Cook County Extension - University of Illinois Extension

Cook County Extension 2017 Summer Edition Newsletter

Th e Pr IM ES Pr oject In May, STEM Educators Sue Gasper and Meghan McCleary were awarded an Illinois State Board of Education Math-Science Partnership Grant along with colleagues from UIUC campus. The PrIMES project ? Pr actices Integrated across M athematics, Engineering and Science - focuses on providing Kindergarten through 8th grade teachers with extended professional development around the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). The PrIMES development team is working to create a series of high quality integrated professional development activities grounded in STEM education research. By connecting teachers with the latest research, the team hopes to bridge the gap between theory and practice to help teachers develop a deep understanding of key science and engineering practices, and learn how to leverage these practices to enhance student learning in science and math. In June and July, a cohort of 35 urban and rural teachers spent two weeks on the UIUC campus where Gasper, McCleary, and the PrIMES team provided them with 90 hours of professional development. During the first week of their summer institute, teachers were immersed as students in a NGSS learning experience consistent with the new vision outlined in the Framework for K-12 Science Education. The second week of the institute provided teachers with the tools needed to start developing their own NGSS-aligned curricula, and small grade-specific groups began creating storyline units. During the 2017-18 school year, teachers will pilot parts of these storylines in their own classrooms and continue to develop curricula with their small groups under the guidance of the PrIMES team. In accordance with the grant, Extension Educators and the PrIMES team will provide an additional 112 hours of professional development, including another extended institute in the summer of 2018.

Par t n er in g w it h Con gr essm an Dan n y Davis Small Animal Educator, Courtyne Jackson, DVM, partnered with Congressman Danny Davis at the 21st Annual 7th Congressional District Education Ceremony, celebrating scholarship recipients. Jackson along with a panel of other professionals spoke about careers in their field of expertise , providing students with exposure to a variety of careers.

Tr au m a, Com passion an d Resilien cy Ret r eat The Trauma, Compassion and Resiliency Retreat was held this summer at the Cook County headquarters office in July and at the Westchester branch office in August. The retreat focused on how trauma affects classroom learning, and provided teachers with classroom strategies for building resilient learners. Included in the 35 participants were a diverse mix of administrators, classroom, and support/auxiliary personnel. Each retreat took place over two days and included a total of four classes: Introduction to Trauma, Compassion and Resiliency; Self-Care for Teachers; Strategies for Building a Compassionate Classroom; and Raising Mental Health Awareness. Classes were facilitated by Community Health Educator, Michele Crawford. As a result of the retreat, classes have been taught at Lansing School District 158, Brighton Park Elementary School and Healthy Schools Campaign. An upcoming session is scheduled for staff at North Lawndale College Prep in November.

Secon d Coh or t The Master Urban Farmer Training Program (MUFTP) ended its 2nd 12-week training session on July 26, 2017. The program consisted of 30 adult trainees with a variety of backgrounds from beginning growers with no experience, teachers, community gardeners, and budding urban ag entrepreneurs. The 2017 session was held at The Children?s Farm in Palos Park, IL. This 65 acre working farm provided a wonderful backdrop and some eyes-on learning opportunities for the participants. Evaluation of the program is underway to make the MUFTP better than ever. The possibility of breaking the MUFTP into two separate sessions is being considered as a new format. One winter session would involve skills related to business planning, finance, and planning for production, while the spring/summer session would focus on the actual growing skills. A complimentary and exciting update to is the ground breaking of our new ?South Cook Urban Ag Demonstration and Research Site? (SCUADRS). This site will provide MUFTP and other program

participants experiential learning opportunities in urban ag production systems.

