December Is Here!

December is here! Christmas is right around the corner. But have you seniors in high school turned in at least 3 to 4 college applications? If not, it’s very important to do so because most colleges are getting ready to start viewing applications. Pretty soon they will be making their decisions. As Christmas is around the corner, January is also fast approaching. What does that mean? That means that beginning January 1st you can file for your FAFSA. What does FAFSA stand for? FAFSA stands for Free Application for Student Aid. FAFSA is so important; it determines how much financial aid you get and how much money you have to pay out of your pocket for college. The earlier you apply, the better chance you have of receiving more money. I encourage every senior to turn your FAFSA in ASAP. I also encourage students to set up an appointment with your DC CAP Advisor and make sure everything is straight before you go on your winter break.

How important was the 2008 Presidential Election?

In the past years, we as American citizens watched as the economy fell, watched our soldiers get killed in Iran, watched as the gas prices grew, watched as our parents try to find solutions to their problems on how they can pay their bills ( mortgages, health care, car notes), watched as working Americans get laid of jobs, watched foundations lose profits because they couldn’t find the funds to meet financial needs, watched how we high school seniors wonder how we are going to pay or receive help in paying for college. We watched as New Orleans flooded due to the lack of readiness. Watched neighbors take in strangers because they had no bed to lay their head. I think that every American that voted on November 4, 2008 found a solution to all of these problems. I think that, that was very important because every single citizen that was eligible to vote voice needed to be heard and I guarantee you every voice was heard. We waited and watched for 18 long months where these candidates debate over these different issues’s that they promise Americans change in. On November 4, 2008 the citizens of the United States of America made the first change.

So the two questions that I have for you are how important do you think this election was, are you satisfied with the results?

Written By: Jasmine Davis

Top 3 things I learned after completing UA

The importance of time management.
-Honestly, I have had my moments with time management. I wasn’t taking it very seriously. If you don’t have good time management, you are bound to fall behind your work. If this happens, it won't be a good reflection on you. Your co-workers will get the impression that you cannot handle the work load or that you just don’t care.

Communication! It makes your life much easier.
-Urban Alliance always works as a team, so communication is an important factor. If you don’t communicate with your co-workers, you won’t get to create some type of friendship. Also, your mentor will never know what you’re doing. That will be a problem because if you don’t touch base with your mentor on a daily basis, he or she might assume you aren’t doing your part as the intern. And you could be put on probation or maybe be terminated.

How to deal with conflict in the work place:

-Before coming to your work site, come with an open mind and a good attitude. Once you’re in a professional environment, you must be professional. You can be yourself but know when to keep the behavior you have with your friends outside of the work place.


Urban Alliance has a wonderful staff. The Program Coordinators will help you with numerous things from making an updated resume, applying for college, finding scholarships to learning how to budget your money. Once you get into the habit of working in a professional environment, you can accomplish the professional skills that you will need in the real world.

How has UA changed your view of the work force? What have you learned?

College Readiness

Before you get in to college you must have your priorities in order and know that college is not like high school you will be on your own with out anyone trying to jump down your throat telling you what to do and when. Things to remember: Attendance, Time Management, Being organized, and why you are really their. Get familiar with your college and what you will need when you get there. Learn about: Housing options (on-campus, off-campus, Greek, etc.), Course selection/scheduling, Faculty/Programs in your major, Do you need a car (Where will you park?), Should you have your own computer if not will there be access.
Attend a summer orientation program. Also be sure to enroll in a freshman orientation class, even if it isn't required. Get to know your counselors. Look for a Mentor or adults who can lend their enthusiasm and help you succeed at your goals. Get to know some of one who has been through what you are going through, an upper class student (network). Make sure you have a study buddy in all the subjects you are having trouble in.
Make a list of what you will need to take to college if possible coordinate with your roommate so you won't have two of everything refrigerator, microwave, stereo, computer, etc. Make a list of personal care items you use and go price shopping. You won't believe how much a toothbrush costs!
Work with your parents on a financial plan or budget. Where will your money come from? Who pays for what? How or When to ask for more? What constitutes an emergency? Consider a savings account that your parents and you both have access to so that your parents can put money in it just for emergencies. Real emergencies like books, lab fees, supplies, etc not just because you need some new shoes, movie money or your hair done. Start planning for how you’ll communicate with your parents and friends while you’re at college – e-mail, cell phone, IM, etc. Consider cost, availability and ease of communication. Ensure clear and easy communication with your folks and see if they’ll pay for part or all of that. You should probably pay for the rest with the money you saved up from working! Also make sure to take a tour of your classes before school starts so you won't get lost or look foolish on the first day of class.



Written by: Carleen Robinson

Are yOu ready 4 prOm?

Making Your Prom Special:
The Guide to Make YOUR PROM THE BEST!!!

Prom is the most important event other than graduation that high school students will ever experience; however, it can be very stressful and it can tempt you to try new things.

Prom is just around the corner!! (YaY) Are you ready?

Okay, so if you have not started planning and looking for your stuff then you better get ready.

