THINK Together Students at Railroad Elementary Pampered "Friends" during Roadrunner Salon Event

THINK Together students at Railroad Canyon Elementary (Lake Elsinore, CA) organized their first annual Roadrunner Salon to show their appreciation to "Friends" (staff, administrators, parents, friends and family members) who supported their after-school program during the 2009-10 school year.

Students "pampered" their guests with manicures, pedicures, scalp massage, hair-styling and a first-rate tattoo parlor. In addition, each of these THINK Together "Friends" was treated to some swag (parting gifts) including friendship bracelets and "Fruit Loop" cereal necklaces. Everyone had a great time.

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View additional THINK Together photo sets on Flickr.

Thank you to Linda Bednar, THINK Together Site Coordinator at Railroad Canyon Elementary School (Lake Elsinore, CA), for sharing these details and photos.

Crazy Chemistry Day @ Baker Elementary's THINK Together Program

"Mad Scientist," Dr. Hanzsel Jaminson recently made an appearance at the THINK Together after-school program on the campus at Baker Elementary (El Monte, CA) to help supervise "Crazy Chemistry" experiments. It was a day of fun and excitement for the kids at Baker Elementary.

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After a week of annual state testing the kids wanted a chance to have fun and go crazy. With the help of a Dr. Jaminson, THINK Together's four Program Leaders (PLs) each conducted a different chemistry experiment with the students. Among the experiments, students made "Orange Fizzy Drink by" combining the acid from a freshly squeezed orange with baking soda and club soda. After adding a little sugar the kids got to taste their "chemical reaction".

Students also got to:

• See "Climbing Colors" as water separated ink on paper,
• Make "Slime" by combining glue with borax powder and water, and
• Observe "Diving Raisins" by dropping them into a mixture of vinegar and baking soda.

The kids really enjoyed all the experiments and can't wait for another "Crazy Chemistry" day with new experiments.

"I liked it because it was fun making slime. Climbing Colors was fun because when we wrote on the paper and put it in the water we got to see all the colors, like a rainbow. I want to do another one!"

Janel Sanchez (4th grade)

View additional THINK Together photo sets on Flickr.

Details for this post forwarded by Amber Guerra, THINK Together's Site Coordinator at Baker Elementary, and Erica Cardosa, Regional Operations Assistant (ROA) for THINK Together's LA Region. Thank you ladies!

THINK Together Hosts Everyday Literacy for Families (ELF) Event in Santa Ana

With financial support from the Orange County Children & Families Commission, THINK Together launched early literacy pilot programs at five Santa Ana neighborhood schools during the 2009-10 school year. Among activities are Everyday Literacy for Families (ELF) events. Below find a slideshow of a recent ELF event held at Pio Pico Elementary School.

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View additional THINK Together photo sets on Flickr.

Thank you to Bryce Ashland, Operations Analyst for THINK Together's OC Region, for providing and uploading these photos to Flickr.

THINK Together Student's Anti-Bullying Art on Display in Times Square, NYC

As part of local anti-bullying awareness campaigns, students in THINK Together after-school programs created and hung posters at their respective schools. "Let's Be Bully Free," artwork created by Lola Villareal, a 1st grade student at Valley View Elementary School (Duarte, CA) ended up on display in New York City's Times Square. Thanks to Site Coordinators Diana Phetxoumphou (Jersey Ave. Elementary; Little Lake) and Jami Mendoza (Valley View) for sharing your students' art with us.

Volunteers Make a Difference at This THINK Together After-School Program

Testimonial

Submitted by Gabriel Arellano, THINK Together Site Coordinator at Graves Middle School (South Whittier)

Most of the current volunteers at Graves Middle School have been supporting our THINK Together program since the beginning of the 2009-10 school year. All of the volunteers at this site perform various tasks depending on what is needed most.

Among our loyal volunteers, we have what I like to call, “The Four Amigos” -- Marc, Alex, Simon and Nathan -- who come faithfully three times a week and whose talents have been an asset to this school. For example, Simon is very computer savvy and has helped with various PowerPoint presentations that were needed for different events.

Abigail, another volunteer who comes three times a week, really flourishes when working with a few students at a time on their homework. She has a few girls she closely works with to ensure their academic success.

Other volunteers help prepare and run club activities such as Fun Friday events, and they all provide support for the Program Leaders (PLs), keeping the students on track and focused.

In THINK Together’s Los Angeles Region, Graves Middle School is among the top sites logging volunteer hours during 2009-10; and in March, volunteers at Graves logged 372+ hours, more than any other site in the Region.

