E.S.P.I.R.E.E. @ Uplift Heights

Week 2 Journal Entry (Self-Management) - Why am I here? This exercise gives kids a chance to self-reflect on their natural gifts, and how they can turn natural gifts into a life filled with purpose. (a)What is your purpose? (b)Who is depending on me? Who do I depend on? (c)How can I turn my passion into a paycheck? (d)How much do you care about other people's feelings?

Week 3 Journal Entry (Emotion Regulation) – What are my weaknesses? Finding a Peace Place: This question gives students a way to manage their feelings without direct intervention. It helps them learn to recognize their feelings and empowers them to come up with ways to calm themselves down. (a)What’s holding you back in life. (b)Where do you go to clear your mind? (c)How can you become more disciplined? Give tips on discipline (d)How can you become a better student at school and a better kid at home?

Week 4 Journal Entry (Diversity and Inclusion) – Who do I look up to? Its Morphine Time:
This day will allow kids to vent and realize that it is ok to look up to someone. Students will
explore the importance of teamwork, identify, and appreciate their strengths and those of their
classmates, learn what it means to be a valued team member, and contribute to the community.
Highlight diversity while celebrating students’ qualities.
(a) Name 3 people you aspire to grow up to be like.
(b) What legacy will you leave? Elaborate
(c) Introduce your teammate and their might morphing powers

Week 5 Journal Entry (Emotion Regulation) – Why didn’t I make the team? Balancing Moral Ferocity with Self Awareness. Students will uncover the significance of balancing moral ferocity with self-awareness. After this exercise, student will understand the importance of celebrating questions, and ways to galvanize compassionate action during challenging times in their life? (a)What habits can I change in my life to make myself a better player? (b)How come I didn’t make the team? (c)How will you hold yourself accountable? (d)Why is it important to talk yourself through situations? (self-talk) Guest Speaker: Financial Aid Counselor

Week 6 Journal Entry (Sense of Belonging) – Where do I see myself in 5 years? Some kids may never have asked themselves a question about where they see their life going. We want to create a space where kids can speak positive affirmations about their future into existence and get guidance on which direction in life to go. (a) Where will you be? (b) How will you remember what you learned in your current class, next year? (c) What are 3 goals you want to achieve within the next 5 years? (d) What steps will you take to maintain a healthy and active lifestyle? Guest Speaker: Brian Reynolds (99+) Brian Reynolds | LinkedIn

Week 7 Journal Entry (Sense of Belonging) - What will college do for me? Here we are going to highlight how important it is to receive a college education. Your GPA is your GPS in life! The higher the GPA the further one can go… (a) What college do you want to go to? (b) Would you prefer a junior college or a 4-year institution? (c) Would you consider an HBCU? (d) Top 3 Majors of your choice would be? SEL Weekly Question Guest Speaker: Narketta Myles: College Access Coordinator at Tarrant County College (99+) Narketta Myles | LinkedIn

Week 8 Journal Entry (Supports and Environment) - What is does it mean to be a good student? We ask the students to describe what it means to be a good student. This focuses on how well students manage their emotions, thoughts, and behaviors while in the educational settings. (a) How often did you come to class prepared? (b) How often do you challenge yourself? (c) How often did you get your work done right away, instead of waiting until the last minute? (d) How often did you keep your temper in check? (i) Almost never -- Occasionally -- Sometimes Frequently -- Almost always (e) How often were you polite to other students? (i) Almost never -- Occasionally -- Sometimes Frequently -- Almost always

Week 9 Journal Entry (Supports and Environment) - How are you perceived? How frequently students feel challenging emotions: In this exercise kids will have time to reflect on their image, and how their emotions play a part in how they are perceived. If we can control our emotions, we can somewhat control our image. We will discuss how. (a) During the past week, how often did you feel ? (i) Angry (ii) Lonely (iii) Sad Worried (iv) Frustrated (b) What can you do to turn negatives into positives? (c) Message: “Never let your emotions get to high, and never go to low”

Week 10 (Student: Well-Being) Journal Entry – Leading from where you are at! In week 10 we want to really push that everyone can do something, and age is no excuse to not make a difference. This session will teach everyone to be an advocate and “Good Samaritan” in the community. (a) How can you inspire change in the community? (b) What friend could benefit from this program? (c) Do you have a friend from school who you can count on to help you, no matter what? Who?

 Week 11 Journal Entry (Student: Well-Being) – How can you stay on track? The last class of the program. A debrief of what we covered during the program. We are going to break down the next steps for kids per their grade level. What the expectations are of them in the next grade and the next phase in life. (a) What was the best part about this program, how can we improve, etc. (b) Do you have a teacher or other adult from school who you can count on to help you, no matter what? (c) What lessons from this program will you put into action withing your own life. Guest Speaker Saturday: NBA Champion