July 2013 Edition
Congratulations Rosemary Escalera, May Star THINKer!Rosemary received the Star THINKer for being an exceptional collaborator with internal departments and external stakeholders. Early this spring, SES went through some significant changes and Rosemary was asked to step back into SES and facilitate the region-based SES staff and school districts through the remainder of the school year. She accepted the new challenge of supporting SES from a leadership position while continuing her work as an SC at Valley High School. Rosemary is an exceptional THINK team-member who is committed to our vision, mission, and values. She is the very definition of a Star THINKer!!!
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Summer Planning for your Program Goals with the 7 Habits
With everyone getting ready to start up the 2013-2014 school year, program planning is at the forefront of everyone’s mind. Habit 3, Put First Things First, from the Signature Stephen Covey Training Series, “7 Healthy Habits of Highly Effective people,” provides a mindset for effective planning, prioritizing, and execution. Site Coordinators are innately purposeful and intentional about creating and structuring high quality programs that align with THINK Together’s Mission, but sometimes executing the plan is the hardest part.
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Habit 3: Put First Things First |
The Principle for Habit 3 reminds us that “effectiveness requires the integrity to act on your priorities.” If we are being effective we will put first things first by focusing on top priorities and planning in advance, we will have more organization and productivity.
Below are some tips for proper execution of program systems:
* Set clear expectations with staff * Define roles and responsibilities * Check for understanding * Follow-up * Use the "Ruler of the World" approach * Spend time coaching * Check in with staff to see how they are doing * Make necessary modifications if your current best thinking changes |
If you do anything for 3 weeks, it becomes a habit. What is one habit you can start and stick with for 3 weeks? |
"HABIT" Goals from your P&O Team
"I need to get in the habit of sorting and deleting emails promptly. I'm not as proactive as I want about leaving just the emails that need to be acted on in my inbox, which would help me stay focused." Laura Willson
"I'm starting the habit of getting up at 4:30 so that I have time to exercise before work, because when I put it off until after work, it doesn't happen." Michele Schwab
"I want to get in the habit of keeping my work space organized, because the extra stuff is distracting my focus on things that have priority." Roy Lee
New YouthServices.net Feature: The Early Release/Late Arrival Tool
by the Data Management Team
The field has spoken! Your suggestions have led the Data Management Team to research the possibilities in changing how we document Early
Release and Late Arrival on YouthServices.net. This summer, your ROA will provide training on the newest feature, the Early Release/Late Arrival Tool (ER/LA), which is coming in July!
In last month’s Patter you learned about the ER/LA column on the attendance sheets. The ER/LA Tool is utilized to enter recurring early releases and late arrivals so that it appears in the ER/LA column of the attendance sheet. You will no longer need to enter recurring early releases and/or late arrivals into the attendance notes field of the attendance sheet. The ER/LA Tool is located at the top of each student’s registration form page as shown below.
The field has spoken! Your suggestions have led the Data Management Team to research the possibilities in changing how we document Early
Release and Late Arrival on YouthServices.net. This summer, your ROA will provide training on the newest feature, the Early Release/Late Arrival Tool (ER/LA), which is coming in July!
In last month’s Patter you learned about the ER/LA column on the attendance sheets. The ER/LA Tool is utilized to enter recurring early releases and late arrivals so that it appears in the ER/LA column of the attendance sheet. You will no longer need to enter recurring early releases and/or late arrivals into the attendance notes field of the attendance sheet. The ER/LA Tool is located at the top of each student’s registration form page as shown below.
2013 Survey Review
By Tracy Bennett, Ph.D., Director of Action Research
The survey data for the 2012-2103 school year is in, and we have a lot of it! Thanks to the diligent collection efforts of our site staff, we collected over 31,000 Student Surveys (between Pre and Post) and over 11,000 Parent Surveys. The results are showing to be a very positive reflection of the quality of programs that THINK Together implements.
A big THANK YOU to all the site staff for your continued hard work in implementing meaningful evaluation practices!
Here is a snapshot of key results from each survey.
The survey data for the 2012-2103 school year is in, and we have a lot of it! Thanks to the diligent collection efforts of our site staff, we collected over 31,000 Student Surveys (between Pre and Post) and over 11,000 Parent Surveys. The results are showing to be a very positive reflection of the quality of programs that THINK Together implements.
A big THANK YOU to all the site staff for your continued hard work in implementing meaningful evaluation practices!
Here is a snapshot of key results from each survey.
