Stars (Grades 9-12)
Anthony Saunders
also works
with the STARS on academics. “This year with the Stars was very rewarding
because the kids were more mature and they came to the academic room ready
to start their school work. I enjoyed the group because we had more boys and
girls in the group from different grades and schools. The Stars were able to
do most of their homework on the computers. The school system provided them
with CDs to take notes and study for tests. I also saw improvements with the
Stars being better role models for the younger students. I am also excited
with the direction of the older students in program. They are very serious
about succeeding in school and having a bright future.”
 Dana Williams
works with
the STARS as well as the Champs. This has been a great year. We started out
setting goals on how we would spend the year. We then ventured into careers.
After researching and interviewing people, several students realize they had
little to no interest in the career which they thought they loved. After the
holidays we went out looking for cars and apartments. What a treat! The
Stars loved it!!! Saturn Dealership of Raleigh was awesome. They gave some
helpful tips on how to purchase a car and also talked about the many job
opportunities available within their company. University Village, the
apartment complex that we toured risks you run when having a room mate. We
then had the chance to tour Classic Graphics Printing Company. What fun!
They showed us the ins and the outs of printing and also shared the career
opportunities available. They even went a step further and shared some of
their life experiences and discussed the importance of setting goals and
doing everything possible to accomplish them. Thanks, Mr. Murray for
allowing us to shadow you. After lots of job training, I took the youth out
to get ID which are very important to have when looking for jobs. We then
filled out applications with the Raleigh Youth Employment Program. Two of
our Stars were hired for the program. Congratulation Shaquana Barnes and
Andrea McDonald!!
This is
also a great time to share other great news. Ebony Mercer is going to be
working with Wachovia as an intern for the summer. Shaniqua Burrell will be
working at Sub way and Shawanda Bennett will be working with her
grandfather. All of their dedication and hard work has paid off. We ended
the year working with the Eager Beavers in the academic room. It has been a
joy to watch the Star’s in action reminiscing on the days so long ago when
they were learning how to read and write. Thanks for a great year!”
Learning Skills, Academics, and Career Education (LACE)
The Stars spend time each day engaged
in leadership development and career planning activities. They began the
year focusing on their goals and developing strategies for reaching those
goals and eliminating any roadblocks that they might foresee. Throughout
the year they will continue to develop skills around job training,
interviewing techniques, and establishing career goals. In addition, they
will begin exploring college and continuing education options and focus on
life skills such as money management and budgeting, housing and
transportation, preparing balanced meals, and cleaning.
Academics
The Stars’ academic time is spent
focused on completing homework assignments and further developing study and
research skills. After Stars complete their homework assignments, they may
spend computer time researching special projects or engage in mini lessons
designed to supplement their reading, writing and math skills.
Boys and Girls Groups
Once a week the Stars meet in unisex
groups to discuss some of the tougher issues of adolescence. The highlight
of this time is community building and positive peer interaction. Outside
speakers sometimes come to share a broader perspective on topics such as
drug and alcohol abuse, violence prevention, teen health, and peer pressure.
Often the students bring real life situations to the group and ask their
peers to help them problem solve these scenarios. The relationships that
are formed during Boys and Girls Groups are invaluable resources for the
students as they navigate the world of adolescence and prepare for
adulthood.
Community Service
Community service is another important
component of the Star program. The Stars have completed a survey to help
them decide where they would like to focus their community service efforts
this year. Hopefully through these projects the students will increase
their communication skills, planning and organization skills, and sense of
responsibility.
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