UrbanFUTURE Parents Raising the Bar

Last week, St. Louis Public Schools held 3rd Quarter Parent-Teacher Conferences. One of UrbanFUTURE’s outcomes is to increase parent engagement. A key measure of that is parent attendance at conferences. Between Fanning and Mann, 60% of INSPIRE parents attended conferences. Only 20% of non-INSPIRE parents attended their child’s conference. In other word, INSPIRE parents are tripling the norm in attendance at parent-teacher conferences! In fact, they are holding up the curve at both schools

Why is this important? Studies have shown that increased parental involvement in a child’s academics will lead to increased performance (Epstein & Sheldon, 2006). Through conferences, parents can learn how they can assist their child succeed in the classroom. Greater parent-teacher interaction also sends a message of a united front between the classroom and the home to the child. Further, it helps parents feel more comfortable and confident in speaking with a teacher about their child’s education, a significant barrier at times for under-resourced families. As parents continue to build a relationship with the teachers, we can expect students will see an improvement in grades and test scores.

UrbanFUTURE is proud of all the parents who made it out for conferences. This is one step forward in taking leadership. Keep up the great work!

Expectations Lead to IMPACT

Drummond, a 7th grader at Fanning Middle School, hasn’t missed a week with his IMPACT tutor, Bart. He is a motivated student and really enjoys working with his tutor. When Drummond took the Pre-Algebra DOMA (Diagnostic Online Math Assessment) in October he mastered 3 out of 14 pre-algebra math constructs. Since Bart has begun working with Drummond, he has maintained high expectations of Drummond. By the end of the third quarter, Drummond mastered another construct (integer operations) from the DOMA. Bart says, "In just seven weeks, Drummond has begun to realize that he has the ability to do math at a 7th grade level. The thing that has been missing is confidence. Once we buckled down and he finally saw that he could do the work, our progress has been exponential."

With Drummond's recent success he is now working to master two more constructs. By the end of the school year, Drummond’s goal is to master those 2 additional constructs which will place him above his original goal of mastering 2 math constructs. He will have mastered 3 new constructs on the DOMA and a total of 6 of the pre-algebra constructs. Drummond, with the assistance and encouragement of Bart, is beginning to see and believe his abilities in math. Way to go, Drummond!

Exploring Possibilities

UrbanFUTURE students at Mann Elementary are getting a chance to go out and explore careers in their community. So far this year, Mann explorers have researched careers in art and law. In January the group visited an art gallery and learned first-hand from a local artist. Craig Downs is a self-taught artist who has spent the past seven years creating a bold and unique style to call his own - he also happens to be an UrbanFUTURE mentor! Craig was kind enough to invite the Explore! Club to Urban Eats (3301 Meramec St.) for a personal showing of his paintings. The students were also given a chance to create their own masterpieces using Craig's paintings as inspiration. Their artwork will be displayed at the local Hartford Coffee Company (3974 Hartford St.). Lloserf, a 5th grade student at Mann had this to say about Explore!, "I think Explore! Club is fun and interesting. I liked going to see my mentor, Craig. I learned to be a great artist you have to keep trying and trying."

Explore Club also had the opportunity to visit the Old Court House where they reenacted the Virginia Minor Trial and learned about women's suffrage. Students had the opportunity to learn about the specific roles and responsibilities of lawyers, judges and juries. They also learned about the constitutional amendements that afford U.S. citizens a fair and speedy trial.

In March, students are exploring careers in law enforcement. Last Friday they had a chance to visit a police station to learn about the different roles of police officers. Keep exploring those possibilities!

Priory Rebels Rocked for UrbanFUTURE

Thursday, March 4, 2010 (St. Louis Priory) Last weekend the Saint Louis Priory School held its second annual “Rebel Rock '10”, a battle of the bands competition which raised money for UrbanFUTURE, a non-for-profit agency working in partnership with families, schools, and community groups to help urban youth reach their potential through character formation, academic growth, and career planning. “What a great opportunity for UrbanFUTURE students to work side-by-side with students from Saint Louis Priory to produce this show for a second year, said Frank Van Bree, CEO of UrbanFUTURE and Executive Producer of Rebel Rock. “We are thankful to Priory for allowing our kids the opportunity to learn about the production side of the music industry”. Tom Mulvihill, Director of Admissions for Priory said, “Rebel Rock is the beginning of a greater, more systemic partnership with UrbanFUTURE, allowing Priory the opportunity to work with urban kids in the important area of academics through our summer school program”. Additionally, the Priory Student Council has exhibited interest in creating a “Day of Enrichment” for the urban students to take place sometime during the summer of 2010.

