Celebrations

The YESS Library is taking shape!  Ann, Administrative Assistant and Lead Mentor, has headed up this project to collect book sets from around YESS and organize, catalog, and store them in one location for checkout.  Allyson, Instructional Assistant, has helped with getting the books cataloged in a database and set up a check out system.  Recently, they had an assemble-the-bookshelves party, with Lee, Counselor and “assembly man extraordinaire”,  leading the assembly process and Jason, YESS Associate Director and “foreman” supervising the endeavor!  And…here is the new YESS library!  It takes a village!

Ann Jones, Lead Mentor and Administrative Assistant in YESS, recently presented a section of a training with DHS. She covered how to advocate for students in care within a school setting and how to work more effectively with DCFS and DJJS to provide the best educational outcomes for our students.

The USBE held a professional development training for all the mentors across the state. Our own Kim Domacilio, YESS’s mentor for the Cottonwood area, was asked to present the 5 Minute Mentor program that she developed for our district. Kim put together a book for each of our mentors that has small presentations or activities to do with our mentoring students when we meet with them. These activities help the mentors connect with the student as well as teach life skills that help each student be successful in school.

In her presentation, Kim presented one activity that could be shared with a student on a mentor’s first visit with the student. She told about Shrek the sheep. Shrek separated from his herd and was found 6 years later. Because no one had checked in with him, Shrek had grown 60 pounds of wool and could hardly walk and was very uncomfortable. She made each participant a wool bracelet that they could give to their student. This bracelet would remind the student that we are coming to check in with them to help them be comfortable and to help them succeed. Often students see mentors as simply “the grade/attendance lady” and this would remind students that we are checking to help them. Kim’s 5 Minute Mentor is now being shared across the state.
Way to go Kim!

 

          

The YESS staff gathered for one last faculty meeting and celebration of our two retirees, Oz and Helene (who was not able to be in attendance). It was a time to reflect on this past year as well as look to the future years. Oz has taught for 31 years and felt it was time to hang up his hat and change direction for a time. There were several individuals with he had worked over the years from our partner agencies that came to wish him well. (We held an open house earlier this spring when Helene had retired.  She worked in YESS for over 29 years.)  We wish them both the very best in the adventures that are ahead for them.  Congratulations!

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Last week we honored our Administrative Assistants.  It takes many people to run a program such as YESS and our administrative Assistants wear multiple hats and are key to the day-to-day operations.  Jason treated them to lunch in appreciation of all they do.  Thanks Carol, Cathy, Christy, Sandi, and our newest kid-on-the-block, Ann for all that you do for the office, Jason, teachers, and students.  You are all AWESOME!

Check out this cool video we made for National Poetry Month. All stop motion, narration and music done by our awesome students. Poem by Shel Silverstein.

Submitted by Jodie

 

 

After 29 years of devoted service to YESS, Helene decided to retire.  She worked in a number of capacities throughout the years in the program, the majority in the office as registrar for student placements and administrative secretary.  An open house was held in her honor with representatives from numerous cooperating agencies, colleagues within the district and in YESS, many from previous years ago, and her husband, siblings, children, and grandchildren all came out to show their love and support.  She is going to be deeply missed by all who were privileged to associate with her, considering her a colleague and friend.  ALOHA Helene!

      

Yesterday was a day for celebrating, as one of the residents at Wasatch Youth Center received his high school diploma!  In attendance were family, church volunteers, facility and school staff and several staff and a teacher from another facility to support him in this achievement.  Curt Hansen, the Director of Prevention and Student Placement, presented him with his diploma and a few parting words of advice, encouragement, and motivation as this new graduate embarks on the next stage of his journey.