GBHS LEADership Class Wraps Up First Semester with Impressive Group Presentations
The LEADership class at Grand Blanc High School has now wrapped up their final presentations for the first semester of 2018-19. In addition to their teacher Mr. Babiasz evaluating their work, their fellow students filled out an evaluation form on each of their final presentations.
The first project to present named R.U.S.H. was organized by LEAD class members who are Grand Blanc football players and wanted to do something to mentor youth in the Grand Blanc community. They worked with Brendel Elementary to identify a few boys that might benefit and scheduled some activities. The group taught the elementary students how to tie a necktie, played sports and just spent quality time talking and hanging out. They talked about shaking hands, respecting adults and making eye contact.
The younger students were invited to a GB Varsity football game with their families, courtesy of the GB Athletic Dept., where they were able to run onto the field with the team before the game. The group was able to get jerseys donated for the boys, as well.
LEAD students share their "Personal Impact"- the impact the project had on them as individuals- during these presentations. These young men all felt like they had adopted "little brothers" and said that it educated them on how much younger kids are influenced by, and look up to, them. They were surprised by how easy it was to be a positive influence.
Group member, Kortez Coles wrote in the presentation: "They really looked up to us and we really tried to make them feel like we’re their big brothers and I feel as we accomplished this goal. They talked to us about everything from family, to school, to sports, and we just listened and gave them our advice."
This group was formed with members who wanted to help senior citizens in some way. They planned activities with seniors at The Oaks at Woodfield and recruited students from Indian Hill Elementary to participate, as well. Residents of the senior living center were in some cases reluctant but opened up as the students returned each time. They were able to get some of them to dance, get portraits taken, and just talk about their lives. Some of the residents did not get a lot of visitors and were just happy to see new faces.
"Having everyone bring something to the table and come up with new ideas really is what made this whole project very special", wrote Makena Welch from the Seniors^2 team.
The second group of students was interested in helping the senior community, as well, and partnered with Brookdale Senior Living. They planned a crafting activity (sock snowmen) and interacted with the residents there. On one of their visits, a resident US Veteran, James Isaacson, turned 100 years old! The students enjoyed listening to stories he was willing to share about his experiences, and took the opportunity to thank him for his service.
These high school students admitted that none of them were particularly social individuals, and felt the experience really taught them the value of building relationships through communication.
Two members of this group have experienced heart issues, which inspired the idea of raising heart health awareness. A hockey player on the Flint Firebirds team was in this group and wanted to incorporate the team into their project. They chose to spread heart health and AED (Automated External Defibrillator) awareness and partnered with the Firebirds to bring Hot Wing (Firebirds Mascot) out to Brendel Elementary for an assembly.
The group was integral in getting Brendel Elementary staff MIHeart Safe certified, meaning they now possess lifesaving skills in CPR and AED use and join the growing list of GBCS buildings to achieve the certification. The group also held a drawing contest to raise awareness among students about the location of the AED at Brendel Elementary. They framed the winning drawing and with Brendel's assistance, hung it by the AED in the school.
The winning Brendel student received tickets to a Firebirds game with some special perks! The group brought Hot Wing to a Positivity Project assembly at Brendel to kick off the drawing contest.
The group made fliers with a QR code which advertised the adoption facility during the holiday season to encourage people thinking about a pet to choose adoption. They also worked to improve the agency's website and rebrand adopting a pet as a positive experience.
In their final presentation, the group stated:
"As a group, we really were able to learn a lot from the project. Everyone in my group was able to learn something from this amazing project, we learned to be on a team you have to have communication. Without communication, everything will fall apart and the group would be very confused. Another key aspect is to share ideas no matter what they are and to always have the right intentions because people will always be looking at you for guidance as a leader."
Inspired by a cause seen at a Women's March, group members worked to destigmatize menstruation and provide menstrual products to women in need. They partnered with fellow GBHS students in woodworking and art to make hand-painted boxes used to collect products at local businesses.
Three locations in the area now have drop-off boxes which are emptied periodically by a community member and shared with Traverse Place, a transitional living program for young adults.
The members also presented to the school board at Grand Blanc Schools to petition for free menstrual products for students at the high school, arguing that people often don't carry quarters to use in machines that in some cases, were found to not be functioning properly. They also felt that places where products were available in case of emergency, were too difficult to access and did not provide discretion.
Students were pleased to learn recently that the school will be providing menstrual products on a trial basis due to their efforts, although an exact plan for roll-out is still unknown.
