August 26th Blog Post - First posting of the year...

 

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:

Overall, all students have done a great job.  The first day was probably the best day we’ve had for the first day of the year.  All students made it to their classes.  I’ve been impressed with the work that students are doing and the amount of students that are already trying to find places to study and asking for help.  It’s been a great start to the year.  We wanted to remind the families that if you hear something from your son/daughter that concerns you please let your student’s teacher know.  Mrs. Southard First-Year students, Dr. Manning Second-Year students, and Mrs. Garnier for 3rd and 4th Year students.  We have had several conversations with the students about who to go to in the dorms and during the day.  It can take some time to get everyone to understand where to go for assistance. 

Lots of Early Move in Shots.  More on Facebook…

First-Year Students:

University Foundations: Debra Southard  

This week we have been trying to remember everything. It's a lot of information. For the most part, students have done an excellent job. Students were reminded to stay out of the dorms during the day. Treat being in school as their job and stay in the academic buildings during the day. They have been shown where CIT (Counselor in training) meets, the Collaboration Zone, and the blue room (THRIVE study room). We also talked about the importance of taking their medicine as prescribed. In our weekly meetings with each student, we go over the roommate agreements. We watched a short video of Shane Lewis, a former THRIVE student giving advice to first-year students. Being in class on time is late! Walking in at 8:59 or 9:00 is late. Instructors on campus expect students to be in class with computers logged on and ready to go at class time. 

Individual Relationships and Health:  Joni Shelton

This week we started with an Introduction to Individual and Family Health and Relationships (IFHR) class. This was followed by a survey about what the students already know about Personal Safety and a presentation and discussion about Personal Safety on Campus. We ended the week with a presentation and discussion about different types of relationships and how to make friends and be a good friend at college.

Technology Literacy:  Lisa Garnier

The first-year students are doing really well with their technology overall. We have had some glitches as we always do the first week or so of the semester, but between myself and Mr. Brunkhorst, most of the issues have been resolved. Students are able to access Blackboard, Missouri Connections, and Plato. They learned how to compose appropriate emails to teachers, how to complete discussion boards on Blackboard, and how to submit assignments on Blackboard. It’s been a busy and productive week. I think we are off to a great start.

Career Exploration: Gary Manning

This week the students found out what they will do over the course of the semester.  They also filled out information on their interest in their career, so far.  This will help them learn more about their skills and abilities as we go through this course.  They also learned about a collaborative effort with a group of Special Education students in my Transition Class.  Students will be paired with one of these students or myself to do career assessments as part of the class.

Second-Year Students:

Transition Planning I: Gary Manning

Hello and Good Morning!  This week has been a lot about the introduction of the class and what to expect.  We will be using the book “7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens” by Sean Covey.  The students' first assignment in this book was assigned to them.  

We discussed having three SMART goals for the semester.  The students have to develop three SMART goals for themselves that are related to academics, health/fitness, and social. 

Internship I: Gary Manning

The students are meeting with their supervisors and starting their internships this week and next week.  This can be a slow process at times.  Some of the locations that the students are interning at are trying to finalize schedules and do professional development for their employees. 

Foods & Nutrition II: Mrs. Southard

We have been going over some things we did last year: what we made, and what we could do better. We've talked about washing dishes, working with others in the kitchen, burns, and being proactive in the kitchen. We looked at a kitchen safety handout of a kitchen and identified all possible hazards. 

Third-Year Students:

Transition Planning III: Lisa Garnier

We have started the semester with time management. Students are evaluating how they spend their time--what they do each day and how long they spend doing it. We are talking about how to schedule time for homework/studying, working, and activities/free time so they don’t get overwhelmed with all they have to do as 3rd-year students. 

Internship III: Lisa Garnier

Some internships started this week, and others will start next week. I foresee good things!

Foods and Nutrition III: Mrs. Garnier

The first week of this class consisted of an introduction to the course and a review of basics from last year--we discussed when to eat, what to eat, the importance of not skipping meals, and reviewed the basic nutrients our bodies need to get us through each day. We have our first cooking lab coming up (Ham and Cheese Sliders) and everyone is excited to get back in the kitchen.

Plato: Debra Southard

Diagnostics were open this week in reading, math, and Language arts. These will determine students' grade levels and create questions accordingly. The other two subjects for them are Career exploration and Exercise Science which are both new topics Plato (Edmentum) has added. After a few weeks, I will be switching students to topics they select. The topics are wide open. Some of the topics include Veterinary Science, many history classes, theater, sign language, sports, restaurant management, and cosmetology. 

THRIVE/Mentor Activities:

The mentor activity was a Movie Night in the Lovinger 1270 classroom.

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

Important upcoming dates: 

We’ll be sending out a Google form to the students soon on what intramural activities they are interested in.  Then I’ll have sign-up sheets in the new THRIVE lobby for students to sign up for the events.  

Next Mentor Activity:  

More of Downtown Warrensburg with Jaymee.  

UCM Athletics:

Football, Soccer, and Volleyball are starting soon.  The games are on your son/daughter’s THRIVE Activities Calendar on Google.

Get the Red Out- Street Fair before the first game, September 7th.  

Family Weekend - THRIVE Meet n Greet is scheduled for 9:30-11 on September 28th…  This is a time to meet the teachers and then help with our THRIVE Float for Homecoming.  The mentors will have things set up so that the families and students can help paint the float.  Then there is a home football game, UCM will play Nebraska Kearney at 1 pm.  It’s a fun time to see how your son/daughter is doing and enjoy the game. 

"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."