Students Taking Responsibility In Developing Excellence (STRIDE) 501 (C) (3) Organization

1. Students Taking Responsibility In Developing Excellence (STRIDE) 501 (C) (3) Organization MR. ERIC PICKETT - PRESIDENT “MENTORING IS A MATTER OF THE HEART”

2. PASSION TO SERVE STARTED WITH A RUSTY NAIL!!

3. STRIDECONCEIVED AT THE PENTAGON

4. MINORITY MALES AT BOTTOM OF TOTEM POLE • LOWEST GPA • MOST DISCIPLINARY REFERRALS • MOST LIKELY TO DROP-OUT • LEAST LIKELY TO GET HS DEPLOMA/GED • LEAST LIKELY TO GO TO COLLEGE • MOST APT TO BECOME UNEMPLOYED • MOST LIKELY BE SENT TO A CORRECTIONAL FACILITY

5. ASSUMPTIONS • Numerous minority male students without access to economic, cultural, and technological benefits enjoyed by many of their majority peers • Deprivation distracts from/precludes them from fulfilling potential in academic and social environment • Positive male role model missing from lives

6. ASSUMPTIONS (cont.) • A mentorship program providing dedicated support of committed positive male role models will help these young men reach their potential and motivate them to: - excel academically - learn and practice image enhancing social and behavioral skills

7. ASSUMPTIONS (cont.) • One-on-one mentoring does not provide sufficient effective coverage to address the huge need that exists • A holistic mentoring approach significantly more effective than the traditional in-school contact approach most often used

8. ASSUMPTIONS (cont.) • Improving academic performance • Reducing frequency of disruptions and problems in school and community • Improving the image of group in school and community • Motivating group members to take responsibility for developing excellence in their lives WILL

9. Have significant impact on attracting tourists and businesses to the community • Provide substantial savings to government agencies and local businesses AS A SECOND ORDER EFFECT

10. STRIDE GOALS • Improve academic performance of students • Improve image of student in community/school • Provide students opportunity to perform community service and to learn value of voluntary service • Teach students important character, leadership and citizenship traits

11. STRIDE GOALS (Cont.) • Teach students to take responsibility for their conduct and their duty to strive for excellence • Convince students to “buy in” to the core values of STRIDE

12. CORE VALUES OF STRIDE • LOYALTY • DUTY • RESPECT • SELFLESS SERVICE • HONOR • INTEGRITY • PERSONAL COURAGE • COMMITMENT

13. STRIDE CODE OF CONDUCT • Never lie, steal, or cheat, or tolerate those who do • Respect and be loyal to STRIDE, your school, administration, and teaching staff • Accomplish all assignments, responsibilities, and obligations • Maintain the highest standards of personal conduct

14. STRIDE CODE OF CONDUCT (Cont.) • Refrain from conduct or use of words that would bring discredit to STRIDE, yourself, your school, or your classmates • Set the example by obeying and helping enforce school rules and regulations • Treat everyone with dignity and respect at all times

15. STRIDE CHANT • WHO ARE WE? STRIDE!! • WHAT DO WE HAVE? PRIDE!! • WHERE DO WE HAVE IT? DEEEEEEEEEEP DOWN IN SIDE

16. STRIDE LOGO

17. STRIDE’S DESIGN • Based on team concept – familiar to students • One mentor – 5/6 student team • Selection criteria (STRIDE & Principal) - GPA - Disciplinary Referrals - Absence of male role model in family - Family economic situation - Not a boot-camp like program

18. MENTORS • MINORITY MALE (Originally) • Employed or Retired • Does not have to be professional • Must have positive image in community • Must pass background check • Volunteer

19. POINT SYSTEM – STRIDE LEAGUE • GRADES • SUPERVISED STUDY SESSIONS • COMMUNITY SERVICE • INDIVIDUAL VOLUNTEER SERVICE • TEAM FIELD TRIPS • STRIDE GROUP FIELD TRIPS • BOOKS READ

20. POINT SYSTEM – STRIDE LEAGUE (Cont.) • Graded Classroom Work • Organizational Awards • Individual Recognition • Student Publication • Current Events • Debate

21. POINT DEDUCTIONS • Unexcused absence from school • Tardiness to class • Referral for disciplinary reasons (Includes dress code violations and referrals on school bus) • Failure to do homework assignments • Suspension from school

22. START OF YEAR • PARENTAL PERMISSION SLIPS • STUDENTS ENROLLED • STUDENTS ASSIGNED TO TEAMS • INDUCTION CEREMONY • WEEKLY GROUP STUDY SESSION SCHEDULED

23. End of Year • STRIDE basketball tournament • Award Banquet • Championship Team • Most Valuable Participant

24. HOST SCHOOL • SELECTED BY STRIDE PRESIDENT WITH APPROVAL OF BOARD • SCHOOL PROVIDES ADMIN AND STUDY SESSION SPACE (…AND STUDENTS) • KEY TO SUCCESS IS RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN STRIDE LEADERS AND SCHOOL PRINCIPAL • WARRINGTON MIDDLE SCHOOL

25. STRIDE ACTIVITIES

26. STRIDE STUDENTS WITH MENTORS AFTER INDUCTION CEREMONY

27. STRIDE WEEKLY STUDY SESSIONS

28. STRIDE PREP FOR FCAT

29. STRIDE VISITS FLA A&M

30. Line up and search at prison

31. STRIDE PROCESSED INTO ROAD PRISON

32. STRIDE IN FRONT OF BOOKER T. WASHINGTON’S STATUE

33. STRIDE AT UWF BASKETBALL GAME

34. STRIDE AT PRO BASEBALL GAME

35. STRIDE GETTING GOLF LESSONS

36. FUTURE SUCCESS FOR STRIDE STUDENTS IS AS EASY AS A-B-C • ATTITUDE • BEHAVIOR • CHOICES

37. FUTURE SUCCESS FOR STRIDE • POSITIVE RESULTS FROM MENTORING • RECRUITMENT OF QUALITY MENTORS • HOST SCHOOL AND PARENTAL SUPPORT • SUCCESSFUL FUNDRAISING STRATEGY • BBB CERTIFICATION • “MAKING A DIFFERENCE” STATISTICS

38. WE ARE STRIDE !!!!

39. QUESTIONS????????COMMENTS????????