A Bimonthly Insight into Upward Bound and What’s on the Horizon.

Issue TWO 2015-2016

Director's Corner

by Cassie Tavorn

2/8/16

It’s Time to Make That Change

As we move about in spring 2016, we’re happy to report the successful completion of the annual performance report to the U.S. Department of Education in Washington, DC. Each year, the Department of Education evaluates the effectiveness of the program to ensure we’re doing what we said we would to help our Upward Bound students. 

Now our full attention is on You Seniors. I truly believe in ensuring students take care of their business ahead of time as they move through the college admissions process. Some may say, “I got this,” or “I have plenty of time,” or even, “My parents will do it for me.”  NO SIR, NO WAY! This Ride is for YOU to Take Control of the Wheel!  

That means making sure you research schools with your major; complete your required number of college applications;  encourage your parents to prepare for completing the FAFSA; decide on a housing and meal plan; reinforce those study skills; and finally, prepare to make a mental shift from high school to college.  

While you’re juggling all your class projects, extra-curricular activities, community engagements, and contemplating where you’ll be this fall, take time and look back at your high school journey  Believe it or not, your attitude of resilience is what helped you to make it where you are today. I know you all have family, friends, and your faith to encourage and comfort you, but without that special strength of flexibility and spirit, the things you may have encountered could have been different.  

For some, senioritis may be knocking on the door, and you just don’t feel like doing anything. This is a challenge to stretch toward the final mark on your senior year, and continue to press in and reach up to the new heights life is presenting to you. This exciting time of the last semester of your senior year is the closing of one chapter, as you walk through the door of another. 

Remember, college is a Different World, however, you’ve already proven as a participant of Upward Bound, you’ve got what it takes. You’re proof that #TRIOWorks!

Excited for SUMMER!!!

Yes, that’s right I said SUMMER. UB is still planning for our summer 2016. We have be gathering information and putting itineraries together for our summer trip (location announcement coming soon). We have been planning activities and events to make this the best UB summer EVER!!! Most importantly we have dates for your own summer planning.

Bridge Student Move-In      Friday, June 3rd

Summer Move-In                 Sunday, June 5th

Summer Move-Out              Friday, July 8th

Summer Enrichment Trip     Monday, July 11th – Friday, July 15th

Get READY we have lots of OPPORTUNITIES and FUN packed into these amazing six weeks of UB summer!

Remaining 2016 Saturday Academies

Upward Bound Saturday Academies take place from 8:30 a.m. to noon on the 3rd floor of the Administration Building at Northwest Missouri State University.

February 26 - Friday, 5:30-7:30 PM (no busses)

Regular Session / TRiO Day

March 12

Regular Session

April 2

Regular Session

Bus Schedule

School                  Pick Up Time                   Drop Off Time           Location

King City                     7:30 a.m.                        2:10 p.m.                   High School

Stanberry                    7:45 a.m.                        1:55 p.m.           Elementary School

Northeast Nodaway     8:05 a.m.                       1:35 p.m.                   High School

Rock Port                    7:30 a.m.                        2:20 p.m.                   High School

Tarkio                          7:45 a.m.                        2:05 p.m.                   High School

West Nodaway             8:10 a.m.                       1:40 p.m.                   High School

Arrive Northwest    8:30 a.m.   Administration Bldg.

Leave Northwest    *12:45 p.m

* Busses typically stop at McDonald’s/Taco Bell
after session from 12:45-1:15 p.m.

Junior & Seniors 

College Marathon

The main EVENT is Saturday, February 27th, Northwest TRiO is hosting a College Marathon here on campus, 2nd floor of Owens Library from 10:30 AM – 2:30 PM. See attached flyer for the details to register with College Greenlight and how to enter into their hourly drawings for $100 gift cards and $1000 college scholarship. During our TRiO event we will have a Marathon Kick Off at 10:30 then all students will have access to the University computer lab to search and submit scholarship applications. We will have our own hourly drawing in addition to those offered by College Greenlight.

