Meet Francisco - UF Student Aspiring to New Heights

I'd like to introduce you to an IMPACT team whose hard work together this year has put the student on a trajectory for success in 5th-grade. As assessed by our Scholastic Guided Reading curriculum, Francisco started the year on a level "M", roughly equivalent to an end of 2nd-grade reading level. Through his own drive to learn--demonstrated by his perfect attendance at UrbanFUTURE sessions--and his tutor's commitment to coming an hour early each week to work with Francisco one-on-one, Francisco will be leaving 4th-grade reading at a level "R", or an end of 4th-grade level. This academic growth has no doubt prepared him to enter 5th-grade prepared to achieve academic success and continue onto advanced material.

Here is what Francisco had to say about IMPACT:   

                My name is Francisco and I am ten years old.  I have a tutor named John and he is eighteen years  old.  On Mondays, we work on math.  We have done a lot of different problems this school  year.  On Wednesdays, my tutor and I practice Communication Arts.  Right now, we are reading a mystery book about a slave from the Revolutionary War. 

                My tutor John helps me learn and  is always here to tutor me.  He is the first tutor I have ever had.  Tutoring is a good time for kids to learn more about what they have done and to remind them about their subjects.  I really like tutoring because John helps me all the time.

Team Work Brings Restoration to Jefferson

When I think of the way our INSPIRE teams work together, I am reminded of a television show I watched as a child. Earth! Fire! Wind! Water! Heart! When the five powers combine, they form Captain Planet and save the world! While UrbanFUTURE teams might not be saving the world (yet), when each part of the team works together, they can make quite an impact in the life of a child. Our INSPIRE teams at Jefferson Elementary are making huge strides to restore the bonds between schools, families, and communities!

Through the support of her mother, mentor, and teacher, DeAnyai, a fifth grader, has improved this year, both academically and as a person.

From the parent…

I see more growth in DeAnyai’s academics and participation in class. Mary (the mentor) is wonderful and very informative. I appreciate the program and the very committed teachers and mentors! I pray over my children every day, and I know that UrbanFUTURE is one of God's answers to my prayers.

From the mentor…

I decided to volunteer with UrbanFUTURE because I was looking to get more involved in the community. DeAnyai seems to bring a positive attitude to our sessions every week, regardless of outside circumstances. My biggest success with DeAnyai is the relationship we’ve developed, and because of this, she seems very open to listening, learning, and sharing during our mentoring sessions. We always spend our time working on the UrbanFUTURE character and goal-setting curriculum, but we do it together, making it more enjoyable and exciting.

Ms. Spivey (DeAnyai’s mom) always thanks me for working with DeAnyai and tells me how much she loves and appreciates UrbanFUTURE. She is very trusting of me and open about DeAnyai’s strengths and weaknesses. This past week, I got to go with Ms. Spivey to parent teacher conferences, so I have a better idea of what to work on with DeAnyai. Ms. Spivey not only praises UrbanFUTURE, but also continually expresses her appreciation for what I am doing; my biggest success with Ms. Spivey is that I have begun to build an open, trusting relationship with her.

From the Teacher…

I think that D's relationship with her mentor has started to impact her sense of accountability and her internal motivation. She knows there's someone else she's going to see and tell about her goals and her progress in class, so she's asking questions, and monitoring herself, and will occasionally even say things like "I am going get all of my work finished so I can show her what I did today." Deanyai's mentor just recently gave her a planner, and now Deanyai is writing in her homework assignments and checking them off as she goes. The excitement to engage and improve, knowing she has someone who is rooting for her one on one, is a huge benefit to Deanyai. And because they're working on goal setting together, being very explicit about HOW you set real goals and action steps, I can see Deanyai internalizing that- when she sets goals for herself in class they are concrete, achievable, and meaningful to her.

In UrbanFUTURE tutoring, Deanyai is getting the individual extension work that we don't always get to in class, to help challenge her. I know this is happening because when she participates in class (which is often, and confidently) she offers higher level answers; that is, she explains her thought process and can apply new knowledge more readily, which is evidence of the one-on-one coaching tutoring in which she's asked to do that in depth.

Part of Jefferson's mission (and what's just plain necessary for student success) is greater parent involvement, and UrbanFUTURE really brings that to bear. I think that sometimes there's a sort of divide set up between school and home, or there's communication, but it's needs-based (i.e. only when something goes wrong) and can be less frequent. UrbanFUTURE, with its mentors regularly contacting parents, with parents knowing they can contact Stephanie or a mentor as well as a teacher, with parent chaperoned field trips, and family events (like the ice cream party to celebrate student test scores!) is a very positive, student centric gathering place for all of those who are working towards the success of a student- parents, mentors, and teachers. It's not about the school, or the teacher, or the parent, but about what is happening with the student. I personally have found it easier to get a hold of my parents who are UrbanFUTURE parents, and I think those parents are more actively aware of what is happening with their student's progress, since they communicate with me AND mentors. UrbanFUTURE INSPIRE mentors helped get parents up to school for conferences, and came to conferences to meet with parent's about what students are working on. 