The THINK Together after-school program at Graves would not be what it is without our volunteers. I know I can always rely on our volunteers to complete any task that comes to their attention. All of them have a willing attitude and do everything with a smile. I can tell they truly enjoy volunteering and can see the difference they are making in the lives of the students here at Graves Middle School.

Really? Kids Getting Other Kids to Stay After-School

Believe It!

Vanessa Jaquez, THINK Together Site Coordinator at Walnut Elementary (Baldwin Park, CA), posted this video to YouTube. The THINK Together after-school program at Walnut Elementary hosted a "Bring a Friend" event, the first Friday in May, that featured the program's Tae Kwon Do partnership. It looks like all the students were having a lot of fun and getting some good exercise too! Thanks for sharing the video with us Vanessa. Congrats on a very successful event.

click arrow below to play video here

Visit THINK Together's Channel on YouTube. You'll find this video and others among THINK Together's favorites.

Santa Ana's 2010 "Education 1st Festival," Volunteers Needed

Santa Ana's 2010 "Education 1st Festival" will be held at Villa Fundamental School on Saturday, May 22nd, from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm. More than 90 organizations will unite to bring services and entertainment to students and families in Santa Ana.

THINK Together will be supporting the Santa Ana Unified School District by staffing an information booth at the event.

Volunteers are needed. If you're interested contact Malia Mikaelian, Manager of Volunteers for THINK Together's Orange County region, at 714.543.3807 ext. 8108 or mmikaelian@thinktogether.org.

Other Event Details:

Sports celebrity appearances by Strikeforce Lightweight Champion Gilbert Melendez along with Anaheim Angels player Jay Johnstone and Chivas USA.

Visual arts performances will highlight Latin Grammy performers from the Pacifico Dance Company. The live band stage, hosted by The Beat 92.3, will feature The Latin Blues Project, Mahootie, Wonder Wheel, Los Del Centro, The Alter Billies, and The Faculty. Other special exhibits will be include Exotic Bird Shows from Rainforest Disney and Reptiles Expo from Prehistoric Pets.

Food vendors will include El Torito, Acapulco, El Pollo Norteno, and Super Antojitos. Attendees may also enter a drawing to win prizes such as a bike or an autographed photo of Oscar De La Hoya!

Click the flyer graphic (above right) for a printable copy.

Waiting for "Superman" Movie Trailer Recently Released

Did you know: 32% of California's children won't graduate from high school in four years?

That's according to the website for Waiting for "Superman," the award winning documentary scheduled for commercial release this fall that takes a hard look at the U.S. education crisis.

From WaitingForSuperman.com: In this documentary, Oscar®—winning filmmaker Davis Guggenheim (Al Gore's "An Inconvenient Truth") reminds us that education statistics have names: Anthony, Francisco, Bianca, Daisy, and Emily, whose stories make up the engrossing foundation of Waiting for "Superman." As he follows a handful of promising kids through a system that inhibits, rather than encourages, academic growth, Guggenheim undertakes an exhaustive review of public education, surveying drop—out factories and academic sinkholes, methodically dissecting the system and its seemingly intractable problems. However, embracing the belief that good teachers make good schools, Guggenheim offers hope by exploring innovative approaches taken by education reformers and charter schools that have—in reshaping the culture—refused to leave their students behind.

Take the Pledge to see Waiting for "Superman."

See interview with Waiting for "Superman" director Davis Guggenheim.

Waiting for "Superman" on Facebook and on Twitter.

Lucy Uribe Receives Star THINKer Peer Recognition Award

SPOTLIGHT
Recognition

Lucy Uribe, THINK Together Accounts Payable Supervisor, was awarded the Home Office Star THINKer Peer Recognition Award for April 2010. The following are just several of the nominations submitted by Lucy's peers:

“I would like to nominate Lucy because she is always happy to help, even when help is going to be a pain. Her attention to detail and organizational skills are really appreciated. I can’t figure out why she hasn’t won yet!”

“The norm for Lucy is to go above and beyond her daily work duties to help everyone who needs it. She is able to do that on top of doing her own job with great care, attention to detail, and an abundant amount of patience in dealing with both internal staff and external vendors. She should be commended and recognized for her work ethic and customer service.”

Congratulations, Lucy!

Cinco de Mayo Carnival a Success at Machado Elementary

Stacy Olney, THINK Together Site Coordinator at Machado Elementary (Lake Elsinore) reports that her site celebrated Cinco de Mayo 2010 by organizing and hosting a carnival on campus which had added ongoing benefits for her site's program.

