Need Help Getting a Diploma?

[earn a diploma and a job]

It's hard to got a diploma or a job when you have a checkered background. The NY Center offers some alternatives that may provide all of you some choices. Maybe one of them is just the program for you.

Dear Nancy and Sid,

No one wants to hire me without a high school diploma or GED and I haven’t got one. I’m almost 20 and can’t read. Well, I may be able to read some, but I haven’t got a diploma or a job. I don’t know what to do with my life. Help. – Joe

Dear Nancy and Sid,

I haven’t kept the job or two I was able to get. They were boring and paid nothing. Someday I’d like to go to college or join the military. -- Annie

Dear Nancy and Sid,

I’m still pretty young and no one wants to give me a chance at something. How can I try out a job, get a good recommendation and maybe even get paid while I do it? – Jamal

Dear Nancy and Sid,

I dropped out of school (am thinking about dropping out). It’s tough to finish when I’ve got a ton of problems­ -- Sometimes with my family, no place to live, no money, druggy friends, stuff like that.  Is there any place I can get some help? -- Mary

Dear Joe, Annie, Mary and Jamal,

You’ll feel much more confident and people will be more inclined to give you a chance if…

• ·         You learn to read and master the other things you need to get a diploma
• ·         Work with a case manager to handle the problems that are screwing you up
• ·         Learn about how to prepare for a job
• ·         Do an internship or two

Here are some places where NYCID can help: 

•  ACE in St. George has a variety of programs for young adults from 16-24 without a diploma or job. Learn more here.
• YABC in Tottenville can help students, 17 1/2 -2,1 who have at least 17 credits earn a diploma from their home school. It’s an evening program. Check it out and talk with us or your school guidance counselor.
•  Olympus Academy in Canarsie is a transfer school for 16-21 year old under-credited students who need a small, supportive environment. This school may be just what you need.

Your future is in your hands, but these NYCID programs are here to help.

Let us know how you make out,

Nancy and Sid 

ACE Program Participants 'Suit Up and Succeed'

'Suit Up and Succeed' aids unemployed on Staten Island

Published: Thursday, August 16, 2012, 11:08 AM
By Timothy Harrison/Staten Island Advance 

Staten Island Advance/Timothy HarrisonAngela D'Aiuto, executive director of the West Brighton Community Local Development Corporation, welcomes borough business owners and seven unemployed young adults to a Stapleton church for "Suit Up and Succeed."

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- “I don’t believe clothes make the man; I believe the man makes himself. But the clothes give the man the image, so I just like to look presentable to make sure my first impression is the best impression.”

That’s according to Christopher Sesay of Clifton, a 24-year-old aspiring entrepreneur, who was a beneficiary of Wednesday’s “Suit Up and Succeed.” Seven unemployed young adults received gently used or new business attire in the charitable program at a Stapleton church.

The concept was brought to Staten Island by Angela D’Aiuto, executive director of the West Brighton Community Local Development Corporation (LDC), who noted “high unemployment among young people, as well as adults,” in the borough.

Ms. D’Aiuto partnered with local businesses, including Victory State Bank, which held a two-month-long suit drive, and business owners, who donated other clothes, as well as the New York Center for Interpersonal Development’s Achievement in Career Education (ACE) program.

The ACE program provides business training and experience to 30 young adults, aged 16 to 24, in three annual 14-week cycles. The seven young adults who attended Wednesday were all enrolled in ACE.

Amy Lavelle, ACE’s business liaison, explained the program, which couples three weeks of skill-building workshops with an 11-week internship or entry-level job.

“After the 14 weeks are over, as long as [participants] complete the required amount of hours, then they get help from us to find either full-time employment, part-time employment, enroll in school or enlist in the military,” Ms. Lavelle added. 

ASPIRING ENTREPRENEUR 

Sesay, the aspiring entrepreneur, recently finished ACE’s skill-building workshops as part of the 14-week program and will start a paid internship Monday with Ms. D’Aiuto at the West Brighton LDC.

“I see myself giving back to the community. I want to help people in the community and help kids,” Sesay, who has been unemployed for two months, commented.

A graduate of Concord High School, Sesay enrolled in college for a semester but was forced to drop out, a result of financial constraints.

