HOW WE WORK

Community Champion-La Cumbre Junior High School

Principal Jo Ann Caines is a champion of adult-youth partnerships and positive youth development within La Cumbre Junior High School.  No stranger to youth development, Mrs. Caines exemplified Character Counts within curriculum at Santa Barbara's Adams Elementary for many years.  Visitors often commented on the positive attitudes and attributes of the elementary students during Mrs. Caines time as principal.  Today at La Cumbre Junior High School, Mrs. Caines has delivered the same passion with asset and character rich projects such as school wide reading challenge.  The Revealers, a book by Dan Wilhelm, shares the story of a bullying from both perspectives.  The school followed the book with a video and curriculum provided by the Anti-Defamation League, poster contest, and for next year, another book, Brian's Story.  Mrs. Caines should also be proud that her school is both graffiti and litter free due to the pride student's maintain for their school.
 

The Revealers Poster Winners: A Brief Interview
 

l-r Maria Barbara Martinez Rios, Jo Ann Caines, & Marlene Nunez

La Cumbre Junior High School has proven that character still counts in middle school grades.  During fall of 2007, Principal Jo Ann Caines implemented a school wide reading assignment to all 7th grade students.  The Revealers, by Dan Wilhelm, is a title on bullying in a fictional, suburban middle school with the issue presented from both perpetrators and victims.  Mr. Wilhelm presents the story with easy to read prose, and messages that exemplify the important of character traits and positive school, community and family values.  Want to know more?  You'll have to read the book!

Maria Barbara Martinez Rios and Marlene Nunez are winners of an additional project that originated from the reading assignment.  Students were asked to create a poster related to the book.  Maria and Marlene used their artistic skills to construct works of art that included impressions of the book cover, main and supporting  characters, and object symbolism.  Each poster's use of space and character orientation, and overall poster affects was appealing and truly representative of the book.....without giving any details of the book away.  The winning art selections have been laminated and will be presented within a display case at La Cumbre Junior High School.

A short interview with both Maria and Marlene revealed a bit about their thoughts on The Revealers.  Both girls enjoyed the book, and took away several messages.  Maria and Marlene felt that education is important and a big message throughout the book.  They also felt that students should not bully, as little kids watch, learn and follow older sibling and adult examples, even bad ones.  Maria mentioned that the book's principal did not portray good character, by ignoring bullying that was going on in her school, and instead taking side with parents who had powerful jobs and student who perpetuated bullying. Both girls felt that bullying does not make someone appear tough.

United Way of Santa Barbara County thanks Principal Caines for instituting both the book assignment, poster challenge, and the opportunity to meet two wonderful and talented young artists.

Awards to Students for Outstanding Character

United Way is proud to recognize and award junior high students at all four middle schools who exemplify Outstanding Character.

Elias Munoz, La Cumbre Junior High School, with Paul Didier	Jessica Navarrete, La Cumbre Junior High School, with Paul Didier

Erik Lazaro-Santa Barbara Junior High School	Nicole Garfias-La Colina Junior High School
Janine Wilson-Goleta Valley Middle School

Goleta Valley Middle School: Janine Wilson

Janine, pictured center, with her family

United Way of Santa Barbara County presented an Outstanding Character Award to Janine Wilson, a Goleta Valley Junior High School student. This award recognizes outstanding character and asset-building students in Santa Barbara junior high schools.

Janine exemplified true character through demonstration of the Six Pillars of Character, which include: trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring, and citizenship through both school and community involvement. A few recent accomplishments include: a bronze winner in the Santa Barbara County Science Fair for Goleta Valley; a 4.0 GPA student on the National Junior Honor’s Society, who is also eligible for the President’s Award; turning a jewelry making hobby into a profit-generating business endeavor, with proceeds donated to Cottage Hospital’s Neonatal Unit.

Thank you Janine! United Way is looking forward to hearing about more achievements next year at Dos Pueblos High School.

Colorado Youth-Adult Partnership Conference

Catherine and Vincente, teen students from the Montana Yellowstone Expedition in Santa Barbara, attend a youth-adult partnership conference in Denver, Colorado. A large group of Santa Barbara organizations attended including: Santa Barbara Parks and Recreation, Santa Barbara Office of Education, Orfalea Foundation, United Way of Santa Barbara and Montana Yellowstone Expedition. The nine-participant groups are currently seeking ways to collaborate and expand positive youth development and youth-adult partnerships in Santa Barbara.