The 2009 fall semester After-School Program blasted-off with a roar this new school year! Last school year, on our first day we had 12-15 students attend our program, as the school year progressed our program grew to a consistent 30-35 students per class. This year on day one we had 40 students and maintaining every class since then!
The school Principal moved us into the school cafeteria due to our tremendous growth.
Maximizing this new space, we are able to bring innovative media and sound to keep the students engaged and interested. The venue also has allowed us to utilize team building games at the beginning of our classes to allow the middle schooler’s to burn off some energy!
The most exciting part of this new school year is the launch of our new curriculum, RESH180. This curriculum is written by my good friend and team Chaplain for the Oakland Raiders. The NFL Oakland Raiders use this program for all their incoming rookies and it’s also been used throughout the country to train youth with necessary life skills.
Through this program our at-risk students, grades 6th thru 8th are taught how to plan their dreams (set goals), know where they are going (direction for their life) understand self (purpose and destiny) renew their thinking (mindset and behavior) and so much more! RESH180 will set the important foundation for our core values curriculum later on in the school year.
Austin Heroes vs. Dobie Heroes
This years’ Dobie Middle School, end of the school- year soccer game, included the Austin Fire Dept. along with the Austin Police Dept, fittingly called the Austin Heroes. The annual soccer event was for those students in the LauchPad after-school program, who improve on school attendance, grades and behavior. LP students looked foward to being a part of this special end –of- school event.
Austin Fire Lieutenant Jose Cortina participated in the opening ceremonies, first goalie – kick to start the games. Austin Police Chief Art Acevedo joined his staff (fellow officers) and was a strong competitor on the indoor court. Over thirty LaunchPad (LP) students participated in the soccer game while another eighty students cheered them on! The combination of Police and Fire Fighters against the LP students was fierce and fun. The LaunchPad team took an early 5 to 1 lead over the Austin Heroes during the game but eventually fell two-points short when the clock finally ran out.
Parent’s were also a part of the event and joined the students and Austin Heroes for lunch. Once lunch was over the students and Austin Heroes teamed-up to participate in a variety of team-building exercises to compete against other teams. The top three teams won soccer balls and footballs signed by Chief Acevedo.
The LP Soccer Game is an annual school event that serves multiple purposes. We allow the students to interact and connect with Police and Fire Fighters. Given the area where Dobie Middle school is located the Austin Police Index places it, as the top zip-code area for a plethora of crimes. This event provides a vehicle for these students to see Police and Fire Fighters in a different more positive light, where they can learn trust and build-bridges to these community protectors.