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Mrs. Luz Reyes (Machado PTA), Lead Program Leader (PL) Ashley Lamboy and her family, along with several other volunteers, staff and parents supported the planning, preparation and staffing of the carnival.

Mr. Pettit, Lamboy’s father, constructed carnival booths just for the event including Balloon Darts, Mallet Launch and a Bean Bag Toss. Among other booths and activities were a Crazy Hair Salon, Q-Tip Blow Darts, Face Painting, Donut Jump, Tug of War, Water Balloon Toss and a Soccer Game

More than 130 kids attended the event which created a positive “buzz” on campus about THINK Together. As a result, Olney reports subsequent increases in both the number of students registered to attend the after-school program going forward as well as in the average daily attendance (ADA = 109 students) at the Machado Elementary program.

“We definitely plan to organize and host this special event again,” exclaims Olney.

See other THINK Together photo sets on Flickr.

THINK Together Hears Call-To-Action, Nearly 20,000 Sign Anti-Bullying Pledges

UPDATE: Students and staff have collected nearly 20,000 signatures on anti-bullying pledges.



In light of national bullying incidents, thought leaders like Ellen DeGeneres, Tyra Banks, CNN's Anderson Cooper and Dr. Phil McGraw are using their celebrity to urge students, parents and teachers to open dialogue on bullying/respect and sign anti-bullying pledges.

THINK Together students and Site Coordinators in the organization's Los Angeles, Foothill and Inland Empire regions heard the call-to-action and in late April began working with students, parents and local staff/teachers on anti-bullying initiatives and signature gathering. Pledges will be forwarded to Anderson Cooper 360° and the Dr. Phil Show.

Students at Valley View Elementary in Duarte also made anti-bulling posters to display at their school site. The photo above was forwarded by Site Coordinator & QAC Jami Mendoza.

Student Pledge
Parent Pledge
Teacher/Staff Pledge

PR Newswire: After-School Nearly 20,000 Take A Stand Against Bullying

UPDATES:
as of 5.01.10, THINK Together has tallied 19,653 total signatures
as of 4.26.10, THINK Together has tallied 19,509 total signatures
as of 4.23.10, THINK Together has tallied 18,251 total signatures
as of 4.22.10, THINK Together has tallied 11,807 total signatures
as of 4.21.10, THINK Together had tallied 6,165 total signatures
originally posted 4.19.10

CSUF Recognizes THINK Together with 2010 "Most Committed Partner" Award

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At its fifth annual Community Engagement Awards ceremony held May 4, 2010, the Center for Internships and Community Engagement(CICE) at California State University, Fullerton (CSUF), recognized THINK Together as its 2010 "Most Committed Partner." THINK Together is one of California's largest and leading providers of academically focused after-school programs serving 50,000 prek-12th grade students at public school sites across Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside & San Bernardino Counties.

THINK Together received one of six annual awards recognizing Cal State Fullerton's community partners, faculty, and students whose leadership and service strengthen the University's community engagement activities including service-learning, academic internships, AmeriCorps projects, and other types of course-related community service.

The "Most Committed Partner" award goes annually to an organization that has contributed time, effort and/or resources to participate in CICE's programs and fulfill its responsibilities as a host site.

CICE's partners include the many nonprofits, government agencies, businesses and community organizations where CSUF students performed more than 1.3 million hours of service during the 2008-09 year. That achievement got Cal State Fullerton named to the U.S. President's Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll with distinction for the third consecutive year.

The video above premiered at the awards ceremony as part of the CSUF tribute to THINK Together.

Visit the THINK Together Channel on YouTube.

Lake Elsinore Storm comes to Boulder Ridge Middle School

Tricia McLain, THINK Together Site Coordinator at Boulder Ridge Middle School (Romoland) reports:

On Wednesday, May 5, 2010, Lake Elsinore Storm baseball players Cole Figueroa and Rob Musgrave came out to engage with students in the THINK Together after-school program at Boulder Ridge. The players spoke with the Boulder Ridge students about physical fitness, nutrition, and getting a college education. They also had a Q&A session with the students and gave out stickers, programs and schedules with autographs. A good time was had by all!

The Lake Elsinore Storm is a farm team for MLB’s San Diego Padres.

Special thanks to Assistant Site Coordinator Doug Fulkerson for making the connection with the Storm, which will be teaming up in the months ahead with all of the sites in the southern part of THINK Together’s Inland Empire Region.

