Try This App: "Expense Tracker" for saving, budgeting, etc.

Does your son/daughter need help keeping track of their money? Do they spend money on Chinese food for the entire Thames Academy building only to call home and say they need more money added to their account?

If this sounds familiar, check out the app called

 Expense Tracker 2.0.

The app is FREE and is compatible with iPhone and iPod.

This app displays where money is being spent using brightly colored and easy to understand visual charts and diagrams. This app is great for keeping track of your saving, spending and budgeting. Have your son/daughter try it out!

                                          

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Girls' Night Tonight @ 7:00pm

Come watch the movie "Legally Blonde" and paint your nails tonight at 7:00pm downstairs at Thames Academy!

Guys are welcome too!!

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Life Lesson in 6 Words....Parent & Student Responses!!

Thames Academy students and parents were asked to create a life lesson using only 6 words. Click the link below to view responses from our 40 students and their parents!!

CLICK HERE TO VIEW YOUR ANSWERS!!

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Bingo - Win Gift Certificate to the Bookstore!

JOIN US FOR BINGO!

Campus Life presents the Bingo Spring Series. Sponsored by various departments on campus, Bingo for Books offers a chance to win gift certificates to the bookstore. 

All bingo events are held in the Weller Center at 7:30 p.m.!

Look for Dirty Bingo co-sponsored by Health & Wellness on February 8, Luck of the Irish Bingo co-sponsored by Thames Academy on March 14 and Presidential Bingo co-sponsored by the President's Office on April 11.

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New Dining Hours and Company - A Big Hit!!

Our new partner Chartwells with our new Director of Dining Services, Tim Grills, have redefined what it means to dine at Mitchell College.  The mission of Chartwells is to create spaces where "hungry minds gather" and focus on creating memorable dining experiences. Dining Services aims to use only fresh, whole, real ingredients, creating an even closer connection from the farm to our tables.

New Hours

The hot spots to eat are the all-you-care-to-eat Milner Dining Hall and the Market Café. The hours of operation at the main dining hubs have been extended with Milner open until 7:30 every night and Market Café open until 11pm Sunday through Thursday for those craving a late night snack.  For more information about the hours, menu options, and locations, visit Where to eat or download the "App on Campus" available for the iPhone and Android on either a smartphone or tablet.

Delicious Food and New Offerings

The best part about the new Dining Services is that they provide a little bit of something for everyone.  The difference in freshness will be most noticeable when sinking your teeth into a real, hand-crafted, made-to-order beef burger cradled by a lightly toasted bun topped with fresh romaine lettuce, a cherry red tomato and your choice of condiments such as the sriracha mayonnaise, that is if you like a little spice.  For those looking for a lighter meal, check out the new Chop'd and Wrap'd options at the Market Café. Choose a salad or a wrap, choose your greens, protein, veggie, and or sauce and create your own meal. Have a craving for something sweet? Warm, fluffy Belgian waffles topped with your favorite garnishes are available all day. And, for the love of caffeine!  A hot beverage machine has been added to Milner with your choices of hot chocolate, original and French vanilla cappuccinos. 

Other cool information

At Mitchell dining is now an interactive experience. You can search menu items, enter the quantity of consumption and determine how many calories there are per serving plus lots of other nutritional information. Provide your feedback at Be Heard or take a survey.  Please visit Dine on campus to access menus, nutritional tools and more. Also follow on Twitter at Mitchell_Dining and like the page on Facebook at Mitchell Dining.

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Lots of Activities This Week on Campus!!

 Is your son/daughter looking to meet new people? Do they want to be more involved on campus? Take a look at the many activities offered on campus this week!

1/26  Men's Basketball

vs. Newbury, Yarnall, 6pm.

1/26  Throwback Movie 

"Freedom Writers" Saunders Lobby, 8 pm

1/27 Health and Wellness Welcome Back!

Swing by the Café between 11 and 3 for some awesome tips on how to make this your best semester yet, such as time management, and an overview of all the cool new things Health and Wellness has planned for you this semester!

1/27 Spring Activities Fair

Discover new things to do on campus. 

Market Cafe, Noon

1/27 Keep Calm and Donut Stress

Mariner Hall Lobby, 8 pm.