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New Reports Feature: Data Chat Snap Shots
by Jenel Prenevost, Ed.D, Director of Research and Evaluation
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End of Year Reflections from your Volunteer Department
By Tom Linnert, Director of Volunteer Development
The traditional school year has come to a close and summertime is in full swing; time for beaches, barbecues and vacations (oh my!). Of course, summer programs, trainings, curriculum development and other preparations will keep us busy, too. Summertime is also a time to reflect on weeks and months gone by, and remember the important people, places and things we are grateful for. Of course, I am grateful for all the hard work, dedication and enthusiasm displayed by the Managers of Volunteers throughout the year. Their positive outlook and willingness to go above and beyond is very inspirational.
One of the most significant milestones for the volunteer department (in this past year) has been switching over to a new HRI system (Epicor) and changing the process for engaging volunteers. More changes are still to come, and summer trainings will explore new ways in which THINK Together utilizes and values its volunteers. The success of THINK Together’s volunteer program is the greatest demonstration of teamwork. Volunteers have participated as: readers, tutors, club moderators, enrichment activities coordinators, IT support, administrative assistants, social media specialists and book doctors. SCs, PLs and department staff provide supervision, guidance and training to a diverse team of volunteers, utilizing their skills in countless roles and capacities. HRMs, GMs and other members of our executive team provide leadership, direction and support which validates the volunteer component of our programs and operations. It takes teamwork (people) to make the places we work and things we do, special. Thank you all for being special.
The traditional school year has come to a close and summertime is in full swing; time for beaches, barbecues and vacations (oh my!). Of course, summer programs, trainings, curriculum development and other preparations will keep us busy, too. Summertime is also a time to reflect on weeks and months gone by, and remember the important people, places and things we are grateful for. Of course, I am grateful for all the hard work, dedication and enthusiasm displayed by the Managers of Volunteers throughout the year. Their positive outlook and willingness to go above and beyond is very inspirational.
One of the most significant milestones for the volunteer department (in this past year) has been switching over to a new HRI system (Epicor) and changing the process for engaging volunteers. More changes are still to come, and summer trainings will explore new ways in which THINK Together utilizes and values its volunteers. The success of THINK Together’s volunteer program is the greatest demonstration of teamwork. Volunteers have participated as: readers, tutors, club moderators, enrichment activities coordinators, IT support, administrative assistants, social media specialists and book doctors. SCs, PLs and department staff provide supervision, guidance and training to a diverse team of volunteers, utilizing their skills in countless roles and capacities. HRMs, GMs and other members of our executive team provide leadership, direction and support which validates the volunteer component of our programs and operations. It takes teamwork (people) to make the places we work and things we do, special. Thank you all for being special.
CRAFT
With programs being closed this summer, this one's for you at home!
What you'll need: ½ cup salt 1 cup flour ½ cup water Acrylic paint: red, white and blue Pin backs White craft glue (optional) Small cookie cutters: heart, star, number 4 Acrylic sealer spray (optional) How to make it: 1. Mix together the salt, flour, and water. If dough is sticky, add additional tablespoons of flour one at a time until the mixture is smooth and pliable. Be careful not to add too much or your projects will crack. 2. Roll out or press dough with your hand and use cookie cutters to cut out shapes. (See photo.) 3. Place shapes on cookie sheet and heat oven to 250 degrees F. (See photo.) 4. Place cookie sheet in oven and bake for 1 ½ to 2 ½ hours, or until items are dry. Remove from oven and let cool. 5. Paint all the shapes white and let dry. (See photo.) 6. Use a small paintbrush to ad red stripes and a medium paintbrush to add solid blue to the heart and the star. You may need a second coat of blue. 7. Let dry. (See photo.) 8. Use a toothpick dipped in paint to write “JULY” down the side of the number 4 pin. Write “I love (draw a heart share) USA) on the heart pin. Use the handle end of a paintbrush dipped in paint to add polka dots onto the number 4 and the top of the star. (See photos 1, 2.) Let them all dry and have an adult spray them with acrylic sealer. Turn pins over and glue on pin backs. Use a generous amount of glue and let them dry completely before wearing (optional.) Tips: *Salt dough can be kept in a covered container for a couple of days. *It is not necessary to dry out salt dough in the oven, you can air dry it, but the oven is faster. *Personalize a pin by writing your name instead of a suggested phrase. Reprinted from http://crafts.kaboose.com/fourth-of-july-salt-dough-pins.html with gratitude! |
4th of July Salt Dough Pins |