Sesay said he hopes one day to own his own business and his own property, but, he said, “I still need training and I still need guidance, and I hope to find that within the program.”

Sesay and his six classmates, four men and three women in total, had plenty to learn from the three business owners who volunteered as “personal shoppers” Wednesday afternoon.

One, Claire Guadagno, the owner of Handpicked Creations, a vintage resale shop in New Dorp, provided West Brighton LDC with its first major donation of business clothes.

“I’m very into helping women, empowering women,” Ms. Guadagno said. “I’m a single mother, who four years ago was waitressing, and now I’m ready to buy my second business.”

She added, “You have to believe in yourself, and you have to get around positive people.”

Ms. Guadagno was responsible for enlisting the support of Tottenville resident Carmela Schiano, a life coach who owns Live Free Coaching. The two of them will work together to open Total Drama, a new performing arts studio in New Dorp, later this year.

“I work especially with young girls without moms,” Ms. Schiano said.

A third local business owner, Irena Popilevsky of New Dorp, who owns Real Estate SINY, agreed to bring coffee and doughnuts after she was told of the event Wednesday.

All three women gave fashion tips and style advice to the underprivileged young adults. 

NEW SUIT 

Helena Simmons of New Brighton left the United Church of Praise on Sands Street with a new khaki suit that she said she would use at her internship with Neighborhood Housing Services of Staten Island, where she was recently hired.

“I’m actually really excited about the whole thing,” she said. “I’m trying to build up my independence and be an entrepreneur, so I’m trying to open up my own business.”

Ms. Simmons said she would use skills acquired in the ACE program and attempt to learn new skills in advertising and marketing when she starts Monday.

“Depending on how well I do in my internship, there’s a possibility for me to be hired permanently.”

The giveaway was hosted at the United Church of Praise International Ministries Church, where Senior Pastor Thomas Oliver Cletus, another appropriate model for the seven young adults, played host.

Cletus reported this was the first time his church had partnered with the West Brighton LDC to donate clothing, but said, “Our church has clothing that we normally give out to people of low income.

“As I go around the community I find out that people are no longer having a job,” he said. “They try to look for another job. Sometimes they don’t have money to buy nice clothes or shoes or a tie to go for an interview.”

The pastor, a native of Liberia, came to the United States in 2001 by way of Nigeria.

“When I got here to America, after six months, I was able to own a car, which is something I never dreamed in my life that was going to be possible,” he said.

© 2012 SILive.com. All rights reserved.

At the United Church of International Praise, Stapleton,
are from left, Deacon Sando S. Roberts, assisting Aaron Taylor,
a participant in NYCID's Achievement in Career & Education
(ACE) program. Taylor was at the church participating
in "Suit Up and Succeed," an initiative sponsored by
the West Brighton Community LDC (WBCLDC), Victory State Bank
and United Church of International Praise Ministries.
It aims to provide proper business attire, support and resources
to Staten Island's unemployed and young adults.
Roberts was pleased to show Taylor the correct way to knot a tie.

ACE Program's Young Adult Internship Program Graduates Honored

NY1 VIDEO: Several young adults are ready to take on new careers after graduating from the Achievement in Career and Education Program.

This year's YABC students are 'Stoked to Serve' their community

Twenty-two students from New York Center for Interpersonal Development's Young Adult Borough Center (YABC) participated in Stoked to Serve: Summer 2011 this past September.  Stoked to Serve - coordinated by Stoked and sponsored by the Quiksilver Foundation - strives to connect youth to their communities through service projects that beautify the urban environment, such as cleaning parks and beaches or improving community gardens.  This summer, they mobilized youth from all five boroughs of New York City to engage in community service projects, helping to clean up and rehabilitate parks and waterfronts.

This past September, YABC students helped clean up
Wolfe's Pond Park after Hurricane Irene hit NYC.

Originally, our students were scheduled to perform some basic clean up and light painting in Wolfe's Pond Park.  However, because they participated in the venture just after Hurricane Irene hit Staten Island, the project became a rigorous, heavy-lifting cleanup effort on a hot summer day at the beach.

