MLK Jr. Education Center E-Newsletter
March 2010

Asian Celebration Prep
Technology Students Give New Life to Computers
Technology Student As youth in the technology program can attest, few accomplishments bring more satisfaction than taking something that is broken and making it operational. Over the course of a few short weeks, the students wrestle with a group of computers, learning and discovering while restoring and making the computers operational once again. There is nothing that can quite match the students' moment of satisfaction when they run their final tests and hear the quiet 'whrrrr' from a successful start-up.
 
If you were to ask, the students could tell you the process consists of three major steps. First, the computers are dismantled and thoroughly inspected. Second, while the pieces are all laid out, the students study the operating principles of each component to gain a better understanding of how they work. Lastly, the kids conduct a thorough cleaning and a final re-assembly of all the internal components.
 
"If you haven't had the experience, let me tell you, it is a real thrill to punch that button and have the machine start up after you've had it hopelessly spread out all over your workbench," says Chuck Sowards, technology instructor. "This is the really fun part of the class, and also a big confidence builder for the kids."
 
During the process, students are presented with machines that have a variety of issues and aren't working properly.  Students are introduced to various software related problems and using diagnostic software, they learn to diagnose and correct the problem using the appropriate techniques. After students successfully diagnose some software related issues, they are faced with more challenging situations related to hardware.
Technology Students' Top 5 Tips for a Healthier Computer
  1. A layer of dust only .05 millimeters thick can raise the operating temperature of sensitive components by as much as 10 percent, causing them to fail prematurely.

  2. Your computer will have a much longer and more trouble-free service life if you keep it clean inside.

  3. Keep your desk clean by dusting frequently. Your computer's cooling fans will suck in any dirt and debris laying around, coating the computer's insides.

  4. Take the side off your computer and vacuum it out at least once a year, or as needed.

  5. Don't touch any of the circuit boards, memory or expansion cards with your vacuum cleaner, but get as close as you can, and be sure to get any dust or debris out of the fans and grills where the air enters and exits the case.
In This Issue
Technology Students Give New Life to Computers
Top 5 Tips for a Healthier Computer
Horticulture Program Students Hit the Trail
Culinary Arts Program is Cookin'
MLK Students Serve Needy at Project Homeless Connect
Student of the Month: Gabe Gonzalez
Youth Perspective
Transitions
MLK Jr. Education Center:
By the Numbers
50 - sugar pine seedling trees planted last month by Horticulture Program students to be used in future projects and sold at Eugene's Farmers' Market
 
130 - volunteer hours collectively served by MLK students at Project Homeless Connect
 
570
- Student Brianna Diesler-Hicks' GED writing score - the highest score earned by an MLK student so far this year. 


1,500
- meals prepared and served at Homeless Connect by MLK student.
Upcoming Events
March 30 - MLK Jr. Education Center's Horticulture Program's native plant sale in front of the Department of Youth Services building, 2727 MLK Jr. Boulevard in Eugene, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
 
April 6 - Culinary students prepare and serve tenderloin lollipops and filleted beef at Chef's Night Out, a benefit for FOOD for Lane County, Hult Center lobby in Eugene, 6:30 p.m.
 
April 9 - Students attend Eugene Fire and EMS Department High School Career Day, 1705 W. Second Ave., Eugene, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
 
April 13 - Students attend Job Corps presentation at MLK Jr. Education Center, 2727 MLK Jr. Blvd., Eugene
 
May 3 - Culinary students compete at Lane County High School Culinary Competition at Lane Community College's Center for Meeting and Learning (Building 19) in Eugene. The competition is 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; awards presentation and dessert is 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Horticulture Program Students Hit the Trail
Asian Celebration Prep
Over the last month, MLK Jr. Education Center horticulture crews participated in spring cleaning projects, helping Eugene Parks and Open Spaces obliterate damaging, un-authorized trails in the south hills and clearing downed trees and brush from the Fall Creek trail.

 
As part of the BLM project in the Coburg Hills, crews continued to build a new trail by cutting down and removing foliage and creating a flat trail surface. Crews' work contributed to a larger effort to eventually introduce water-removal features and a bridge.
 
Hort Crew At WorkTo prepare for the coming summer season, crews prepped the Department of Youth Services' farm, planting new crops, preparing beds and potting native plants for the nursery, including more than 50 sugar pine seedlings to be sold at future farmers' markets. Among the many crops planted were onions, leafy greens and potatoes.
 