See this group on Channel 12 News here.
Carl's Appliance in Grand Blanc enthusiastically donated a washer and crowdfunding helped pay for a dryer, while friends and family volunteered to deliver the pair to New Standard Academy.
The room they were given to transform into a "laundry room" at the school was a former teachers' lounge and was quite large, so the group also arranged for painting to be done and some light furnishings added. They recruited Flint Firefighters to help paint the room in the school's colors. Sherman Williams generously donated paint and supplies for the project.
As a thank you, and to strengthen the relationship further, the group members attended a bowling event fundraiser with the Flint Firefighters.
To stock the new laundry room with supplies, the group approached United Way of Genesee County, who sponsored a laundry soap-making project at Perry Innovation Center. 144 younger latchkey students helped make laundry soap to supply the new laundry room at New Standard Academy.
These LEAD students learned important skills in coordinating the activities, which required communication, teamwork, and organization. They interacted with community businesses and organizations and had to budget for activities. They brought joy to residents of our community who can sometimes be overlooked and brought young children and seniors together to learn from each other.
During these final presentations, groups shared their struggles, too. Some students were anti-social, scared of speaking in front of people or hated talking on the phone when they began the semester. Projects came with many adverse issues like scheduling, funding, and disappointment along the way that they persevered through and overcame. They all seemed relieved and proud to have made it to the end of the semester having achieved the goals they'd set for themselves. Very nicely produced videos (with the assistance of talented GBHS video production students) helped outline their journey.
Watch them here.
Almost every group mentioned that the course has helped them conquer some personal struggles or made them more confident, while also bringing them into new relationships with other students and the community. It seemed that many friendships were made along the way.
Mr. Babiasz has been working closely with Educational Consultant Matinga Ragatz to shape this course. Ragatz works with educators all over the country and has told Babiasz that these students are accomplishing things that aren't being done elsewhere yet. Grand Blanc Schools is proud to have Mr. Babiasz, the help of Matinga, and brave students that are willing to put themselves out there and try something outside their comfort zone.
"R.U.S.H."
The first project to present named R.U.S.H. was organized by LEAD class members who are Grand Blanc football players and wanted to do something to mentor youth in the Grand Blanc community. They worked with Brendel Elementary to identify a few boys that might benefit and scheduled some activities. The group taught the elementary students how to tie a necktie, played sports and just spent quality time talking and hanging out. They talked about shaking hands, respecting adults and making eye contact.
The younger students were invited to a GB Varsity football game with their families, courtesy of the GB Athletic Dept., where they were able to run onto the field with the team before the game. The group was able to get jerseys donated for the boys, as well.
LEAD students share their "Personal Impact"- the impact the project had on them as individuals- during these presentations. These young men all felt like they had adopted "little brothers" and said that it educated them on how much younger kids are influenced by, and look up to, them. They were surprised by how easy it was to be a positive influence.
Group member, Kortez Coles wrote in the presentation: "They really looked up to us and we really tried to make them feel like we’re their big brothers and I feel as we accomplished this goal. They talked to us about everything from family, to school, to sports, and we just listened and gave them our advice."
"SENIORS^2"
This group was formed with members who wanted to help senior citizens in some way. They planned activities with seniors at The Oaks at Woodfield and recruited students from Indian Hill Elementary to participate, as well. Residents of the senior living center were in some cases reluctant but opened up as the students returned each time. They were able to get some of them to dance, get portraits taken, and just talk about their lives. Some of the residents did not get a lot of visitors and were just happy to see new faces.
"Having everyone bring something to the table and come up with new ideas really is what made this whole project very special", wrote Makena Welch from the Seniors^2 team.
"SENIOR STORIES"
The second group of students was interested in helping the senior community, as well, and partnered with Brookdale Senior Living. They planned a crafting activity (sock snowmen) and interacted with the residents there. On one of their visits, a resident US Veteran, James Isaacson, turned 100 years old! The students enjoyed listening to stories he was willing to share about his experiences, and took the opportunity to thank him for his service.
These high school students admitted that none of them were particularly social individuals, and felt the experience really taught them the value of building relationships through communication.
"FIRE FOR HEARTS"
Two members of this group have experienced heart issues, which inspired the idea of raising heart health awareness. A hockey player on the Flint Firebirds team was in this group and wanted to incorporate the team into their project. They chose to spread heart health and AED (Automated External Defibrillator) awareness and partnered with the Firebirds to bring Hot Wing (Firebirds Mascot) out to Brendel Elementary for an assembly.
