First Spring Semester Post-Week of January 14th.

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.

First-Year Students:

Workplace & Community Skills:

We started off this semester great. We discussed the importance of being organized and being proactive this semester. Students answered emails and accepted invites. Students double checked their schedules on MyCentral.edu. Students received their textbooks for their classes.  Recommended was to read all of the syllabi for each class. Mentioned to always read the syllabus before you email a professor a question about the class. Students were asked to clear off their desktops on their laptops but moving saved assignments into a folder. Students created new folders in their desktops one for each class they are currently enrolled. Students received their first assignment in class on Wednesday.  Topics included were professionalism, job shadowing, and disclosure of a disability.

Learning Strategies:

We’re continuing to get organized. We created a running to-do list for the week. Students had homework the first day of class. They were to print off a copy of their new syllabus from their other UCMO class and turn that in. I will be visiting with those professors on a regular basis. I will be adding support for our students by contacting their instructors checking on our student’s attendance as well as attempting and completing assignments to the best of each student’s ability. Students have been assigned reading 1- 15 in the textbook.

Personal Math:

In Personal Math, students are learning Where Does Your Money Go?, The students are learning the difference between are want and need, learning how to add and subtract expenses, and learning the difference between fixed expense and a variable expense.

Second-Year Students:

Transition Planning II:

The class has started off well.  This week we are discussing how to network at their internships, classes and at meetings/organizations.  We are also starting to discuss a home budget and what that may look like for different individuals/families.  Last semester we did a book study by utilizing the 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens, this semester I am not sure what book we may use for the class book study this semester but we probably will do a book study.

We are looking forward to another great and productive semester with the students.

Internship II:

Students are starting there internships this week.  Our students average about 20 hours/week at their internships.  There is a lot of responsibility on the students but their internships are good real-life experiences for our students. As the students' internship hours are increased the students have to be more proactive and utilize their time wisely on how to get their school work done, Plato done, go to classes and meetings.

PLATO:

Students were given new assessments for the month of January. Monday they completed Writing. Tuesday Math and Wednesday Reading. Like last semester students are expected to complete 2 hours on each subject each week. Any student that has a problem with PLATO needs to email me and set up an appointment so we can work through it.  So far many students have increased their time on the January assessments which showed an increase in their grade level.

Study Time:

We have been very impressed with the study habits that these students are showing this semester.  Many of the students have been coming into the THRIVE Classroom when classes aren’t being taught and have been using this time to study individually or with small groups.  Great job!!!

THRIVE Activities:

Cooking this weekend: I hear they are making Tacos.  We’ll have pictures next week. We will also have our Spring Open House on Monday, so any students that are on campus are asked to come at 9 and at 1.

Important upcoming dates:

Athletics to watch:  Men’s and Women’s Basketball games are on.  UCM Mules Wrestling also has some matches in the coming weeks.  Towards the middle of March, the Baseball team will also start their games.

In addition, the students can participate in Intramural Athletics: Ping Pong, Dodgeball, and Softball sign up sheets were in the THRIVE classroom this week.  The students can also look to their Spring Student Activities calendar that was left for them the first week. We also have copies in the THRIVE Classroom.

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