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View other THINK Together photo sets on Flickr

"Survivor Olympics" at Wildomar Elementary Designed to Beat the Stress

Donna Gonzales, THINK Together Site Coordinator at Wildomar Elementary (Lake Elsinore), let us know that her students and staff recently took part in “THINK Together Survivor Olympics,” a week's activity designed to beat the stress of annual standards testing.

The students wrote a "Survivor Pledge" which they recited at the beginning of each day’s activities, created team banners, conducted "Opening Ceremonies," and learned the value of teamwork through a series of games, relay races and obstacle courses along the way.

The THINK Together Survivor Olympics Pledge:

"I promise to always do my best during the THINK Together Survivor Olympics. I will always be a team player-win or lose and above all I promise to have fun!”

Miss Gonzales says, "All of the fun helped the students release some stress while enjoying the thrill of competition and learning good sportsmanship."

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Look Who Visited the After-School Program at Railroad Canyon Elementary

Linda Bednar, THINK Together Site Coordinator at Railroad Canyon Elementary School in Lake Elsinore, CA, shared photos of some of the activities and events her students have participated in during 2009-10 including: a visit from Valentine's Traveling Nature Class; a Fish Dissection; visit by members of the Pechanga Band of Mission Indians; readings by Ms. Rhonda from the Lake Elsinore Library; and a student talent show.

Congrats to Linda and her students! It looks like you've all been having fun and learning a lot too!

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View other THINK Together photo sets on Flickr

Davis Hired as Interim Site Coordinator at Azusa High School

SPOTLIGHT
New Hire

Aziza Davis has been hired by THINK Together's Foothill Region as the Interim Site Coordinator for the after-school programs at Azusa High School. Aziza holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration (majoring in Marketing, Management) from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona (Cal Poly Pomona). Aziza is a resident of Rancho Cucamonga, and served recently as a Teen Program Specialist for the City of Rancho Cucamonga. While there she earned the following recognitions: Standard of Excellence - Teen Programming (2009), Employee of the Month (2008), and Most Innovative and Creative High School Programming (Southern California Teen Coalition 2008).

HR Coordinator Hired in Inland Empire

SPOTLIGHT
New Hires

Patrick Lopez has been hired as Inland Empire Region Human Resources Coordinator (HRC). Patrick has three years of experience in Human Resources. He worked for Vista Healthcare as the Human Resources/Education Assistant, and has more than eight years of experience in Customer Service. He is currently enrolled at DeVry University, and will be graduating with a Bachelor degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in Human Resources.

Five Easy Steps to Leaving Comments on this Blog

Several visitors to this blog have recently asked, "How do we leave comments?"

And since we would like to see greater participation on the blog, we’ve drafted these general 5-step instructions which hopefully demystify the process enabling more people to participate. It’s actually quite simple, particularly after you’ve done it once or twice.

Getting Started

First, scan the blog and locate the specific blog post (story) you want to comment about. Scroll Down to the bottom of that specific post (not the bottom of the blog) to locate and click the respective “comments” hyperlink.

A small pop-up window will appear on your screen which is used as the comments editor.

1. In that small pop-up window, Leave your comment by typing it into the box at the top of the window.


2. Then, scroll down the pop-up window and find the Word Verification box. Just above that box you’ll see a graphically distorted word(s). Type the letters of that distorted word(s) into the Word Verification box.


3. Next, you'll Choose an Identity. Most people should click the button next to the Name/URL option. IF you choose that option, two boxes will open: Name & URL. Type your name in that box. Leave the URL box blank (it’s optional) or type the URL of your own Facebook, LinkedIn or Twitter microblog in that box. You also have options to use an existing Google Account or OpenID account to establish your ID. We prefer you do not use the Anonymous option.


4. Now, scroll to the bottom of the pop-up window and you’ll see buttons to “Publish Your Comment” or “Preview” your comment. Selecting “Preview” will give show you exactly how your comment/name will appear when it is published to the blog and allow you to make changes/edits before publishing your comment. When you’re satisfied with the way your comment reads/appears, be sure to scroll back to the bottom of the pop-up window and click “Publish Your Comment.”


5. Finally, after you “Publish Your Comment,” remember to scroll to the top of the pop-up and click “Close this window.”

You’re done! Let us know if these instructions are helpful. Once you've figured out how to leave comments on THINK Together's blog, you should be able to leave comments on any blog hosted by Google/Blogger.

And in advance, thanks for participating!