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In-School Credit Union Branches Mark Milestones
The In-School Branch of the Transit Employees Federal Credit Union (TEFCU) at Pathways-Crossland Re-Entry is celebrating its third year of operation. The program, which provides career training and financial literacy education, was the first in Prince George's County when it opened in 2009 to serve students and teachers at Crossland High School. Now it is breaking new ground again by expanding to include tellers who attend the high school but are not part of Pathways. In a new partnership with Crossland High School, experienced Pathways students will continue to serve as manager and assistant manager and will help train the new tellers. The In-School Branch is moving to a new location within Crossland nearer to the school entrance and cafeteria, making it more accessible. The Grand Re-Opening will be April 17.
At Pathways-Edgewood, the In-School Branch of the
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Student tellers at the In-School Branch Credit Union, Pathways-Edgewood
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Montgomery County Teachers Federal Credit Union (MCT) is in its sixth year. It was the first in-school branch in a high school for students with special needs in Montgomery County. The success of the program can be attributed to the supportive partnership between MCT and Pathways. Over the years, many students have gained experience in money management and have learned to budget and save. Others have had direct experience opening accounts and working as tellers. This year, MCT is adding a component for students interested in related fields such as cyber security, marketing and customer service.
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The Future Is Now: SMART Boards Are in Pathways Classrooms
We all know the white boards that are standard in any classroom--flat, shiny surfaces where teachers handwrite words with felt-tipped, smelly markers, erase with a cloth, and write some more. Imagine a white board that is actually a touch screen displaying images and information generated by the teacher's computer. Students and teachers retrieve and respond to the information just as they would on an ipad, using a finger or pen. The board is an interactive tool that enables students to access, process and manipulate information using technology that has become an integral part of how students think and relate in this digital age. For students with special needs, the SMART Board is significant in helping them overcome obstacles and learn. This school year, Pathways has a SMART Board at every site.
In Mr. O'Brien's math class at Pathways-DuVal Re-Entry students work with a self-paced digital math program using the SMART Board, which is in effect a large touch screen computer. In English class, Mr. O'Brien can use the SMART Board to present videos and news clips to foster greater comprehension in reading assignments and encourage different perspectives when writing essays.
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Academic Fair Showcases Student Achievement
This school year Pathways Northwood at Hyattsville held an academic fair as a way for students to share with their peers what they were doing in their classes. Students stood beside their projects, which were displayed in the
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multipurpose room, offering explanations and answering questions as others rotated through. The projects varied in subject and style. There were science posters, photo essays, creative stories, collages, and one project centering on medieval tapestries. In this project, students from Ms. Laramie's English class studied medieval literature and created stories drawing from the history and literary style of the time. These tales were illustrated on big pieces of paper as if the students were designing a tapestry from the period, which typically depicted major events in large woven wall hangings.
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Hamburgers for Snow Tubes
 One advantage of a community-based education is that you are aware of all kinds of events and opportunities beyond the classroom. At Pathways-Anne Arundel students seeking a way to raise money for a snow-tubing trip found out about a fundraising promotion by the Wendy's restaurant chain. It would donate a percentage of profits from a several hour period to the school if the students advertised and promoted the fundraiser and attracted customers. The Pathways students got busy making fliers and calling friends and family. A highlight of the event was the sight of therapist Karen Callen dressed as the Wendy girl. Here she stands beside Therapeutic Co-Coordinator Trudy Portewig. A display about Pathways-Anne Arundel is in the background. Now all the students need is some snow.
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