November December Progress: We Need Your Help

Happy Holidays to you and your family. Highlights of our progress in November and December 2010 include the following:

The TEAMS Institute Clubs at McKenzie High School and McKenzie Middle School met once each month during homeroom as an advisory council to plan activities for the TEAMS Institute. The current officers (photo left to right) Vice President-Alex Cawthon; President-Noreli Mirna Mendez; Reporter-Ananceah Warren; Secretary/Treasurer-Herivia Strayhorn attended leadership training in Nashville, Tennessee.

The TEAMS Institute is preparing for our grand opening at our new location
We will continue our advisory meetings at the High School on December 7 at 11:00 am and at the Middle School on December 8 at 12:30 pm. Our advisors have set up volunteer groups to host our grand opening.

Continue to check your newspaper, mailbox and email for announcements of our grand opening of our TEAMS Institute center with more games, fun, homework help, college, career, vocational preparation, college tours and field trips.

WE NEED YOUR HELP. To prepare for our grand opening, volunteer opportunities will begin on December 14, 2010.

In preparation for our grand opening, please sign our support list, mail a letter to us at 135 Bells Store Road McKenzie TN 38201 or send a letter with your child to our school meetings to tell us why this TEAMS Institute afterschool program is important to your family and your child. You can also email your letter to srmwms@yahoo.com. Or record a comment at 731-415-2588.

On December 9, during the regular Board of Mayor and Council meeting of the City of McKenzie Tennesse, Ms. Williams, a member of the TEAMS Institute leadership group was unanimously approved by appointment to serve the city as a member on the McKenzie Park and Recreational Board.

We have identified and submitted proposals for funding that could potentially increase our funding to over half a million dollars.

Celebration Reaps Wishlist Gift

A trickle turned into a stream of steady support as hundreds lent their voice and talent to celebrate afterschool and the TEAMS Institute on October 28 and 29 in the Green Hills and at Cafe Coco near Vanderbilt University. Student, staff, board, business and community leaders shared college tours, round table discussions, media airtime, poetry, music and song in support of afterschool. The event enabled us to locate a van for our students. Thank you to everyone that supported our programming.

Vanderbilt University
College Connection, Oasis Center
Tennessee State University
Belmont University
US Department of HUD
The Small Business Administration
WBBJ-TV
Mount Zion Baptist Church
101.5 FM
The Nashville Rescue Mission
Kevin Sandbloom ~ Acoustic Guitarist Los Angeles, California
Etchane Jackson ~ DJ Las Vegas, Nevada
Cicely Floyd ~ Neo-Jazz Inspirational Vocalist Nashville, Tennessee
Kenneth Dozier ~MC Nashville, Tennessee
Sheila & Cheryl Williams ~ Hosts
Kenneth Williams, Conference Moderator
Evelyn Parker, Board/Community Training Round tables Coordinator
Younger Associates
Cafe Coco
Osman Jalloh
Carter Moody
John Baldwin

Lights on Afterschool Celebration 2010

Support Our Annual Fundraising Celebration

SPEAK UP: An International Community Open-Mic Benefit
Friday 29 October 2010 8:00 pm
Café Coco
210 Louise Avenue
Nashville, TN 37203

Local poetry, spoken word, comedy, story-telling, music, and vocal artists with special guest performances by:

Kevin Sandbloom ~ Acoustic Guitarist Los Angeles, California
Etchane Jackson ~ DJ Las Vegas, Nevada
Cicely Floyd ~ Neo-Jazz Inspirational Vocalist Nashville, Tennessee
Kenneth Dozier ~MC Nashville, Tennessee
Sheila & Cheryl Williams ~ Hosts

Your $20 donation benefits the children of the TEAMS Institute
For more information about SPEAK UP call 615.299.9906

You're Invited to Our 30th Annual Benefit Conference

Join children, parents, business and community leaders on October 28th and 29th to participate in Lights On Afterschool, a nationwide event to celebrate the importance of afterschool programs. Hosted by the TEAMS Institute, an afterschool program that offers technical and artistic educational and life-skill building activities for children and youth, the event will emphasize the importance of keeping the lights on and the doors open for afterschool programs across America.

