COOKIESCOOKIESCOOKIESCOOKIESCCreating reating OOptimistic ptimistic OOutlooks and utlooks and KKeeping eeping IInterest in nterest in EEducational ducational

SSuccessuccess

History of COOKIES I• 1999-2000 Phi Theta Kappa initiated a

mentoring program for Sarah Marley Elementary 5th graders.

• Ended after one year and the incoming 5th graders were devastated.

• The memory of the students’ sense of abandonment plagued Dave Pettes for years.

History of COOKIES II

• In Fall, 2005 Colleen May and Amy Hansen came to Dave Pettes and asked to initiate a community engagement Honors Project.

• Dave said “Let’s recreate and institutionalize the Sarah Marley mentoring/tutoring program.”

• And so COOKIES was created, tested, and made a signature recipe of the Cochise College cookbook!

History of COOKIES III

• Amy Hansen proposed a revision to the SGA Bylaws to make participation in COOKIES a requirement of all SGA officers.

• Dave created a series of Honors courses to formalize the COOKIES experience.

• Michel Ouellette then became head chef!

Honors Class• Three honors courses (HON 220, 221,

222)• Three units of credit/course• Each course involves:

– Weekly sessions at school– Journals– Presentation– Pre and Post meetings

Facts• Students have weekly sessions at S.M.S.• Individual tutoring, small, and large

group activities• Help as well with weekly walks and

Physical Education • Mainly 3rd-5th graders• Keep weekly journals of experiences

Why Sarah Marley was chosen

• Most often overlooked and underprivileged• Sarah Marley is an At Risk school• Program began at Sarah Marley• Sarah Marley was very interested in having

such a program• Mainly composed of Hispanic families• Sarah Marley had more students involved

DemographicsEthnicity

• Hispanic: 99%– State Average:

39%

• White < 1%– State Average:

47%

• Black < 1%– State Average:

5% Hispanic

White

Black

Other Demographics

• Students eligible for free or reduced lunch program: 97%– State Average: 49%

• English language learners: 61%– State Average: 15%

What CC students hoped to accomplish

• Dedicated students• Instill in them values and principles• Be an example for them to follow• See higher education as important and a possibility in their lives• See college near and accessible• A memorable semester/school

year • That the program would

continue

Fourth Grade Students

at Awards Ceremony

Things going well• Students are receiving assistance with

homework and other aspects of school life.

• Language barriers are being overcome.• Students actually want to attend school

and participate in the COOKIES program.• Students have a more clear vision of

their future.

Problems• Fingerprinting

– Particularly for CC students from out of town

• Schedule is sometimes difficult • Language barrier • Communicating with teacher in

class

Activities• Pizza party• Field day• Exchange of Council/Government

meetings• Spring fest• Earth day

What has been Gained

• Communication Skills• Leadership Skills• Positive Role Models• More Respect• Pride in ourselves and the SM

students

What has been Accomplished

• COOKIES has been institutionalized– Now part of SGA constitution

• Promoted the expansion of a “COOKIES-like” science program in the junior high schools

• Developed similar programs at other schools– reading program at other elementary schools– Project on prejudice in the schools

• Greater student engagement• A fuller college experience for CC students

Do Differently • Gotten an earlier start• Planned more activities on both

campuses• Plan a student and teacher

orientation at beginning of the year• Plan a better schedule that works

with S.M.’s

Do Differently • Learn more of the curriculum • Get more involved with the

community • Have a student-parent activity• Have more activities

What has been learned• New experience• Hard to go back to the basic math• Have patience• These kids need someone that

they can approach and ask questions

Assessment • One area of the program that has not

been examined vigorously• Need to do some longitudinal studies

to examine the impact of COOKIES on both the young people at Sarah Marley and the students at Cochise College

• Next big focus of the program

Role of the mentor• Help students with administrative

hurdles• Meet with students periodically to

ensure program running smoothly and meeting its objectives

• Help students generate new ideas for greater involvement.

Topi’s third grade class

QUESTIONS??COMMENTS