Famed Actor, Will Smith Visits Open Doors Academy

Open Doors Academy November Newsletter

Issue: # 5

November, 2008

Dear Open Doors Supporters,

I must confess that it has always been a dream of mine to one day meet Actor, Musician, and Superstar, Will Smith. However, not even in my wildest dreams could I ever have imagined he would come and visit Open Doors Academy! The last few days have been a whirlwind of emotions and excitement. Like a parent on Christmas morning, when your child opens the gift they have been waiting for in anticipation, the look of joy and excitement on their faces warmed my heart with joy and pride. It was truly a remarkable experience that we will never forget. I am forever grateful to Mr. Smith and to Laura, Kim, and Kara for making this dream possible. Thank you for believing in Open Doors and in the dreams and futures of our students. I am forever grateful this holiday season for the blessings you have bestowed upon us. I wish everyone a very Happy Thanksgiving! II

Annemarie M. Grassi, M.S.Ed.
Executive Director

Open Doors News

Open Doors' Students meet
Megastar Will Smith
Annemarie M. Grassi, Executive Director

photograph courtesy of Chela Crinnion

On Thursday, November 21st, the students of Open Doors Academy were stunned by the arrival of a surprise guest, Mr. Will Smith. The students had been told that a very special guest would be visiting them, but had no idea who it might be. A hundred students and alumni of Open Doors gathered in the basement of St. Paul's Church, anxiously awaiting the guest's arrival, their cameras poised as they sat on the edge of their seats. Right before the big entrance, Executive Director, Annemarie Grassi and Program Director, Paul Theodore, teased the students that they could not recite the words to the theme song from the Fresh Prince of Bel Air. As the students began chanting the song in rhythm, Will Smith entered the room rapping along. Screams of excitement let out as the students realized their special guest had arrived. Dropped jaws, disbelief, and tears of excitement and joy filled their faces as Mr. Smith made his way around the room giving hugs and hi-fives to kids all around the room. Tre Grady, 7th grader, later disclosed that he felt as if he was going to faint when Will Smith walked into the room. Followed by the comment, that this was the best day of his entire life!

As the screams and cheers settled, Mr. Smith joined the circle of teenagers and began to participate in the Open Doors monthly tradition of a Community Meeting. The topic on the table was peer pressure, and Mr. Smith, equally contributed sharing his experiences with Peer Pressure, the importance of realizing your dreams, never giving up on them, and choosing your friends carefully. Students asked Mr. Smith questions about being a role model, and struggling with failure and setbacks. The students also shared their own personal stories and challenges that they have faced growing up.

Following the experience, everyone wants to know if Mr. Smith is as nice as he seems on TV, and the answer to that is he is humble, gracious, and a down to earth person. He is an inspiration and a role model to youth, a phenomenal speaker, and a genuine humanitarian. It was truly an honor to have him in our presence and we will carry this day with us for the rest of our lives.

Girlsphotos

photographs courtesy of Chela Crinnion

photograph courtesy of Chela Crinnion

Open Doors Holiday Wish List

Open Doors Holiday
Wish List

The Holidays are around the corner..

Give a gift to a friend, by giving a gift to Open Doors Academy

Help us fill our cabinets with much needed supplies this Holiday Season!

It is so easy! Simply order the gift from our Target Holiday Wish List below, and it will ship it to us directly!

Click Here to View the List:
OPEN DOORS HOLIDAY WISH LIST

WAYS TO GIVE

Many companies/ organizations adopt a family for the holidays.. consider asking your company to adopt Open Doors!
Purchase a gift from Open Doors on behalf of a family member/ friend. We will send them a card to thank them for the gift you gave on their behalf.
Simply add Open Doors to your holiday shopping list~ mom, dad, brother, Open Doors!

