For YES3, the Individualized Development and Enrichment Action (IDEA) Plan will be modified to address planned objectives and expanded based upon experience and the recognition of unmet needs. Specifically, the addition of a team of intervention specialists (social worker, nutritionist, fitness professional, family advocate) combined with experienced and returning YES staff, and BGCS teachers will allow the IDEA Plan to reach its full potential for student development.
Academic enrichment and life skill development aimed at increasing academic performance and improving self-esteem, and confidence will be achieved by role modeling (study buddies), peer projects, reading for community service, exposure to careers and projects in multimedia (newsletter, webpage), cultural events, visual and performing art, and journaling.
YES3 Program will:
- Facilitate family support, a NEW family advocate will provide outreach services directly to families and become the active and missing link in the chain for parental involvement in academic and youth development.
- Provide a college mentoring program focused on peer mentoring, study buddies, community service (reading to kids and elders) and social development.
- Organize small projects to develop language, reading and writing skills using different styles of media and communication including a mentored monthly newsletter, educational materials for the health fair and creative projects (journaling and visual art workshops).
- Create reading challenges to be issued for teams and individuals.
- Provide homework check with consequences established by the youth advisory council. Students missing homework will be required to meet with the social worker, parents, the family advocate, and the principal until the issues are resolved.
- Provide ongoing visits to the Milwaukee Public Library where the students will get a library card and learn what the library has to offer.
Information for parents
Your child has been matched up with a mentor who is a current student at Marquette University. Your child will meet with their mentor weekly for homework assistance and to check how your child is progressing toward their health and fitness goals. They will develop an Individual Development Evaluation Action (IDEA) Plan with the program coordinator and YES3 social worker. The IDEA plan allows for the mobilization of academics, cultural, and community resources in order to specifically address youth’s individual needs in various areas. The plan seeks to help students develop realistic goals and create specific action plans to reach those goals.
Motivation Tips:
- Eliminate the word homework from your vocabulary. Replace it with the word study. Study time is about studying, even if your child does not have any homework.
- Establish a study routine. This needs to be the same time every day. By having a regular study time, you are demonstrating that you value education.
- Read. They should read for school, read for pleasure, read to you, their siblings, grandparents anyone that will listen. They should read books, the newspaper, even magazines! They should read and talk about what they read but most importantly they should read! We will get them library cards for the Milwaukee Public Library. Get them to the library on weekends to read.
- Help without over-functioning. Only help if your child asks for it. Don’t worry that you don’t know the answer. That happens to all parents. If you think your child needs help, contact Kelly Dione or the Family Advocate and ask us to get them help! YES3 will get them help with the concepts and problems. They just need to keep working at it.
- Turn in the homework! Homework and practice or problem sets are FREE points. They just have to be completed and TURNED IN!
- If you want a behavior you have to teach a behavior. If you want your child to be organized you have to invest the time to help them learn an organizational system. If your child needs help with time management, teach them time management skills. Help them learn what it means to prioritize by the importance and due date of each task. Teach them to create an agenda each time they sit down to study. Help them experience the value of getting the important things done first.
- Remember YES3 is here for you and your child. Talk to the YES3 Advocate, she can help!
For students
You have been matched up with a mentor who is currently a student at Marquette University. You will meet with your mentor weekly for homework assistance and help in achieving your health and fitness goals.
On average, successful students study or read a few hours every day. Students that struggle study or read a few hours per week! Homework, problems sets or assignments are FREE points toward your grade. You have all the time at home to do it, and do it to your best ability. Take PRIDE in your work. Something as simple as writing your name so your teacher can read it says you are proud of your work. Ask yourself “ was this my best effort?” Always do your best for the moment. Your best may differ on some days, you could be sick but still have work to do. Always do your best for THAT DAY. It is your work, it says you care about yourself.
Turn in your assignments and turn them in on-time!
Improve GPA:
- Read for pleasure; identify preferred reading materials and read every day
- Set aside 2 hours of study or reading time BEFORE relaxing
- Limit TV/computer/video game time
- Find a quiet place to study
- Take PRIDE in your work, turn in quality!
- Ask for help: teachers, YES staff, mentors, parents, older sibling, etc.