As you can tell we are very excited to offer this opportunity to win FREE stuff as well as dedicating time to help  you earn the financial means to obtain your college dreams!!! Last year a program offered the same opportunity we are offering now and following the marathon, 25% of their students had all four-five years of their college paid for!!! Hence why we are so excited, not for us, but for you!!

TOP TEN THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT ME

Lisa Rueter

1. I am a wife and mother to four children and 6 dogs.
2. I attended and graduated from Jefferson C-123.
3. My first job was working as a bank teller, until my first child was born. Then I stayed home to raise my children.
4. I enrolled in college when my youngest child started Kindergarten.
5. I returned to the work force by obtaining a job at the Maryville Treatment Center. The program was a partnership with Northwest to teach “Life and  Vocational Skills” to the offenders prior to their release. 
6. I enjoy being outside with gardening, mowing the yard, or just relaxing on the patio.
7. I enjoy traveling.
8. I enjoy baking and eating, I’m a foodie at heart.
9. I LOVE spending time with family and friends.
10. I am a breast cancer FIGHTER, I have fought for 5 ½ years. And will continue to do so each and everyday.

Calling all Upward Bound Father-Figures!!!

Upward Bound will begin a new program this summer just for the dads, grandfathers, and father-figures of our Upward Bound participants called Watch D.O.G.S.

Watch D.O.G.S. (Dads Of Great Students) is an innovative father involvement, educational initiative of the National Center For Fathering. There are two primary goals of the WATCH D.O.G.S. program.

1) To provide positive male role models for the students, demonstrating by their presence that education is important.

2) To provide extra sets of eyes and ears to enhance school security and reduce bullying.

Watch D.O.G.S. began in 1998 in a single school in Springdale, Arkansas and has since grown into a national recognized program that has brought hundreds of thousands of fathers and father figures into the school classrooms and hallways across the country, creating millions of hours of “in school” volunteer time and having a tremendously positive impact on the educational process. Today more than 5,148 schools in 47 states plus DC participate in Watch D.O.G.S. Currently, there are WATCH D.O.G.S. programs in China, Canada, Mexico, Puerto Rico, and Barbados. With so many students and families who have been positively impacted by this program, your Upward Bound staff could not let this opportunity pass by!

Who Are Watch DOGS?

Watch D.O.G.S. are fathers, grandfathers, uncles, and other father-figures who volunteer for at least one day each year at an official Watch D.O.G.S. school. For Upward Bound, it will occur during the summer component.  During the day, Watch D.O.G.S. may read and work on flash cards with students, complete a science experiment, eat lunch with students, watch the school entrances and hallways, assist with traffic flow and any other assigned activities where they actively engage with not only their own student(s), but other students as well. Many school administrators have reported that the mere presence of a Watch DOG dramatically reduces reports of bullying and unhealthy school environments. On the day of their participation, Watch D.O.G.S. are given a brief review of their involvement and they wear an official WATCH D.O.G.S. t-shirt with a ‘Dog Tag’ identifying them as Watch D.O.G.S.

How will WATCH D.O.G.S. Work at Upward Bound?

WATCH D.O.G.S. invites fathers, grandfathers, uncles, or other father figures to volunteer at least one full day at Upward Bound during the summer component. Individuals will sign up at Upward Bound’s launch event, “Dads and Kids Pizza Night” or in the office at any time throughout the academic year. The program is overseen by a “Top Dog” volunteer who will partner with Upward Bound staff to coordinate scheduling and identify opportunities for Watch D.O.G.S. to provide assistance at the school. Watch D.O.G.S. volunteers perform a variety of tasks during their volunteer day including monitoring during class breaks, assisting students in coursework, monitoring the lunch room, and/or helping in the classroom with a teacher’s guidance by working with small groups of students on homework, flashcards, spelling or projects.

Begin Planning for Watch DOGS for Summer 2016

As Upward Bound continues planning for the summer, each family will be mailed more information about how to become involved in the Watch D.O.G.S. program.  Any father-figure who is interested in participating this summer is invited to attend a meeting scheduled for Tuesday, May 10 at 5:30pm which is held prior to a scheduled summer orientation meeting night at 6:30pm.