Ladies we all know that we want our dresses to look better than our fellow classmates; so what do we do? If you are getting your dress made or if you are buying a dress and haven’t started either process, then you need to get on the ball. Remember that you are not the only person going to prom; which means that there are a million other girls looking for dresses and fabric just like you. For the ladies that are getting their dresses made, fabric is currently on sell and it is selling fast. Below is a list of stores that sells fabric and other prom necessities:

1. Jo-Ann Fabrics and Crafts in Greenbelt, MD at Beltway Plaza.
2. Hancock’s in Forestville, MD across from Forestville mall.
3. Paradise Fabric in Suitland, MD. (18th and K)
4. Exquisite Fabric on 18 and K street NW Washington, DC.
5. Maharam Fabric Corporation 1255 23rd St NW Washington, DC

Written by: Nashae Raynor

Preparing for College Schedules

College is one of the most exciting times in a person’s life. Everyone goes to college for virtually the same reasons: to party, meet new people….oh yea to get a college degree. The first two parts of college is the fun part, but the education is the toughest but main reason for going to college.
You classes can be easily forgotten when you go away to school. Because there is no one to tell you when to wake up except your roommate, (who is also probably sleeping as well) getting to those early morning classes will be a headache. There are some ways to get to an 8am class on time.
First, most college schedules have your classes every other day. You may only have that 8am class Mondays and Wednesdays. Make sure not to stay up really late the day before you have the earlier schedules. Another way to ensure that you get to class on time and study is to make a schedule for yourself.
The most important thing about college is being capable of keeping yourself focused. If you are focused, college will be fun and easy.


Written by: John Gass

CathOlic schOol banS mySpace!!!

The Detriot News reported that a Michigan Catholic school called St. Hugo Of the Hills Catholic School will no longer allow students to have myspace pages. In order to escape the risk of suspension students must erase their pages. The school plans to make the staff members monitor the site for student activity.

From my point of view, I find this very stupid to force the students to delete their pages. Even if the students abide by this rule, there are still many social websites available online.

Do you think the school is being irrational? If you attended this school, would you delete your profile or go against the school's orders? Explain your answers

Refrences

Lewis, Shawn. "MySpace profiles mock St. Hugo." detnews.com. 26 Feb. 2008.


For more information

detnews.com

myspace.com

http://www.clickondetroit.com/news/11331017/detail.html

I AM SOMEBODY!

Today I learned that your inside is most important. Once that is solved, the outside can be much brighter for you. I always used to compare my efforts and achievements to those of others. But I learned the need to separate myself from others when deciding upon intentions of what I choose to do. Only you know truly what is right for you. Comparisons happen when you do not find enough within yourself to be content with. You cannot be confident of yourself alone. So try to prove to yourself, and perhaps others, that you are just as good, and even sometimes better at certain things than them. We are all different in personality, desires, and attributes; so, we all have different strengths and weaknesses. But the important thing is that you are happy. This can only be achieved if you make it happen yourself. I’m not saying helping others should be overlooked, but it is something we all should do. Even though we’re immersed in competition, it doesn’t mean we can’t set our own personal goals of achievement in the race. Decide what is right for you. And when you have achieved what you want, don’t let it be overshadowed if someone has done it better. You fulfilled what you set out to do.

“Trust yourself. You know more than you think you do.”
-Benjamin Spock

“OMG College Fees!”

College costs are soaring higher than ever. The cost of tuition continues to go up. According to recently released reports from the College Board, most students and their families can expect to pay from $95 to $1,404 more than last years fees, depending on the type of college.

The best thing about the high tuition rates is that the amount of financial aid is much greater. This impacts me a lot as a student because the tuition rates at many schools are not affordable for me or many of my peers.

Did you know that, according to a 2007 College Board Study, Education Pays, people with a bachelor's degree earn over 60 percent more than those with only a high school diploma? Over a lifetime, the gap in earning potential between a high school diploma and a B.A. is more than $800,000.

So as you can see the sacrifices you make towards getting your college education are more than repaid for in the long run.

If you would like to learn further information, visit the links below.

http://www.collegeboard.com/student/pay/add-it-up/4494.html

http://www.savingforcollege.com/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/College_tuition

http://swz.salary.com/collegetuitionplanner/layoutscripts/cltl_start.asp

"Closing our schools"

By next summer 24 schools in the District of Columbia will be closing. Just in the past year, records show that 55,000 to 49,600 students have dropped out. Instead of operating incomplete school programs, the Mayor and Chancellor proposed to shutting 24 schools, and using the money saved to strengthen existing programs such as art and music.

Attending a District of Columbia Public School I agree that we do need more music and art classes in school because it’s a way of expressing ourselves. And there may be less graffiti on the walls. Due to the budget cut, my school had to take out the “not so important” class which was art. When the school cancelled the art program I lost a piece of myself. If I were in Mayor Fentys shoes I would close at least five schools that are not up to par.


Below is a list of schools that would close before the start of the 2008-2009 academic years.

Elementary Schools:

Bowen
Bunker Hill
Bruce-Monroe
Burroughs
ClarkJ.F.
Cook
Gage-Eckington
Gibbs
Green
Meyer
PR Harris (Elementary)
Rudolph
Slowe
Smothers
Stevens
Wilkinson
Young

Middle & Junior High:

Backus
Ronald Brown
Hine
M.M. Washington
PR Harris (Middle)
Shaw

Special Education/Alternative:

M.M. Washington Special Education Center
Douglass Transition Academy
CHOICE Academies


If you were in Mayor Fentys shoes, how would you handle the situation?

If you would like to learn more about this topic?
Visit the links below

http://www.wusa9.com/

http://www.washingtonpost.com/

http://myfoxdc.com.com/

Ground Rules for UA Blog

Purpose: The purpose of this blog is to share other interns’ opinions about how they feel about the Urban Alliance Program, School, and Life as a senior, and other general questions, comments, or concerns that they might have.

Ground Rules: There would be different ground rules that the interns must follow in order to take part in the everyday blog activities.

- No use of profanity in the comment blogs
- No putting others down; everyone is entitled to their own opinion
- No starting drama with anyone in UA.
- Express your feelings or concerns in a professional manner
- Commit to writing in the blog at least once a week
- Address any new ideas that UA can do to make the program fun but also meaningful