Blog 2/3

 

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.  Please refer to the THRIVE activity calendar or UCM activity calendar to keep updated on what's coming up.  Also, if you want to learn more about assistance with your son/daughter learning how to drive please contact Mr. Brunkhorst.  

Director Notes: 

This week we have our first round of interviews for next year's group, so the THRIVE classes won’t be meeting but they will have work to do.  The staff has developed online projects, homework, or group work for the students to do during this week.  

First-Year Students:

Foods & Nutrition I: Debra Southard  

 I read to them a story about Careless Chris. Students had to point out all of the unsafe practices in the kitchen. This week we went over equipment names and uses. We also make a quick snack for Valentine's Day.

Workplace & Community Skills: Gary Manning & Mrs. Southard

This week we started discussing job shadows for the semester.  Our first job shadow will be in a couple of weeks.  When the students job shadow at their locations, they need to dress appropriately, have good body language, and not utilize their phones/technology.  I have suggested to the students to make sure that theyhave appropriate clothes to wear to a job shadow.  We do not expect them to spend a lot of money on new clothes but the student may need to start thinking about professional clothes that they may need.  

Daily & Independent Living Skills (DILS):  Joni Shelton

This past week we finished our 2025 Vision Board Presentations. We also finished our Self-Determination NearPod lesson and broke into pairs or small groups to apply what students learned about Self-Determination to one of their 2025 Vision Board goals. On Thursday, we started a new NearPod lesson about Nonverbal Communication. Mid lesson the electricity went out on campus. So students practiced observing Non-verbal communication with one another.

When the lights go out… you keep working…

Second-Year Students:

Transition Planning II: Gary Manning

This week the students are researching apartments within their hometown.  This has created some anxiety among some students.  The students know that finding an apartment needs to be realistic and they cannot afford an apartment that may cost them over $1500/month.  We also discussed having a roommate to split the cost.   

Internship I: Gary Manning

The students are doing a wonderful job at their internship.  They are staying very busy between internships, classes, meetings, and schoolwork.  Sometimes we have to have a discussion about time management and having balance in our lives.  Further, we have to have discussions on expectations from having an internship/job and what those expectations are.  We may not like some of our duties at our internships but the expectation is that we will work to our best ability and not complain

Gabe at the basketball game…

Personal Finance I:  Lisa Garnier

We spent the week learning about needs vs. wants and the importance of budgeting. One activity involved students working in groups to organize budget categories, such as the category of food, which might include groceries and eating out. 

Students getting ready for Healthy Active Living…

Third-Year Students:

Transition Planning IV: Lisa Garnier

We talked about needs vs. wants, net pay vs. gross pay, and how these work in creating a budget.

Internship IV: Lisa Garnier

Internships are going strong with all students settled in and working hard.

Plato: Students are continuing to work on their Plato assignments.  It looks like many have a routine now, as there are fewer students having study hall to get their Plato work done.

A few at the basketball game last week…

THRIVE Activities:

We will have a SCEC Valentine's Day PJ Party at the union.  More information to come.

Mentor Activities: 

Here are the upcoming activities that the mentors will be doing…  

Last weekend the students had Superbowl Trivia with Kaylee

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

Important upcoming dates:   

Next year’s Interviews are coming up in February- Students will have online or group work for their THRIVE classes so that the team can be involved in the interviews.

THRIVE Scholarships should be up and ready for you to apply for.

Next Mentor Activity:  

We have a few students who will be making pizza with Lucian on Friday night, the 14th.

UCM Athletics:

Basketball is in full swing with both Mules and Jennies playing games on Thursdays and Saturdays.  

"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."