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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:

Most of the students are finished with enrollment for fall classes.

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

We will be getting the students' final roommate selections in the next couple of weeks.  We are finalizing our first-year students for next semester at this time.

Finals and Move-out times…

Students should know when they are taking their finals in their THRIVE and elective classes.  2nd and 3rd-Year students may also have their internships during finals week.  Each student is responsible for checking with their supervisor for work hours.  Dorms close and students will need to be out of the dorms and rooms cleaned by 6 pm on Friday, May 5th.  Students should be receiving a sheet about a week prior to finals week with what is expected of them on room clean up.  They will also have to sign up for a checkout time.  During this time it can be a very anxious time for our students.  Mentors and staff will try to help ensure that the student works with parents on when a good checkout time is.  The CA’s for the floor will have certain times that the students can check out and students will need to be quick on getting this done.  I’ll also be getting with housing to see who has signed up and who hasn’t.  Don’t hesitate to email your child’s THRIVE teacher if you have questions.  

First-Year Students:

First-Years out and about campus…

Learning Strategies: Debra Southard  

Students were given a new assignment on Monday using a website www.flipgrid.com. Students were to videotape themselves in a two-minute speech telling what they believe was the most difficult lesson or assignment they had this year. It could be anything from a specific assignment to a whole class to maybe sharing a room with someone or being away from home. We watched all of the videos on Wednesday which led to a great discussion. 

Workplace & Community Skills:  Gary Manning

This week we worked on cover letters. Students finished up their third job shadowing and met with Dr. Manning about Fall 2023 internships.  The students had to give five locations for their internship.  It was explained to the students that they may not get the first choice of their internship location.  However, they may get that location in the spring semester.  The internships are for the whole semester.  The student will work between 8 - 12 hours per week at their internship.  

Daily & Independent Living Skills (DILS):  Joni Shelton

This past week we finished up our Workplace behaviors lessons, with Nearpod lessons “Thriving in the Workplace” and “Communicating with Coworkers and Supervisors”. We also discussed presentations about Soft Skills, Hard Skills, Criticism, and Conflict in the workplace. This coming week we will be discussing Personal Safety.

Johnson County Emergency Management Team came out to THRIVE’s Class this past week.  

Second-Year Students:

Transition Planning II: Gary Manning

We have been discussing what the students can do this summer on how they continue to develop their responsibility and independence.  This includes doing activities on their own, with their families and friends.  Further, we want the students to try and get jobs over the summer, volunteer or do an internship.  It is important that the student and their families continue to use vocational rehab and outside resources to help the students. 

Internship II: Gary Manning

 The students met with the UCM Career and Life Design Center on Wednesday..  The students and the staff discussed interview skills and dressing professionally for an interview.  The students will have mock interviews at the Career and Life Design Center on April 26th.

Personal Finance II: Mrs. Garnier

We finished up our unit on investing this week, so don’t be surprised if your students are talking about IRAs, 401(k)s, Pensions, and retirement plans. We will finish the semester talking about how to avoid scams, fraud, and identity theft. 

Plato: Debra Southard

Most students complete plato on time this week. All students need to work on increasing their understanding of the material presented. 

Third-Year Students:

Transition Planning IV: Mrs. Garnier

Basic life skills is the theme for the end of the semester. This week the students practiced sewing on buttons on Monday, and on Wednesday they learned how to clean a microwave oven properly (the microwave in our break room has never looked so good). Next week we will clean a refrigerator and learn other fun activities that come with being an adult!

Internship IV: Mrs. Garnier

Students are updating their resumes and gathering references. 

A couple getting ready for their internships.

Foods & Nutrition II: Mrs. Southard

Students made beef stroganoff. Students cooked the noodles and prepared the beef. Students practiced their serving skills when presenting their food to others. Also covered were the nutrients in meat and different cooking methods. 

THRIVE Activities:

Mentor Activities: Seth and Logan had students make meatball subs…

THRIVE Softball game last Monday night…  Our Last two games…The students had a great time.  Last game of the season.

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 a cooking event.

"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."