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.

October 24th - October 25th

This week was a short week here at North. This week we discussed fear for two days. We discussed our own fears, as well as how our fears hold us back and keep us from achieving our goals or taking us outside our comfort zone.  On the last day of discussing our fears, students were given a quote about fear and had to act out what this quote means.  Overall this was a fun but short week!

Oct 17th- Oct 21st

This week students reflected on Domestic Violence Awareness Month by discussing what do healthy relationships look like, as well as how to identify the cycle of abuse in their relationships.  As we talked about signs that a relationship is in the cycle of abuse, students began to  domestic violence and why it is important to talk about, as well as why it is important to seek help if these unhealthy signs are becoming prevalent in their relationships.

On Tuesday the mentor leaders co-taught a college lesson with our college navigator, Emily. Students did a true or false on financial aid quiz, as well as played a BINGO game of finding student who were interested in a STEM degree, applied to college, or have visited a college campus this year.

We will end the week by discussing FEAR. Overall we had another successful week here at North!

Leonel, Mentor leader giving Fatuma her mentee's grades 

October 10th- 14th

This week the students in YESS discussed Trust. Why is trust important? Who do you trust and why? And who trusts you? We discussed the building blocks of trust and how this is fundamental in healthy relationships, especially mentorships.

We also did a powerful lesson called "The Power of Choosing Your Thoughts". This lesson is about making positive choices and how we can learn from the negative choices we have made in life.

During the week we had a wonderful visit from the YESS College Navigator, Emily. She was able to help students get started on their common application, as well as prepare a personal essay.

October 3rd- 7th

This week the mentors had mentor training. Mentors discussed ways to talk to mentees so that mentees can fill more supported, as well as discussed ways to earn their mentee's trust.  Mentor training will happen on the first Monday of each month. During this time the mentors can discuss problems or issues they may have with their mentee as well as learn tools that will help their mentee be successful.

This week the students learned what their hot buttons are, and ways they can use their hot button to empower themselves. Students reflected on what makes them angry or upset, and how can they better handle the situation next time someone is trying to push their hot buttons.

This was the first week that mentor leaders taught class. It was amazing to see mentors asking mentor leaders for help and advice. Overall, this was another successful week in YESS!

Mentor leaders teaching the class about "Hot Buttons".