All of the students who volunteered for the event were brand new to our program, and it was the first time our staff had the opportunity to engage them. The resulting turnout and the desire to help was astounding. Further, it provided us with an advocacy opportunity that we have never had before. Being out in the open, with our blood flowing and brows damp, allowed everyone to lay down their guards and get to know one another.

Check out the slideshow below for some additional photos of the clean up:

 

NYS Deputy Director of Civil Rights hosts live web chat Feb. 24 at 11 a.m., on new program for businesses and at-risk youth

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo signed the NY Youth Works Program into law on December 9, 2011, to encourage businesses to hire unemployed, disadvantaged youth.  New York State Deputy Secretary for Civil Rights Alphonso David will be hosting a live web chat this Friday, February 24, at 11 a.m. to introduce the program and answer everyone's (businesses, youth, parents, agencies, etc.) questions.

More about NY Youth Works
NY Youth Works is a statewide program to combat the unacceptably high unemployment rates among inner city youth in communities across New York. The new program includes $25 million in tax credits for businesses that hire unemployed and disadvantaged youth and $62 million to support job training programs.  (Click here to learn more about the NY Youth Works program.)

For Youth (Ages 16-24) – This program can help you get a job! Plus, you may earn up to $900 to cover your expenses if you get training from an authorized NY Youth Works provider. Click here for more details.

For Businesses – Your business can earn tax credits of up to $4,000 for eligible youth starting work between January 1, 2012 and July 1, 2012. Your business must be certified to participate in the program. The process is easy; click here for details.

Do you have questions about the program, and how it applies to you, your friends or your family? Click here to submit a question (and share on your facebook wall)!  You can visit this site on Friday at 11 a.m. to participate in the live chat.  A transcript of the chat will be posted online here after the chat.

New initiative at Port Richmond H.S. is keeping at-risk students on track

Student Jasmine Basabe, right, accepts
a perfect attendance award from Jen Quirk,
of NYCID's Graduate, Prepare, Succeed program.
(Photo courtesy of Port Richmond H.S.)

PORT RICHMOND - Keeping young people on track in school, focused on the goal of graduating with a high-school diploma, is the aim of a new program at Port Richmond High School.

Sponsored by New York Center for Interpersonal Development (NYCID) and United Way of New York City, the program has two components: Graduate, Prepare, Succeed (GPS) supports students during the school day, while Advantage offers after-school support.

"Both these programs are focused on giving the most at-risk students the resources and attention necessary to help them stay focused on their high school goals and ultimately their future path in life," said NYCID executive director Dominick Brancato.

The GPS average student attendance rate this year is about 90 percent; last year it was about 80 percent.

To read more, check out the article in today's Staten Island Advance: New initiative at Port Richmond High School is working and keeping at-risk students from slacking | SILive.com

Juvenile Justice Webinar To Examine Bullying and Suicide Prevention

On Thursday, February 2, 2012, at 3 p.m. E.T., the Suicide Prevention Resource Center (SPRC) will host the webinar, “Bullying and Suicide Prevention.”

Many schools and communities struggle to find effective ways to prevent both bullying and suicidal behavior among youth. This webinar will provide the latest research and science on the relationship between bullying and suicide and will outline some of the shared risk and protective factors. The webinar will also discuss the main principles of a comprehensive whole school approach to bullying prevention. This presentation will be interactive, with opportunities to ask questions.
Registration is available online

Resources:
Download the flyer for additional information about the webinar at http://www.ojjdp.gov/enews/flyer/webinar_invitation_bullying_suicide_prevention.pdf

.
To register, go to www1.gotomeeting.com/register/512217688

Moving on...

In May of 2011 we said farewell to one of the Young Adult Borough Center (YABC)'s most dedicated advocates.

Joseph Skinner was a personal advocate on the YABC team since the inception of the Learning to Work Program in 2005.

Each day, Joseph brought to the table a myriad of skills and tools which helped him not just connect with students but to create long-lasting relationships.

When asked why he relentlessly made calls and home visits or climbed stairs night after night to counsel students, Joe would always say, "Someone reached out to me once and now I am giving back."

A normal occurrence at the YABC is to have young graduates returning to visit Joe to thank him for encouraging them to think about their choices enough to make the right decisions.

He is most definitely a mold that has been broken.

