Uptown Cafe Social Service Trip
April 2008
Glencoe Junior High Project
SOCIAL ACTIVITIES
The Oasis
Located in the lower level of Central School (L31), the Oasis provides a relaxed atmosphere where kids can express themselves freely and interact socially. The Oasis is staffed by two fantastic Youth Directors- Mimi Hahn and Mike Reeb- who maintain a safe, welcoming place for kids. With Pool, Foosball, Ping Pong, a kitchen, plenty of space for lounging, and endless recreational activities, the Oasis is the place to be.
The Oasis is open for 6th, 7th, and 8th graders Monday-Friday during lunch periods and after school from 3:20-4:30 and for Friday Nights at The Oasis. Fifth graders are allowed to attend during their lunch periods.
Friday Night at The Oasis (FN@O)
A safe, structured and supervised social experience for the emerging adolescent. Theme nights, movies and game table tournaments encourage healthy social behavior in a controlled environment.
Days-Off Activities
On days when there is no school the GJHP provides activities such as going to Museums, Gameworks, Neon Mini-Golf, Zoos, Movies, Whirlyball, Bowling, and other age appropriate places. They are always supervised by our staff and are a great way to spend the day!
Community Events
These activities and events include the fall Car Wash, Broomball at Watts Ice Rink, Pumpkin Days at Kalk Park, the 6th Grade Spring Dance, and the Halloween Hoopla Party.
SOCIAL SERVICE
Social Service Events
Our Social Service program provides students with opportunities to participate in social service activities that teach invaluable lessons of giving, helping and sharing with people less fortunate than themselves. It engenders social responsibility and develops personal growth by helping others in an atmosphere of involvement and trust. If your student is scheduled to attend a social service project, he/she must turn in a signed permission slip that is given to them or emailed to the parent.
Some of our these events include Uptown Cafe, Good News Soup Kitchen, Gates Manor Food Delivery, Jordan School Clothing Drive, and Slammers Sports Mentoring.
Gates Manor Food Delivery
We plan and implement special events throughout the year with Gates Manor, a low-income senior citizen apartment building in Wilmette, to interact with senior citizens by playing bingo or having cast members of our Play sing songs and entertain the residents. We also coordinate our annual Thanksgiving Boxes project where we collect, pack and deliver food, treats and other "goodies" for the residents to enjoy.
Good News Soup Kitchen (Evanston)
We enjoy going to Good News Soup Kitchen in Rogers Park. We serve dinner to about 125 homeless people. Good News is open to anyone who is need of a good meal.
Slammers (Lutz Center in Highland Park)
This program is located in Glencoe and it focuses on teaching special-needs kids the basics of several different sports. We go twice a month to work with a group of kids on basketball skills. Our kids really like spending time and getting to know the special-needs kids.
Uptown Cafe (Chicago)
Uptown Cafe is a restaurant-style, feed the hungry program in Chicago run by The Jewish United Fund where students become wait-persons and help serve the patrons. They really enjoy putting on their "uniforms" (their blue aprons) and taking their order pads and serving the meal to the gracious guests. As one 7th grader says, "Uptown Cafe will leave you with a warm feeling of happiness that is not only from the the great food!"
Book Buddies
Our Book Buddies program pairs Jr. High students with Glencoe kids in grades 1-4 to assist them in reading fluency. It allows mentoring experiences and friendships to grow between the "Buddies" and gives everyone a great feeling of accomplishment!
Jordan School Clothing Drive
In cooperation with Central School, we've collected clothes and accessories and organized a "Store" for students at Jordan School. One or two homebases are responsible for organizing, advertising, collecting, sorting and setting up the store at Jordan School. The students tour the school and listen to teachers and administrators talk about the school, it's students, its needs and how their generosity and hard work is greatly appreciated by Jordan's students. We have also held Cake Walks to raise funds so their students can take field trips. We hope to continue and to expand our relationship with Jordan and are always open to suggestions and ideas.
THE PLAY
Annual Spring Music
Our Annual Spring Musical provides over 100 students with a professional theater experience. Parent producers work with a professional director, choreographer and musical director to bring to the community a wonderful production. Past performances include Once on this Island, Annie, Good News, Meet Me In St. Louis, The Wiz, Footloose, Guys & Dolls, and Grease.
