Week of Nov 18

Our speaker was a no show for this week, and the backup activity I had planned was one the boys had recently done in one of their elective classes.  Unfortunately, this week was not all it should have been.  I promise the speaker difficulties will be resolved by the time we meet after the break.  Already this evening I am making contacts to insure a more successful month in December.

Journal Topic: What are you most thankful for and why?

Ms. Beryl and Mr. Jackson watch student during tutoring.

The boys work hard to complete their assignments.

Birthday Bash

Cornelius' mom came and treated the group to some

birthday cookie.

Meeting change for next week

I have been asked to chaperone a sixth grade dance on Thursday Nov. 19th during our normal meeting time.  Therefore, we will meet Wednesday Nov. 18th.  Times and everything else remains the same.  I apologize for the inconvenience.

Week of 11-12

Our speaker was scheduled for this week and last. Unfortunately, he was still getting over the flu so he was unable to be with us again this week.

This week we discussed the proper response to situations, even when you feel they are being wronged. To help the boys gain perspective, we used a game called Good, Bad, and Ugly. They boys were given case scenarios and were asked to write a good, bad, and ugly response. For example, how should you handle it if someone is talking bad about you behind your back? They give you three responses such as talking with the person involved about what happened, not confronting but disassociating with the person, or starting an argument. I used five scenarios and had discussion about the various responses as we went. I made up the scenarios based upon things I thought the students were confronted with regularly.

Journal Topic: Describe a good and bad way of handling yourself when a teacher corrects you even when you feel like you are in the right (provide a half page on each).

Hawks Outing

Conrad, Nick, and Devin waiting for the game to start.

The boys were on their best behavior & made Crossover

look good to those around them.

It was a great night for Hawks fans since they won

by over 20 points.

Being typical boys, halftime was their favorite part of the night.

Jakeem and Brian hang out on the ride home.

Week of 11-5

This week we had a change of plans because our speaker cancelled due to the flu.  In place of the speaker, we played a game called "Don't Get Mad."  A large pile of candy was placed in the middle of each table.  If students rolled doubles, they were allowed to take a piece of candy from the pile.  Play was passed to the next person.  After a fair amount of candy was selected, I removed the pile and changed the rules.  Now if they rolled doubles, they were allowed to take candy from any player they chose.  Seeing others will large piles of candy, or taking theirs, made excellent discussion conversation.

Journal Topic:  When you feel yourself losing your temper, what steps can you take to get back under control.

Matt receives his Mentee of the Month award from Mr. Jackson

Cornelius and Michael received gift cards from Mr. Jackson for

representing Crossover at the Success for All Students event.

The guys playing Don't Get Mad.

Hawks Trip Details

Permission slips were passed out tonight on the Hawk trip Saturday.  Mr. Jackson will be leading this trip.  If you have specific questions, please contact him at 404 725-5940.  The van will pick the boys up at 5:15 at Awtrey.  This allows time for supper and time to get downtown befor the game at 7:30.  Depending on variables, the boys should be back by 10:15-10:30.  Please bring the permission slips with you to the game.

If you are planning on going, please contact Mr. Jackson as soon as possible.  Any tickets we do not use will be gvien to the group at Palmer Middle School, so we will need to know how many slots we have available to offer.

Hawks Tickets for Saturday

I just got a message saying we were given Hawks tickets for this Saturday. The game starts at 7:30. We are still working out logistics on when we would leave and all that. If you are interested in going, please let me know as soon as possible. The tickets we don't use will be offered to the other Crossover schools.

I hope to know the particulars by tomorrow's meeting.