11/11 Blog

 

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:

Communication Protocol:  I’d like to review our communication protocol in this blog.  I like to ensure that families are getting questions answered and any concerns addressed.  If you have a first-year student then Mrs. Southard or Mrs. Garnier is your students' primary contact.  If you aren’t sure, please contact Mrs. Southard first.  If you have a second-year student, then Dr. Manning is your first contact for any concerns or questions. If you can’t reach your first contact, then please contact me and I’ll help.  

Class Virtual Meetings for Families…   I’ve shared a Zoom invite to discuss the upcoming semester and answer any questions about the upcoming breaks.  Please watch your email for these times.  There will be one for the first year, one for the second year, and one for the third year.  Please accept the invites and we’ll see you next week.

Thanksgiving and Winter Break are coming…

Students should be getting an email this week from housing that explains what they have to have done for Thanksgiving Break…  Students have to be out of the dorms by 6 pm on Friday, November 22nd.  Then they will return on Sunday, December 1st, at noon the dorms will open... We recommend that any items that aren’t needed for the winter time are taken home at this time.  Students will have to follow the list of items to clean before leaving or may be given a $50 charge.  Also, we suggest that if the students are changing roommates (which they will know the week before break), they see if there are items that need to be taken home due to having 2 TVs, 2 mini-fridges, etc.  Then Winter Break will follow.  

Winter Break: 

1st-Year: First-Year students leave on Friday, December 6th by 6 pm.  These students will have finals December 2nd-6th.  It’s suggested that families get with their son/daughter during Thanksgiving break to see when they can be picked up.  Typically they will have a final on Friday the 6th.  There is a checkout procedure for this that the students will have to sign up for a time to get checked out before leaving.  This will need to be followed or a fee can be assessed. The students do not move out completely.  Just take items that they need over the break.  

2nd-Year:  Second-year students have finals the week of December 9th-13th.  Students must have a checkout time before 6 pm on Friday the 13th.   It’s suggested that families get with their son/daughter during Thanksgiving break to see when they can be picked up.  Finals vary, so get with your son/daughter about when they are done with finals and their internship.  There is a checkout procedure for this that the students will have to sign up for a time to get checked out before leaving.  This will need to be followed or a fee can be assessed. The students do not move out completely.  Just take items that they need over the break.  

3rd-Year:

Third-year students are different and they will receive instructions on signing out or other procedures by email.  Please have your son/daughter read their emails and then over Thanksgiving break plan when they are coming home.  They have finals the week of December 9th-13th. Finals vary, so get with your son/daughter about when they are done with finals and their internship. 

Spring Roommates:  Hello Families, we also, just like other UCM students, allow students to ask to change roommates, within the THRIVE program. THRIVE students have filled out their choices and THRIVE staff started going through options last week.  The week before Thanksgiving Break, we will let the students know if they were changed or not and what roommate they will have.  Then each student will be asked to get with the new roommate to see if they have duplicate items (Mini-Fridge, TV, Microwave, etc).  This will help students move things home that they don’t need.  Then the week they get back from Thanksgiving break THRIVE staff and Mentors will help them move.  I’ll work out a system so that typically Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday some of the students move and we are done by Thursday.  This way they are in the room they will be at in the Spring semester.  

First-Year Students:

Learning Strategies: Debra Southard  

We have worked this week. Students have had almost daily assignments. We are practicing writing skills. Writing was explained as something that takes practice. It's not like a math problem where you would figure the answer and that is it. Writing takes time and takes rewriting and correcting. I had a couple of students tell me they didn't think they could write three paragraphs but using their resources they did great!

Individual Relationships and Health:  Joni Shelton 

This past week we continued our discussions about relationships moving to the decision to marry. We talked about engagements, weddings, honeymoons, and more importantly the marriage itself. We discussed the reasons people choose to marry and the importance of having discussions about expectations in the marriage prior to marrying someone. 

Technology Literacy:  Lisa Garnier

Tech students completed an Accessibility Features project where they researched the accessibility features on their iPhones and Androids. Many wrote about features they already use while others discovered features they want to use in the future. 

Career Exploration: Gary Manning

The students continue working on their resumes.  This week we worked on their education experience, activities, and skills.  We also did a few scenarios that may take place in the workplace.   

Second-Year Students:

Transition Planning I: Gary Manning

We finished up the 7 Habits book this week.  We discussed the four dimensions of Habit 7 (Sharpen the Saw).  Those four dimensions are body, mind, heart, and soul.  Each dimension plays a key factor in how you work through stressful situations, critical thinking, and your daily life.  

Internship I: Gary Manning

We did a few scenarios that may take place in the workplace. The student's final for this class is a mock interview.  The mock interview will be during finals week.  The interview usually takes about 30 - 45 minutes and we want the interview to be as realistic as possible.  For example, the students need to arrive 10 -5 minutes early before the interview starts, dress appropriately, be prepared for the questions, and use good communication skills (body language, professional communication).   

 

Foods & Nutrition II: Mrs. Southard

This week we talked about table Manners. We went to Grinstead on Wednesday and made marinara sauce with pasta. Students are learning that preplanning is the answer to getting everything done in 50 minutes.

Learning how to set up a table…

Third-Year Students:

Transition Planning III: Lisa Garnier

Students are creating 3 different 5-year plans for their lives. The first plan is for what they are currently working toward, the second plan is something they could do if the first plan was no longer an option, and the third plan is what they would do if money were no obstacle. We will discuss the feasibility of each plan in class and use the information to better define the direction they hope to go when done with the THRIVE program.

Internship III: Lisa Garnier

I’m hearing good things and the students seem to be doing well.

Foods and Nutrition III: Mrs. Garnier

We made Rotisserie Chicken Noodle soup! We prepped the onion, celery, and carrot on Tuesday--and shredded the precooked rotisserie chicken. Then, on Thursday, we went to the kitchen and made soup. It turned out great and I think the students were surprised at how quickly and easily homemade soup comes together.

THRIVE/Mentor Activities: 

Last week’s Online Game with Lucian…

The mentor activity this past week was Baking Cookies with Kaylee…

Looks like the Cookies were a hit…

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

Important upcoming dates: 

Next Mentor Activity:  

Next Mentor Activity: Volleyball with Shannon…

UCM Athletics:

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

"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."