We're Thinking About Rituals

May and June bring Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, graduations and other school transitions, anniversaries, Memorial Day, and summer vacation. It’s a time of endings and beginnings. And, that’s one of the times when celebrations and rituals are especially important.

So, we're thinking about rituals and celebrations. What are our rituals and why do we do them? Family rituals. Rituals in our organization, and rituals in our programs.

Please share some of your rituals.

Reflecting on Our Mothers

At the NY Center we use holidays as a time for reflection, especially in our youth program. Here are some of the thoughts Mother’s Day stimulated this year.

From the Young Adult Borough Center (our alternative high school):

Sasha Webb believes that this is the first time her mother has truly had faith in her. Her mom has always expected the world of her. But now, she believes in her because Sasha is focused on graduating. Sasha said “She knows I got it in me now. And she’s proud because I’ll be the first of my brothers and sisters to graduate high school.”

Joseph Donovan feels that the YABC was the best thing he could have done for his relationship with him parents – but particularly his mother. “Mom’s not constantly upset with me anymore. She’s not taking calls from my school any more either. And, that makes our day to day life much easier. Also, she believes now, more than ever, that I am going to graduate.”

Erica Reems says: “My mom knows I am focused on going to college now which is her dream for me. The pressure is off both of us because of the new direction my life has taken. We actually talk about the future instead of arguing about whether or not I am doing all that I can.”

Ashaye Taitt feels that that the YABC has opened up her relationship with her mother. “It used to be that I would hide them – but now – I show her all my Report Cards! Mom even promises to buy me a car for graduation!”

Each of these kids agreed that their relationships with their mothers are all better off now that they come to school and pass their classes. It seems that it’s a two way street for them.

From McKee After 3 (our after school program at McKee High School)

By: Torrick Allums
My Auntie, AKA my mother, helps me with school by telling me what I need to do in school and to be the best kid I can be in my life. She is the best mother that I have. She is the mother I have always wished for in my life. She will always tell me what I need to do better in my school work and homework. I will tell her thank you for all you have done for me and I love you very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very much.

By: Tyler Wright
My mom has helped me be successful in school by making sure I do my homework every night and helping me with it. Also, every night, my mom tells me to read an article out of the newspaper so I can keep up with current events.

My mom has helped me be successful in life by making sure I do good in school, don't hang around the wrong people, don't get into trouble, telling me to be home at a certain time and, most of all, to always have good manners because manners carry you a far way.

My mom is a good mom because she buys me things that I want and need. She cooks for me. She helps me do good in school and helps me out when I am in trouble.

Photo by Sir Wise Owl

New Report on NYC Teen Suicide Attempts

The NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene publish Vital Signs. This issue is about self-reported suicide attempts among NYC teens.

Mental Health of New York City Youth

In this issue:

• Self-reported suicide attempts among teens are rising in NYC
• Adolescent girls are more likely than boys to report feeling sad or suicidal
• Sadness and attempted suicide vary across racial and ethnic groups
• Teens who identify as lesbian, gay, or bisexual, or who are questioning their sexual identity have much higher rates of suicidal thoughts and behaviors
• Suicide attempts are more common among youth who report disordered eating or substance use
• Recommendations
• Additional Data

Click here for more...

NYC Vital Signs is published by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, featuring information on critical aspects of public health in New York City.

To Curb Truancy, Dallas Tries Electronic Monitoring - New York Times

Ask your students, parents, and staff: What do you think of using an electronic positioning system to combat truancy? Texas is testing it and, so far, it seems to be working.

Read the NY Times article. Talk about it. Take the poll below.

To Curb Truancy, Dallas Tries Electronic Monitoring - New York Times: "Jaime used to snooze until 2 p.m. before strolling into school. He fell so far behind that he is failing most of his classes and school officials sent him to truancy court.

Instead of juvenile detention, Jaime was selected by a judge to be enrolled in a pilot program at Bryan Adams in which chronically truant students are monitored electronically. Since Jaime started carrying the Global Positioning System unit April 1, he has had perfect attendance."

WAVE Students Visit Delaware State University

From Jamie-Anne Bacchio, Career & Education Manager
[Don't miss the slideshow below this post!]

On April 22, 2008, participating WAVE students from Curtis, Mckee, Concord, and Port Richmond High Schools had the wonderful opportunity to visit the beautiful campus of Delaware State University (DSU). Although DSU is a Historically Black University, the WAVE students noticed the campus included a richly diverse population. In fact Mrs. Farmer, coordinator of visitor services, informed us that students come from not only the neighboring states but from around the globe, noting that just recently two students from Russia joined the DSU family.

During the tour, Mrs. Farmer had DSU students introduce themselves, their major and where they are from. This left a lasting impression on my students because they learned that many of them are from the five boroughs, which reinforced the fact that DSU can be a realistic goal for them.

I especially enjoyed Mrs. Farmer’s ability to make a speech on admissions, financial aid, campus life, and academics so engaging. The students were so enthralled with her presentation that they could hardly wait to ask questions.

After the tour, I heard students saying they need to focus more in school so they can attend DSU. One student wrote a message to me on the WAVE MySpace page expressing her gratitude for the opportunity to learn about DSU, and her intention to bring up her grades next fall so she can attend DSU.

I believe that after attending a successful tour such as this one, students do think more about their education and future goals. And, that’s our goal for taking them.

Note: Work Achievement Values and Education (WAVE) is an Out-of-School (OST) program, sponsored by the NY Center, which prepares students to achieve their goals by exploring higher education and teaching job readiness and leadership skills.