Gir ls Em pow er m en t Cir cle & Boys M en t or in g Pr ogr am In July and August of 2017, University of Illinois Extension Community Health, and Social and Emotional Learning teams, collaborated to deliver two programs to empower adolescent girls and boys to make healthy choices related to their physical, social, and emotional well-being; as well as plan and prepare for education and career choices. Over four summers, the Girls Empowerment Circle has helped over 50 adolescent girls transition into young adulthood. New this summer, the young ladies created decorative encouragement pillows to donate to youth at Mercy Home for Boys and Girls. During the second year of the Boys Mentoring Program, guest speaker, Cook County Assistant State's Attorney Jamaal Buchanan, discussed goal setting and a career as an attorney with the youth. On July 29, youth from both programs participated in a community service project, helping with the Old Schoolhouse Garden at Immanuel Lutheran Church, a pillar of the Westchester, IL community for over 160 years. Youth added mulch to garden beds, pulled weeds, planted and watered flowers, and painted signage. The Old Schoolhouse is instrumental in providing fresh food to the local food pantry. Staff at the church educated youth on the plants in the garden, the butterflies the garden attracts, and the history of Old Schoolhouse. As a thank you each youth received flower seeds to attract their own butterflies. This experience imparted lessons on giving back to community and working together, as well as allowing youth from both programs to learn more about each other and bond.

Gr ow You r Ow n Wor k sh op Ser ies: M in i Tu n n el Bu ild On June 3rd, 2017 the Local Foods and Small Farms team facilitated a Grow Your Own Workshop , demonstrating how to build a small mini-tunnel for your raised bed box. These structures are used for extending the season and starting plants for the garden in the spring. 20 participants gained eyes-on and hands-on experience in the construction and growing principles related to these structures. Another mini-tunnel workshop was conducted on August 19th at the Melanie Fitness Center in Dolton, IL. Additional collaborations for more of these workshops is underway. Check Extension website for details on more opportunities.

Space Cam p Reu n ion Space Campers reunited in August for a picnic held at the Forest Preserves of Cook County?s Thatcher Woods. Participants from the classes of 2015 and 2016 had the opportunity to catch up with fellow campers and meet those from the other cohort. While at the picnic, campers and their families competed in space trivia, took pictures in a galaxy photo booth, and used an HTC Vive or an Oculus Rift to do a virtual reality simulation of the International Space Station. Parents and campers shared many exciting things

NATIONAL HEALTH EDUCATION WEEK

that they have been doing post-camp including: visiting camp again for advanced Space Camp, starting a tech company at a University of Chicago incubator, applying for patents, doing research at the University of Illinois at Chicago, and attending an aerospace engineering camp on campus in Urbana-Champaign, among other things. Based on participant feedback, attending a weeklong adventure at Space Camp seems to have made a big impact on these students!

This year, Nat ion al Healt h Edu cat ion Week is observed from Oct . 16t h -20t h 2017. This occasion centers national attention on key public health issues and promotes understanding of the role health education plays in promoting the public?s health. This celebration is being promoted by the Society for Public Health Education (SOPHE) with five themes to be emphasized over the week: M on day ? Making health for all a reality Tu esday ? The use of technology in health education Wedn esday ? What?s advocacy got to do with it? Th u r sday ? What?s the impact of environmental health? Fr iday ? Community health ? this is who we are and what we do

During National Health Education Week, look for blog posts on each theme from the Extension Community Health Team linked on the team?s web page http://web.extension.illinois.edu/cook/commhealth.html. The Extension Community Health Team delivers prevention-focused, research-driven community health education programming in English and Spanish. The six areas for programming the team will focus on in the 2017/ 18 program year are: - Healthcare - Mental Health - Sexual and Reproductive Health - Trauma-Informed Care - Chronic Disease Prevention and - Interpersonal Violence Management Visit the team?s web page for details on available programs.

