Current Programs

The connection between school and the Urban Initiatives program is vital to the mission. Teacher interaction is crucial to the program. Teachers are consulted weekly on students' work habits and classroom behavior. If a student fails to meet the standards set by his or her teacher, they may be suspended from the program until the teacher's requirements are satisfied. A "Work to Play" form is provided to each teacher who has a student in the program. This form provides a rating scale for the teacher to comment on the child's attendance, attention to assignments, classroom behavior and respect for others. As a prerequisite to remaining a part of the Urban Initiatives program, students know they must strive for improvement in all areas of their classroom day as well as on the soccer field. Urban Initiatives emphasizes personal improvement, not absolute performance. The goal is to develop the student by using the structure and appeal of the athletic program and convincing the children of the connection between education and personal growth.

The Urban Initiatives program places strong emphasis on developing the person as a whole. A key aspect of that development is a healthy lifestyle and diet. Currently Urban Initiatives provides participants with a healthy snack at the end of each practice. Every other week Urban Initiatives coaches engage the students in a health/nutrition dialogue accompanied by an activities work sheet. The goal of the nutrition program, aside from providing participants with a nutritious snack or meal, will be to provide "kid friendly" reasons why a healthy diet is an important companion to their active participation in the sports program.