Think Together, Author at Think Together

As a new site coordinator, Laura Píno-Flores has already demonstrated her dedication to Think Together’s mission at Hubbard Media Arts Academy. Before becoming a site coordinator in Think Together’s Bay Area region, Laura worked as a program leader for five years. Today, she uses her extensive experience working directly with students to create an afterschool space that is safe and supportive of students’ needs. Laura is known in her region for going above and beyond to ensure she and her team deliver a high-quality program that changes the odds for kids.

What is your Think Together “why?”

I have always loved working with kids and giving back to my community. I began tutoring younger students when I was in the fifth grade and loved the feeling of helping them achieve their goals. When I heard about Think Together, I thought it was a perfect fit for me. Watching the students progress and building relationships with them is my “why.” I love making a positive impact on students at Think Together and I continue to be inspired to do my best for them.

What is one of your proudest moments that connect to your “why?”

One of my proudest moments this year was our culminating visual and performing arts event. With the help of our enrichment instructors, we were able to showcase what the students accomplished this year. The first through third graders showcased the artwork they created in their murals class and the fourth through eighth graders performed a short play from their theater class. It was really nice to see the students get recognition from parents and stakeholders! The event made me feel proud of them for working hard to put on an amazing show.

What is your favorite memory from the school year?

My favorite memory this school year was during our Spring Break Camp at Hubbard Media Arts Academy. I met so many different students from other schools in our Alum Rock Union School District. Although it was only a one-week program, the students really enjoyed it. I had many students asking me if I was going to lead a Think Summer program. A middle school student also told me how when he first found out his mother enrolled him in a program over spring break, he was a little bummed out. But, once he arrived, he fell in love with all the activities. This student became a student leader and helped set up the carnival event to end the week and said he had never experienced anything like it before. Hearing all the positive comments from the students really warmed my heart and reminded me why I love what I do.

What one word would you use to sum up your experience working for Think Together?

Rewarding. Despite all the stress, time, and consistent effort that it takes to run a quality program for the students, at the end of the day it is so rewarding to see the students’ progress.

What are the professional goals you are hoping to accomplish in 2023?

My goal is to keep learning and improving the afterschool program at Hubbard. I want to provide the best program I can for the students as well as look for ways that students can lead and take initiative in the program. Another goal I hope to accomplish is to provide more coaching support for incoming staff. Now that I have become more comfortable in my role, my goal is to work on providing them with support and helping them become their best self.

Outside of work, what do you do for fun?

One thing I like to do for fun outside of work is looking for new places to eat. I love trying different foods, going to new restaurants, and enjoying new food with my family and friends.

Thank you, Laura, for changing the odds for kids!

Think Together middle schools across Azusa, Baldwin Park, and Duarte Unified School Districts were granted a $5,000 grant from Quality Custom Distribution in Los Angeles through the GSF Foundation, which allowed the schools to purchase 80 pairs of Varsity Spirit shoes for their cheerleading programs. In total, eight San Gabriel Valley middle school cheerleading squads benefited from the program.

For many students, the donation opened the door to try a new sport. Olive Middle School has been running its cheerleading program for four years and for the first time, 25 students were thrilled to receive Varsity Spirit shoes to fuel their passion for the sport.

“The quality is amazing and I’m glad that we got the shoes donated,” shared Jacqueline, a seventh-grade student at Olive Middle School.

Jacqueline has been cheerleading on the Olive Middle School squad at Think Together for two years since sixth grade and plans to continue into eighth grade.

At Valley View Academy, the cheer program started in the middle of the fall semester in 2022 and was the first to be rolled out. The program is led by program leader and cheer coach Jocelyn, who spent three years on her own high school cheerleading squad.

“It’s an honor and great help that our cheer team got a grant,” shared Jocelyn. “With the grant, the team has opportunities to attend more events, and our cheer team would be looking more uniformed. This would be a motivation to work harder and expand the team.”

It’s Jocelyn’s first-time coaching cheer and she hopes that by next year, Think Together can secure enough grants to add matching uniforms and bows to bring the look fully together. Her experience has inspired her to pass on her enthusiasm to the next generation of cheerleaders.

