Mostly everything that has been mentioned in this module are already in place at out school. Our school is a trades school and in the winter time the students go out to do weatherization and repairs to senior citizens homes in the community. It gives the students practice and it gives them the opportunity to help those who are less fortunate.
We currently have a monthly activity in place for the students, but i am excited about implementing some new ideas from this lesson.
I believe that a day at the river with a cookout could be a fun moral building exercise.
The student counsle and staff set activities up for the students.
At our school we do the following:
• We proudly display pictures of recent graduates in our “Graduation Hallway”
• The Student Services Director plans a monthly event for the students to be involved in; it could be a Jersey day, crazy hat day, theme dress if there is a holiday or special day during the particular month
• We recognize honor students at graduation by asking them to speak to the graduating class
• Two or three times a year, if the students donate a dollar to a chosen charity they may wear “jeans” to school. The event is organized and run by students and the students select the charity.
• The student club will have a Pizza Day and sell pizza by the slice and the money goes to an event they chose. Last month they help fund the cost of GED testing for three of our ATB students.
New events that will be implemented:
• Beginning Cum Laude recognition at graduation. Their name listed in the graduation brochure, and each student will wear a different color cord.
• Beginning a “Student Advisory” committee and ask them for input to help with student retention and how to make the school more successful from their point of view.
Student Council along with faculty representatives conduct many throughout the year;
Dances, Talent Shows, Game Nights, YMCA Night (basketball and slaughterball), fundraisers for school teams and charities etc.through community functions such as 4 gallery Crawls each year and cooking and Baking competitions
The Eta Sigma Delta Society
The American Culinary Federation and the Chaine des Rotisseurs are all outside organizations that students can get involved with while still in school.
There are many functions throughout the year that the school is involved with that are community oriented that students are involved with.
I think that our school needs to help students become more involved. We do have a student council, but I think that some of our students don't get involved because they feel it is exculsive and feel that it is only for a slect few.
Our school has workshops and events that our students can get involved with to motivate and inspire them to pursue their career path. We are also in the process of coming up with other activities to get the student body involved with each other and the faculty and staff, especially those who are from out of town.
I believe that our school has mny student based activities in place. We have an active student council that organizes dances, contests, fun games and physical activities fro the students. This is overseen by a dedicated group of faculty advisors. The school also has an active ACF (American Culinary Federation)chapter w/ many Insrutors involved. This opens professional/industry oppertunities to the students through several avenues. Not to say that there can always be more...I think we could benifit from a book club and possibly join forces with some local charities and/or downtown parterships.
Sounds like you have your activity group working in the right areas. What about activities that include career themes... guest speakers... tours to places of employment? The key is to keep the vision alive. Does this make sense?
We do a lot already. We have an annual picnic, we have 2 Tech-fests per year, where teams compete (like a science fair), and we have two "Student Appreciation Week" recognitions.
New students go through a formal Orientation, and are required to take a Strategies class which helps them adapt to the rigors of college life.
We recently started local chapters of national associations that relate to the students' field of study.
Does the stratgies class help? What content is missing and what content works? Trying to get you to reflect some :)
Dr. L
The class is pretty much non-stress, no exams, lots of reflecting on the past and planning for the future. The course is twelve weeks long, and the first week is about "Change".
The transition to college life for non-traditional students are quite difficult for some to get their arms around. The things we address are the things that they run into immediately. It really helps retention.
Thanks for sharing. Consider the notion of removing learning barriers. Does this spring an idea?
Dr. B
We do address barriers to learning, negative self talk, and being around those who don't want the student to succeed. Sometimes this is a real tough spot, since the student is the first in the family to go to an institute of higher learning.
Some relatives don't see the value, and discourage the student. We advise them to be around people who want to help them succeed
We have a very active student council that plans contests, dances, outings, fundraising events, etc. We belong to a professional honor/service organization. We hold classes that are open to the public that students are encouraged to participate in as assistants. We tried to have student clubs, but there was a great lack of participation/apathy toward that, but it's something we could revisit.
Most of us experience a lack of participation. However, many students are looking for social opportunities. Find a student who is an informal leader. It seems like the right person makes good things happen. When a student council works, it really works... but, it is a magic person that makes the difference.
Dr. B
During the year we have car shows, open houses, and dress up days including Halloween.
We also have food days, turkey bowling, and field trips for different classes.
There are organizations that come and talk with the students.
All and all, we have quite a few actives at our school.
Just what needs to happens. Keep your students engaged and connected with the school. The big idea, help students to connect with other students. Why? It is just another tool in the tool box for improving rentention. Thanks for sharing.
Dr. Banks
Budgeting seminar
Student Council events
Faculty advising
Cooking competitions
Peer Tutoring
Accademic Monitoring
