D-Term 2008-2009
December 16-18, 2008
Schedule, Goals, Assignments
 
 
Subject Groups: (Food, Physical Health, Mental Health, Education, Shelter, Clothing) 1. During the first Subject Group meeting, students will discuss the research done in Theology class – students must bring their own copy to the meetings. Mrs. Laws will provide some examples of the “take aways” written after the chapel talks for each group to consider as well. 2. Students in the Subject Groups will gather the information from research and speeches to be able to use in various task groups and presentations. Make any necessary copies or send via email electronic copies. 3. Although the Chapel Coordinators will be creating the presentations and directing them, the Subject Groups will all participate in the two presentations. One presentation is for the 8th grade at the end of D-Term (Thursday) and one is for the entire school in chapel in January. The Chapel Coordinators will be working during the task group meetings but the Subject Group will need to practice together prior to the presentations. 4. The Subject Groups will help write messages on fact sheets/cards to give out to the homeless and/or organizations that can share them with Austin's homeless. 5. The Subject Groups will volunteer together on Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons. 6. The Subject Groups are responsible for the D-Term Book pages that the Bloggers will ultimately collect and give to the Subject Group leader or Mrs. Laws. Each student in the 8th grade is responsible for turning in a one page contribution to the D-Term book. It can be a painting, a drawing, a poem, song lyrics, photographs, a journal entry, an essay, or anything else that will fit on one 8 1/2 x 11 piece of paper. It can focus on poverty, your specific Subject Group theme, your volunteer experience or anything that is representative of your D-Term experience and what you have learned. The D-Term Book will be available for the public to see. 7. The Subject Group is responsible for writing thank you notes to their parent drivers/volunteers and to the organizations with whom they volunteer. Task groups 2008: Goals and Assignments Goal: to document and share what we have learned about Poverty in Austin with St. Stephen's community via a website (with a blog/articles/photographs), an e-letter, a power point presentation, and chapel presentations Reporters: Bonnie Clemons 1. The reporters will come up with one, unified description/explanation of D-Term, the theme and activities (speaker series, Theology research, task group work, volunteer work) for an e-letter and to post on the Subject Group's website. 2. The reporters will write a one page article specifically about the issues gleaned from speakers and the Theology research. 3. The reporters will write a one page report about specific organizations for their Subject Groups that were researched during Theology. This should include a special focus on the organizations where they volunteer with their Subject Group. 4. The reporters will write an article about the chapel speakers who came this year. The reporters should divide up the speakers - there should be one article per speaker. Include the speaker’s bio and what he/she shared during his/her talk. 5. All writing should be peer edited and approved by Mrs. Clemons before it is published. These articles will differ from the bloggers’ articles in that the reporters will use a more objective and formal writing style. Webmasters: Brooke Laws *Remember NOT to include students' last names on-line and do not use names with photographs* 1. The webmasters will learn how to build a webpage using Dreamweaver. 2. The webmasters will learn to identify good and bad website designs. 3. The webmasters will make a design plan before starting making the webpages. 4. The webmasters are responsible for coordinating with other members of their Subject Group to post their information. 5. The webmasters are responsible for writing thank you letters. Photographers: Rick Pearson *Remember NOT to include students' last names on-line and do not use names with photographs* 1. First, the photographers will need to make sure the equipment is compatible with SSS computers and that all necessary equipment is available (students may also take video footage if they wish and incorporate that into their presentations). 2. The photographers will learn how to use whatever necessary programs/software to edit photographs when necessary. 3. The photographers will learn what makes a good photograph, how to choose one's shot and other tips to taking photos for this project. 4. The photographers will make a list of shots needed/wanted. 5. The photographers will make a list of who in their group will need copies of the photos and be responsible for emailing photographs or printing them. 6. The photographers will take photos, download photos, edit photos (if necessary) and distribute them as appropriate. Power Point: Kathy Duren 1. The students in charge of making the power points first need to gather all necessary information and figure out where to get this information (the Theology papers, from the reporter, from the photographers, etc.). 