Teen Truth Live Road Show

I was very excited to be a part of our new CADA/CASL Teen Truth Live Road Show. It is a collaborative drive to reduce bullying and improve school culture.  The Road Show made its first stop in Orange County on January 25.

There were close to 200 of us in attendance. It’s an avenue to empower local leaders one community at a time. Uniting our community is so important.  By sharing our resources and working together we can reach some amazing goals. “Reaching Out” and connecting with each other helps to create this unity of kindness. Listening to the voices of our students was emphasized.  It’s so easy to be nice . . . to just “Reach Out” and say hello. Communities need to be connected.  It’s time for us to “Reach Out” and make a difference.

Teen Truth started the event with an amazing video. A panel of local community leaders then shared ideas and answered questions. CADA President elect Paul Chylinski shared the new CADA website full of lesson plans for activity directors to use to improve school culture. For more information, log onto http://www.cada1.org and click on the "School Safety Roadshow" link.

It was an outstanding first stop. I’m very excited to jump in my vehicle and drive this road show to my district.  Don’t miss hearing all about at the CADA Convention in March!

We're going to CASL! How about you?

This week my ASB students were so excited because they started turning in their registrations to the CASL Conference. This year's theme is "CASL Goes Camping - Leaving Our Campuses Better Than We Found Them."  I'm so excited that CADA and CASL have developed this amazing conference that help my students learn to "Reach Out" in so many ways.  The high school conference is in San Jose, April 2-4, 2011. The middle school conference is March 31 - April 2.  We will get to hear inspiration from Scott Greenberg and Tyler Durman.  I know my students are especially looking forward to hearing from Rachel's Challenge.  The program made such an impact our campus three years ago.  There are so many wonderful things at the CASL Convention including the Area Meetings, Meet the Pros and the Service Learning Project.  Chino Hills High School is going.  Is your school?

VIDEO - Reach Out at Chino Hills High School

Working with the Alliance for Student Activities

I’ve had the most wonderful weekend in Arizona with the Alliance of Student Activities. I got the opportunity to meet with a group of people “on fire” about the importance of offering leadership opportunities to students. The group included activities directors, principals, professional speakers, college professors and teachers “Reaching Out” and sharing ideas.

With budget cuts happening nationwide, we need statistics that can demonstrate the power of student activities to administrators and board members.  This weekend in Phoenix, Alliance members from across the country worked together on a program to train teachers to share these statistics with their districts.  I was proud to represent California during these meetings.  Many of the programs we developed will be showcased for the first time in December 2011 for NAWD at the National Conference on Student Activities in Salt Lake City.  I am so excited to bring these outstanding ideas back home to California!

The role of an activities director

I'm currently in Arizona for the 2011 Activity Advisor Seminar being put on by the Alliance for Student Activities.  Mike Smith helped create the Alliance, and I was honored when he asked to interview me on the role of the activities director.  The Alliance is an amazing national organization committed to promoting the value of student activities.  You can check them out, and see my interview here:

http://www.alliance4studentactivities.org/index.html

Reaching Out to new students in Magnolia, Texas

Lip dubs are the latest craze, and a fun way to unite your student body.  Here is a welcome-to-school lip dub from Magnolia High School in Magnolia, TX, that warmed my heart.  Imagine coming to school here as a new student.  This is the type of energy and enthusiasm we create in student activities!

Special birthday message from the students of Chino Hills HS

Last month for my birthday, my students surprised me with a video that brought tears to my eyes.  They know all about my Reach Out mission, and so they made this just for for me.  Enjoy!

Reach Out by asking questions

There is a story about a woman who had the privilege of dining with two different British Prime Ministers within the span of a couple weeks, David Lloyd George and Benjamin Disraeli.  After these two remarkable opportunities, a friend asked her what it was like to dine with such great and powerful men.  She responded, "After sitting next to Lord George I concluded he was the most important person in the world. After sitting next to Disraeli I concluded I was the most important person in the world."

What are you doing at your school to help every student feel important?  Here is a quick video you can share with your student leaders on how we can Reach Out to those kids on our campus who need us most.  It's wonderful for us to be interesting, but it's far more significant to be interested.

Minute to Win It Activity Ideas

I was watching the NBC show "Minute to Win It" and got inspired by some of the games.  Here is a list of Minute to Win It games you can play at your school.  Enjoy!

Download now or preview on posterous

Minute to win it games.pdf (199 KB)