School Outreach Specialist

 Activities 

 2009-2010

WHAT IS THE ROLE OF THE SCHOOL OUTREACH SPECIALIST HERE AT TE?  Youth and Family Services provides support to staff, students and parents by creating and implementing prevention programs.  The School Outreach Specialist brings this focus to the middle school population.  Below are  some of the programs:

CHOICE PROGRAM:  The School Outreach Specialist has been assigned these Hartford based students to visit with once per week and to evaluate how they are doing academically and socially here at TE.  In partnership with the guidance department, she helps these students utilize all the supports TE has to offer.  We have five new sixth grade students this year, making our total number of Choice students here at TE 15.  The lunch meetings are every Wednesday and will run all year long.

MENTOR PROGRAM:  This program matches adults from the community with TE students.  They meet weekly and attend four major events each year. Our first event will be a Mentor Celebration on January 21st after school.  Our second event is a family breakfast on April 14th, and the third event will be held on June 3rd at Never's Road Pavilion.  This end-of-the-year picnic will celebrate our fantastic year together!  We continue to look for adult mentors for this program.  If you are interested, please let the School Outreach Specialist know!

CARE FUND:  Youth and Family has established a fund to support  students in our district. On a case by case basis  our committee evaluates the needs and dispences funding.  Needs may include monies for school related activities, field trips, school events, yearbooks and school supplies. 

SOUTH WINDSOR ALLIANCE FOR FAMILIES:  This new group was formed by combinding the Drug and Alochol Abuse Prevention Commission and the Youth Advisory Board.  This year we are planning for the Broken Dreams program and presenting a parent workshop. We continue to create new prevention programs for our youth and their parents.

DONATE A TURKEY:   Gift cards will be collected from area grocery stores to buy turkeys for Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner for families who couldn't afford this meal on their own. 

CONNECTING STUDENTS TO SENIOR CITIZENS:  The TE Chamber Orchestra and the TE Singers performed a Holiday Concert during the Senior's Luncheon in December. The students, seniors, and staff all enjoyed the afternoon, and plans are in motion to bring more music from the schools into the senior center!    

THE HARTFORD HOUSE:   The Hartford House provides a home for women who have just left prison.  We will be gathering toiletries and making cards for the residents. 

PETER'S RETREAT:  This house is a haven for people with AIDS.  We are, again this year, collecting toiletries to donate to this program.

CARE COMMITTEE:  The focus has been on service learning this year.  There are many resources available for teams to begin a project. 

ROPES COURSE:  The 6th grade teams participated in this challenging team-buiding experience during the first months of school. While spotting one another during physical activities, students learned the importance of communication, teamwork, and trust when meeting any challenge in life.

ANTI-SMOKING WEEK:  Held the second week in May, this program educates all sixth grade students on the dangers of smoking.  A movie, a presentation, a "non-smoking" logo contest and a performance was held to spread the anti-smoking message to students.

BROKEN DREAMS:  This two day, drinking and driving prevention program  was held on May 1st and 2nd, of 2008.  It  involved over 60 South Windsor High School students and was presented to the Junior and Senior classes. Our next program will be in the spring of 2010.