2. The power point will give a thorough description of D-Term and this year’s Poverty theme in particular. It will be presented on our last day (Thursday) in addition to subject group presentations. It will also be shared with the community via the website and e-letter. Power points themes to be combined for one, complete power point: 1. D-Term (history, this year’s theme, activities, etc.) 2. Poverty in Austin, questions to consider 3. Speaker Series 4. Issues for each Subject Group 5. Organizations where the 6 groups are volunteering/volunteered and information on what the organization does and what we did to help… 6. Reflections on D-Term 2008 – personal reflections/photographs/poetry 3. The students will make a plan with regards to theme/design before making the power point. 4. The students will share the power point with the webmasters so that it may be posted on the website. 5. The students will share the power point with the reporters so it can be included in the e-letter if appropriate. 6. The students will present it during the 8th grade presentation on Thursday. Chapel Coordinators: Elida Bonet 1. The coordinators will choose the best format/presentation plan for a low tech chapel presentation, write the necessary scripts/speeches, etc. and share it with their Subject Group. Chapel coordinators will put together a written plan for each presentation to share with their groups. 2. The coordinators will plan the presentation for D-Term presentation on Thursday (c. 8 -10 minutes) and share it with their Subject Group. Chapel coordinators will put together a written plan for each presentation to share with their groups. *extra support will be given to the Shelter group since this group has a rotating leader 3. Chapel coordinators will be responsible for any materials or props needed for the presentations. 4. Chapel coordinators will create one poster about their subject group theme to post in the MS. Bloggers: Crosby/Laws/Arnett *Remember NOT to include students' last names on-line and do not use names with photographs* 1. The Bloggers will learn blogging style/etiquette and view sample blogs. 2. The students will set up a blog account and share the link with webmasters so it can be put as a link on the webpage. 3. The students will write blogs about the speakers from the Chapel speaker series, the Theology research and volunteer experiences. Their should be one blog entry per speaker, one blog entry per issue researched in Theology, one blog entry per organization (with appropriate links) and one blog entry per volunteer experience. This will differ from the more formal articles that the reporters are writing since it will be less formal and will be closer to an opinion piece. 4. They should include at least one interview of a peer about his/her D-Term experiences. 5. Include photographs (from Photographers) that aren’t already posted elsewhere on the webpage. 6. The bloggers will be responsible for gathering pages for the D-Term Book. Each student in the 8th grade is responsible for turning in a one page contribution to the D-Term book. It can be a painting, a drawing, a poem, song lyrics, photographs, a journal entry, an essay, or anything else that will fit on one 8 1/2 x 11 piece of paper. It can focus on poverty, your specific Subject Group theme, your volunteer experience or anything that is representative of your D-Term experience and what you have learned. Schedule of D-Term meetings: Tuesday, December 16th/G day: 1. Meet with Subject Groups, 8:00am – 9:15am (G1) Shelter A Clothing B Mental Health SCI 8 Physical Health C Food D Education E a. During the first Subject Group meeting, students will discuss the research done in Theology class – students must bring their own copy to the meetings. Mrs. Laws will provide some examples of the “take aways” written after the chapel talks. b. Students in the Subject Groups will gather the information from research and speeches to be able to use in various task groups and presentations. Make any necessary copies or send via email electronic copies. c. The Subject Group will discuss the D-Term book so students can be thinking about what they want to do. d. The Subject Group will talk about the organization where they are volunteering and confirm travel arrangements (where and when to meet). 2. Task Group Meetings , 9:20am – 10:20am (G2), 10:25am-11:10am (G3) 2. Task Group Meetings G2 & G3 Bloggers A (Crosby) US CL (Laws) Chapel Coordinators B B Photographers FLL SCI 8 / MS SH Power Point C MS CL Webmasters US CL US CL Reporters MS CL MS CL/D a. The teacher for the Task Group will guide students and give them specific things to accomplish during their Task Group meetings. (see Task Group Goals and Assignments) 3. Lunch, 11:15am 4. Volunteer! - exact departure times and locations depend on the Subject Group *the MS CL is available 8th period for D-Term if your group returns early Wednesday, December 17th/A day: 1. Meet with Subject Groups, 8:40 – 9:45am (A1) Shelter Room F Clothing Room G Mental Health SCI 8 Physical Health Room C Food Room D Education MS CL a. Discuss the volunteer experience on Tuesday. Write thank you notes. b. Remind students to be thinking about / working on the D-Term Book. c. Share information that will be needed for the various Task Groups and coordinate with others. d. Chapel Coordinators should give an update on presentation plans. e. The Subject Group will talk about the organization where they are volunteering on Wednesday afternoon and confirm travel arrangements (where and when to meet). 