Happy Novemeber!

Our homework help room exploding with students.

It is hard to believe that November is already upon us.  You know what they say, time flies when you're changing lives.  Last week was a busy one for us and it ended on a great note!  We started homework help, and while the beginning of the week did not look too promising by Thursday we actually had a sign-in sheet, which led to Jade doing "the sign-in sheet dance" at the end of the day (it was an utterly fantastic show, let me tell you). We also began our behavior coaching sessions during lunch.  For the most part I believe that the lunches went pretty well, however not everyone had 100% success due to some stubborn students, but we are on the right path! 

Friday was our first TEAM DAY at City Year and we had boatloads of fun!  We started the morning out with a fancy schmancy brunch at Orange followed by Chicagoween in Daley Plaza.  It was a nice change of pace to be at the plaza without doing chain breakers or jumping jacks... but we are always ready to do those things of course if needed and with excellence. 

Team in Daley Plaza in front of orange colored fountain. (Jasmyne is with us in spirit)

Chicagoween got us all in the mood for a spooktacular weekend, but our day was far from over.  There was still work to be done and lives to change.  We traveled to the West Side via the blue line so we could school our 9th graders on the importance of attendance.  We gave them a dose of what we like to call The Attendance Reality.  We also got the opportunity to formally introduce ourselves to the entire school, so now when they see me making a fool of myself at morning greeting they can call me out by name!  Our attendance rally went better than expected, but as I glance out the window (30 minutes into first period) there is still groups of students strolling in to school so our work is far from over!  I have to say the only thing that could have made Friday better was some cake.  Good thing it was Phil's Birthday on Saturday and therefore a reason to eat cake on Friday!!!!!
Happy Birthday Phil! I hope your day was Sasstastic!

Miss Serrano and the birthday boy looking extra fine. 

 Well it's time to go... I think my boots are on fire.  Hope everyone has a great Monday!