Crosby High School, a house of pride, tradition and legacy host district's events such as the Convocation and Cougar Con. But what if we are also able to house The Cougar T-Shirt Shop, a one stop shop where all CISD schools can order their t-shirts and other promotional items for their staff and student body. This grant will serve as the seed to bring this vision to fruition while giving senior Financial Math students a Real World education in math and finance.
As a teacher of 28 years, I came to Crosby to revive my excitement and enthusiasm for the profession that I love. The New Teacher Onboard Luncheon and District Convocation felt like a family reunion. The kindness and passion of the staff is phenomenal which has me thrilled to be part of Cougar Culture. It is my desire to positively influence the culture already established here.
However, during Convocation, I noticed a lack of sufficient funding for both staff and student body. For example, the minimum door prizes at the Convocation, the three reams of paper rule for staff and the Cougar dance team selling tacos during Cougar Con. These are all indicators of a need for extra funding to better support future endeavors.
Furthermore, as we were instructed to bring our cow bells, wear jeans and spirit shirts throughout the week for Convocation and Staff Development, I notice a second need; an in-house Cougar Store to purchase these items. As I made my way to Walmart, I saw others also spending dollars that could have been kept in house at Crosby High to increase our revenue. What if the Crosby dance team ran the Cougar Store instead of the taco stand? The entire CISD family was here on campus and many would have visited the shop during the luncheon break. I am sure the girls would have earned a higher profit.
Furthermore, as I have been entrusted by Crosby to teach financial Math to the senior lower level math students, this leads me to the third and final need. I have been informed that these are the disengaged students who are also at risk for dropping out. As an experienced Alternative School teacher, I know that the worksheet based curriculum which has been recommended will not be the best method to keep these students engaged or inspired. According to the International Electronic Journal of Mathematics Education students emotions toward mathematics is the biggest influence on the cognitive ability and is affected by their motivation. Their emotions (positive or negative) has a direct correlation to their level of achievement. Using only worksheets to teach these students is only setting them up for failure not success for the aforementioned reasons. I can not be expected to teach senior students the financial math curriculum from worksheets and expect them to be motivated, excited or remain engaged. Therefore, I envision these students applying real life, practical applications to the book work. They will also practice effective communication, planning and teamwork.
This grant will allow us to bring the Financial Math to life. It will become relevant as they learn how to allocate this grant wisely, set financial goals, learn the differences between gross and net, keep financial records on Excel spreadsheets , communicate with the campus book keeper their bank deposits and withdrawals and learn how to budget for future expenditures, growth and giving. This grant will also make a far greater investment into the lives of these students beyond the curriculum by giving them a sense of pride and connection to the school and community.
It will spark entrepreneurship, and develop a sense of accomplishment. It will grant students the opportunity to design, make and sell their product that will be more cost effective, thus, yielding a higher profit margin for all throughout the campus. It will cultivate a mentality of teamwork and ownership that will benefit the entire staff and student body by promoting the vision and culture of the school. This grant will create the first Cougar T-shirt Shop and encourage our students as they see their designs worn throughout the campus and community. It will be student driven and teacher sponsored in my classroom. The students will need a rolling mobile cart, table, t-shirt press, t-shirts, and the decals to iron on. The cart and table will be kept in the math storage area until used. The students will make the shirts in class then set up their store on tables in the time and space approved by the principal. The vision is that as the Cougar T-shirt Shop grows, a permanent space will be provided within the school. The students will:
1. Brainstorm, research and order the T-shirt press (best price and product).Establish rules for using the press, be trained on proper use and establish the roles of each member of the team.
2. Brainstorm, research and order the T-shirts. Establish open PO's through CHS book keeper with with at least two local stores (again students will compare best price, product and availability). I will suggest local stores such as Hobby Lobby and Michaels in Baytown.
3. Brainstorm, research and chose a local T-shirt design company (I will suggest Transfer Express because students can design the shirts using their designing tool program at no cost).
3. Students will create a website to take orders from other organizations and staff members throughout our campus and eventually the district.