The group was integral in getting Brendel Elementary staff MIHeart Safe certified, meaning they now possess lifesaving skills in CPR and AED use and join the growing list of GBCS buildings to achieve the certification. The group also held a drawing contest to raise awareness among students about the location of the AED at Brendel Elementary. They framed the winning drawing and with Brendel's assistance, hung it by the AED in the school.
The winning Brendel student received tickets to a Firebirds game with some special perks! The group brought Hot Wing to a Positivity Project assembly at Brendel to kick off the drawing contest.
"LIGHTS, CAMERA, ADOPTION"
This group chose to reach out to the four-legged community. They partnered with Adopt-A-Pet in Fenton to try to boost adoption numbers and raise awareness around pet adoption (vs. other means of buying a pet.)
The group made fliers with a QR code which advertised the adoption facility during the holiday season to encourage people thinking about a pet to choose adoption. They also worked to improve the agency's website and rebrand adopting a pet as a positive experience.
In their final presentation, the group stated:
"As a group, we really were able to learn a lot from the project. Everyone in my group was able to learn something from this amazing project, we learned to be on a team you have to have communication. Without communication, everything will fall apart and the group would be very confused. Another key aspect is to share ideas no matter what they are and to always have the right intentions because people will always be looking at you for guidance as a leader."
"PERIOD IN PERSPECTIVE"
Inspired by a cause seen at a Women's March, group members worked to destigmatize menstruation and provide menstrual products to women in need. They partnered with fellow GBHS students in woodworking and art to make hand-painted boxes used to collect products at local businesses.
Three locations in the area now have drop-off boxes which are emptied periodically by a community member and shared with Traverse Place, a transitional living program for young adults.
The members also presented to the school board at Grand Blanc Schools to petition for free menstrual products for students at the high school, arguing that people often don't carry quarters to use in machines that in some cases, were found to not be functioning properly. They also felt that places where products were available in case of emergency, were too difficult to access and did not provide discretion.
Students were pleased to learn recently that the school will be providing menstrual products on a trial basis due to their efforts, although an exact plan for roll-out is still unknown.
See this group on Channel 12 News here.
"SCHOOLHOUSE WASH"
Inspired by a mother who is also a teacher at New Standard Academy in Flint, this group confronted the fact that students often don't have basic needs met when they come to school. "Schoolhouse Wash" decided to bring a washer and dryer into a Flint school to allow students to wash their clothes on-site if they weren't in a position to do washing at home.
Carl's Appliance in Grand Blanc enthusiastically donated a washer and crowdfunding helped pay for a dryer, while friends and family volunteered to deliver the pair to New Standard Academy.
The room they were given to transform into a "laundry room" at the school was a former teachers' lounge and was quite large, so the group also arranged for painting to be done and some light furnishings added. They recruited Flint Firefighters to help paint the room in the school's colors. Sherman Williams generously donated paint and supplies for the project.
As a thank you, and to strengthen the relationship further, the group members attended a bowling event fundraiser with the Flint Firefighters.
To stock the new laundry room with supplies, the group approached United Way of Genesee County, who sponsored a laundry soap-making project at Perry Innovation Center. 144 younger latchkey students helped make laundry soap to supply the new laundry room at New Standard Academy.
"This project showed us how blessed we are."
These LEAD students learned important skills in coordinating the activities, which required communication, teamwork, and organization. They interacted with community businesses and organizations and had to budget for activities. They brought joy to residents of our community who can sometimes be overlooked and brought young children and seniors together to learn from each other.
During these final presentations, groups shared their struggles, too. Some students were anti-social, scared of speaking in front of people or hated talking on the phone when they began the semester. Projects came with many adverse issues like scheduling, funding, and disappointment along the way that they persevered through and overcame. They all seemed relieved and proud to have made it to the end of the semester having achieved the goals they'd set for themselves. Very nicely produced videos (with the assistance of talented GBHS video production students) helped outline their journey.
Watch them here.
Mr. Babiasz has been working closely with Educational Consultant Matinga Ragatz to shape this course. Ragatz works with educators all over the country and has told Babiasz that these students are accomplishing things that aren't being done elsewhere yet. Grand Blanc Schools is proud to have Mr. Babiasz, the help of Matinga, and brave students that are willing to put themselves out there and try something outside their comfort zone.
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