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.        

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!!

Kicking Off the Program Year

Labor Day has come and pass marking the unofficial end of summer. With the end of summer comes the beginning of a new Program Year for UrbanFUTURE. Next week, programming will be in full swing at Fanning Middle and Mann Elementary schools with over 100 students signed up to meet with tutors and mentors. Already, parents have attended orientations, volunteers have been trained/re-trained and students have completed pre-test assessments.

At both sites, 4th - 8th grade students will have an opportunity to participate in INSPIRE Mentoring, IMPACT Tutoring and Explore! Careers. The full menu of programs will help students grow as a student and as a person in preparation for high school.

UrbanFUTURE has hired Ray Sewell as a Community Specialist to work specifically with parents on taking on a leadership role in their child's education. This new position will provide
UrbanFUTURE parents with an additional resource in navigating their child's educational path. Ray and the Team Leaders will host several parent events during the year to engage, instruct and listen to parents on the challenges they are facing.

The biggest news for the new school year is UrbanFUTURE's expansion into three new school sites. Team Leaders have already begun meeting with parents, teachers and students at L'Ouverture Middle and Jefferson and Meramec Elementary schools. Beginning in October, students at these sites will have the opportunity to begin the IMPACT Tutoring program. There may also be opportunities for students to attend Explore! Careers' field trips this fall. INSPIRE Mentoring at these sites will not begin until January.

This promises to be an exciting year for UrbanFUTURE. We look forward to working with more students, parents, volunteers and teachers than ever before as we all work towards eliminating the academic achievement gap in urban schools.