Sheila,
If you can get a student ambassador to contact each week, great. The idea is to create a relationship that matters. Moreover, not just student ambassadors... retention is the school's business... everyone should have a hand in retention tactics.
Dr. Larry Banks
Ideal school involvement can be implemented quickly would be:
1. Include a representative from each program as a Student Ambassador. The students in each program should be introduced to the Student Ambassador during orientation. The Student Ambassador can contact each student weekly via e-mail or text to establish a contact to reach out to.
2. Each program should develop a mentor program. In specialty programs that are longer, one student from the second year class can select a "little brother" or "little sister" from the new class to mentor.
3. Faculty can note students that demonstrate leadership and mentoring characteristics. These students can be encouraged to be mentors for other students.
4. Engage your school in community activities or service-learning activities that build a sense of pride in a school. Examples of successful activities are taking a day to assist an organization in building a playground, helping with Habitat for Humanity; cleaning up a nearby park, or providing a health fair for the community.
Victoria,
Awesome... Anything to create relationships. A relationship equates to trust. Love it.
Dr. Larry Banks
We have many different activities for the students and faculty to interact. We have clubs for BBQ, Cake decorating, Knife skills, Asian cuisine, American cuisine, etc. We have asudent council that creates fund raising events for the students. We ask all students participate in weekend classes for the public, graduation, student appreciation days, in service days. etc, etc.
In the school where I work students often participate in voluntary activities, this is great to increase retention.
I suggest that they hace more clubs, guest speakers, field trips, study groups, mentoring programs.
Christopher,
Perfect. Use the time to connect and develop a relationship with students. Relationship equal trust and therefore, retention.
Dr. Larry Banks
Once a quarter we implement a day of fun events for our students such as 80's day or talk like a pirate day. In the summer we hold an ice cream social on hot days and try to get different classes mingling with each other.
David,
Perfect. Do all that you can to form relationships with students. Don't forget how important it is to create one-on-one relationships, too.
Dr. Larry Banks
We have a reward for student of the course for each class, and attendance awards for the entire time here. We also have student lunches and yard games run by the instructional and administration staff set up during lunch periods to encourage students socializing. To help students with course material we have both peer tutors and chances for students to work directly with instructors when they need help.
We have car bashes, a day at the drag strip, a game show with a money booth, we held a thanksgiving for students that could not make it home.
On graduation day we have a power point of pictures that are taken that day of the students. I feel that we could make the presentation even better if we had a camera in each class that has a grad. in it so we could take pictures of what they do in the lab and class to show their family.
amber,
Perfect, Amber. I have a home recording studio. And from experience, students love to compare and share. Sounds like you are doing great student activties.
Dr. Larry Banks
I've actually been working with members of the admin staff on this very topic. We are an audio engineering school, so to have things centered around what they're learning is one way we would like to go about implementing activities.
Beat (Making) Battles, Mix Competitions and hosting a Music Trivia night are some of the things we've come up with.
We currently host a Thanksgiving dinner every year for those who can't go home, as well a Halloween party and costume contest and student cookouts in the spring and summer.
Kimberly,
Excellent observation. Students love to help and uplift other people.
Dr. Larry Banks
Stephen,
Wonderful. Sounds like your plan is working for you.
Dr. Larry Banks
We currently have some programs in place for student recognition. Some are attendance related (Perfect Attendance and Excellence in Attendance) and are awards presentented at graduation. Also, at graduation, students are recognized for excellence within the course for achieving Student of the Course award(s). This award is also given to the individual at the time of achievement after each course. Student are also recognized for post graduation programs that they will be attending. As far as activities go, at various times of the year such as Halloween, Thanksgiving, 4th of July, etc., we have student get togethers at the school with games and prizes. This usually takes place during lunch and break times. Outside events include school drag races and some off road events (we are an automotive/diesel school). While these events tend to have limited involvement, they seem to incorporate a good deal of student/staff socializing. We probably should expand our out of school activities to provide more student participation. Actvities such as bowling or other type of sports may generate additional interest at the school. Another activity could be summer car shows. We do have a student council that interested individuals can be part of. Many of these type of activities are organized through the student council.
A list of things students could do outside of school would be:
Volunteer at a Community Kitchen.
Cosmo Students could go to a ladies shelter and give free hair cuts.
Nail Students could do mini manicures.
MA Students could do blood pressure checks.
CJ students could help clients fill out paper work, etc.
I think when a student sees that their talent can help someone, they are more apt to refine that talent and make it better. :)
Our school has an awards system for students and it works for about 50% of them. The other 50% become discouraged by the mid part of each term when they realize that they will not be receiving any awards.
Some awards, such as Student Helping Student, Best Attitude, and Hardest Worker are voted on by classmates.
Employer forum - bring in employers who have an open discussion with the students.
Seminars over the holiday break - bring in students and make sure they get a certificate.
Student Appreciation Days - have the faculty and staff cook and serve the students. Games and other events can coincide with the event.
Cancer Walk - have the students be a part of a group cancer walk (or other similar event).
Reggie,
Short and to the point. Yes, demonstrations... especially the kind that include the student. Engage them!
Dr. Larry Banks
Cook offs! More cooking demonstrations. Invite celebrity chefs. Implement a family day.
