CrossOver night at the Kennesaw Chilies

Crossover has entered into an agreement with the Kennesaw Chilies to have a monthly Crossover night. On the first Monday night of each month, if you present the attached coupon, Chilies will donate 10% of your total bill to Crossover mentoring group.  Just right click on the image and select "print picture."

Jordan earns an Awtrey Attitude award

Each month teachers nominate students they observe living out one of the five Awtrey Attitudes.  Students are given a t-shirt and some type of desert to celebrate the achievement.  This month our own Jordan was recognized for having outstanding character.

Jordan poses with 6th grade counselor Mrs. Zell

during the Awtrey Attitude celebration.

Meeting 10-29-09

This week Mr. Chris Shaw spoke to our boys about job skills.  As a Coke representative, he travels to sporting events, races, and various trade shows with the Coke racecar and simulators for fans.  He challenged the boys regarding working as a team, communication, and nurturing relationships.  In one story, Mr. Shaw related how networking contacts made in one job led to his being able to obtain a new position when he was ready to make a move.

Journal Topic: explain the importance of relationships, communication, and working as a team for success in life.

Mr. Shaw shows slides of the simulators he uses when

he goes to events as a Coke representative.

In addition to talking about his career experiences,

Mr. Shaw talked about being a linebacker for UGA

while he was in college.

Success for All Students Celebration

The Success for All Students Celebration was a great event.  Thank you to Michael, Cornelius, and families for helping represent Crossover.  In addition to interacting with our supporters, we also lined up some guest speakers and outing opportunities.

Cornelius poses with CrossOver founder Dee Fountain

and GA State School Superintendant Kathy Cox

13 StoriesTrip

13 Stories Haunted House is located behind the mall at Towne Center.

The guys got to hang out with some of the actors.

Brian had his picture taken with Billiard Pro Johnny Archer

who was there with his son.

Success for All Students Celebration

Success For All Students is the grant that funds Crossover.

Parents and students are welcome to attend the event.

Fred Sanderson, Cobb County School District Superintendent
Tommy Allegood, Mayor of Acworth
Mark Mathews, Mayor of Kennesaw
Pat Vaughn, Mayor of Powder Springs

Invite you to attend:

The Sucees for All Students Kickoff Celebration

Join Local, State and Federal Legislators, Business and
Community Leaders for Coffee, Tea and Dessert

KEYNOTE SPEAKER:

Kathy Cox, State Superintendent of Schools

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Cobb County Safety Village
1220 Al Bishop Drive (near Jim Miller Park)
Marietta, GA 30008

Week of 10-22

This week the students completed a version of the Myers-Briggs Type Inventory (see http://www.humanmetrics.com/). After completing the inventory, students were given a four letter combination that represents a personality type. I then defined each letter to help them better understand the scoring.

Next, students participated in an exercise on study habits. Students read passages from a paper, once while listening to music and once without. After each time they were asked to answer questions based on the passage. Obviously they were able to remember more without the music, despite their efforts to skew the results in favor of listening to music while studying.

Journal topic: Describe your personality to someone who does not know you.

We confirmed obtaining tickets to 13 Houses Haunted House. Permission slips were emailed home.

Byron is completing the study habits exercise.

Michael shows off his MBTI results.

Students discuss Logan's MBTI results.

Ms. Paiment stopped by to talk with some of the boys.

Outing planned for 10-26

We were able to get tickets to 13 Houses Haunted House off Barrett Pkwy for this coming Monday. The permission slip was emailed home. If you did not get one, please let me know and I can resend. Also, please confirm one way or the other if your son can attend so I can plan transportation arrangements. The boys can bring the signed slip with them to the event, or to school Monday.

We will leave Awtrey promptly at 5:30 and go somewhere for supper, then head to the haunted house. I padded the pick up time for variables, but we should be done sooner than 8:00. The only money they will need is for extras they might want to buy. The food and event are covered. Let me know if you have questions.

Week of October 14

This week I used my experience as a former small business owner to show how the subjects students study in school are used in the workplace. We discussed each subject, even the obscure electives, to show how the content knowledge in each class is relevant. More importantly, classes like history teach us how to learn from others so we do not repeat this same mistakes as those who have gone before us.

The journal topic is detailing what strategies they will use to improve their grades in the next term. With a new term starting last Monday, they all have a fresh start and an A in each class. Now all they have to do is maintain that grade.

Upcoming news:

• We are still working on outing ideas. At this point it looks like we will tour some haunted houses and go out to eat. We also are expecting some pro sports tickets soon. We will get word to you as soon as we can.
  
• Guest speakers will start in two weeks.
  
• The theme for November will be the Armed Forces since a number of the boys expressed the desire for a career in some aspect of the military.


• A number of them also expressed a desire to play professional sports, so I am talking with some colleges to see if I can get some of their athletes to come speak with us at some point.

Ms. Marsh helped answer questions about assignments.

Students worked hard during the tutoring portion of the meeting.

Meeting Change for the upcoming week

Awtrey is hosting a dance Thursday during our normal meeting time. We took a vote and the guys decided to meet another day. That being the case, we will meet Wednesday instead of Thursday. Rooms and times will remain the same.

October Outing

We are working on an outing Halloween weekend. Our first choice is a six flags trip, but the logistics are not working out. The leaders are going to discuss alternatives when we meet this week. As soon as I know more, I'll get word to you.

Week of 10-8

The guys did an icebreaker exercise where they discussed their plans after high school, occupational dreams, where they would like to live, and who they would like to talk to if they could talk to anyone they wanted past or present. The answers were enlightening and connections were made between students who shared similar answers.

A parent letter was emailed on 10-10 to make sure the email addresses were accurate. If you have not received the email, please contact me and I can resend it.

Additional emails were sent to students who are missing some of their forms. Because the program is grant based, we have to provide monthly data to continue receiving support. It is a lot to keep up with, but the program could not exist without the generosity of the supporters.

The journal topic for this week is "Describe your dream if you could be anything you want."

Awtrey 10-1

Awtrey had its first Crossover meeting for the 2009-2010 school year on October 1. We had an excellent first meeting and the boys seemed ready for the program to begin.

Since Crossover is funded by a grant, lots of data must be collected to demonstrate the effectiveness of the program in order to continue receiving funds. To help establish baseline data, student were given a form titled Parent Feedback - Initial review. If you have not completed the form already, please have your student request an additional copy.

Student Awards

Dr. Deane is reviewing the rules and expectations for being a part of Crossover Mentoring Group.

Three students received Best Buy gift cards for being the first ones to return their parent information packets.