Computers, Yearbooks and Fog

Today is a new day, Wednesday Feb. 24th, 2010 to be exact. I'm still the same Nikki, and this is still the same S.M.A.R.T. The only difference is that time is passing by and it's time to start making a yearbook. So this morning, I got in the building at 8:45 and my first task was to start working on this year's yearbook. I got to look through last year's yearbook, go through files on the computer from the previous yearbooks and get some ideas. So this morning, (well it's still morning), but the past 2 hours I have been working on Microsoft Word, making templates for this year's yearbook. I got ideas from the old yearbooks and "spiffied" it up a little. I am proud with what I have done so far, and I was having fun doing this littel project because time flew by so fast! So, the title for this blog is "Computers, Yearbooks and Fog" because, 1. I was working on a computer, we have had server problems and I've learned some new tips and tricks on Microsoft Word. 2. I have been working on creating a yearbook and so far it's looking great. & 3. We are in the city of San Francisco, the capital of fog. It is rainy season, the weather is droopy and makes many people tired and sick. I have been yawning a lot this morning, but I'm not bored! & Paul is currently sick =( and I am coughing too, hopefully I don't get sick.

Well, now a little switch...Last week when I came in to S.M.A.R.T. I was working on Erin's computer all day, uploading TONS of pictures from the program up on Picasa. It was my first time working with Picasa, and I am glad I am a fast learner because I got to knock out a bunch of pictures in one day, with tagging and everything. I am still not done uploading pictures, but I will get to the soon and finish that up. That task took up my whole time, from 9-4. Can you believe that? It was a neat experience though and it brought back soooooo many memories. There were pictures from all classes, even before mine, and when i saw my class and all the students that attended when I was in the program, I was smiling ALOT! I saw Conflict Resolution videos that we made, and was so funny to watch because we sound like chipmunks! I still keep in touch with many of the alumni- and knowing them now, and seeing them from back then just made me realize how people grow and change. It was an amazing day even though I was working the entire time on the same project.

For my school requirements, I have to make a project that will benefit the organization and myself. Paul and I have a couple ideas and honestly, I think I am going tohave more than one project. I still have to talk things out with Paul and make everything official. I'm so excited! =]
Now I will go and get my next task!
I will post later! =]

First Day as an Intern!

Hello there, my name is Nikki Alvarez, and I am currently a junior at Metropolitan Arts & Technology High School. My high school has a few graduation requirements, just like any other school, but one different requirement is having to intern at a business, company or organization for 70 hours and get some work experience. This program at my school is called WLE (Work-Learning Experience). I was calling around one day for a spot at an adoption agency, the FBI, the police department and such but everyone had a new policy about having to be 18+. So then, I was thinking to myself "Where can I intern? Where would I be able to work with kids, give back to the community, and where would i feel welcome?" I thought for a while, and decided to call Nonoko at The S.M.A.R.T Program. I graduated from this program in 2007. Yup, it's been 3 years, and now looking at the pictures on the wall from the past students and the ones that attend now, I feel old---because I can say that they look so young! I mentioned this to Tara, whom I just met today, and she said "Well you looked like that once too!" That made me think, wow...time passes by so fast! I haven't really spoken to the staff members or kept in touch with S.M.A.R.T. until a few weeks ago. They switched locations so today was my first time seeing the new facility, and compared to the old one, I LOVE IT! It's a lot bigger, the walls are bright and colorful like the personalities in this building and it just feels so cozy. I met 4 new staff members today, and they are all so friendly, funny and kind. I love how the environment feels, it's very comfortable, laid back and calm. Today, all 5 staff members and I sat around a table and ate some very delicious food that came from Tara's best friend. The food I tried was a new experience and the meal altogether felt a bit like a family. So far, I have put together some marketing packets, I have organized the students' binders and made copies of papers. I've caught up a bit with Nonoko, and learned more about what the program is doing now and how things are, 3 years later. Right now I am listening to Nonoko talk about how this week is San Francisco Beer Week! Or something of that sort. This building is so lonely right now, but I can't wait until the kids get here around 3:30/4. Seeing all the kids will liven up the building more and also take me back to memory lane where I can see myself talking with Nancy, Jessica and Jacky (S.M.A.R.T alumni) about life. This program makes me miss everything, but sometimes you have to grow up! I'm going to figure out how to put pictures up here, seeing that I have to take 4-8 pictures for my school assignment for today anyways. So far, I love what I am doing here, and how everyone is super friendly. I thought I would come in with an awkward feel to it, but hey, I warmed up pretty fast! I come in once a week, and I can't wait to see what is in store for me. I hope that I can be looked up to by the "youngsters" here. They really are youngsters now that I think about it! Jeeeeez. Time flies. Well, I've written a lot already, and I think I've ran out of things to say for now, sooooo....I will wait until the little ones arrive, and then take pictures.Of course after I get to know them and vice versa!....Otherwise that would be creepy. =]