Being held at various venues in Nashville, the events planned for the Lights On Afterschool rally include a tour of Colleges and financial aid on October 28, a fundraising workshop on October 29 at 10am at the Hampton Inn Green Hills, then concluding with the BENEFIT CONCERT at 8 pm at Cafe Coco.

To learn more about the TEAMS Institute, visit http://www.teamsinstitute.org

Our Year In Review

Quarter one, July - Sept 2009
awarded 21st CCLC grant
conducted community outreach and service
prepared homework help and college career prep for students

Quarter two, Oct - Dec 2009
hired J Allen
hosted "Lights On Afterschool Celebration"
provided homework help, STEM enrichment and college career prep services

Quarter Three, Jan - March 2010
hired K. Jones, R. Taber, A.Feezor, S. Johnson
provided homework help, STEM enrichment and college career prep services
formed TEAMS Student Clubs and Advisory Boards at McKenzie Middle and High School
hosted dance drum auditions
hosted speakers for careers in surgery, government, human resources, civil engineering

Quarter Four, April - June 2010
hosted speakers for careers in massage, nursing, counseling, psychology, social work, automobile industry
hired K.Shivers, Simmons
provided homework help and college career prep for students
hosted summer camp with weekly themes of sports, the arts, entertainment and outdoor recreation
visited Tennessee Career Center
visited Casey Jones Railroad Museum, Chuck E. Cheese
visited Bethel University Pool
visited College Connection, Fisk University, Tennessee State University, Vanderbilt, Cheesecake Factory, Strike and Spare in Nashville, Tennessee
visited LeMoyne Owen College, Rhodes College, Incredible Pizza in Memphis, Tennessee
recorded television pilot of "22 and Bells Store" talent/college career prep show
trained Dance Team and Drum Line

The TEAMS Institute Co-President Wins Modeling Competition
McKenzie, TN – The Co-President of the TEAMS Institute Advisory Board in McKenzie was recently selected as the winner of the American Mall Model Search Competition in the Jackson area.

Mirna Noreli Mendez is a junior at McKenzie High School who enjoys singing and dancing. She hopes to attend Vanderbilt University in the future and is honored to be leading the program at the TEAMS Institute to provide college and career preparation as well as service learning opportunities for students.

The American Mall Model Search Competition is the nation’s largest scouting tour, producing models for fashion industry and promoting talent to the film industry. Founded in 1982, the AMMS has over 25 years of experience discovering young talent and launching new careers. As the Jackson area winner, Ms. Mendez was awarded a one-year modeling contract with Model Productions.

“I felt really surprised and excited when I was informed of my win and I am ready to start working. I feel honored to be able to represent McKenzie and the minority community,” stated Ms. Mendez.

The TEAMS Institute, an afterschool program that offers educational and life-skill building activities for student scholars, was designed for youth by youth. The club is open to all youth who are interested in college preparation, career training, community service, business leadership, real estate development and social networking.

Open to children in grades one through twelve, student scholars who attend the TEAMS Institute participate in classes concerning Technology, Engineering, the Arts, Medicine and Science (TEAMS).

Children attending the Institute have learned valuable life skills that help them in all aspects of their lives. They gain the confidence they need to excel socially and academically. The children who attend the Institute are performing better in the classroom and are learning how to give back to their community.

Funding for the Institute is provided by the State of Tennessee’s 21st Century Learning Center, a group that awards grants to organizations that provide academic enrichment activities designed to help students meet state and local standards. The TEAMS Institute was recently awarded a three-year grant from the 21st Century Learning Center to continue providing life-changing opportunities for the youth of Carroll County.

To learn more about the TEAMS Institute, visit teamsinstitute.org or call the center at 731.352.3377.

