September 2009
A newsletter for mentees, mentors and parents.
Mentoring Newsletter
Upcoming Sponsored Activities
Inside this issue:
Future Activities Things to Do Can you Guess what I am? How do you feel about your future? Mad Lib & Puzzle
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November:
December:
Can you guess...Person, Place or Thing?
1. I’m originally from England. 2. At first, I was a teaching tool. 3. Today, I am now for fun. 4. I once was made of wood. 5. Nowadays, I’m usually cardboard. 6. Little kids like less of me; big kids & adults like more.
Doodle page—Finish the 3 drawing.
As we did last year; this November we will be painting blown light bulbs into Christmas ornaments. The painted ornaments will then be attached to the foodbaskets (which we will help to pack) that Washington county donates to needy families. Save any blown light bulbs from home or work to donate to this project.
The year before last was the Nutcracker, last year was the Trans Siberian Orchestra. Think about WHAT you would be interested in doing for a cultural activity for this year. You can email your suggestions to tjursza@co.washington.ny.us
**Please note that being able to get funding for this activity will be dependent on the program budget.
Mentor/Parent Corner Summer Crossword
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Things to Do:
Washington County Cheese Tour September 12-13, 2009. Open from 10am to 4pm. Six farms located with in a 20 mile radius. Argyle/Salem/ Granville areas. See website for details and a map.
www.washingtoncountycheese.org
Websites: Greenwich Harvest Festival September 26th, downtown, main street. 10am—4pm Channel One
7.
Sometimes, I’m twofaced; occasionally I am multi dimensional.
http://www.channelone.com/f un/summer-boredom-buster/
Suite101.com
8.
I get my name from the tool once used to make me.
Downtown Balloon Festival Block Party Downtown Glens Falls, Thursday, Sept. 24th from 5 -8:30pm. FREE Taste of the North Country Sunday, Sept. 27th from 11am to 4pm. Adults $5, kids free.
http://www.suite101.com/
BJ Pinchbeck’s Homework Helper
9.
If you drop me, I’ll go to pieces.
23rd Annual Autumn Leaves Car Show 9am to 3pm on September 27th in Granville in the Quaker Street Elementary School parking lot. Admission is $3, free for 15 & under.
http://www.bjpinchbeck .com/english.html
Science Education Gateway
10. I can be quite puzzling.
http://cse.ssl.berkeley.e du/segway/public.html
Crayola http://www.crayola.com/
How do you feel about your FUTURE? Tips for Teens:
Personal Power: Goal: To feel that you have control over many things that happen to you in your life. Personal power gives you confidence. When something good happens, it is not just luck...but your actions. Good grades don’t fall from the sky...hard work is needed...you EARN good grades. Friends don’t just appear...you build friendships by the things you do.
Person, Place or Thing Answer: Jigsaw Puzzle
1. 2. 3. 4.
If something bad happens, focus on what you CAN DO to help make the situation better. Never give in and say things like “I deserve this”, “I am a bad person” or “It is fate.” Concentrate on things you can control, like your attitude and behavior. Better attitude and behavior can lead to more responsibility and control as you become older and SHOW you can be responsible. Talk, don’t demand, to adults/parents to see about giving you some choices and control. Be prepared to lose that control if you don’t follow through on the choice you made or if you become irresponsible with you new found control. Don’t ask for ALL control at once. Parents want you safe and are afraid to give you control and let you go. But if you ask for one thing and show you are responsible with that one control or responsibility...YOU WILL EARN MORE! Positive View of Your Future: Goal: To look forward to a positive future/life. Envision your self achieving your goals Talk to your parents/ mentor about your dreams for your future. Ask for help in how you can make it happen. If you choose to work during the school year, try and get a job in a business that means something to you. Talk with your friends and share your dreams and hopes for the future.
Answer these questions. In ten years… The date will be______________________________ I will be living in ______________________________________ I will be working at or going to school at _________________________________________ I will be happiest with this accomplishment
________________________________________________________________________________
Mentoring Newsletter
Volume 1, Issue 1
Page 3
Mentors and Parents Corner
Can Parents be Friends with their teenage children?
No, most teens aren’t ready for anything close to a mature friendship. According to current research, the brain continues to develop into a person’s 20’s. Mothers often want to befriend their daughters; fathers, their sons. But this is not in anyone’s best interest. Teenagers need to form identities distinct from their parents. That means: lots of privacy, even some secrets. Teens have friends, as a parent we must guide, set examples, and provide boundaries. As they age and mature boundaries should change to match. If a boundary is broken, how can we be the firm parent if we are considered a friend?
What Kids Need to Succeed!
Help your child/youth to have a Positive View of their Personal Future. Here are some suggestions:
Encourage them to tell you their dreams and help them make plans or discuss how they could get those dreams. Be optimistic of your future as a family by being hopeful and finding ways to enjoy everyday life and work together through rough times. Try not to focus on the bad things. Ask them for THEIR SUGGESTIONS AND IDEAS Don’t cheat!
Don’t peek! Cover up the answers below!
http://microsite.smithsonianmag.com/museumday/ Check out this Smithsonian website for a full list of participating museums. ~Children’s Museum of Science & Technology ~USS Slater ~Schenectady Museum
Free Museum Day! September 26, 2009
Washington County Youth Bureau 383 Broadway - Fort Edward, NY 12828 518-746-2317 Fax: 518-746-2331 TJursza@co.washington.ny.us Google us to checkout the website!!