Students in the News

STUDENT OF THE MONTH
Jayla Myers, 6th grader

What is your favorite Open Doors Snack? Cinnamon Bagels with Cream Cheese

What is your favorite thing to do after school? Hanging out with Open Doors at Coventry Park

What is your favorite thing to do on the weekends? Spending the night over relatives houses

What is your favorite subject in school? Reading

If you could be a superhero, who would you be? Wonder Woman

What is your favorite cartoon/ cartoon character?
The Fairly Odd Parents

Who is your greatest inspiration? My mom, because even when I get into trouble with her, she always comes and talks to me about the things that happened and what I can do differently next time.

What is your greatest challenge or biggest dream? I want to become a fashion designer

What do you like most about Open Doors? We get to go on a lot of field trips and I get help when I need it.

Anything else you want to share? I love everyone at Open Doors!!!

gabepic

STUDENT OF THE MONTH
Gabe Dabney, 6th Grader

What is your favorite Open Doors Snack? Candy

What is your favorite thing to do after school? Playing basketball and football

What is your favorite thing to do on the weekends? Talk to girls

What is your favorite subject in school? Math

If you could be a superhero, who would you be? Superman

Who is your greatest inspiration? Michael Jordan, because he does many great things

What is your greatest challenge or biggest dream? To go to the NBA, win lots of MVP's and make a lot of money!

What do you like most about Open Doors? The People

Anything else you would like to share? Yes, I like Money $$$$

Return on Investment

Return on Investment
Open Doors 2008 Evaluation
(Part 3 of 3)

Interviews/ Observations

If you would like to receive a full copy of the 2008 Open Doors Evaluation, please email Annemarie M. Grassi to request a copy.

What are the kids like at Open Doors? How does this compare to school and other activities that you are in?
"They open up more...they are more comfortable... you don't have to worry about popularity or being teased...SCHOOL is CRAZY!" Response by: 7th grader, Male

Observation Notes from "Outdoor Activities"
Students were dismissed early today. Open Doors planned a variety of fun outdoors activities on this spring day. Students from both programs are playing kickball on the front yard of the church and are engaged to the point of not being conscious of their need to "be cool". They are encouraging one another and acting as a community. They are laughing with each other while keeping a healthy competition. Some students have left the main group with another staff member and are throwing Frisbees, while another small group is watching and talking with another staff. The atmosphere is very collegiate. New bonds are being formed and an underlying sense of comfort, community and trust is being established" - April 2008 Observation

Outside Community Perceptions and Teacher Observations
There were several observations that took place over the course of the year. The research team looked at connections between students when they left school and headed for Open Doors. Researchers looked for evidence of students grouping together to walk to Open Doors, students behaving independently of or in contrast to others leaving school, and evidence of social cohesion and capital in relation to the community at large.
Findings included:

Students tended to walk in groups together to Open Doors;
Students who may have typically been alienated were included in the walk to Open Doors;
Students tended to socialize in an appropriate manner when traveling together with their peers to Open Doors, as opposed to some other groups that disobeyed traffic and pedestrian laws;
Others in the community did not witness evidence of social capital/cohesion that separated Open Doors students from the school community at large.

Field Trip/ Service Learning Trip observations were focused on interactions between students and staff, student to student interactions, and engagement in the activity. Observers saw the following consistent patterns:

High level of anticipation, engagement and metacognition at and after the event;
Field trips were a motivating factor in students' behavior and program engagement;
Student and staff morale were at high levels prior to field trips and during the events;
Students stepped up their levels of citizenship and respect for others during the field trip;
Students in general had a high level of desire to please those around them and engage in the activities offered in a positive manner;
Students enjoyed the praise and interaction with adults during given events.

Parent Feedback
"My son has been involved for two years in the Open Doors program. During this time, my son has greatly improved his social skills, has made many new friends and takes pride in his accomplishments. He has learned so much as a result of being a part of Open Doors...even with the struggles with their staff changes that have happened this year... it has been a good opportunity for him to experience in a safe environment how this can sometimes happen...and where they can answer ...and we can help him get through what he thinks." -7th grade parent survey note attached from email spring, 2008

In This Issue

Will Smith visits Open Doors Academy

Open Doors Holiday Wish List

Students of the Month

Return on Investment Open Doors Metrics