TEAMS Welcome Artistic Instructors

We are pleased to announce the addition of the following artistic instructors to the TEAMS Institute. They bring gifts and skills such as business, music, massage, gymnastics, cheerleading, dance, coaching, cosmetology and acting.

Our new members include: Keith Jones, Keshia Shivers, Becky King, Tamika Simmons and Shamaree Johnson.

10 ways to empower kids to cook

Here are 10 things outside of showing them how to follow a recipe that you can do to help empower your kids to cook.

1. Make sure there is a sturdy step stool or chair for smaller children so they can reach counter height.
2. Teach measuring skills. Explain what the numbers and words on measuring cups and spoons mean and work with kids on mastering a quarter cup or a tablespoon.
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3. Get them their own cookbook. It doesn't have to be a kids' cookbook. It could be one that focuses on a food they like such as pasta or chicken. Or get a subscription to Chop Chop magazine, a new kids' cooking magazine that is really well done.
4. Take kids to the market -- the grocery store or the farmers market -- and let them choose ingredients for the recipes they want to make.
5. Teach kitchen safety. Show them how to wash hands thoroughly, handle knives properly (at the appropriate age, of course ), how to put knives safely out of the way, how to turn pot handles in so they don't stick out, how to check and make sure they've turned off the stove and the oven, and all the other things that prevent injuries in the kitchen.
6. Teach them to use kitchen tools (again, at appropriate ages). Cheese graters, garlic presses, mixers, blenders, and other gadgets really interest kids.
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7. Teach your kids where food comes from. Start a small garden. Take them to a farm to see cows that will eventually become beef or pigs that will eventually become bacon.
8. Once kids get past preschool, don't call things like "worms in the dirt" and "ants on a log" cooking. You don't have to do away with them, just let kids know those things aren't cooking.
9. As their skills improve, let them know which dishes you'll allow them to cook on their own without your supervision and which dishes they need to have a grown-up by their side to make.
10. Teach them to clean up after themselves. Making a mess is fine. Leaving a mess is not.

Excerpt from a blog by Robyn Shreeves, Mother Nature Network - http://www.mnn.com/food/healthy-eating-recipes/blogs/10-ways-to-empower-kids-to-cook

May 2010 Program Progress

The total number of students served to date:
125 elementary, middle, and high school scholars

The communications between staff and school day teachers, parents, and partners:
We reviewed the homework journals that our scholars bring home from school each day. We also communicate by home visits, blogs, text messages, and other social media.

Examples of activities and services that have been provided:
Homework Help, Science Experiments, Engineering Building Simulations, Sand Art Design, Reed Flute Classes, Music Reading, Hip Hop Dance, Inertia Experiments, Making Weather Experiment, Drill Formation Basics, Business Correspondence, Tutoring, Skateboarding, Fitness, Social Media, Computer Robotics, Student Council, Culinary Certification, Interior Design, Public Speaking Community Service; Career Exploration; College/Career Passport Portfolios.

The impact the program has had on students and families:
Restored hope; strengthened leadership skills; provided income; expanded vision of possibilities for their future

Academic success stories attributed to program activities:
Dylan was failing four classes in January 2010. Presently, he is passing three classes.

Specific school data used to target improvement in each student’s academic success:
We are using teacher behavior surveys and grade reports. This data helps us identify the types of specific course tutors (i.e., reading) and social classes (sexual abuse awareness) to provide for our scholars. We stress the importance of completing homework and the power of simply showing up and taking advantage of free service to increase the quality of life.

The project staff/volunteers and professional development opportunities:
The program recorded approximately 186 volunteer hours and service by 5 staff and volunteers including Alex Cawthon, Tyeisha Haynes, Asia Allen, Octavia Moore, Keith Jones, Reginald Taber, Mumika Momelow, Dr. Chukwuogo; Dr. Barnhill, Patsy Anthony; Sheila Williams, Catherine True, Becky King, Evelyn Parker and a host of other professionals who provide services from housekeeping to tutoring to career exploration days. Professional Development activities have included the SEDL Teacher Training Modules, Child Abuse, Home Visit Training; Nutrition; Lesson Planning; Tutoring. April 22 the TEAMS Institute held a staff development day and training for summer session.