Wh at t h ey 'r e sayin g... ?Personally, it has helped me to become a better listener. I've taught the same things at the same grade level in the same room for 12 years. I'm more than ready to make some changes, and PrIMES is helping me to see how to do it.? (Teacher - The PrIMES Project) "This will help me to be more aware & compassionate of the situations, circumstances, trauma that students experience. " (Teacher - Trauma, Compassion and Resiliency Retreat) "I am more knowledgeable about activities and resources to help students master math skills." (Teacher - Math Professional Development Program)

"I am grateful for all of your support and your good works with the youth in your educational workshops at University of Illinois Extension. The work that you do, and that we do, makes a world of difference in ensuring that children are given the chance to heal from their painful pasts and to face a future that's brighter, happier and full of hope. Thank you for your commitment to children." (Fr. Scott Donahue President/ CEO, Mercy Home for Boys and Girls - Girls Empowerment Circle)

4-H Spot ligh t : Bailey h ad a gr eat su m m er ! This summer, Bailey Waddy of the Vision Outreach 4-H Club, received highest honors for projects at the Illinois State and Cook County fairs. The sixth grader from Vanderpoel Humanities Academy in Chicago won awards in the categories of Cooking, Food and Nutrition, Visual Arts, and Photography. In only her second year of participation, Bailey Waddy has accomplished the following: -

Illinois State Superior Award, Cooking 101 Cook County Grand Champion, Food and Nutrition Cook County Grand Champion, Visual Arts-Original Cook County Reserve Grand Champion, Photography

-

Purple Ribbon, Food and Nutrition Purple Ribbon, Visual Arts-Original Blue Ribbon, Food and Nutrition Blue Ribbon, Visual Arts-Original

We are so proud of Ms. Waddy and her accomplishments, and cannot wait to see what the future holds.

Su ccess in M at h

Math workshops were expanded to 2-3 full day sessions this year to give teachers a better opportunity to develop strategies and approaches to incorporate math principles into their everyday curriculum. Programs included ways to engage students, uses of technology and online resources as worthwhile learning tools, as well as a deeper understanding of the Common Core math Practice Standards. The eight workshops catered to specific grade-levels and provided teachers with an extensive collection of materials and ideas ready to use in the classroom. Over 150 teachers participated this summer in Extension's math professional development programs over the course of eight workshops.

Cal endar Welcom e New Edu cat or s Gem in i Bh alsod Ext en sion Edu cat or , Hor t icu lt u r e 1114 N. Arlington Heights Road Suite 201 Arlington Heights, IL 60004 Phone: 847-201-4176 FAX: 847-201-4175 [email protected]

FITWITS workshop November 2nd - Matteson, IL Bold Conversations: SEL and Parenting November 4th - Westchester, IL Taste of 4-H November 4th - Arlington Heights, IL 4-H Ornament & Project Workshop November 4th - Palos Heights, IL Food Safety Modernization Act for Growers Training November 6th - Countryside, IL

Ar u n a Bu dh r am Ext en sion Edu cat or , Fam ily an d Con su m er Scien ce EFNEP 9415 South Western Avenue Suite 200 Chicago, IL 60643 Phone: 773-651-4011 FAX: 773-651-4047 [email protected]

Rem em ber in g Com m ission er Rober t St eele Cook County Board Commissioner, 2nd District, Robert Steele was a great advocate for University of Illinois Extension. Commissioner Steele was instrumental in the partnership between University of Illinois Extension and Cook County Forest Preserve District, among others. We thank him for his service to the Cook County residents.

Sowing the Seeds: Chicago's Leadership in Food & Agriculture Education November 6th - Chicago, IL Math Outside the Book (3rd - 5th) grade Teachers November 6th - Westchester, IL November 9th - Berwyn, IL Introduction to Project-Based Learning (6th 12th grade) November 16th - Matteson, IL November 17th - Westchester, IL Stay Safe and Healthy in Winter November 27th - Matteson, IL

Fin d Us On lin e: extension.illinois.edu/ cook/ facebook.com/ cookcountyextension twitter .com/ cookcountyext

University of Illinois · U.S. Department of Agriculture · Local Extension Councils Cooperating University of Illinois Extension provides equal opportunities in programs and employment.