Page 29 - mgrmessage09-10-1116

Grant Programs

• THINK Together at Victoriano Elementary School has a great start for the school year! It began with
several activities in which students and staff were able to know one another and build long lasting
relationships. Students discussed and performed different skits on how to be safe and various things
to do when placed in unsafe situations. All students participated in the activity and had lots of FUN!
The students also played several rounds of “Mingle, Mingle” where they were able to dance around
the classroom to music. Once the music stopped they introduced themselves to a new student or their
Program Leader until they all had a chance to meet their peers.
• Ramona Elementary and Moreno Elementary started the year strong by promoting student leadership.
Students at both elementary schools have assumed leadership roles by leading the opening activities
and reviewing agreements. Site Coordinators have done a great job in working with each student
leader and encouraging team work through collaboration. Both programs will be holding their student
elections by the end of the month to select their final student council members.
• Each year, THINK Together at Towngate Elementary joins forces with the County of Riverside to provide
nutrition workshops for students. With these workshops students are exposed to nutrition education
that can help students develop healthful attitudes about food, physical activity, and overall health. In
this specific workshop students learned about healthy drinks and the importance of exercise.
• THINK Together had the opportunity to participate in the MVUSD 2016 Unity Conference which helped
unite all MVUSD families. This conference covered topics which included applying to the University of
California, dual immersion programs, the DREAM Act, emotional intensity in gifted students, nutrition,
and high school sports. THINK Together showed how the Extended Learning Programs are a valuable
resource for parents and students who need additional support after school.
A Child’s Place

During the month of September, “A Child’s Place” staff was working hard on re-decorating all classrooms. Staff
provided supplies needed to improve program quality, such as new toys and items for the manipulative centers.
A new bulletin board now displays the children’s work beautifully. Armada students have
been focusing on fine motor skills and worked in teams to make creative art using popsicle
sticks. Creekside students focused on fall art, using paint and black construction paper to
make beautiful leaves. Sunnymead students designed delicious edible snacks. The
Rainbow Ridge center worked on organizing their classroom and enjoyed outside
activities. A Child’s Place students enjoyed pumpkin-filled and spooky activites for fall this
month, including mystery boxes full of creepy creatures.

THINK Together

• Manuel L. Real Explorers are getting the opportunity to experience what it is like to be part of a camp
in the comfort of their own school through the theme “Camp Explorers.” As students finish up their
school day, they get to put on their camp gear and turn into little camp scouts and enjoy a camp-style
program with their Program Rangers. The first Friday, the scouts used their creativity and arts and
crafts skills to personalize their gear.
• March Middle School hosted Badger Springs Middle School for the first scrimmage flag football game
of the year. These games give students an opportunity to develop practice skills and build a sense of
community within their school sites. Students are taught about healthy foods and lifestyle choices that
will help maintain their health throughout the years. Allowing the students to travel to other schools
gives them the chance to compete as well as build good sportsmanship.
• During the week of September 11th, students worked on their “chains of hope.” In this activity, the
students learned about ten events about September 11th after which they were encouraged to share
how they felt about learning the significance of that day. Each student wrote down three special
messages on a piece of paper and those messages were the links which became their “chains of hope.”
• Students at Towngate Elementary School presented an art walk for parents and students to enjoy.
Students created and shared their paintings and other works of art, which they were excited to
showcase their skills and share information about past artists.
29