It's reassuring to me as a teacher to know that some of those individual attentions that I can't give to students during the day (enrichment to excelling students, extra support and individual coaching for struggling students) is being given to them after school. EVERY STUDENT at our school needs more positive love and attention, and the fact that 4th, 5th, and 6th graders, who are coming into adolescence, one of the most challenging times for development of self-image and attitude towards school and the future and other people, are getting that CONSISTENT, POSITIVE attention and support (not to mention role models), is hugely beneficial.

From the Student…

My mentor is helpful because she is teaching me how to be more patient. I like my mentor because she’s fun and she helps me with a lot of things, like my self control which I really need to work on. I know she cares about me because when I’m sad or my head hurts, she asks me what’s wrong and lets me take a break. When I wasn’t keeping up with my homework, she bought me an agenda . Doing all of my homework was one of my action steps for my reading goal, so my agenda is helping me reach my goals. My goals are helping me get better as a student, like some of my action steps and goals are affecting my report card and my grades are improving. I know she cares about me because she took me to Crown Candy and we got ice cream and a BLT. My favorite part of UrbanFUTURE is mentoring and the field trips.

We may not be saving the world Captain Planet style, but we are working to change communities, schools, families, and most importantly, the lives of our students!

Define for Mine

Restoration n.  the process of bringing an object back to its original state; the process of restoring something

Since the beginning of my UrbanFUTURE experience; the word restoration, has been used to describe what our schools deserve, what our children will benefit from, and what we, the cast and crew of UrbanFUTURE strive for on a daily basis.  It wasn’t until a few months ago, that we were challenged to contemplate…”What does restoration look like at your school?” This question seems innocent and straight to the point, right? Wrong! It wasn’t until that very moment that I realized that restoration is relative, and what feels like, looks like, and tastes like restoration at one school may not be entirely true for another.  Below you can find students, parents, mentors, that have contributed to defining restoration for Meramec Elementary!

Ruth King (Meramec 2^nd grade teacher), allows UrbanFUTURE students into her classroom to provide “Story Time” and set s aside time for open floor dialogue between UF fifth grade readers and their second grade listeners!

Elizaebeth M. (Meramec Parent of Shontevia), supports her student and UrbanFUTURE by maintaining regular contact with teachers and school staff!  

Shontevia (Meramec 5th grader), made a choice to focus hard on her studies, and has brought her Science grade up from a C to a B!

Terrell (Meramec 5^th grader), has 100% UF attendance, and has worked diligently to bring his Math grade up from a C to a B!

Orlando F. (Meramec Parent of Terrell ), has shown a great deal of support for UF by attending all parent meetings, and maintaining weekly contact with teachers and tutors!

Ryan, Tina (Meramec Parent of T. Ryan), has donated her time and money to support the students of UrbanFUTURE!

Allen, Mya (Meramec Secretary), has shown tremendous daily support for UF students, UF parents, and UF staff, and has volunteered her time after work hours to assist with UF programming!

Tearra (Meramec 5^th grader), made the choice to refine her reading and comprehension skills by providing “Story Time” to second graders!

Isaiah Melendez (Meramec Math Tutor), made and shows his commitment to Meramec students as well as UrbanFUTURE; not only by his one hour weekly commitment, but also by coming in to tutor small groups during his free time!

Oughton, Nick (Meramec Mentor), has shown great commitment and support by maintaining regular contact with parents, UF staff, and teachers!

Nola Lee (Meramec Principal), pushes UrbanFUTURE students and parents to acknowledge and reach their full potential!

A BIG thank you (to those mentioned and not mentioned)...thank you for giving Meramec Restoration its own unique feel…you make the journey of defining fun!

L'Ouverture Students Prepare to Explore Washington, DC

Early in January, UrbanFUTURE’s L’Ouverture students were informed about an opportunity to attend an Explore! field trip to Washington DC.  In order to be eligible, they would have to participate in a rigorous research class each week, where they would study one of Washington DC’s various attractions.  The expectations were set extremely high.  The students understood that if they wanted to attend then they were going to have to work hard.  Many of the students were intimidated by the demands of the course, but four students have risen to the occasion!

Cherice, Dejhae, Rodney, and Chaundria have worked diligently each week as they learn the process of writing a research paper.  They each explored several DC landmarks and narrowed their focus down to one topic.  Their topics include the White House, the Washington Monument, the Library of Congress, and the African American Civil War Memorial.

