BLog 3/11 & 3/18

 

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: 

Easter is Coming… Sunday, March 31st is Easter this year.  However, UCM doesn’t have any days off before or after.  So, if students do head home early they will need to get with their professors and find out what they are going to miss, then get this done for classes on Monday.  Also, I will be sending out a Google Form to see who is leaving for that weekend so our mentors and staff know.  If you do pick up your student please ask if they have filled out the Activity Log before they leave and let the mentor know.

First-Year families.  In the next few weeks the students will have their first job shadow opportunity.  For these job shadows students will need to dress appropriately for the job shadows in casual dress.  If you’d make sure your student has appropriate clothing on campus for them to wear.  If you have any questions please give Dr. Manning an email and he can help you with this.

Housing Agreements for Fall 2024:  Hello Families, If you’d work with your students to fill out the Fall Housing Agreement.  They are located on your student’s MyCentral Page.  It’s on the left side towards the middle I believe.  I’ll also be sending an email to families about giving us a Letter of Intent for next year.  This helps us prepare for students.

First-Year Students:

Foods & Nutrition I: Debra Southard  

This week we finished making blueberry muffins. We learned a trick if you shake the blueberries in a little of the flour mixture they cook better (don’t bleed as much in the batter) before you fold them into the wet batter. Students learned all of the muffin pans need to have the same amount of dough in each area. Because the really full ones will not be done before some of the others. Also learned how to fold in blueberries, put the pan in the middle of the oven for even baking, and spray the whole muffin tin, not just the bottom.  

It’s time for biscuits…

Workplace & Community Skills: Gary Manning

Monday we discussed motivation and how different types of motivation can help us to be successful. The rest of the week we are updating our resumes and references.   We have also been discussing what classes the students may want to take for the Fall 2024 semester.  

Daily & Independent Living Skills (DILS):  Joni Shelton

As we returned to UCM from Spring Break, we have shifted our attention from Healthy Habits for Daily Living to workplace behaviors. This past week we discussed Work Ethics and Professionalism. 

Just Hanin’ out…

Second-Year Students:

Transition Planning II: Gary Manning

We continue the process of looking towards what the next couple of months are happening.  This includes graduation from the THRIVE program, moving back to the students’ hometown, or the student coming back to UCM for a third year.  All of these transitions are a change for the students and their families.  The students and families have a lot of different resources available to them, please make sure you utilize the resources.  

Foods and Nutrition II: Lisa 

We have made veggie salads, quesadillas, and pasta marinara so far this semester. This week we are making a fruit salad. The kids are doing great and enjoying eating their creations.

It’s time for Pasta Marinara…

Internship I: Gary Manning

The students have been starting their professional portfolio.  Within the portfolio the students need a resume, cover letter, 3 reference letters and any other documents that may help them in applying for a job.  

The goal is for the student to start applying for jobs/summer jobs the first week in April.  The students are looking at different classifieds/job searches to help with this process.  The students and families need to also use outside resources to help with this process.  For example Vocational Rehabilitation, Center for Human Resources, Board Services etc…

Just Hanin’ Out…

Third-Year Students:

Transition Planning IV: Lisa Garnier

We are working on updating resumes and refining cover letters. Those who won’t be back for a 4th year are looking for jobs in their home areas. They are also interviewing a person in their career field and writing a paper about it.

Internship IV: Lisa Garnier

All students are doing well and continue to get great reviews from their employers.

Fourth-Year Students:

4th Year Seminar/Portfolio: Lisa Garnier

Students are preparing for life after THRIVE. One has already lined up a job and the other will be returning in the Fall as a regular UCM student to continue working toward a degree. 

Internships:

Going well.

Plato: Please seems to be going well. 

THRIVE Activities:

The students had a great time at Alpha Sigma Alpha’s THRIVE Formal.  I’ve put some pictures below…

Mentor Activities: 

Last Friday night, Lucian, Jake, and Benny had the students make Mexican Hotdogs.  It looks like they had some fun…

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

Important upcoming dates:   

Softball Practice  Started last week… Please have students bring their gloves and any other softball gear back with them after Spring break.  I’ll keep you posted once we receive the dates of the games.

Next Mentor Activity:  

Football with Colten.  It sounds like the students will be getting together to play a game of Football this coming Saturday.  We’ll watch for pictures.

UCM Athletics:

Mules and Jennies Baseball and Softball are currently going…  The Mules were on an 11-game winning streak until this past Sunday.  We’ll see how they both do this week.

"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."