Valley View Academy’s Site Coordinator Gabrielle Manuit expressed her appreciation for the grant and already sees the impact it has on the students.

“Since the team is so new and small compared to other cheer teams they’ve seen, I know the students want to be taken seriously as a squad and having a grant like this is a good reminder to them and the staff that there are always people out there who appreciate their efforts and want to see them succeed. We’re super grateful and will strive to make the most of it!”

Many students like Silvia are new to the cheer team at Slauson. Silvia shared she’s excited to try new things like cheer. “It’s a new experience and with the new shoes I can continue to cheer,” shared Silvia.

Another member of the cheerleading team, Vanessa embraces the new experience of cheerleading, thanks to donations from our generous partner the GSF Foundation.

“Here at Think Together I tried something new and having the whole team have a positive mindset through cheer helped me want to try it in high school,” remarked Vanessa.

The GSF Foundation has been a supporter of Think Together since 2020 with their generous donations of 125 backpacks to the Shalimar Learning Center in the fall of 2020, followed by a $5,000 grant to our programs in Orange County. This past fall, the GSF Foundation donated $7,500 towards STEM kits at our Orange County schools.

Think Together and our partners strive to make new opportunities available to students to expand their horizons and create more exceptional occasions for students in and out of the classroom by changing the odds for kids.

Follow Think Together on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Tik Tok as well as signing up for our emails with student impact stories from across the state.

About 950 students from Jurupa Unified School District kicked off the end of the school year with a home run field trip. They came out for a day of baseball and bonding as they rooted for the Inland Empire 66ers, a minor league affiliate for the Los Angeles Angels. Students from grades third through eighth represented 20 elementary and middle schools, traveling by bus to San Manuel Stadium in San Bernardino.

To empower the students with real-world skills, each attendant was given $20 in Bernie Bucks to spend on merchandise or at the concession stand. This unique opportunity allowed them to practice budgeting and collaborating with friends to get the most value for their money. Witnessing the students analyze their options and make choices was an exciting experience for both students and staff and demonstrated their growth and decision-making abilities.

Think Together uses every opportunity to infuse fun into learning to create an environment where students can learn and apply skills that they’ll use in and out of the classroom.

“It was a great opportunity for students to attend a baseball game and not worry about if they had enough money to get food from the concession stands or merch from the team store since we were able to provide all students with Bernie Bucks to purchase whatever is the need,” said Riverside County General Manager Chris Miree. “Think Together staff did an amazing job making our kids feel welcome and safe. It was a good time, and we can’t wait to do it again in September.”

To add to the fun, graduating eighth graders in attendance were invited to sit in the VIP section in celebration of their promotion to high school and their last day in program.

The VIP treatment was a great highlight in the eighth graders’ lives with one student sharing they were happy and “felt rich” from the experience.

From the exclusive VIP Suite to valuable lessons in financial literacy, this game winning day brought together learning, fun, and unforgettable memories.

“We are happy to partner with Jurupa Unified to give students unique opportunities,” said Riverside County Region Director of Operations Kerinda Frith. “It was amazing to see students manage their Bernie Bucks at the snack bar, staff try their hardest to catch foul balls, and for students in the suite to be in awe with the experience. We want to thank the FACE and Expansion Team for all of their support to get us there.”

Follow each homerun these Think Together students hit all summer long by following Think Together on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Tik Tok as well as signing up for our emails with student impact stories from all over the state.

“When we talk about race, we honor who children and teens are as learners. A conversation with a caring adult allows children to feel safe and ask questions instead of drawing conclusions about race and racism based on implicit and explicit messaging from the world around them and their own limited knowledge. Reading is a powerful way to nurture a child’s sense of curiosity and build a foundation for having bigger conversations about race over time.” – Smithsonian

Juneteenth is an opportunity to pause, recognize, and cement this moment in our nation’s history. June 19, 1865, is the date that Union Soldiers arrived in Galveston, Texas with news the war had ended and that the enslaved were now free, two and half years after President Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation.

