So, we launched our pilot summer programming for College Readiness, called Summer Scholars last week. It's hard to believe we're already one third of the way through our six week program...Things are going quickly!
On top of discipleship, study skills development, and community service, a major focus of Summer Scholars is to provide participating students with exposure to a wide variety of educational, career, and cultural opportunities here in Chicagoland, giving students a glimpse into positive options that are there to be pursued through education.
In this second week of programming, one of our groups of students visited the FedEx Ground Chicago Hub, Concordia University, and the Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT).
At IIT, the incoming 9th-11th graders started getting really excited about going to college. (It didn't hurt that our tour guide talked about incoming IIT freshmen receiving iPads for use in their classwork.) Regardless, the students were excited... not about popular music artists, not about seeking immediate gratification through risky behavior, not about a video game...They were excited about college. They have begun shifting their focus from the immediate to the long-term.
Realizing that there is something positive to work toward in the future gives all of us hope, and our summer scholars are no exception.
God has really blessed us with many open doors this summer to help our kids see the opportunities that are out there for them through education. We thank Him for His faithfulness and look forward to seeing how He uses this program to continue to touch these young peoples' lives.
Friday, July 23, 2010
Thursday, July 22, 2010
College Readiness is busier than ever this summer with multiple trips planned EVERY week. These students will surely become scholars with visits to college campuses like Concordia University close by in River Forest and Northwestern in Evanston. Then there are the adventures of exploring options after college at different potential job site. Visiting places like the FedEx Ground Hub,World's Finest Chocolate, and the Federal Reserve Bank will certainly spark these students’ interests in career fields they otherwise might not consider.
This summer has many things planned, but not all are related to academics and careers. Certainly understanding the vital role education plays into their future is important, but students’ spiritual growth is even more important. Dan and Tony are sure to lead the scholars in a Bible study each day and conclude their time together with a journal prompt. At a younger age, sharing your thoughts verbally amongst friends can be intimidating. Journals were given to each student to allow the freedoms of their thoughts to flow onto paper.
Dan and Tony use a Bible study guide known as “talk sheets” which help ask age-appropriate questions. For example the first question students answer: What words describe Jesus? With a list of 21 words to follow, the students determine whether these words accurately, or inaccurately describe Jesus. Another example: If someone asked you why you believed in Jesus, how would you respond?
These questions help students process the meaning and relevance of Jesus in their own lives as students think about how Jesus’ actions a long time ago, affect them today. Dan and Tony are always available to answer more questions if any arise. College Readiness wants these scholars to know the love of Jesus Christ that is lavished upon them.
This summer has many things planned, but not all are related to academics and careers. Certainly understanding the vital role education plays into their future is important, but students’ spiritual growth is even more important. Dan and Tony are sure to lead the scholars in a Bible study each day and conclude their time together with a journal prompt. At a younger age, sharing your thoughts verbally amongst friends can be intimidating. Journals were given to each student to allow the freedoms of their thoughts to flow onto paper.
Dan and Tony use a Bible study guide known as “talk sheets” which help ask age-appropriate questions. For example the first question students answer: What words describe Jesus? With a list of 21 words to follow, the students determine whether these words accurately, or inaccurately describe Jesus. Another example: If someone asked you why you believed in Jesus, how would you respond?
These questions help students process the meaning and relevance of Jesus in their own lives as students think about how Jesus’ actions a long time ago, affect them today. Dan and Tony are always available to answer more questions if any arise. College Readiness wants these scholars to know the love of Jesus Christ that is lavished upon them.
Friday, July 16, 2010
Summer Scholars Program Kicks Off
Post by Eric the Intern:
The summer for College Readiness (CR) certainly has exciting things planned for these middle school and high school students. On Wednesday (7/14) Dan and Tony, CR staff, took our middle school students to tour Westinghouse High School, a new multi-million dollar public high school facility here on the West Side.
Staff also walked with the high school students to the Austin Library to encourage them to get library cards. This is something so simple, yet I underestimate its value. With this card I have access to “The world at the turn of a page” or so the library poster tells me.
With these library cards, students will be able to read any books that strike their interest, not just the assigned school reading. To promote reading over the summer, the program has set up an incentive plan: for each book they read and successfully share the main points, the students can receive 25 Scholar Dollars and use this money to buy REAL items in the CR store. Before you know it, parents will be tired of driving back and forth to the library. (Maybe not, but it’s nice to dream)
Also this week, was a trip to the National Museum of Mexican Art in Pilsen. These students enjoy the field trips because of the freedom to explore everything the museum has to offer. Museum trips are a way of letting the students explore and learn about different topics, becoming more well-rounded, renaissance scholars. Visually experiencing history is also another element that allows the museum to be an engaging trip.
Exploring the National Museum of Mexican Art, scanning rows of books trying to find a mystery thriller, or walking the hallways of a student's potential future high school are fun ways to engage these students in educational learning. Throughout the summer College Readiness has more events planned to engage the minds and interest of the students.
Some photos from a couple of this week's trips are posted below:
The summer for College Readiness (CR) certainly has exciting things planned for these middle school and high school students. On Wednesday (7/14) Dan and Tony, CR staff, took our middle school students to tour Westinghouse High School, a new multi-million dollar public high school facility here on the West Side.
Staff also walked with the high school students to the Austin Library to encourage them to get library cards. This is something so simple, yet I underestimate its value. With this card I have access to “The world at the turn of a page” or so the library poster tells me.
With these library cards, students will be able to read any books that strike their interest, not just the assigned school reading. To promote reading over the summer, the program has set up an incentive plan: for each book they read and successfully share the main points, the students can receive 25 Scholar Dollars and use this money to buy REAL items in the CR store. Before you know it, parents will be tired of driving back and forth to the library. (Maybe not, but it’s nice to dream)
Also this week, was a trip to the National Museum of Mexican Art in Pilsen. These students enjoy the field trips because of the freedom to explore everything the museum has to offer. Museum trips are a way of letting the students explore and learn about different topics, becoming more well-rounded, renaissance scholars. Visually experiencing history is also another element that allows the museum to be an engaging trip.
Exploring the National Museum of Mexican Art, scanning rows of books trying to find a mystery thriller, or walking the hallways of a student's potential future high school are fun ways to engage these students in educational learning. Throughout the summer College Readiness has more events planned to engage the minds and interest of the students.
Some photos from a couple of this week's trips are posted below:
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