The students at the Detention Center had a week of gratitude focus. They had lessons planned on the theme of gratitude, made posters, and also gave the teachers a teacher appreciation poster.
Faculty Social Distancing Camaraderie
The YESS staff met, social distancing style, for our end-of-year tailgating party, and to honor our teachers and the four retirees. It was good to meet “together” and shout from an acceptable distance! Jason and Ann donned “hazmat” suits, gloves, and masks to handout pre-boxed lunches. Some remained in their cars while others spread out […]
AMAZING Signs!
Youth in Custody students that are registered in schools throughout Granite School District, who have a Juvenile Justice Advocate (mentor) assigned to them, will soon be receiving a pick-me-up at their homes. The mentors will be delivering signs to their homes to post in their yard or a window that say “Somebody thinks I’m AMAZING!” […]
Mentors’ Sunshine
The YESS Mentors have been spreading some sunshine to their students during this stay-at-home period of time. Ann put these treats together and the Mentors have been doing some doorbell ditching! They will place the treat on the door stoop, ring the bell, go back to their car, and wait for the student to come […]
Kind Feedback
The teachers at DSI/Gemstone received some positive feedback regarding the school staff’s efforts to address student and staff needs and communicate with them during this time of distant learning. “Just wanted to mention to all of you teachers, you are awesome! and thank you for all you do and keeping us staff informed. it has been […]
YESS Teachers Rock!
YESS teachers have been working diligently to provide meaningful assignments and learning opportunities for their students. It requires a great deal of time, effort, preparation, thought, collaboration and coordination to put together the work for students and then the reverse in receiving the completed work, correcting, and then recording it. These are not the ideal […]
Mindfully Mentoring
Recently, the Juvenile Justice Advocates (mentors) attended an online mindfulness training presented by Anna Smyth of Mindfulness Utah. She addressed ways in which the mentors could help their students cope during this unsettling time. Some of the strategies she shared were to be patient, to not be afraid to touch their pain, and to focus […]
Staff Meeting, Virtually!
The YESS staff at DSI/Gemstone held a staff meeting this morning via Microsoft Teams. They all joined the online meeting from their various locations to discuss the needs of their students and how best to address those needs.
YESS Teachers Diligent in Delivering Educational Opportunities
During these unusual times, the YESS teachers remain committed to their students. Each site differs in the way in which learning opportunities can be delivered to students, yet the teachers are incorporating unique and creative ways in doing so, at the same time abiding by social distancing norms. At one site, teachers have used Screencastify […]
YESS Mentors Support Students During School Closure
Though not in the schools meeting face-to-face with students, the YESS Juvenile Justice Advocates, mentors, are busier than ever providing stability and support to Youth in Custody students throughout the district. Through phone calls, text messages, online video conferencing and a plethora of other creative means, the mentors are keeping in touch with students as […]