The holiday is also known as Freedom Day and has been officially celebrated as early as 1866 by the African American communities recently freed from enslavement in Texas. The holiday quickly spread nationwide and has been commemorated annually by African Americans for over 150 years. Early celebrations included the singing of spirituals and prayer meetings. Into the 21^st century, Juneteenth observances grew to include festivals with parades, food, musical performances, family reunions, and rallies to honor African American culture.

We join in the celebration of Juneteenth to promote and cultivate knowledge and appreciation of African American history and culture. It’s a celebration of freedom and achievement and encouraging others to work on continuous self-development and respect for all cultures.

Over the month of June, Think Together staff will engage students in lessons about the importance of Juneteenth to our nation, the meaning behind the day, and will then apply their learning by holding celebrations!

What does that curriculum look like?

Think Together’s K-5^th grade students will learn about what the Juneteenth flag symbolizes, decorate the Juneteenth flag, and wave it proudly! Our students will talk about the injustice done to enslaved people in Texas, whose message of emancipation was delayed for over two years. As the students wave their Juneteenth flag, they will be equipped to teach their family and friends about the importance of Freedom Day.

Our 6^th-12^th grade students take a deeper dive into learning about Juneteenth. After watching informative videos, staff and students answer a set of questions together. They ask, “Why are there two Independence Days?” “How does it make you feel that there were over 250,000 enslaved people that received the news that slaves were free 2 ½ years after it actually happened?” and “Why do you think it’s important to acknowledge and celebrate Juneteenth?”

Think Together embraces daily curricula that center and celebrate diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging for our students. To commemorate Juneteenth, students and staff at Think Together will encourage respectful dialogue, unlearn implicit bias, and educate ourselves on different perspectives, backgrounds, and cultures. It is equally important to continue these conversations at home to facilitate a growth mindset and encourage continuous learning.

We hope that you will join us in learning more!

Try the “Juneteenth Flag” Lesson for K-5^th grade students.

Try the “What is Juneteenth?” Lesson for 6^th-12^th grade students.

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It was a seemingly ordinary end of the year celebration at Compton High School.

Students gathered near the teen center on campus for a Culmination Carnival, complete with Kona Ice, popcorn, cotton candy, and games.

Think Together’s Compton High School program serves nearly 100 students daily and this day was no exception as youth lined up to check in for the event.

Once inside, students participated in wellness activities like yoga and cornhole. The drone club demonstrated how students coded their drone flight paths and took their learning to new heights. And, right around the corner, a celebration of the program’s student leaders took place inside the multi-purpose room.

One by one, student leaders of the Compton High School Think Together program were called up to the stage and recognized for their achievement. High schools operate a little differently than Think Together’s elementary and middle school programs. Students are encouraged to take leadership positions and run clubs that interest them. Represented among Think Together student leaders were organizers of Compton High School’s Beauty and Brains Club, music production, and culinary arts club.

After each student was called to the stage, Jacquese, a graduating senior asked everyone for their attention. With all eyes on him, Jacquese made a grand impromptu speech to personally congratulate his schoolmates for graduating and express his profound gratitude for Stephany, the school’s Think Together site coordinator, for all she did to help support their goals and ambitions.

“I would like to thank our site coordinator Stephany for pushing us all out of our comfort zones with Boeing, Lights On, and all the other events. We are all grateful for the things you put us through.”

Jacquese is an example of how Think Together students take an ordinary day in program and make it extraordinary. But it’s not without the support and mentorship of Think Together site coordinators like Stephany who come to school sites each day with the shared purpose of changing the odds for kids.

There was one more surprise in store for attendees. As the roar of applause for Jacquese settled, Randy stepped back to the center of the stage to recognize one more outstanding leader-Stephany Garcia.

“Stephany has shown an unparalleled commitment to creating a safe, fun, and inclusive environment for all who attend Think Together’s Teen Center here at Compton High School,” shared Randy.

Stephany has been with Think Together since August of 2021 and has shown persistence and resilience in building the flourishing program at Compton High School since the start of her tenure. Among the clubs, she has worked with her students to lead Drivers’ ed, Elite Triangle Fitness, Champion’s Nutrition Club, among many others.

