West Leadership Weekly Round Up: February 21st - 23rd

Hi all!

A very short week here at West with classes only taking place Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday.

On Monday we had President's Day so no school took place. On Tuesday, teachers met to continue our training over contextualized learning for access and equity. 

With the students back on Wednesday we caught up after the long weekend and spent most of our time discussing the tragic events that occurred in Parkland, Florida. In addition to discussing school and classroom safety measures, how to communicate concerns, and where to seek emotional support, students shared their thoughts on the issues of guns and gun policy more broadly. The views and opinions were wide ranging so the conversation was quite interesting and also inspiring. It was great to see some students become very passionate about the issue and ask for/seek out ways to participate and make change. Some have expressed this as a potential topic for their final Stand Up project at the end of the semester so I'm very much looking forward to continuing these conversations and facilitating their activism. 

Thursday the class worked through our first lesson on Accountability. Students were introduced to the differences between accountability, responsibility, excuses, and integrity. They had some great examples and stories to share with each of the terms - specifically for excuses...(that's not too much of a surprise is it?) The main message we focused on was the idea that you choose your own actions. Regardless of what anyone else does to you, you decide how to respond. Next week, we will be completing some more examples of taking accountability versus making excuses and how one can handle conflict in peaceful rather than explosive ways. 

Friday the class finished the week by completing a pretty lengthy journal entry asking for them to be reflective regarding their goals and aspirations as well as provide their perspective regarding their communities and the world around them. Students took their time to type up their journal entries and share them with me via Google Drive. I'd like them to answer the same set of questions at the end of the semester and see any changes that may occur. Additionally on Friday I had all of the high school students sign up for the Raise Me scholarship provided by Emily, our College Navigator. This is a cool program that allows students to start collecting money for college as early as 9th grade so it's important to get started early. We also had students sign up for small group lunches to take place with me during the week with the goal of meeting everyone before spring break which should be pretty fun. 

Overall a short, but busy week here at WLA. Next week we will be back to our normal routine and are looking forward to finishing up our conversations on accountability/conflict resolution, matching our new mentors from the spring semester, and possibly starting our classroom focused social justice projects. Stay tuned... -Ben





Hola a Todos!
Fue una semana corta con clases nomas en miercoles, jueves, y viernes. 

En el lunes pasado tuvimos President’s Day, entonces no hubieron clases. En el martes los maestros tuvimos un capacitacion sobre acceso de aprendizaje y equidad.

Cuando los alumnos regresando en miercoles platicamos sobre el gran fin de semana. Sin embargo, la mayoria de nuestro tiempo hablemos sobre la tragedia que occurio en Parkland, Florida. En adicion de platicar sobre la escuela y medidas de seguridad, como cominicar los preocupaciones, y donde buscar apoyo de emociones, los estudiantes compartieron sus pensamientos sobre armas y la politica de armas. Los opiniones y puntos de vista fueron varios, entonces la platica fue interesante y me inspiraron mucho. Me agradezco a ver alungos alumnos mostrar algun pasion sobre la tema y empezar de involucrase en el clase y fuera. Algunos alumnos quiere usar este tema para su proyecto “Stand Up” al fin del semestre y pues me gusta continar estas platicas y facilitar su activismo.

En el jueves la clases trabajaron sobre nuestra primer leccion sobre la responsabilidad. Los alumnos fue introducido a las diferencias sobre responsabilidad, excusas, y integridad. Ellos se nos compartieron buenos ejemplos e historias con cada palabra (especialmente sobre excusas, no fue ningun sopresa, verdad?). El mensaje que fue el enfoque es el idea que no importa lo que hacen lo demas a Ud, escojen sus acciones. No es importante lo que hacen lo demas, tu decidas como responder. En la proxima semana daremos mas ejemplos de tomar responsabilidad contra hacer excusas y como manejar el conflicto en una manera de paz en lugar de una maner explotivo.

En el viernes la clase terminaron la semana por completar una entrada grande en sus diarios que pedimos por reflexionarse sobre sus metas y ambiciones y tambien proveer sus punto de vista sobre sus comunidades y el mundo sobre ellos. Los alumnos escriben en computadora y los compartieron conmigo en Google Drive. Quiero que hace respuestas a las mismas preguntas al fin de semestre y ver si hay cambios. Tambien en viernes todos los alumnos de High School deberian escribirse para la beca “Raise Me” proveido por Emily, nuestra promotora de Universidad. Es programa padre que ayuda los alumnos coleccionar dinero empezando en el grado 9 porque es importante de empezar temprano. Tambien, los estudiantes inscribieron para lonches de grupos pequeños conmigo durante de la semana con la meta de hablar con todos asi antes de vacacciones de primavera. Seria divertido. 

