Archive for October, 2008
Next Entries »Community Service Puts At-Risk Kids in a Good Light
By Tobi Kibel Piatek | Tuesday, October 7th, 2008
I visited my friend at the beach last week. She is now, as she always been, active in lots of community activities. We attended a meeting together, where I was a basic fly on the wall, eating pizza and listening to the group of volunteers who plan and execute Depoe Bay’s Salmon Bake debrief the details of their annual fundraiser. This is always a very popular event that raises money for the local Chamber of Commerce, town events and other projects.
The talk was about what went well, what could be done better next year. Everyone had a chance to talk. Over and over, after the details were shared, I kept hearing the same theme; “… and the kids were fantastic. The kids were so much help; the kids did such a great job, the kids made all the difference.”
Who were the kids, what did they do? I was surprised to learn the answer. I must admit that my first thought was that the kids referred to little kids – maybe kids singing and entertaining. Then I thought about kids from the high school – maybe getting extra credit. The kids, the helpful, friendly, efficient and hardworking kids, were, in fact, a group from the Lincoln County Juvenile Department. Their presence at this event was an opportunity for them to do community service. But, the event turns out to be an opportunity for far more than that. For some kids, I am told, this was a rare chance to actually talk to older people (many of the Salmon Bake participants are senior citizens.) It was a chance to be part of the community in a positive way. It was a chance to do hard and meaningful (and maybe even smelly) work, to follow through, to work with others, to cooperate. Most of all though, it was a chance for the community members to see these kids – who are often thought of as trouble and problems, in a new and positive light.
I often write in this blog about the importance of inviting community members INTO your school or program. This meeting reminded me of the importance of creating opportunities for kids to get out and become a valuable part of their own community. As I constantly realize when writing about the many ways we can make connections, helping kids find opportunities to offer service to the community means that everybody benefits.
Topics: Community Service, How to Help | No Comments »
Dropout Rates in North Clackamas School District
By ajarthur | Monday, October 6th, 2008
The dropout rate of North Clackamas School District is 3.2% in 2007. In 1995 the dropout rate was at 6.39%. I found it on the website on the annual report. It was very general and I was unable to find any specifics about that drop out population. There was not information on how this reduction was obtained and if any specific programs were used. I believe that variables could effect this decrease like a change in boundaries or changing demographics but that information was not easily available.
My idea of who I thought was dropping out was fairly accurate and my perception has not changed much.
Topics: Drop Out Rate, Dropouts | No Comments »
Why students drop out; reflection and simple list.
By mario | Saturday, October 4th, 2008
I think that there are some things that most students who drop out have in common. One of them would be grade retention, low grades, absenteeism, misbehavior, and feeling that no one cares about them at school. I am student teaching at Pauling Academy, in SouthEast Portland, and I have seen that some of my students who failed mathematics are always late for first period. One of them works until very late at Burgerville and seems to care more about his paycheck right now than about what he could do later on. The other one is always late; he stays until 2 in the morning with his friends; so he cares more about finding a place where he belongs, which is a very strong motive for many teenagers.
Topics: Uncategorized | 1 Comment »
Drop out red flags
By mario | Saturday, October 4th, 2008
I added some indicators to look for to prevent students from dropping out. The indicators are added to table:
|
Name: Ben |
Date Spring 2006 | |
| Concerns | Notes and Observations | |
| Is frequently absent | Missed school 3/6, 3/9, - 12, 3/18 -20, 3/25 | |
| Low Grades | Failed math test, did not complete science assignment, book report overdue | |
| Does not seem interested in school
|
3/24 | Fell asleep during mathRefused to read class book |
| Does not want to participate | Refuses to play sports or games at recess | |
| Parents not involved | Did not come to conference. Ben never has lunch money. His jacket is not warm enough for the weather. | |
| Has been held back a grade | Repeated grade 3 | |
| Transferring from another school | Moved from Texas in October |
|
| Is having a problem with the transition to a new school | Says he hates his new school | |
| Drug use | Falls asleep, seems disconnected ??? | |
| Emotional problems | Never smiles or plays with other kids; gets angry easily, seems sad | |
| Does he have a learning disability? | Ffocusing is hard for him | |
| Social adjustment | Who are his friends? | |
| Health | Does he look sick or weak often | |
| Relation with authority | He reacts negatively with certain teachers | |
| Home environment | He lives in foster home | |
| Work environment | He works until 11 pm every day | |
Topics: Uncategorized | No Comments »
My vision of a drop out
By aklettke | Thursday, October 2nd, 2008
When I close my eyes and envision an at-risk student I see a high school student that is not motivated or interested, not gender specific. When I was in high school students dropped out for so many reasons. We had a large population of Russian students, a few of my friends were Russian females who had to drop out of school because of their families, they were getting married. A few students dropped out because of drugs and the inability to keep up with class work, once they get too far behind they feel hopeless and the dreams of graduation fade away. Some students lacked motivation, this was the case for my little brother, he would get extremely high scores on his tests but did no work. When he would come home from school we would do homework and he always claimed that he didn’t have any. My mom met with his teachers and between them they all agreed that he was very bright but was also very lazy. No matter what my parents did at home he never was able to finish school. Finally it came to the point where he wasn’t passing any of his classes and he and my parents made the decision for him to drop out and get his GED. He moved to Anchorage with me last year, my fiance’ got him a job and I took him in to get his GED. He didn’t have to take any classes and he passed every test with 100% so it wasn’t that he wasn’t smart, or wasn’t getting it, he is really just a very unmotivated person who doesn’t know what he wants to do with his future.
Topics: Dropouts | 1 Comment »
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