The horticulture crews look forward to their native plant sale on Tuesday, March 30, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in front of DYS. With the purchase of two or more native plants, free hot dogs and cookies prepared by MLK Culinary Arts Program students will be offered.  Thanks to all the crews' diligent work, the native plant stock is already showing signs of spring with its colorful, healthy buds. 
Culinary Arts Program is Cookin'
Asian Celebration Prep The Culinary Arts Program has been in the spirit of giving over the last month. Recently, 14 MLK Culinary Arts youth participated in the Asian Celebration, helping out at the Philippine American Association with Marvy Schuman, cooking instructor and chair for the festival's cooking demonstrations. Several students were able to help during on-stage cooking demonstrations. Youths' involvement in the event helped promote and preserve Filipino culture.
 
MLK Culinary Art students will participate in the upcoming Chef's Night Out, scheduled for Tuesday, April 6, at the Hult Center. Youth will prepare and serve 2,000 tastes of pork tenderloin lollipops rubbed with fresh herbs and wrapped in pancetta, and fillet of beef tenderloin on crostini topped with horseradish cream and garnished with chives.
MLK Students Serve Needy at Project Homeless Connect
Culinary Student This year's annual Project Homeless Connect for Lane County brought together a wide range of community organizations, agencies and professionals to provide homeless individuals with access to such necessities as health care, social services, food and blankets. All professional services were donated, and funds and in-kind donations were used to purchase food and hygiene supplies and to arrange childcare and housing assistance.
 
MLK Education Center's students and supervisors volunteered more than 130 hours in just one day, preparing and serving roughly 1,500 meals during the event.  Homeless Connect is the Center's largest volunteer
effort of the year."


Student volunteers are very excited to participate and assist members of Lane County's homeless community, as many of them have either been homeless themselves or have family members who are homeless.
Student of the Month: Gabe Gonzalez
Asian Celebration Prep Congratulations Gabe Gonzalez, Martin Luther King Education Center student of the month for March! The teachers at MLK describe Gabe as a model student.  He shows excellent academic focus and uses his time wisely in the classroom.  Gabe also encourages his peers to participate and behave appropriately.  As part of the horticulture vocational program Gabe exemplifies the ability to ask questions and work hard.  Polite and positive, Gabe is a pleasure to have as part of MLK.  Great job, Gabe!
Youth Perspective: Gabe Gonzalez
By Gabe Gonzalez, MLK Jr. Education Center Student

Martin Luther King, Jr. is a wonderful school.  The teachers are great and always willing to help.  The staff members here at MLK have different methods than any other school I've been to.  Their methods may be different but are very helpful.
 
These methods are great because they try to find a strategy that is easy for you to use.  When someone gets in trouble, the staff members don't yell and kick you out of class.  Instead, they talk to you and try to find out what happened.  In my opinion, these methods are great.
 
I've been attending MLK for four months and have nothing but good experiences.  I can always ask a question and expect to get a good answer. Here at MLK, I have always been treated with respect.  Staff members always listen and try to understand.
 
I believe that MLK is well structured and fits its students' needs.  For example, before I was here I was in a very bad position.  I was skipping school and failing all my classes.  Now that I'm at MLK I have done a complete 180.  My attendance is great and I'm an A-B student.  I get awards almost every week and I am currently student of the moth.
 
The classes here at MLK are not always fun but I get something out of them. The classes I like most are biology and transition.  I like biology because the teacher comes up with exercises so we can remember information.  I remember one day she came up with a funny poem so we could remember a certain set of bones.
 
MLK has great opportunities for teens who want to work.  They have jobs where you can work in the kitchen or outside on trails.  The best part about their vocational program is that you get paid.  Another good thing is that you get work experience. 
 
MLK is a great school.  The teachers are nice and easy to work with.  The staff has great and effective methods. That is why I think MLK is a great school.
Transitions
We are very proud to announce that our latest GED graduate, Brianna Diesler-Hicks, earned a whopping 570 - the highest writing score so far this year! Several other GED students have passed tests and are on their way to completing their GEDs. These students include Lisa Waters, Casey Brocco, Patrick Parks and Steven Rider
 
Michael Veilleux was offered a position at the Coburg Road Safeway.  He accepted and will be working as a courtesy clerk. Michael is very excited! If you see Michael, please congratulate him!
 
 Eric Thomas recently interviewed for a position at Safeway - wish him luck!
 
We're also excited to announce new community partnerships with ShelterCare and the City of Eugene's Campbell Senior Center.  Through these parternships, MLK students will gain new job opportunities at these community organizations. 
Save 20%
Save 20% on your next catering order of $50 or more with the MLK Jr. Education Center Culinary Arts Program. 
 
To place a catering order, call (541) 682-2423, or e-mail [email protected].
 
Print this coupon and present it in person to redeem value.  Limit one per person.  Offer not valid with other discounts or prior purchases. 
Offer Expires: April 25, 2010.
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