Next week, the students will be taking a trip to the local library to learn more about how to do research.  Soon after that, they will begin the writing process where they will discuss format, citation, and plagiarism.  The final drafts will be turned in at the end of April, but their learning experience will only be partially complete.  In May, they will board a plane and fly to Washington DC to see the monuments and buildings that they spent a full semester learning about!

UrbanFUTURE is dedicated to helping students to see and believe in their possibilities.  After months of hard work, four L’Ouverture students will have the opportunity to see the world beyond St. Louis and the possibilities that exist there.        

March Madness Charity Auction

In my book, we've just entered the "most wonderful time of the year." Yeah we're not even 3 months removed from the holidays, but I've got that Christmas carol in my head, because to me the NCAA Tournament and the excitement leading up to the tournament is my favorite time of year.

This year, UrbanFUTURE will be capitalizing on this excitement by hosting the UrbanFUTURE March Madness Charity Auction, an idea that came directly from one of UrbanFUTURE's tenured mentors, Patrick Nolan. This auction differs from most. Participants will bid on teams in the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament. Some of the lower seeded teams will have items attached directly to them which may include local restaurant gift cards, sports memorabilia or spa packages. The top teams, however, will be competing for Performance Prizes valued at $250 or more. Teams that make the Sweet 16 are guaranteed a Performance Prize and the prize will improve the deeper the team goes in the tournament. Some of the Performance Prizes include a round of golf at Bellerive Country Club, box seats behind the Cardinal's dugout for a weekend game and 4 tickets to the Notre Dame - Michigan State football game this fall.

For all of the college basketball fans out there, this a great event to not only get swept up in the "madness" but also to support a great cause. All the proceeds of the event will go to help fund UrbanFUTURE Restoration programs like One On One INSPIRE Mentoring. The March Madness Charity Auction will be held at Highlands Brewing Company in Kirkwood on Tuesday, March 15th from 6 - 9pm. Admission is $25 in advance ($30 at the door), which includes draft beer and appetizers. You can register online or by calling Kathy Belt at (314)776-3434.

I hope you'll join me in celebrating a wonderful month and a great cause.

**UPDATE** The March Madness Charity Auction will be hosted by Frank Cusumano of KSDK and KFNS.

Nearing Our Volunteer Goal

We are so excited to report that we have a total of 450 volunteers so far that have been tutoring and mentoring our UrbanFUTURE students!   Our goal is 500!  Just 50 more to go...We have fulfilled our current tutor needs and are looking for more mentors to complete our need this year 2010-2011!  This week, the Community Outreach Department has been attending various volunteer fairs including Harris-Stowe State University and Webster University High School.  Our volunteers include a diverse population including high school students, University students, retiree's, lawyers, doctors, teachers, community members, corporate sponsors, and many others.  Thank you to our current volunteers for spreading the word and referring their friends and relatives to become UrbanFUTURE volunteers!  

A Spotlight On Academic Success

Quarter 3 is in full swing and Fanning has a number of shining and rising stars!  Students have been working hard in both INSPIRE, IMPACT, and Explore! and it shows!  

Victoria is a 7th grader who exemplifies UrbanFUTURE's mission.  In the fall when she joined, Victoria struggled with her attitude and was performing poorly in her classes.  She was often sent to the UF office after school because of her attitude and refusal to comply with after-school rules.  Yet Victoria began to realize that in order to accomplish her goals, she had to make a change.   The change started with her tutor, who helped her to see that her struggles in school did not need to define her.  By working hard, Karen let her know that she could do whatever she decided she wanted to do.  So they began working together in communication arts, twice a week, and the improvement was dramatic!  

Victoria started out reading at a 2nd grade level and, by mid-October, had already raised her level to the 4th grade.  By the end of the second quarter, Victoria had soared to a 5th grade level.  She moved from an L to a Q bin, in a matter of months!  At the same time that she was pushing herself in after-school tutoring, she was pushing herself in class.  Her GPA improved and, after her second acuity test, she reported that she "felt very confident" about how she had done.  Additionally, on her latest SRI assessment (Scholastic Reading Inventory), she went up by 400 points! Wow!  For the first time, Victoria is feeling successful in school and is proud of her accomplishments.  She looks forward to coming to tutoring and, with her new tutor, she is eager to explain what she's been working on and how the tutoring sessions should run.  

She is also continuing to focus on developing her character.  After being matched with a mentor, Victoria continued to excel, working with her mentor and Mr. Hadley to set academic and behavior goals to continue to push her success.  

In the photo above, Victoria and Mr. Hadley work on a project for class.  Victoria's focus on academics and her openness to change has made Victoria one of Fanning's SHINING STARS!