November 14th- 18th

Mentors checking grades 

This week students focused on learning about Marijuana and the laws in Colorado that revolve around marijuana.  Students discussed what they know and what they heard, then we discussed the truth about laws, and how marijuana effects the human body.

Also this week mentors assisted mentees and making a game plan on how they can effectively tackle their F grades after thanksgiving. Students will now have homework support twice a week until finals week. Hopefully students can get more work turned in for their core classes. 

Our mentor leaders here at North are doing an awesome job of tracking grades, making reports special for students that contains all of their missing assignments on one sheet, as well as made parent phone calls this week to students that have missed many classes or are missing a good amount of work.

mentor looking for his mentee 

November 7th- 11th

This week was a busy week in the YESS classroom. We have are continuing the drug unit and students are to  research a drug, how it affects the body, death statistics, as well as create a poster, and present it to the class. On Monday students began their research. On Tuesday students continued researching their drug as well as put together their posters. Wednesday and Thursday were homework days as always. On Friday we will begin to do presentations.

On Tuesday many students were upset because of the outcome of the election. One student didn't come to school because he wanted to finish his DACA application. He is unsure if  DACA will still be around come Spring time. I let students express how they felt. We talked about how we need to stand together to protect each other. We talked about how now, it is even more important to earn good grades and earn degrees, and to become doctors, lawyers, teachers, and engineers. I insured students that I love them, and that I am here for them. Tuesday's discussion was tough because there were lots of emotions expressed. Something all students agreed on is that bigotry is not a democratic value. They will continue to demonstrate leadership and perseverance at school, at home, and in their communities.

Oct 31- Nov 4th

This week students began a unit on drugs. Students will learn specifically how drugs affect the pre-frontal cortex, limbic system, and other parts of the brain. Students learned this week how the teenage brain has more changes than a brain of a 3 year old and the brain of a 30 year old.  As we began  this unit I asked students what they knew already and if they had learned this in a health class or else where. Many students shared why they will never do drugs. Some reasons included:  "I have seen what drugs can do to a family, and I never want my family to go through this" . I am happy to see students willing to discuss drugs and their impact as well as family stories. I am very happy to see how students are trusting one another with with sharing family stories. We will continue to talk about drugs next week followed by in depth research of the human brain.

Also this week Emily, YESS college navigator came to North to help students apply for scholarships and even apply to college. I am very excited to see many of our seniors getting accepted into colleges.