UrbanFUTURE and L'Ouverture Form Strong Partnership

Although UrbanFUTURE is new to L’Ouverture Middle Academy, Team Leaders Laura Whitehead and Jacob Blanton have already begun blazing a trail of student achievement! They started the year greeting the students on the first day of school, went on to break the record for family attendance at their Family Game Night on September 1st, and have gotten after school programming underway with up to 50 students attending each day!

Now that programming has been going on for a few weeks, Laura and Jacob invited a few students to reflect on why they enrolled in the first place. One young man said he signed up because he “needs help with reading and math.” Another student said she signed up because of the sports and other activities offered by the YMCA during the first part of after school programming. Exemplifying true honesty, one young lady admitted to signing up for after school programming in order to “stay out of trouble.” In addition, some students have already begun working with math or reading tutors! Speaking about her tutor, one student said, “He takes his time and has patience. When I don’t know how to do something he will try his best to make sure I know how to do it.” Another praised her tutor for “making sure I use my time wisely.”

Teachers are jumping on the UrbanFUTURE bandwagon as well with one eighth grade teacher stating, “Miss Whitehead and Mr. Blanton have assisted students and teachers. The students seem to be responding to them and the program positively.” A seventh grade teacher raved, “The staff is dedicated and follows through in checking on student progress, daily homework assignments, and missing work. They help me in ways no other organization ever has! I am so happy our administration decided to collaborate with UrbanFUTURE.”

Last but not least, L’Ouverture Principal Lisa Nuyens had nothing but positive things to say when asked about UrbanFUTURE’s role in her school. “UrbanFUTURE is so much more than an ‘after school program.’ The staff attends to needs in every area of a student’s life – with the ultimate goal being to increase life chances through academic achievement. UrbanFUTURE staff understands that to meet that goal it takes connecting with a student, their home, and their teachers.” The coming weeks and months include lots of exciting activities for UrbanFUTURE and their students at L’Ouverture. Laura and Jacob will be present during parent-teacher conferences on October 22nd, they are currently collaborating with communication arts teachers to develop a writing competition that will include a celebration dinner, and they even have a reward field trip in the works as well. In terms of student success, UrbanFUTURE and L’Ouverture Middle Academy are speeding along, full steam ahead!!