Partnerships and community collaboration activities:
Ag Extension-nutrition education; Carl Perkins Center-child abuse; Carroll County Interagency Taskforce – coordination and networking of youth services; career exploration speakers representing organizations such as the McKenzie Regional Hospital; Tennessee Department of Transportation and others.

Mayor Winchester Inducts TEAMS Institute Officers

McKenzie, TN – The meeting room at Lakeside Senior Living Center was filled with excitement as newly elected board members and officers of the McKenzie High School TEAMS Institute Club prepared for their induction ceremony and banquet.
Prior to the induction, the group engaged in team building exercises and listened to words of wisdom on life, college and career from their elders that included Walter Winchester, Mayor of McKenzie, Tennessee, Judy Vestal of the Workforce Investment Area Office and Jenny Pearson of the Carroll County Juvenile Court.
Ms. Williams, Director of the TEAMS Institute, an afterschool program that offers educational and life-skill building activities for student scholars, provided an overview of the club and applauded the hard work of the group to design an organization “for youth and by youth”. She state, “The group decided to design a club open to all youth who are interested in college preparation, career training, community service, business leadership, real estate development and social networking.”

Mayor Winchester discussed career opportunities with the government in general while putting special emphasis on working for McKenzie or Carroll County. Ms. Vestal shared job training and career readiness services available through her agency. Ms. Pearson summed up the intent of all the speakers when she stated, “We are available as a listening ear and a resource of information to enable you to create a successful life as well as to help you solve personal and family concerns.”
The duly elected officers were presented to the elders and their peers. The officers included Co-Presidents Katie Lopez and Noreli Mirna Mendez, Vice President Breonna Oglesby, Secretary/Treasurer Breonna Buckley, and Recorder Jessica Quinn. After each officer lit a candle they were reminded that light represents the collective wisdom and true fellowship of the organization and the commitment to welcome with warmth all interested participants. Mayor Winchester then led the group in reciting the oath of office.

Open to children in grades one through twelve, student scholars who attend the TEAMS Institute participate in classes concerning Technology, Engineering, the Arts, Medicine and Science (TEAMS).

Children attending the Institute have learned valuable life skills that help them in all aspects of their lives. They gain the confidence they need to excel socially and academically. The children who attend the Institute are performing better in the classroom and are learning how to give back to their community.
Funding for the Institute is provided by the State of Tennessee’s 21st Century Learning Center, a group that awards grants to organizations that provide academic enrichment activities designed to help students meet state and local standards. The TEAMS Institute was recently awarded a three-year grant from the 21st Century Learning Center to continue providing life-changing opportunities for the youth of Carroll County.

January 2010 Program Progress

The following actions have taken place since the last board meeting.

a. Continued marketing of program, products and services
b. Continued conference planning
c. Sent finance documents to treasurer
d. Processed invoices
e. Compiled and distributed teleconference minutes
f. Provided updates via phone and email to board members
g. Attend First Aid/CPR class certificate
h. Compile volunteer hours
i. Attach correspondence with regular school day teachers and student homework journal to checklist
j. Implement Monday huddle
k. Add pledge to student schedule
l. Locate culinary certification, algebra and geometry tutors
m. Conduct intake surveys with students
n. Discuss and design Teen Programming with high school group
o. Letters to families to update student files
p. Continued outreach and recruitment of students and volunteers
q. Mailed letters to HR department and guidance counselors
r. Expanded local advisory group
s. Print tutor training documents
t. Order college t-shirts and flags for classrooms
u. Attend CACFP training
v. Research driving school requirements at McKenzie High School
w. Served 75 scholar clients
x. Conducted site visit and teleconference with DOE officials
y. Began submittal of a grant