Welcome Back

Hello! You are currently reading about The SMART Program on Blogger, a Pop-Up free website where people who feel too lazy to write in their personal books can blog all they want, hour after hour, day after day. I am your very entertaining guest blog-person of the day, Leon Lu (Current Freshman @ the International High School of San Francisco and honorary staff member @ the $M@RT Pr0gr@m.) So, as you fellows may all know, its been almost two years since anyone had talked, or 'blogged', about anything on this site. You may not think so, but (in years) two is a very big number, almost as big as the number three. In these two years or so, many things have happened. Unfortunately, we are not a newspaper, or one of those insurance or credit card companies that keep calling you until you oblige to their services, so we cannot keep you updated constantly on everything that is happening. But as our president, our CURRENT president (not the other one that looked like a monkey) but our current president, Barack Obama, says "The time is now". So let's focus on the present.
Speaking of "welcome back", a few weeks ago we had our annual Alumni Reunion. The Alumni Reunion is an event that is held every year where people reunite, people who were once part of the SMART Program come back and party for a night, whether they are now famous singers like Taylor Swift, or still struggling in High School. This year, there was some awesome activities, like some pretty sick video games, a raffle, and pizza (some with pepperoni, some with cheese). But details, who needs them. The Fiesta was a massive successo. If you missed it, you probably had something else to do, but this event is definitely one you should have come to, unless there was a 95% sale at Banana Republic or a Hot Topic opened next to your house. If not, you missed alot. So we will leave here for today. You should definitely stay tuned, because there are so many awesome things that happen at SMART every day. Just ask Hao Tran, or Ruben Morales. They'll tell you. If you don't know who they are, feel free to drop by SMART sometime. I'll be happy to point them out to you (I'm the bald one with the blue jeans and white t-shirt). Then, if you have time, you can come along for a ride on our carousel of fun. Not the one in Spongebob, or the one Carlos Mencia would have. Our carousel of fun. So just a reminder, our address is 1345 Mission St. right in the heart of San Francisco. So anyways, if you have time on your hands on a lonely Thursday evening, with nothing but the weather on television and country music on the radio, feel free to come down to SMART. We'll offer you a warmer welcome than the guys down at the casino can ever provide. See Ya!

Congratulations Class of 2008, Welcome Class of 2011

Our Annual Step-Up Ceremony (also known as graduation), held on May 16th was a huge success, with many thanks to our staff member Cindy, who organized this fabulous event. In attendance were our 8th grade class (pictured here) leaving us for high school, as well as many other incoming and returning students we are excited about working with next year. In addition, the room was filled with our families and friends, board members, donors, teachers and administrators of our partner schools, as well as our wonderful volunteers who were honored for their commitment to our students and our program.

Special thanks to Synergy School for hosting this event, Laura and Martin for their MC duties, Ivy for speaking about her excitement to start college next year, and all the student speakers. After the excitement was over, our staff returned to a quiet office on Monday, a bit sad that we will not see most of our students until September. However, we are gearing up for our summer program, and we are looking forward to getting to know our incoming 5th and 6th grade students better at Summerbridge.

Till then!

Looking back...

How can it be May already? Here we are sweltering in this 90 degree weather in our office, and our staff is a bit sad we have already ended our 07-08 school year. Tomorrow is our annual step-up ceremony (i.e. graduation ceremony - although we like to celebrate ALL our students "stepping-up" into their new grade and experiences) and we are tremendously excited to honor our 8th grade graduates and welcome our new current 5th grade students into the program.

Looking back through the past 8 months of our after-school program, our staff is highly proud of the accomplishments of our SMART students. Many of you have struggled with new language classes (although most of our students take Spanish, some of you are taking Japanese and French!), adjusting to a new school and social environment, all the while, juggling extra-curricular activities and homework. We are constantly amazed at how hard our students work and we are extremely proud of your motivation and drive for success.

Some of our alumni seniors in high schools have gotten some wonderful news from colleges. We have news of acceptances at Duke University, UC Berkeley, UC Davis, San Francisco State University, Carleton College... and many more. We hope you keep in touch with us as you continue to enrichen your lives with higher education.

However, let's not forget our 8th graders!! After a grueling application process that involves interviews, school visits, essays, SSATs and more - we are so excited about your new school placements and what accomplishments we know you will achieve in these schools.

Special thanks to Jacky and Joanna for their extreme hard work and professional growth as our after-school program interns. Thank you to our volunteer tutors and mentors who kept our students on track and provided much needed guidance and energy. Most importantly, we would like to especially thank the dedication and hard work of our dear own Alvaro Marquez, who will be leaving us to pursue his PhD in Ethnic Studies at University of Southern California in the fall. We will miss him dearly (and so will the students), but we wish you much success in your pursuit of an advanced degree.

Have a fun summer everyone!

SMART rocks Mountain Camp

Many thanks to the directors, staff and counselors at Mountain Camp!

22 students and alumni braved three nights in tents to enjoy summer camp, SMART style! We all had an amazing time, thanks to the hospitality of Mountain Camp campers and counselors. Many of our students learned to (sort-of) swim, mountain bike, kayak, climb a 60 foot tree, perform fencing, archery, play guitar, make friendship bracelets... all for the first time, with the highlight for many of the kids being tubing behind a fast speed boat (thanks Kamren who drove the boat!)

SMART staff were so impressed with how everyone treated each other and the camp with respect. We hope this relationship with Mountain Camp continues in the future so that more students can enjoy the beauty of the lake and the fun that comes with being at camp!