Graduate Employability

Volume 1, Issue 3 November 7, 2008

Motivating Others

By Nate Greer and Samantha Langford

Eisenhower High School

The Skills to Graduate The Confidence to Succeed

JOBS FOR ILLINOIS GRADUATES

“Stars for the Future” The fifth hour JILG class at Eisenhower High School decided to take an opportunity to mentor and tutor students at Thomas Jefferson (TJ) Middle School as a service learning project. The class worked hard to come up with lessons to discuss with the students about succeeding in school. We decided to call this program, “Stars for the Future.” Our first day at TJ we all participated in an introduction activity where we got with our mentoree

be working with. We ended the group activity with the human knot race. Before we left to go back to Eisenhower we walked our mentoree to the class to see what type of work they would be doing. This program is a great way to help mo-

tivate some of the future Eisenhower students. It is also a good way for us to make sure the we practice what we preach.

to the kindergarteners is really fun. They love to see us when we come to help in their classes. The fifth grade classes are more difficult. Instead of just reading we help students who need to

“Reading Groups at Muffley” and introduced ourselves and talked about anything that we wanted our TJ student to know. They then talked about themselves. Lastly, we introduced each other to the entire group. It was a good way to get to know the students we would

This month our 4th hour JILG class was allowed to go to Muffley Elementary School to read, mentor, and tutor the students in the kindergarten and fifth and sixth grade. We were also allowed to be teacher assistants to help with whatever the teacher needed us to do. Reading

make up work for their class. We also help the students to organize their work so that they can make sure they get everything done. I enjoy going to Muffley and look forward to helping the students all year.

We make a living by what we get, we make a life by what we give. ~ Winston Churchill

Learning to take the Lead by DeWayne Rivers and Phillip Woods On October 2 and 3 four of the JILG officers took part in a leadership development conference in Flora, IL. I was a little apprehensive about going to the conference because it was during the

We met so many people who we are still friends with today. (cont. p 3)

same week as our homecoming, however, after the very first activity, I realized that I made the right decision.

Jump on It, Lead the Best Way you Can —JILG Officers

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T H E S KI L L S T O G R A D U A T E T H E C O NF I D E N C E T O S U C C E E D

I loved collaborating with the other students to learn trust. I didn’t know that I could trust anyone the way that I do now. I develop skills that will last a lifetime. —DeWayne Rivers, Jr.

want to thank JILG for the opportunity of a lifetime. —Phillip Woods

I attended the leadership development conference as one of the officers in the JILG program. I can say that I learned so much about myself and about my peers. I like to thank the program for investing time into us to help

The very essence of leadership is that you have to have vision. You can't blow an uncertain trumpet. Theodore M. Hesburgh

VOLUME 1, ISSUE 3

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Mission Statement JOBS FOR ILLINOIS GRADUATES

Eisenhower High School Phone: 217/424-5173 Fax: 217/424- 3050 E-mail: [email protected] Ms. Nelson—Career Specialist

The Skills to Succeed The Confidence to Succeed

Jilg’s mission is to provide Illinois high school students with the tools, skills and motivation to stay in school, to graduate, and to develop the self confidence and personal and employability skills to achieve their individual potential that will serve them as they pursue their future careers and higher education.

Vision Statement Jobs for Illinois Graduates will make a measurable decisive difference in the outcomes of the public education and workforce development systems in Illinois.

We’re on the Web! www.jilginc.org

Dear Editor Dear Editor,

Dear Editor,

Dear Editor,

I am confused about filling out college applications. I don't know where to start. I really need help. I was wondering if you could give me information on how to start and how to finish. I also need to know how to write a cover letter.

Why are the gas prices dropping? First they are high and now they are low. Are the prices going to raise again or steadily fall. How much will gas cost in six months? Hopefully it doesn’t go up again.

—College Bound

—Teen Driver

Dear College Bound,

Dear Teen Driver,

I feel Eisenhower High School needs to offer open campus again. With open campus it gives students some freedom and a chance to take a break during the day. Despite the fact that administration thinks it will prevent students from skipping it really just makes students just want to leave more. Even if it was just upperclassmen, they should give us the chance to eat where and what we want.

You have some very good concerns. The purpose of the JILG program is to give you the skills needed to be successful. Everything that you asked will be covered in class. Continue to come to class and participate and the process will get easier.

You pose some really good questions. I had to get some help on the answer. According to www.msnbc.com the price of crude oil is down almost 18% which has caused the price that consumers pay at the pump to be lower. So the price of crude oil will determine the cost per gallon. You can read more at www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26093463

—Responsible Student

Dear Responsible Student, I understand the need for freedom and responsibility, however, the rules are in place to make sure that there is structure and order in school. I challenge you to research the discipline and attendance issues during the time when there was open campus at Eisenhower and then try to think of solutions that will appease the students and administration.