Following Randy’s recognition of Stephany, Senior Field Representative, Aide Castro representing the offices of Assemblymember Mike Gipson of the 65th district, honored Stephany with recognition from the California State Assembly for her exemplary commitment to youth in Compton.

“Assemblymember Mike Gipson was honored to recognize Stephany Garcia, of Think Together. Her leadership as an agent of change was evident by the participation of the students. She has been able to engage the students of Compton High School by creating a safe space for expression and socializing, and we are grateful for her efforts.”

Over her nine years with Think Together, Veronica Vallejo is known for her outstanding work and passion for student advocacy. Veronica has built a successful program at Cielo Vista Charter School in Palm Springs, which serves over 150 students in grades TK through eighth grade. As site coordinator, Veronica ensures her program is student-centered and develops her program leaders to be student advocates. Veronica created a strong partnership with principals and parents at Cielo Vista, exemplifying our mission to partner with schools to change the odds for kids. Together, they develop an engaging program that continues to draw in students to be a part of the Think Together program.

What is your Think Together “why?”

When I first started at Think Together, just like most of us, I had no why. Working for Think Together sounded interesting, and I went for it! After my first year as a substitute program leader, I found my “why.” I was able to see myself in my students and I wanted to be the person I needed when I was younger. This passion has driven me in my work for the past nine years!

What is one thing your team has accomplished that you are proud of?

My team’s biggest challenge and accomplishment this year was growing from a small average daily attendance of 50 to 163 students enrolled. Our site has grown in ways we could not have imagined.

Last year, our afterschool program was up for budget reductions due to low attendance. This year, we needed more staff and more funding to serve all the students who applied to be a part of the program. I am very proud of myself and my team for making the Think Together afterschool program at Cielo Vista a place where kids want to be.

Is there a student story that has stuck with you?

A few years ago, I ran into a former student of mine from my days as a program leader. He walked up to me and let me know he had just graduated from high school. I was his program leader when he was in the 6^th grade, and he wanted to thank me for always being myself and being proud of who I was. He let me know that since I had no shame in who I was, he felt that he could come out and live confidently being who he is. Representation in all forms matters and that is why I continue to live proud of who I am.

What is the best piece of advice you have received that you like to share with others?

As a site coordinator, whenever I have a new program leader placed at my site, I ask them to sit and remember why they might have the trauma they have. As educators, we should look back at everything we went through during our younger years and remember that the students we work with are likely going through similar challenges right now. I remind them to be who they needed at their age and to be conscious of the experiences they are giving them. The goal is for all students to walk away from their class years later and think “This person was the person I needed”.

What do you hope that the students will take with them as they finish the school year?

I hope they take away EXCITEMENT for the upcoming year! This year was filled with trial and error, but we eventually found our balance. My only wish is that they can’t wait to come back to Think Together in the Fall!

Outside of work, what do you do for fun?

Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my wife and pets. I enjoy traveling across the country, camping, and playing video games. Fun fact, I get paid to play video games on weekends!

Schools are communities for students, educators and parents to come together and form a safe place of learning, accepting people of all races, ethnicities, religions, gender identities, sexual orientations, and many other differences that make us unique and special individuals; everyone is welcomed with open arms.

Pride Month serves as a time to not only spotlight the history and impact of the LGBTQ+ community but also work towards creating a diverse and inclusive environment inside and outside the classroom; a notion that is important to do all year round.

At Think Together we strive to create inclusive spaces for our students that promote a learning and understanding environment. To support students in becoming keen and objective learners, here are some engaging activities students can do inside and outside the classroom to promote inclusivity, belonging and kindness:

Kindergarten to 5^th grade

Elementary students are always looking for the next sign of fun, so why not mix in some learning and make it even more meaningful! An idea for inclusive and creative arts and crafts could be to have students draw what their own family looks like. It’ll help them see that not every family is the same and they take many shapes and sizes. Creating their own version of what a pride flag is can help students express their own pride in themselves and what it means to be prideful. Reading them books that promote inclusivity and teach them about what Pride Month is and who it represents, is a good way to help them visualize and understand through literature.

