose to do their internship during this time.  Dr. Manning has discussed this in the classes.  They leave for home and aren’t due back to UCM until January 7th, Dorms open at noon, and classes for Spring start on the 8th.

Next Mentor Activity:  

We are done until Spring Semester…

UCM Athletics:

Is finishing up for the semester.  

"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."