Joseph leaves us as he retires to enjoy his golden years.  He has begun volunteering as a counselor for young men and women coming back from Iraq and Afghanistan. 

--Michael DeVito, YABC Program Director 

Achievement in Career & Education (ACE) Program

Out of School?  Out of Work?  Out of Options?  NYCID Can Help!

NYCID's ACE Program, an out-of-school and disconnected youth program focused on vocational training and education, serves young people aged 16 - 24.  Eligible youth are those who:

• Dropped out of high school and are discharged OR graduated high school
• Are not working AND not in school
• Are motivated and ready to work!

Enrolled students are well trained and prepared for their future.  Higher education and full-time employment are goals highly sought after and reached by program graduates!  Eligible youth receive:

• Enrollment in GED Program (if necessary)
• Career Development Training
• Job Placement Assistance
• Opportunity to attain a Paid Internship
• Guidance Counseling and a Personal Advocate

ALL SERVICES AND TRAININGS ARE FREE!

Interested?  Contact Program Manager Deborah Green at (718) 947-4051 or Personal Advocate Prince Cobbina at (718) 947-4063.

Graduate, Prepare, Succeed (GPS) Program at Port Richmond H.S.

Helping Our Students Cross the Finish Line

A little more than 39% of New York City students who enter ninth grade each fall fail to graduate with their peers four years later.  Ninth grade serves as a key hurdle for many students who begin their freshman year only to find that their academic skills are insufficient for high school-level work.  This difficult transition, combined with lack of engagement, takes a terrible toll.

Last year, through a collaboration with United Way of NYC, we implemented Graduate, Prepare, Succeed (GPS) at Port Richmond H.S. - a robust and targeted dropout prevention program to ensure that young people achieve academic success.

Why join?

• The GPS Program helps students adjust to high school
• Students are rewarded for having good grades and good attendance
• Our FREE incentives [such as movie tickets, school supplies, bagel breakfasts, trips and more!] will help students stay motivated throughout their high school career

For more information, call (718) 815-8124 or visit our new blog.

Olympus Academy (located in Canarsie, Brooklyn)

A New Approach: A School Dedicated to Student Success

Olympus Academy currently has spaces available for Brooklyn students that are 16 - 21 years old and have fallen behind in credits.  We offer an accelerated credit program designed to help students earn credits at their own pace and paid internships to prepare them for life after high school.

If you know someone that's interested, please tell them to visit www.olympusacademy.org or call (718) 272-1926, ext. 1153 or 1158.

Young Adult Borough Center (YABC) at Tottenville H.S.

It's Not Too Late To Graduate!

In partnership with the NYC Department of Education, the Young Adult Borough Center (YABC), located at Tottenville High School, offers students in danger of dropping out a chance to make up their credits and earn a traditional high school diploma by providing them with a rigorous academic program, tutoring, supportive counseling services and career preparation trainings.

Students must:

• Be 17 ½ - 21 years of age
• Have at least 17 credits

The YABC also offers students an opportunity to work in professional paid internships, which in some cases can result in elective credit.

YABC students attend class Monday through Thursday from 4 - 8:30 p.m.

For more information, contact Program Director Michael DeVito at (718) 947-4065.

Congratulations to Dina Molina, Olympus Academy's new Program Director

Hi All:

I am very pleased to announce the promotion of Dina Molina to Program Director and Co-Leader of Olympus Academy. Dina has been with New York Center for Interpersonal Development (NYCID) since 2009 as an Advocate Counselor and most recently as Interim Program Director. She did this while working towards her Masters in Social Work, which she will receive this August from CUNY Hunter College.

Dina’s performance at Olympus Academy has been influential for NYCID’s excellent record of collaboration, problem solving and conflict resolution, and leadership. Dina is known for her ability to be a team player, overcome problems during challenging times and her engagement skills with students, parents and DOE administration and teachers.

The quality of dedication is very important for NYCID’s long term success. We look forward to Dina’s ability to achieve the highest standards at Olympus Academy in her new role as Director.

Congratulations, Dina!
Dominick


Dominick J. Brancato
Executive Director
New York Center for Interpersonal Development

Learning to Work Schools Offer Alternative Routes to Graduation

CHANCELLOR KLEIN ANNOUNCES MORE THAN 10,000 STUDENTS HAVE GRADUATED FROM “LEARNING TO WORK” SCHOOLS AND PROGRAMS SINCE 2005

Program Allows Students Who Have Dropped Out or Fallen Behind to Earn High School Diplomas While Participating in Paid Work Internships

Schools Chancellor Joel I. Klein announced in September that 10,629 students have graduated from schools and programs where students participated in Learning to Work, the City’s innovative career development initiative. Learning to Work was launched in September 2005 to help students who are academically behind by at least two years graduate from high school while receiving in-depth job-readiness training, including paid internships. Today, Learning to Work is offered at 25 transfer high schools, 21 Young Adult Borough Centers where evening classes are offered for students who cannot attend school during the day, and 10 GED programs. Of the 10,629 students who have graduated from a Learning to Work school or program, 9,484 received a high school diploma and 1,145 earned a GED. The success of Learning to Work will be discussed in Washington, D.C., at the America’s Promise Alliance national Grad Nation Action Forum on drop-out prevention beginning tomorrow.

“Today we mark a real milestone in celebrating more than ten thousand students who have turned their lives around with the help of Learning to Work schools and programs,” Chancellor Klein said. “When we launched Learning to Work in 2005, traditional forms of outreach and intervention were failing to bring back the many students—predominantly poor and black and Hispanic—who dropped out of City schools every year. Learning to Work makes school more relevant for students who have difficulty in traditional high schools by enhancing academics with paid internships and career counseling. I am thrilled that Learning to Work is recognized today as a national model for helping at-risk students get back on track.”

ACE, Olympus Academy, and Staten Island Young Adult Borough Center

The NY Center operates two Learning to Work programs with the NYC Department of Education. Olympus Academy in Carnarsie and SI YABC in Tottenville currently provide seats for over 200 students. In addition, the Center operate the ACE program which provides job readiness training and GED preparation for out-of-school and out-of-work young people.

Outcomes for over-age and under-credited students—those who are more than two years behind academically—are much more positive for students who participate in Learning to Work programs than for similar students who remain in traditional high schools. Historically, only 19 percent of over-age, under-credited students earned diplomas in traditional high schools. According to the 2007-08 progress reports, the vast majority of transfer schools have more than doubled this rate for over-age, under-credited students, and the highest performing transfer school with Learning to Work achieved a six-year graduation rate of 72 percent. The graduation rate for Young Adult Borough Centers with Learning to Work is 44 percent, which is also an improvement over graduation rates at Young Adult Borough Centers prior to the launch of Learning to Work.

The program is more successful than the system as a whole at re-engaging and graduating poor students, African American and Hispanic students, and male students. In 2008, 45 percent of graduates system-wide were male, compared to 51 percent of graduates from Learning to Work schools and programs. That same year, 87 percent of Learning to Work students were African-American or Hispanic, compared to 71 percent citywide, and 80 percent of students enrolled in Learning to Work schools and programs were eligible for free or reduced-price lunch, compared to 72 percent citywide.

Participants in Learning to Work have access to a broad range of paid internships in the public, private, and non-profit sectors, with placements tailored to match their interests and career goals. Students express high levels of satisfaction with the program, with more than 90 percent of students reporting that their internships would help them obtain jobs after graduation. Additionally, many students reported that the overall Learning to Work program supported key career development skills—such as identifying career goals, constructing résumés, and applying for jobs—compared with programs they previously attended.

Expansion of Learning to Work programs has been a priority of this Administration. This year, there are 11,530 seats in Learning to Work transfer schools, Young Adult Borough Centers, and GED programs, up from 4,560 seats in the 2005-06 school year, the first year of the initiative.

The Young Adult Borough Center at Tottenville High School

A partnership between the Department of Education and the New York Center for Interpersonal Development

• Earn your High School Diploma in a full -time evening setting
• Gain Valuable Work Experience
• Individual Counseling
• Academic Tutoring
• Group Workshop

What is the YABC?
The YABC is a full time high school program designed to serve students ages 17 ½ - 21 who have earned (17) credits. Students must be in their fifth year of High School to be considered. The center welcomes students who are not thriving in a traditional school setting, as well as young people who might have already "dropped out" of high school and have come to realized how important a High School Diploma is in today's world.


The Learning to Work Experience
"Learning to work" is an in-depth job readiness and career exploration component supported by the New York Center of Interpersonal Development. Our students are given the opportunity to explore potential careers by working in a paid internship. The YABC internship can also be used for elective credit. Our goal is to assist our students in zeroing in on the right career! The NYCID Job Developer and Career Counselor are on hand to offer Workshops such as "What do do on an Interview," "Resume Building," and "After You Have the Job Skills."


The Individual Counseling Element
With the help of the New York Center of Interpersonal Development, the YABC is able to provide personalized "one on one" counseling. NYCID counselors, spend time each week with students discussing "real life issues" and are on site to ensure that each student has all the tools he or she needs to succeed both personally and professionally.


The Academic Tutoring Element
The NYCID staffs a team of professional tutors who are on hand to offer FREE "one on one" tutoring for all YABC students. Additionally, SAT/ACT study periods are available.


Group Workshops
The NYCID staff conducts weekly "Real Life" workshops for the YABC students. Each workshop is geared toward ensuring that graduates of the program are aware of the important aspects of adult life. With workshops such as "Stress Management," Money Management," "Family Living," "Conflict Resolution" and many other topics, the NYCID staff is committed to educating and enhancing the perspectives of their students.


How to apply to the YABC

• You must be between the age of 17 ½ - 21
• You must be enrolled in a NYC High School
• You must have a minimum of 17 credits
• You must have completed four years of high school

Students who meet this criteria can contact their high school Guidance Counselor and request a referral to the YABC.


Young people who are currently not enrolled in high school must contact the school they were discharged from and re-register before requesting a YABC referral.


The New York Center for Interpersonal Development Staff can be reached at (718)947-4065 or (646) 678-1806.

Gregory Hutchins Moves to Tottenville High School

From Robert Busan:

It is with great sadness yet with indescribable pride that I announce the resignation of Greg Hutchins from his position with the NY Center at Curtis High School. Greg has been offered a wonderful opportunity to begin working as a substance abuse prevention counselor at Tottenville High School for the Dept. of Education. The good news for New York Center is that he will continue to work for us at Curtis in the After School program so we won’t lose him completely.

During Greg’s eight years at New York Center and specifically at Curtis High School he has proven himself to be a man of impeccable personal qualities. His position and stature as a colleague, as a professional and as a mentor to countless number of young people over the years are undoubtedly irreplaceable.

If you haven’t had the opportunity to walk down the hall of Curtis with Greg, well, let me tell you that it is inspiring. Everyone knows him, everyone greets him and everyone, everyone, respects him. His cool, calm, gentle demeanor with a smile that would disarm anyone, draws young people to him to share and seek relief from whatever pains them. It doesn’t stop there because they also come to him to see that smile, share a laugh or two and let him know they are ok. They know he cares. These qualities make him unique and damn near as priceless as a human being can get.

We have been privileged to have him at Curtis and I know that Tottenville will discover how lucky they are quick as a wink. So raise a glass with me and wish Greg the best in his journey. God Speed our friend! "

Peace Power for Youth Development

The Peace Power Program is designed to empower youth between the ages of 12 – 20 by providing them with learning and skills development opportunities in the following areas:

• anger management,
• conflict resolution,
• communication,
• decision making,
• self-esteem,
• leadership,
• job-readiness,
• service learning projects.

Peace Power takes place in a safe and supportive atmosphere for a total of ten 1-hour group sessions, individual meetings with the program facilitator and a community service project.

WAVE Career and Education Year-End Festivities

NYC MySpace Campaign for Youth

myspace.com/nycteen_mindspace

Health Department Launches MySpace Campaign to Help Young New Yorkers Cope Teenage Visitors Encouraged to Seek Help for Depression, Drugs and Dating Violence The Health Department has announced a new online campaign to engage teenagers grappling with depression, drugs, and violence, and to encourage them to seek help. NYC Teen Mindspace, posted on MySpace, is the agency’s first effort to promote health through Web-based social networking – a medium with great potential because of its popularity with young people. To see the campaign, visit www.myspace.com/nycteen_mindspace.

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."