2. Task Group Meetings , 9:50am – 11:25am (A2-A3) A2 -A3 Bloggers MS CL MS CL Chapel Coordinators C B Photographers FLL US CL Power Point MS CL MS CL Webmasters D US CL Reporters FLL FLL a. The teacher for the Task Group will guide students and give them specific things to accomplish during their Task Group meetings. (see Task Group Goals and Assignments) 3. Lunch, 11:30am 4. Volunteer! - exact departure times and locations depend on the Subject Group * the MS CL is available 8th period for D-Term if your group returns early **Mrs. Laws is proctoring make up tests/ US tests in room D at 3:35pm Thursday, December 18th/B day: ½ day schedule: 1st 8:00-8:30 2nd 8:35-9:05 3rd 9:10-9:40 4th 9:45-10:15 5th 10:20-10:50 6th 10:55-11:25 7th 11:30-12:00 8th 12:05-12:35 1. Complete any necessary task group work, 8:00 – 9:05am (B1-B2) B1-B2 Bloggers US CL US CL Chapel Coordinators B D Photographers FLL FLL Power Point MS CL MS CL Webmasters US CL US CL Reporters MS CL MS CL 2. Subject Groups, 9:10-10:50am (B3-B5) - complete the pages for the D-Term book and give to Mrs. Laws - prepare for the presentations - finish thank you notes and give to Mrs. K. Murphy to mail - Send e-letters to Bonnie Clemons to be shared with the SSS community B3,B4,B5 Shelter A A A Clothing B B B Mental Health SCI 8 SCI 8 SCI 8 Physical Health C C C Food D D L Education Conf. R Conf. R Conf. R *the MS CL will be available during B3-B5 for D-Term *the US CL is available during B4 and B5 for D-Term 10:55am – 12:35pm (B6-B8) 4. Make presentations in the Black Box Theater ________________________________________________________________________ Questions considered in Theology class: Top 5-10 LOCAL organizations that aid people with regards to your subject (mental health/food/physical health/shelter/clothes/education) in Austin, Texas. Top 5-10 ISSUES that people face with regards to poverty and your subject in Austin, Texas. Questions to consider: How does poverty affect Austin, Texas? How is poverty measured and what is the current reality for families?~ What causes poverty? Who are the “working poor” in our community? What does that mean? Who needs assistance meeting basic needs (i.e. food, housing)? Which organizations in Austin help those affected by poverty? How do they do this? What are the main issues for people affected by poverty in Austin? Who is hungry and who is feeding the hungry? What is the government’s role vs. the role of non-governmental organizations in helping those affected by poverty? How can one best support public policy initiatives that create real solutions for adequate healthcare, childcare, living wages, education and disability assistance? Resources: 1. Caritas - http://www.caritasofaustin.org/ 2. Any Baby Can - http://www.abcaus.org/ 3. ARC of Texas -http://www.arcofthecapitalarea.org/ 4. Peoples - www.pcclinic.org/ 5. Lifeworks - http://www.lifeworksweb.org/ 6. The Capital Area Food Bank -http://www.austinfoodbank.org/ 7. Haven of Hope - www.lightofhopeaustin.org/Get_Involved.html 8. Volunteer Health Clinic - http://www.volclinic.org/en.php?volunteer 9. Foundation for the Homeless - http://www.foundationforthehomeless.org/ 10. Goodwill Industries - http://www.austingoodwill.org/ 11. Meals on Wheels - http://www.mealsonwheelsandmore.org/ 12. Safe Place - http://www.safeplace.org/site/PageServer 13. Salvation Army - http://www.uss.salvationarmy.org/uss/www_uss_austinma.nsf 14.Sustainable Food Center - http://www.sustainablefoodcenter.org/ 15. United Way Capital Area - http://www.unitedwaycapitalarea.org/ 16. East Side Community Connection - http://www.austinecc.org/ 17. AIDS Services of Austin - http://www.asaustin.org/ 18. Community in Schools - http://www.cisaustin.org/ 19. Austin Stand Down - http://www.main.org/standdown/ 20. Austin Tenants’ Council = http://www.housing-rights.org/ 21. Austin Housing Authority - http://www.hacanet.org/ 22. Front Steps - http://www.frontsteps.org/ Poverty Fact Sheet 2007: HYPERLINK "http://www.caction.org/basicneeds/issue_areas/PovertyFactSheet_2007.pdf"http://www.caction.org/basicneeds/issue_areas/PovertyFactSheet_2007.pdf__ http://www.caction.org/basicneeds/pa_month/Week02.pdfhttp://www.caction.org/basicneeds/pa_month/Week02.pdfhttp://www.caritasofaustin.orghttp://www.abcaus.orghttp://www.arcofthecapitalarea.orghttp://www.pcclinic.orghttp://www.lifeworksweb.orghttp://www.austinfoodbank.orghttp://www.lightofhopeaustin.org/Get_Involved.htmlhttp://www.volclinic.org/en.php?volunteerhttp://www.foundationforthehomeless.org/http://www.austingoodwill.orghttp://www.mealsonwheelsandmore.orghttp://www.safeplace.org/site/PageServerhttp://www.uss.salvationarmy.org/uss/www_uss_austinma.nsfhttp://www.sustainablefoodcenter.orghttp://www.unitedwaycapitalarea.org/http://www.austinecc.org/http://www.asaustin.org/site/PageServer?pagename=AIDSA_homepagehttp://www.cisaustin.org/http://www.main.org/standdown/http://www.housing-rights.org/http://www.hacanet.orghttp://www.frontsteps.org/http://www.caction.org/basicneeds/issue_areas/PovertyFactSheet_2007.pdfhttp://www.caction.org/basicneeds/issue_areas/PovertyFactSheet_2007.pdf__shapeimage_1_link_0shapeimage_1_link_1shapeimage_1_link_2shapeimage_1_link_3shapeimage_1_link_4shapeimage_1_link_5shapeimage_1_link_6shapeimage_1_link_7shapeimage_1_link_8shapeimage_1_link_9shapeimage_1_link_10shapeimage_1_link_11shapeimage_1_link_12shapeimage_1_link_13shapeimage_1_link_14shapeimage_1_link_15shapeimage_1_link_16shapeimage_1_link_17shapeimage_1_link_18shapeimage_1_link_19shapeimage_1_link_20shapeimage_1_link_21shapeimage_1_link_22shapeimage_1_link_23shapeimage_1_link_24shapeimage_1_link_25