Fue una semana corto pero ocupado aqui en WLA. En la proxima semana continuamos con nuesta rutina normal y anticipamos una buena platica sobre responsabilidad y resolucion de pleitos, encuartar mentores, y a la mejor empezamos los proyectos de justicia social. Manteganse informados-Ben

Hi, I am Neill Snyder, the family advocate for the YESS program.  What exactly does that mean? It means that I am here to help with all the problems that happens outside of school that may affect your student in school. I can help provide resources for big and small issues such as:

Translation help

Job resources

Student support

Mental Health

Housing issues

And any other issue you may think of

I hope to be visiting your family soon. Part of my job is to visit families in the home for a one on one visit. I have already started visiting families at North and will be soon at West. If you have any questions, please ask by emailing me at yess.familia@gmail.com or calling me at (303) 558-6686.

Hola a todos, soy Neill Snyder (me llamo Leo si mi nombre es difícil de agarrar), y soy el promotor familiar para la programa YESS. Que significa eso? Significa que aquí estoy para ayudar con los problemas fuera de la escuela que pueda afectar su alumno a dentro de la escuela. Puedo proveer recursos para asuntos como:

Traducir

Recursos para trabajos

Apoyo a los alumnos

Salud Mental

Asuntos sobre casas y apartamentos (departamentos)

Y muchos asuntos más

Espero que puedo visitar a su familia pronto. Un parte de mi trabajo es visitar familias en la casa para una visita entre Uds. y yo.  Empecé de visitar familias en North y muy pronto en West. Si tiene preguntas, puede pedir por medio de email en yess.familia@gmail.com o puede llamarme 303.558.6686

West Leadership Weekly Round Up: February 12th - 15th

Hi all!

We had a short but productive week at West as we finished up our talks on dating violence, presented our current event projects, and met for parent teacher conferences.

On Monday the classes worked on their current event project and prepared for their presentations on Thursday. Most groups had selected a topic already and then worked with each other to determine who was to complete which slide and where they planned to get their information from.

Tuesday was focused on updating our academic grade trackers with a short lesson on time management in high school versus college. I provided students with a comparison of how time is structured and spent when we are in high school and how that changes as we get older and have more responsibilities to manage. Additionally I was able to do some more one on one conferencing with several students discussing their goals, grades, and how both I and the class can be of support.

Wednesday was Valentine's Day so naturally we had to have a conversation on dating and healthy relationships! We wrapped up our lesson and talks on dating violence by discussing a short video and strategies to both spot the warning signs of abuse and help prevent it from happening in the first place. The remainder of the class period was spent working on our presentations for Thursday and continued one on one conferencing with students.

Thursday was our last day of the week before a 5 day weekend for the students. That said, we had our presentations throughout the day. The topic selections and activities varied quite a bit which kept things very interesting. Everything from North Korea and DACA to the #MeToo movement were discussed. We had our middle school students select the topics, complete the slides, and present while the high school students designed and facilitated the activity. I was very pleased with the collaboration by the kids, the varying topics of interests, and the quality of the presentations and activities. It was a really fun experience for students to teach the rest of the class about things they are interested in and share their ideas. We had a lot of fun! Thursday night was also student led conferences. We had several students come throughout the evening with their parents to discuss their progress in the class. I really enjoy having the opportunity to talk up each student in front of their parents and had a great time doing so on Thursday.

Students don't have school on Monday or Tuesday next week so we will see you all again next Wednesday! -Ben

Hola a Todos!

Tuvimos una semana corta pero productiva aqu en West cuando terminamos con nuestras platicas sobre violencia relacional, presentamos nuestras proyectos de eventos de ahora, y juntamos para conferencias de padres y maestros.

En el lunes los classes trabajo en sus proyectos de eventos de ahora y preparamos los presentaciones en el jueves. Muchos grupos ha seleccionado una tema antes y luego se trabajaron juntos para fijar a quien tiene el trabajo de hacer la diapositiva y donde planearon a lograr su información.

En el martes enfocamos en actualizar nuestras cronicas de marcas con una lección de gastar tiempo en high school contra universidad. Aporte los alumnos con una comparison como el tiempo tiene estructura y gasta el tiempo cuando estamos en high school y como hay cambios cuando estamos más maduros y tenemos mas responsabilidades. Mas, podia hablar uno por uno con muchos alumnos platicando sobre sus metas, marcas, y como la clase y yo podemos apoyar a ellos.