6^th grade to 8^th grade

Middle school students are in a stage where they are just starting to figure out who the are and are going through changes they might not understand. A way that could help them feel comfortable and supported would be with creating a kindness wall that has positive affirmations for their peers to read and maybe be a rainbow in someone’s cloud. A “Take One, Give One” board is also another way that allows middle schoolers to spread kindness and support by taking a positive affirmation and either giving it to someone or leaving another behind to brighten someone else’s day.

9^th grade to 12^th grade

High school students can be more expressive and have a set of values and opinions that reflect who they are. High school is a bumpy rollercoaster with college being the next step, so it’s always important to remind students to love and accept themselves. A fun way to help students showcase this is by having them write a love letter to themselves. It helps them develop their creative writing skills and uplift their self-esteem. It could be a letter to their future self, past self, or a thank you for all they’ve accomplished. It’s also important to teach high school students how to be an ally for the community and have social awareness of who those around them. It can prevent bullying and encourage empathy and compassion for their peers.

Learn more about how to make the classroom and home a more inclusive environment with these links!

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Kaiser Permanente has provided Think Together with $129,500 in grant funding to train staff in trauma-informed care strategies at programs across the Bay Area, San Gabriel Valley, Santa Fe Springs, and the Inland Empire.

Through the grants, more than 10,000 students at 133 schools will benefit from trained staff equipped to support them in their emotional and cognitive development. By creating a trauma-informed care environment, Think Together helps students and teachers overcome the stigma associated with mental health issues. This new-found awareness will improve student academic performance and prepare them for higher education.

Trauma-informed care in a school setting addresses the needs of students who may be at risk for experiencing traumatic stress symptoms and shifts the focus from “what’s wrong with you” to “what happened to you.” Training in trauma-informed care enables staff to see a more complete picture of a student’s life situation, which leads to more effective, targeted solutions.

Studies of U.S youths aged 6-17 reveal that one in six experience a mental health disorder each year, and half of all mental health conditions begin at age 14. The most common of these are ADHD, depression, anxiety, and behavior problems. Many conditions go undiagnosed, and only half of those experiencing them are seeking or receiving treatment.

This trauma-informed care training has already had positive effects on students across each region. Staff and students alike have learned the value of mindful moments and meditation activities, and staff members report that students are applying skills they learned in class to their daily lives, from identifying the signs that they may be struggling to the use of breathing exercises to re-center themselves.

Daniel Hernandez, a Bay Area staff member, shared,

“After the classes, my team and I became more intentional with our daily check-ins. Before we would ask students how they were doing every morning and left it at that. Since the classes, we ask why they are feeling happy, sad, or excited. They have opened up more since then and they have become more comfortable sharing over the last few weeks.”

The program is especially helpful for students who are more energetic and those with special needs. The inclusion integrated into each program allows it to be universal and helpful to all. These students were encouraged to ask for breaks from activities or the classroom when the environment would be too much to handle.

Another Bay Area staff member, Brook, said, “We were able to get our students to be more in tune with learning how to communicate their feelings. They now feel more comfortable approaching staff with questions or concerns. They also are learning how to better adjust to the learning curve that was brought with COVID.”

The program has been hit with the students as well. “I love the fidget toys! I sometimes don’t even realize I’m playing with it while doing my work and it helps me concentrate,” said JL, a student from the Bay Area program.

At the conclusion of the training, reports reveal that site leaders and staff being allowed to establish closer and deeper relationships with their students made it easier to connect with them.

Thank you to Kaiser Permanente Fontana, Kaiser Permanente Baldwin Park, Kaiser Permanente Riverside, Kaiser Permanente San Jose and Kaiser Permanente Alameda for helping us fund these vital programs!

To learn more about Trauma-Informed care and mental health in schools visit:

https://www.traumainformedcare.chcs.org/what-is-trauma-informed-care/

https://www.nami.org/Advocacy/Policy-Priorities/Improving-Health/Mental-Health-in-Schools

Meet Joanna Ahimeyes, program leader at California Elementary in the Orange Unified School District. A former teacher, Joanna uses her knowledge as an education professional to benefit the 4^th grade students at California Elementary after school.

