Thursday, November 20, 2014

Success as a VISTA



A very important aspect of Student Academic success is the school atmosphere. Is the school welcoming and viewed as a safe space? Do students want to come to school? These are questions that I pondered when I arrived at Cesar Chavez Learning Academies.

In honor of Suicide Prevention Week (September 15th - 19th) the other VISTA members and I decided to launch a school-wide awareness event. We talked with teachers, students, and advertised through announcements and posters. During lunch we set up a resource table for students to receive information on suicide prevention. Students that visited the table also had the opportunity to enter a drawing for a chance to win a Target gift card. We also allowed students to write suggestions for programs / issues at CCLA. We played empowering ‘hip’ music and gave away candy.
 
This event was a great way for us to introduce ourselves to CCLA students and to get a good idea of the wants and needs they have. As a result of this event a teacher asked us to collaborate with her to create a lesson plan on Suicide Prevention. This lesson plan was to a success and yet another teacher reached out to us to join their class to speak about the importance of school involvement and resources we provide for the students.
 

I love how one event has really opened the door for us to get to know teachers and students. I look forward to more fun lunch events to interact with students and staff.

-Brittany Patterson, Youth Policy Institute



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