4. Students will create the design, make and sell the shirts. As the district grows, so will this business. Administrators can promote their school visions and know that the funds paid will impact the students we serve.
As a teacher of 28 years, I came to Crosby to revive my excitement and enthusiasm for the profession that I love. The New Teacher Onboard Luncheon and District Convocation felt like a family reunion. The kindness and passion of the staff is phenomenal which has me thrilled to be part of Cougar Culture. It is my desire to positively influence the culture already established here.
However, during Convocation, I noticed a lack of sufficient funding for both staff and student body. For example, the minimum door prizes at the Convocation, the three reams of paper rule for staff and the Cougar dance team selling tacos during Cougar Con. These are all indicators of a need for extra funding to better support future endeavors.
Furthermore, as we were instructed to bring our cow bells, wear jeans and spirit shirts throughout the week for Convocation and Staff Development, I notice a second need; an in-house Cougar Store to purchase these items. As I made my way to Walmart, I saw others also spending dollars that could have been kept in house at Crosby High to increase our revenue. What if the Crosby dance team ran the Cougar Store instead of the taco stand? The entire CISD family was here on campus and many would have visited the shop during the luncheon break. I am sure the girls would have earned a higher profit.
Furthermore, as I have been entrusted by Crosby to teach financial Math to the senior lower level math students, this leads me to the third and final need. I have been informed that these are the disengaged students who are also at risk for dropping out. As an experienced Alternative School teacher, I know that the worksheet based curriculum which has been recommended will not be the best method to keep these students engaged or inspired. According to the International Electronic Journal of Mathematics Education students emotions toward mathematics is the biggest influence on the cognitive ability and is affected by their motivation. Their emotions (positive or negative) has a direct correlation to their level of achievement. Using only worksheets to teach these students is only setting them up for failure not success for the aforementioned reasons. I can not be expected to teach senior students the financial math curriculum from worksheets and expect them to be motivated, excited or remain engaged. Therefore, I envision these students applying real life, practical applications to the book work. They will also practice effective communication, planning and teamwork.
This grant will allow us to bring the Financial Math to life. It will become relevant as they learn how to allocate this grant wisely, set financial goals, learn the differences between gross and net, keep financial records on Excel spreadsheets , communicate with the campus book keeper their bank deposits and withdrawals and learn how to budget for future expenditures, growth and giving. This grant will also make a far greater investment into the lives of these students beyond the curriculum by giving them a sense of pride and connection to the school and community.
It will spark entrepreneurship, and develop a sense of accomplishment. It will grant students the opportunity to design, make and sell their product that will be more cost effective, thus, yielding a higher profit margin for all throughout the campus. It will cultivate a mentality of teamwork and ownership that will benefit the entire staff and student body by promoting the vision and culture of the school. This grant will create the first Cougar T-shirt Shop and encourage our students as they see their designs worn throughout the campus and community. It will be student driven and teacher sponsored in my classroom. The students will need a rolling mobile cart, table, t-shirt press, t-shirts, and the decals to iron on. The cart and table will be kept in the math storage area until used. The students will make the shirts in class then set up their store on tables in the time and space approved by the principal. The vision is that as the Cougar T-shirt Shop grows, a permanent space will be provided within the school. The students will:
1. Brainstorm, research and order the T-shirt press (best price and product).Establish rules for using the press, be trained on proper use and establish the roles of each member of the team.
2. Brainstorm, research and order the T-shirts. Establish open PO's through CHS book keeper with with at least two local stores (again students will compare best price, product and availability). I will suggest local stores such as Hobby Lobby and Michaels in Baytown.
3. Brainstorm, research and chose a local T-shirt design company (I will suggest Transfer Express because students can design the shirts using their designing tool program at no cost).
3. Students will create a website to take orders from other organizations and staff members throughout our campus and eventually the district.
4. Students will create the design, make and sell the shirts. As the district grows, so will this business. Administrators can promote their school visions and know that the funds paid will impact the students we serve.
$1,500
Value:
priceless