Joanna embodies the mission of Think Together by cultivating a fun and respectful space for her students to learn and grow every day. She does this with an emphasis on social emotional supports like daily check-ins and facilitating group conversations about “filling each other’s buckets” with encouragement and accolades. We are pleased to give you the opportunity to learn more about Joanna.

What inspired you to work at Think Together and what continues to inspire your work here?

I was inspired to work at Think Together, because when I was a teacher, Think Together was at my school. I was so impressed with the program and wanted to be a part of it!

What is one thing you are proud of your students accomplishing this school year?

The students are doing amazing on the program i-Ready. They all work hard, and the challenges have been minimal. There have been many more successes to share.

Is there a student story that has stuck with you?

All the students are unique! They all have many wonderful stories to share. One day, I was speaking with a student, and she told me how she takes care of her mom. Her mom has an infection in her arm and needs IV treatments. I was so impressed at how caring and kind this student is, and though she has older siblings she is the one who cares for her mother and does so with pleasure! I love these kids!

What are your favorite Social Emotional Learning routines you have in place with your students?

The students are free to share what they are feeling at any time, and we do a group “check-in” daily. If they are struggling, I make sure they know they can talk to us confidentially.

What do you hope that your students take with them as they finish the school year?

I hope that the students remember to be responsible and respectful in their everyday lives.

What are the professional goals you are hoping to accomplish this year?

I hope to grow as an education professional and gain more responsibilities in my role.

Outside of work, what do you do for fun?

Outside of work, I try to be active by going for daily walks, paddle boarding, and beach yoga. I am also working on a book. I plan on being a published author within the next two years.

This April, Think Together announced the three Faces of the Future Scholarship awardees at its Raise A Hand For Education Benefit. Thanks to funding from Pioneer Circuits Inc. Think Together was able to award a $10,000 scholarship to Abraham, $7,500 to Liliana, and $5,000 scholarship to Aaron. In addition to the scholarship, each recipient received a MacBook Air and a backpack to help prepare them for college.

We had the opportunity to sit down with these amazing young scholars who are ready to enter the next stage of their education.

Meet Abraham

Abraham has been a part of the Think Together program at Compton High School for the last two years. During his time in program, he was a student leader and helped recruit students to the program. Abraham has many accomplishments, including hosting executives from The Boeing Company for a school visit and being a tour guide for special events. Additionally, last fall he coordinated a Wellness Fair for Think Together’s annual Lights On Afterschool celebration.

Abraham shared, “There’s not a day when I don’t look forward to coming to Think Together and spending all my time here. It’s a place that has always felt so welcoming and a place I could call a second home. I love the activities, the staff, and the rest of the students.” Abraham will attend the prestigious Jackson State University to pursue a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Performance. He aspires to become a musician!

Learn more about Abraham by watching this video:

Meet Liliana

Liliana stumbled upon Think Together’s online flyer for West Valley High School’s Hack Club during the school’s lockdown in 2020. After attending the information meeting, Liliana found her place! Liliana shared, “Think Together was all about letting the students take charge and making the club what we wanted it to be; I was dumbfounded. I realized that what they were doing wasn’t something I have been involved with before, but I knew I wanted to be a part of it.”

With the leadership skills Liliana established through Think Together’s afterschool program, she discovered her interest in STEM. Liliana will be attending the University of California, San Diego to study biomedical engineering. Her hope is to provide accessible medical equipment to underserved communities.

Learn more about Liliana by watching this video:

Meet Aaron

It wasn’t until Aaron entered PUC Triumph Charter High School that he met site coordinator Rey, who handed him an application to sign up for Think Together. Since then, Aaron recounts that he kept coming back to Think Together for the resources, the comradery, the support from the staff, and the amazing clubs. Aaron shared, “There was a cooking club, hosted by coach Alex…coach Alex taught me the basics, such as how to crack an egg and how to make sushi.”

Aaron will proudly graduate as a straight A student because of the support from Think Together’s homework club. He has been accepted to many of colleges and universities, but Aaron hopes to attend his top choice, The University of Wisconsin. He plans to major in Aerospace Engineering, and ultimately receive a master’s degree one day.

Learn more about Aaron by watching this video: