Dec 12- 16th

This week students prepared for finals by using YESS  time to support one another. It was great to hear mentors asking other mentors for calculus help, and mentess asking their mentors to review and edit a paper. Students really went into finals being as best prepared as possible.

At the beginning of the week the North mentor leaders did presentations on DACA. Leonel went to a conference at Metro state called "Here To Stay".  He went representing YESS. He took many notes and complied the information he got into a presentation for students. Maybe some students are undocumented and are not sure if they should continue to apply for DACA. Maybe there is a student in class who has a friend  or family member that is thinking about doing DACA. Now they are wondering "Should I"? Leonel broke it down to students about what can happen to DACA come January since it is an executive order.  We talked about other programs that support undocumented students and schools in Colorado that allow students to go on in-state tuition.

Students enjoyed breakfast burritos provided by YESS and took some time to eat, relax, and study!

Breakfast burritos and Juice! 

DACA presentation 

12/5/16-12/9/16

This week students focused on making up missing assignments for their core classes. Mentees worked with their mentors to talk to teachers and to create a plan on how they can complete missing work before they enter finals week.
On Tuesday we did a lesson called, "Recognizing Hate Speech". Students discussed what is hate speech and how is this different than freedom of speech? We discussed how sometimes freedom of speech can be considered bullying. We looked at examples like SNL (Saturday night live) vs racial slurs and jokes.  Students reflected on their jokes and how they will try to be more aware of their audience and promote a community where hate speech is not tolerable.

In engagement center many of the students are caught up with their school work and are going into finals with excellent grades. Today, students used the day to relax and to participate

in a chess tournament. Overall, this was great week!

Engagement center chess tournament 

Homework support days 

November 28th- Dec 2nd

After returning from Thanksgiving break, many students have been preparing for finals. Many of the students have requested extra homework days. YESS students have been diligent about using YESS class time to finish missing assignments, talk to teachers as well as study material from earlier in the semester.

Also this week, some students needed a little extra inspiration. We watched a classic empowerment film called, "Stand and Deliver". This movie is about Jamie Escalante, a Chicano educator who takes a class of students with a 3rd grade math level and teaches them the skills it will take to pass the AP calculus exam their senior year of high school.

I love showing this movie to students because this movie shows the struggles each student has and how they didn't let problems get in the way of them from achieving their goals. This movie shows that even if you are behind, you can still make it!

Overall, we had a great week back from Thanksgiving break!