12/1 Blog - I know it's a day late... Call it a snow day...

 

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:

Winter is here… Students moved back into the dorms Sunday, and then snow appeared later Monday morning and afternoon.  Right now, we have a bout two inches, I’d say.  With that being said I thought I’d share some information about the dorms and snow…I sent this email out this morning, just in case.I thought I'd share a couple of things with everyone, especially first-year families.  First, the hallways in Ellis aren't heated; they get their heat from the rooms. Circulated heat comes from the areas over the room door.  The dials in the dorm rooms are only for air conditioning.  The heat is radiated from the unit under the window.  If your student experiences any cold rooms, please have them contact the mentors, as it may be working but not as warm as we keep our houses.  Additionally, they may want to keep their dorm door closed to help retain the heat in their room, rather than keeping it open.  Also, we’ve asked the students to dress for the weather.  Our students (and other students around campus) have been known to continue to wear shorts and more summer attire in the dorms, then complain about the heat.  So dressing warmer, especially on the colder days, will help.  Also, since the entrance doors are on the same floor, it can be colder at peak times of students leaving the dorms.  Also, adding blankets to their beds can help keep them warm.

We had some great virtual family meetings the week of Thanksgiving Break and before.  Thank you, families, for taking the time to let us tell you more about next semester and what is coming next year. 

Remember that first-year students will take their finals from December 1st through 5th and will leave the afternoon of the 5th for the semester.  Some first-year students still haven't signed up for their checkout times...

Second-, Third-, and fourth-year students will take their finals December 8th through the 12th.  These parents will want to get with their students to see when their last Final and last scheduled time to work in their internships is.  We like for students to leave after their last final/internship so that the hall is quieter for the students who are still studying… 

Move-Out procedures: Students will need to sign up for a checkout time soon after they get back from Thanksgiving break.  We’ve asked students and their families to see what a good time would be for them.  Students should have their rooms cleaned, according to the checkout sheet, before their checkout time.  Then leave fairly soon after they have been properly checked out.  If students leave without being checked out, there can be a fine.  Staff and mentors will be reminding students of the procedure during the week.  There is a new scan system that we are using that is outside of Chloe’s dorm door.  Also, the staff has one as well.

Move-In Procedures in January: On Sunday, January 11th, the dorms will open back up.  There won’t be a study hall on this Sunday.  Please remind the students to bring any chargers and electronics back with them.  We’ve had times where the students forget these important things…  Also, they may want/need some new folders for the semester. Please get one red folder for their new schedule and items.

First-Year Students:

Learning Strategies: Joni Shelton

We are working on Chapters 8 and 10 of the College Learning textbook. Chapter 8 is Marking Textbooks and Chapter 10 is Preparing for exams. Students completed a fill-in-the-blank presentation with the presentation that was shared in class, then worked in groups to complete Vocabulary, review questions, and study guides in preparation for the final exam. The Learning Strategies final will be on Thursday, December 4, at 9:00, and it will be over Chapters 8 and 10.

Individual Relationships and Health:  Sandra Swainston

We are trying to wrap up all the information they need to have for the Final.  We are currently addressing child development and safety. Friday, I hope to cover building a strong, healthy family.  Enjoy your Thanksgiving together!

Technology Literacy:  Lisa Garnier

Students continued to work on their iMovies and prepare for final exams.

Career Exploration: Gary Manning   

The students finished up their rough draft of their resume.  I have asked the students to have their families look over the resume to help with any information or formatting.  The resume is their final in this class. 

Second-Year Students:

Transition Planning I: Gary Manning

We started preparing to leave campus for Thanksgiving and semester break.  This process can be stressful for the students.  We talked over the break, do not get too lazy and continue to do your own laundry, work a part-time job, volunteer within your community, help your parents around the house.

Internship I: Gary Manning

The student's final for this class is a mock interview.  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.Shelton

Students made Ground Beef Stroganoff and completed an assignment about meats. This coming week, we will be making 4 different recipes of Brownies, using substitutions, and then taste-testing them. Students will also demonstrate proper table setting. 

Third-Year Students:

Transition Planning III: Lisa Garnier

Students worked on final projects.

Internship III: Lisa Garnier

Students updated their resumes and completed professional development plans.

Foods and Nutrition III: Mrs. Garnier

Students worked on their final project of creating a complete holiday menu.

Fourth-Year Students:

Senior Portfolio I:

Students completed their final projects

Internship:

Going well.

Plato: Joni Shelton

All students finished up the Plato challenges this past week. 2nd year students will do Plato diagnostics the last 2 weeks of the semester, and the 1st and 3rd year students will complete diagnostics to see progress when they return in January. 

THRIVE/Mentor Activities: 

There weren’t any mentor activities last week.

Important upcoming dates: 

Next Mentor Activity:  

The next activity will be after Thanksgiving break, where Cooper will have a Study Night on Friday, the 5th, for 2nd-year students.

UCM Athletics:

Football, Soccer, and Volleyball are finishing up....  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 that 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."