El miércoles fue Día de San Valentin y naturalmente platicamos sobre citas y relaciones sanas. Terminamos nuestra lección y pláticas sobre abusos relacionales por platicar sobre un video corto y estrategias para reconocer los señales del abuso y quizás prevenir el abuso. Lo demás del tiempo de las clase trabajamos en los presentaciones para el jueves y continuamos las platicas uno por uno con los alumnos.

El jueves fue el ultimo dia de las semana antes de tener 5 dias de vacaciones para los alumnos. Sin embargo, tuvimos nuestras presentaciones durante del dia. Había muchas temas y actividades diferentes y entonces fue interesante. Las temas eran sobre Corea del Norte hasta DACA hasta el movimeinto #MeToo (yo también, un movimiento sobre abuso sexual) fueron discutido. Los estudiantes de middle school escogieron las temas, diseñaron las dispositivos, y presentaron todo cuando los alumnos de High School diseñaron y facilitaban la actividad. Me dio mucho gusto ver la colaboración de los alumnos, las citas varias de interés, y la cualidad de las presentaciones y actividades. Fue un experiencia divertida para los estudiantes a enseñar a lo demás y compartir sus ideas. Divertimos mucho! El noche también fueron conferencias guiado de los alumnos. Los alumnos vivieron durante de la tarde con sus papas para platicar sobre su progreso en clase. Disfrute la oportunidad de hablar bien sobre los alumnos a sus papas y fue divertido en el jueves.

Los alumnos no tiene escuela en el lunes o martes el la proxima semana entonces nos vemos en el próximo miércoles. -Ben

West Leadership Weekly Round Up: February 5th - 9th

Hello!

A busy week here at West as we completed lessons on bullying and dating abuse while continuing to work on building a community with one another. 

On Monday, students finished up presenting their bullying presentations from the week before. Groups chose a particular type of bullying and provided statistics and solutions to the class. In addition to the presentations, students were able to meet for individual conferencing. Unfortunately, mentor training was put off for the week due to many students having field trips or grade level events. We plan to pick back up with both our current event project and mentor training next week. 

On Tuesday, students used an academic grade tracker to list their current classes and grades this semester. They also listed their goals for GPA, attendance, and missing assignments for the entire semester. Ideally by seeing their goals each and every week and by checking their grades and seeing the progress, they will be able to stay motivated and have a final product in May that they are proud of. 

Wednesday and Thursday the class focused on the topic of dating abuse and violence and students were very engaged in the lessons, activities, and discussions that took place. After reviewing the vocabulary and making sure the terms and language surrounding these topics was clear, students were then shown a video that followed the life of a victim of dating violence. Students then used various scenes and circumstances from the video to apply to the Cycle of Abuse and further our discussions. After gaining a better understanding of the vocabulary, situations/context, and the cycle, we then spent time going through statistics and research articles that students found interesting and shocking. While students understood that dating abuse and violence is a problem, many were surprised by the magnitude of the issue and this lead to a very interesting and positive conversation regarding how we can help others and ourselves in dealing with it. Additionally, students played a game where they were randomly assigned a behavior or action from a violent relationship. They then had to place themselves on a spectrum from Most to Least Harmful and then compare their placement on the scale with their classmates' actions/behaviors. What was interesting is most students placed themselves on the Most Harmful side if the action was physically harmful. The students who were given actions/behaviors that were more emotionally or verbally abusive placed themselves in the Least Harmful side of things as well. This led us to an interesting conversation regarding why we perceive physical behaviors as more harmful than emotional/verbal ones. 

Out of these conversations, I believe many students also grew in their empathy and understanding for those who may feel stuck in the cycle. My hope is these conversations provided some with the confidence to offer a person in need their support, or at least to advocate if they themselves are going through a difficult time. This won't be the end of these conversations regarding dating and improving our relationships so I'm pleased the class got through this information so productively. 

On Friday we finished the week with community building activities. Students finished up their notes from the week prior and submitted them before we completed our Fishbowl Friday activity. Many of the questions were focused on current events, would you rather situations, and just some were just fun and goofy. 

Overall we had a very productive and fun week here at WLA! Next week will be fun as we will wrap up our current even projects and also have parent-teacher conferences! Looking forward to it! 

Spanish Translation via Neill Snyder (YESS Family Advocate):

Hola!

Fue una semana ocupada aqui en West cuanto terminamos con lecciones sobre bullying y abuso relacional y tambíen construir una comunidad unos con otros.