Rebel Rock ‘10, featured seven student bands and a band lead by faculty member Timothy Bussen which featured teachers, students and monks. Malcolm Briggs, President of ICR Construction Services and former KSDK Channel 5 sportscaster, emceed the event. John Peckham, Vice President of Logic Systems, provided sound and lighting for the show. Each group “rocked out” for a panel of judges with “Wavelength” winning a cash prize of $500 and a recording session in Webster University’s Studio A. Rebel Rock was conceived by Priory students Charlie Friedman ‘09 and Mitch Van Bree ‘13 in 2009 with the aim of showcasing student talent in a positive, community oriented spirit. Rebel Rock '10 was sponsored by Logic Systems and Cissell Mueller Construction with all proceeds going to UrbanFUTURE.

Adding to Achieve

This quarter, Damien set a goal to improve his math grade and his reading score. Between Damien, his mentor, Preston and his mother, LaTonya, they decided that Damien could achieve these goals by asking for extra work in math and reading more at home.

Damien has worked extra hard this quarter to complete his math packet and has gone above and beyond his literacy goal by reading more minutes a day than he even planned. The consistency of the INSPIRE team meeting almost every week this quarter, has helped keep Damien on track. He is learning that doing adding a little more work, can go a long way in helping him achieve his goals. Way to go, gentleman!

If you would like to volunteer as a mentor or tutor with UrbanFUTURE, call David Carroll at (314)776-3434 and sign up for an upcoming information session. Don't have time to volunteer, consider making a donation online at www.urbanfuturestl.org.

Reading to Succeed

At the beginning of the quarter, Lori set an academic goal to improve her reading grade by reading at least twice a week for 30 minutes at home. She also set a character goal to help out at home by helping her family move and keeping her room clean, which she has done all quarter!


To work towards her reading goal, Lori and her mentor, Megan, have come up with some great steps. She has been reading at home, keeping a vocabulary journal and has met with Megan every week this quarter to talk about her goals. Last week, Lori's hard work paid off. She got 100% on her reading test proving to herself that she can reach her goals when she puts her mind to it. Keep up the good work, Lori and Megan!


To learn how you can support urban youth in seeing and believing in the their possibilities, go to http://www.urbanfuturestl.org/ or call us at (314)776-3434.

UrbanFUTURE Framework

UrbanFUTURE helps 4th through 8th grade urban students prepare to succeed in high school and beyond by:

• Supporting parents in taking a leadership role in their child's education
  
• Restoring an educational collaboration between the home and the classroom
  
• Positioning the community as an integral part of the educational process
  

Primary Objectives

All UrbanFUTURE (UF) students will possess the academic acumen to master high school along with the mindset to see and believe in their possibilities.

Parent Leadership

• Institute an individualized plan for student educational growth and enrichment which the parent leads (One on One INSPIRE Mentoring)
  
• Offer a parent association called UPAC (UrbanFUTURE Parent Advisory Council)


• Operate with a philosophy of individual dignity and understanding of poverty and and its hidden rules (mindset/behaviors)


• Connect families to resources in their community to remove potential obstacles to effective education.
  

Home/Classroom Alliance

• Implement INSPIRE program (parent/guardian/caregiver, teacher, mentor collaborative)


• Align goal-setting, academic achievement, literacy and character formation


• Observe students in the classroom and report on goal achievement


• Provide IMPACT tutoring programs (certified by the State of Missouri)


• Align around communication arts, math and homework help


• Celebrate student achievement throughout the year


• Deliver quarterly newsletters showcasing successes at school and home

Community Participation

• Recruit, train and support volunteers from diverse backgrounds and experiences (INSPIRE & IMPACT)


• Provide core subject remediation and homework help utilizing the services of university/high school students and adult volunteers (IMPACT)


• Involve local businesses, institutions and service sector organizations in teaching and enriching youth (Explore! Community Program)

If you would like more information about how you can get support UrbanFUTURE go to our website at http://www.urbanfuturestl.org/ or call (314)776-3434.