“I’m proud of…”Abigail Horsager

Urban Ventures

Volunteer OrientationSuccess: Increased Retention Increase Engagement Clear Expectations Numbers Speak

29 Volunteers Recruited

19 Volunteers Trained 10 Volunteers

Managed

Areas to Improve: Conversation Break up

presentation Tour Paperwork

Anecdotes Reporting

Successes

2013-2014 Orientation

The Learning Lab

Learning Lab, is a year-round, academic

enrichment program for

students in first through twelfth

grades.

Who are our students?

Our students, are from the Central

and Phillips Neighborhoods

of South Minneapolis.

They come from families living in

poverty.

Types of PovertyEconomic Poverty 31% of residents living within a one mile circumference of our campus,

live at or below the federal poverty level.

91% of our students qualify for the free or reduced lunch programs.

Academic Poverty 34% of the youth in our neighborhood will graduate from high school.

Parental Poverty 50% of our students live in homes headed by a single parent.

Spiritual Poverty A lack of economic, academic, and parental resources leave students searching for belonging and hope for the future.

Why does the Learning Lab Exist?

Our purpose is to provide a safe environment for students to get the help they need to excel in school.

Performance Levels from 2011-2012• On average, Elementary Students are:

• 1 or more grade level behind in reading• 1 or more levels behind in math

• On average, Middle School Students are:• 2 grade levels behind in reading• 2 grade levels behind in math

• On average, High School Students have:• 34% graduation rate

Our goal is to help students do better in school:1 – academically2 - through character development

Learning Lab StaffLicensed Teachers: Every teacher is an accredited professional

Tutors – We have volunteers ranging from high school and college students, to working professionals and retirees. We focus on retaining tutors to build continuity for each student.

Ms. Felecia

Mr. Michael

Mr. PeteMs. Joni

Ms. Elissa Ms. Ryane

How do we connect with the public schools?

School VisitsOur teachers visit schools throughout the week to build relationships with teachers and to help individual students.

Report Cards Working collaboratively with school teachers, we are able to get a clearer picture of each student. Report cards are collected at the end of each quarter and semester.

Parent Teacher ConferencesWe meet with students, parents, and teacher to establish learning goals and plans for support.

Student PortalWe utilize the Minneapolis Public Schools Data Portal to monitor real time attendance, grades and test scores of our students.

What does a day look like?

Transition Time (Gym Time and Nutritious

Meal)

Homework and Academic Enrichment

Workshops

Fridays – Experiential Learning

Elementary Lab Students are able to earn points throughout the week based on their behavior and choices. These points earn them a chance to shop at our healthy snacks store supported by Incentive Services.

Electives – skill-

based classes

Learning Lab Store

Learning Lab Procedures & Rules

• No outside food, candy or gum allowed• Personal technology is not allowed in the Lab• No running or yelling• Bathroom and water fountain only during transition

time• Not during small group• Only one student at a time

• Students need to follow the volunteer and be behind them as they enter into a room, onto the 2nd floor or go to and from the garage

• Interact appropriately with kids• No sitting on your lap or riding on your shoulders

• Dress is casual and comfortable• English is to be spoken in the Lab

Behavior Management at the Lab

Minor Infractions – Interrupting, being disrespectful, misusing supplies, etc.Break One Break Two Break Three• Break away from

group• Student decides when

they are ready to re-enter

• Break away from group

• Staff decides when student is ready to re-enter

• Break away from group

• Reflection form• Meeting with director

Major Infractions – Bullying, verbal aggression, fighting, leaving the facility, etc.Incident Report Suspension Behavior Contract Mandated

Reporting• Incident report

is completed• Director is

immediately informed of incident

• Student is removed from Lab for the amount of time decided by Director.

• Guardians are contacted

• Student, Parents, and Staff make a plan to improve behavior.

Learning Lab Expectations Work Hard –

Come prepared with homework Have a willing and cooperative attitude Listen to and follow instructions

Be Kind – Use kind words Be kind to peers, volunteers, and staff Take care of the Lab space and materials

Attendance - Arrive by 3pm Attend a minimum of 3 days a week If you miss school you cannot attend Lab that day You must participate in order to attend field trips

The Hub StaffYouth Workers: Mentor 6-12th graders

Tutors – We have volunteers ranging from high school and college students, to working professionals and retirees. We focus on retaining tutors to build continuity for each student.

Ms. Shanna

Mr. Marquise

Ms. AbbyMr. Collin

Mr. Eric Ms. Jessica

Ms. Amy

Mr. Gary

High School Hub Lab

Location: The Hub - 3016 4th Ave. S. Mpls, 55408

Students: 9th – 12th gradersWhen: Monday – Thursday, 3pm – 5pm

Wednesday, additional hour from 6 – 7pm

Homework Help sessions in the HS Hub Lab are a resource for students to use for completing homework, studying, or other academic activities (such as typing, reading, college & career research).

High School Hub Lab - Resources

Additional Lab Resources• Tutoring Support & Homework Help• Additional Individual Tutoring by appointment• MCA Test Prep• Graduation Counseling & Credit Recovery Support• ACT / SAT Prep Courses and Resources

Additional Hub Resources• Mentoring• Boys and Girls Support Group• Evening Programming• Summer Programming

Others who have helped make a difference!

Thank you for your time!

“In my classroom, I can really see how much the Learning Lab kids have grown this year!6th Grade Teacher, Minneapolis Public Schools

Current Volunteer Needs

LL Volunteer Needs **Unless noted, times are 2:30 - 5:30pm**

  Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday

Felecia (1st - 2nd) 1 1 (for bible) Reading (4:15 - 5:30) 0 None

Michael (3rd-4th) None None1 or 2 (Need 2:30 - 3:45 BEFORE gym) None None

Elissa (5th-6th) None1 (2:20 - 4:20 only) 0 None None

Ryane (7th-8th) None None 1 None None

Special Classes None None1 for Art Classes with Tara (3-5:30pm) None None

HS Homework Help 1 or 2 (3:30 - 5) None None 1 or 2 (3:30 - 5) None

• K-8 Learning Lab• 2:30 – 5:30 pm• Located at Colin Powell Center

• Hub Lab• 3:30 – 5:00 during homework help daily• By schedule with student (evening hours)