En lunes, los estudiantes terminaron sus presentaciones sobre bullying de la semana pasada. Los grupos escogieron un tipo particular de bullying y proveyeron estadísticas y soluciones a la clase. También, los estudiantes podían juntar para conferencias individuales. Desafortunadamente, tardamos con la capacitación de mentores porque muchos estudiantes tenían excursiones o otros eventos de su nivel. Tenemos planes de continuar con la capacitación y el proyecto de eventos actuales en esta semana.

En martes, los estudiantes usaron una crónica de marcas para hacer lista de sus clases y marcas este semestre. También, hace lista de sus metas para GPA (promedio general de marcas), asistencia, y tarea no complida para el semestre. Esperamos que ver las metas cada semana, revisar las marcas, y ver el progreso quizás puede motivarse y puedan tener un producto final en mayo en que están orgullosos.

Miércoles y jueves el clase se enfoco en la tema de abuso relacional y violencia. Los estudiantes prestaron mucho atención a los lecciones, actividades, y discusiones que tuvimos. Después de revisar el vocabulario y asegurar que las palabras sobre esta tema fue claro, los estudiantes han visto un video que siguió la vida de una víctima de abuso relacional. Luego, los estudiantes platicaban sobre los escenas y circunstancias de el video para aplicar al ciclo de abuso y hablar más profundo sobre el abuso. Después de entender mejor sobre el vocabulario, los situaciones, y el ciclo, estudiamos las estadísticas y artículos que los estudiantes pensaban interesante e impactante. Sin embargo, los estudiantes entienden que el abuso y violencia relacional es problema, pero muchos sorprendieron por la grandeza del problema y empezamos de hablar positivamente sobre cómo podemos ayudar a nosotros y lo demas de encargarse el abuso. Más, los estudiantes jugaron con tarjetas que describen los comportamientos o acciones de un abuso relacional. Tenían que ponerse en línea para hablar si su situación fue más o menos mal de otros situaciones. Lo que fue interesante fue que los estudiantes que tenia un abuso fisical se andaban en el lugar mas mal, y los estudiantes que recibieron una tarjeta de abuso emocional se andaban en el lugar menos mal. Entonces, hablamos porque pensamos los abusos físicas eran peor de los abusos emocionales.

Por estas platicas, creo que muchos de los estudiantes crecieron en su empatía y entendimiento para los que se sienten que no pueden escapar el ciclo. Espero que estas pláticas proveerán algunos con la confianza de ofrecer apoyo a los que necesitan, o a lo minimo abogar si están en esta situación. No es el fin de las pláticas sobre mejorar los relaciones, entonces me agradezco que la clase toma esta información productivamente.

En viernes terminamos la semana con actividades para construir comunidad. Los estudiantes se terminan su notas de la semana pasada y me presentaron antes de nuestra actividad de “Fishbowl Friday”. Muchas de las preguntas se enfoco en eventos de ahora, sitaciones de escoger de dos opciones, y algunos nomas eran divertidos.

Fue una semana productivo y divertido aqui en WLA. En la próxima semana divertimos cuando terminamos nuestra proyectos de eventos de ahora y las conferencias de papas y maestros. Esperando ansiemente!

West Leadership Weekly Round-Up: January 29th - February 1st

Hello!

With a shortened week we worked hard to get as much done as possible here at WLA!

On Monday, students continued with their Mentoring Monday trainings and were split into mentor and mentee groups. The mentors met with me to discuss communication protocol, various mentoring scenarios, and we vs. you language. While this was taking place, the mentees met with their Mentor Leader who reviewed their EmoSmart goals from the past week and introduced them to a current event project that they will be working on for the next couple of weeks. Students formed groups of 2-4 and identified a current event topic that they'd like to teach the class more about and we are looking forward to seeing their presentations in the weeks ahead.

Tutoring Tuesday was a success as we picked up where we left off with grade checks and conferencing. While students checked their grades for missing assignments and late work, I was able to meet with several students for individual conferences regarding their academic and mentoring goals for the semester as well as how they can support other students when the coursework ramps up this semester.

Wednesday and Thursday the class was introduced to the topic of bullying and we had a couple very engaging and interesting lessons take place. After students were shown a few videos and understood the different types of bullying, we then formed groups and picked a topic related to bullying for additional research. Some of the topics chosen included warning Signs of a bully, LGBTQ bullying, cyberbullying, etc. Students researched these topics and then presented their findings on Thursday to the class. Students were asked to focus on the facts and statistics surrounding bullying as well as ways to prevent and counter bullying in different environments. I was pleased by the quick turn around and quality of the presentations, it is great to see everyone working hard and collaborating as we continue to learn more and grow as a class. 

Overall another good week here at WLA! We look forward to catching up with you again next week!