1/28 Last Day for Mitchell Class Add/Drop

1/28 Women's Basketball

vs. Regis

Yarnall Center, 6pm

1/28 Grilled Cheese Night

Matteson Hall, 9 pm

1/29 Friday Night Movie

"Rocky" 

Weller Center, 7:30 pm.

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Auditions This Week for Spring Musical!!

Spring Musical "Hair" Auditions This Week!!

  

The rock musical "Hair," a challenging and thought-provoking play that changed American culture in 1967, needs your sons and daughters!! 

Calling for a large ensemble cast, "Hair" opens auditions this week with vocal auditions on Wednesday, January 27, readings on Thursday, January 28 and choreography/dance auditions on Friday, January 29. 

All auditions are held in the Clark Center at 5:30 p.m. 

 

Mitchell College Drama Society encourages new members to join in the auditions. The auditions are for all students for all parts including the ensemble. Please prepare 16 measures of a song and bring accompaniment or sheet music with you.

Performance dates for the show are April 29, 30 and May 1. Please contact Donna Moss Ogle (ogle_d@mitchell.edu) or Jessie Doro McKay (jmckay4587@gmail.com) if you have questions.

Let the sunshine in as a member of the age of Aquarius!

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Think of Warmer Weather (lots of pics)

The weather might be cold outside but let's take a walk down memory lane........

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Storm Predicted for this Weekend.....Some Reminders

Please read below for some important reminders about the upcoming predicted storm:

-We ask all students to remain indoors throughout the day while winds and weather are strong

-Community Advisors, Campus Safety and Thames staff which lives on campus will be present to address needs as they arise. Emailing Christopher Scott at scott_c@mitchell.edu is the easiest and quickest way to reach a staff member for families if needed.

-Students should keep an eye out for fun activities which will be going on at Thames during the storm this weekend.

We hope you all stay warm and safe!

Check out the Thames Academy Facebook page for more updates and pictures!!

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How to Get The Most out of Your Phone Conversations

Are your phone conversations and text messages with your son/daughter too short and sweet? If so, take a look at the suggestions listed below for ways to encourage open lines of communication with your son/daughter:

• Make a list of items you want to discuss so that when your child calls, you can cover any important topics.  

• Begin your calls with positive news or praise for your son/daughter's achievement (even if it's a small one)

• Let your child determine the length of your talk. He or she may need to study or go to

class. Controlling the amount of conversation is also another way your child can exercise

his or her freedom. If you need more time, ask to schedule some uninterrupted time to

talk.  

• Don't ask a question if you don't want to hear the answer. If you respond in a

judgmental fashion to something your child tells you it will limit how much he or she

shares with you in the future.  

* Adapted from uwsuper.edu "Letting Go: Tips for Parents of New College Students"

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House Meeting TONIGHT & Classes Begin Thursday!!

Welcome students to the start of spring semester!! 

All students will have a mandatory house meeting TONIGHT at 7pm in the large classroom at Thames Academy.

All students by now should have received their spring schedules and will begin classes tomorrow, Thursday, 1/21!!

Students who have Ron or Jen as an advisor should stop  by their office (located in Montaul House) tomorrow between 9:00 - 12noon to check-in and ask any questions regarding their schedule.

All students will begin MATH CLASS tomorrow at either 2:30pm (MA102 students) or 4:00pm (MA104 stduents). All math classes are held in the Nathan Hale building, room 110.

Good luck students and welcome back to the spring semester!!

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Welcome Back Students! We've Missed You!

The lounge has missed you, Thames Academy students! 

Welcome Back!!

Remember, advisor appointments begin this week. 
Visit your advisor at your scheduled time and tell them what you were up to over break!

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Laugh a Little: Thoughts From an ADHD Brain

Check out Tales of an ADHD Superhero (facebook.com/ADHD Superhero) for more ADHDhumor and lighthearted insight like the quotes below...

"You say I'm messy. I say my things are arranged in an abstract manner intentionally, as part of my unquenchable thirst for creative expression."

"If plan A doesn't work, there are 25 more letters in the alphabet. You're good."

"I'm unreliable, disorganized, inefficient, unmotivated and immature. But I'm fun."

*Article excerpt from ADDitutde magazine, strategies and support for ADHD and LD.*

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Thames Academy Blog Has Over 460 Posts!!

Did you know that the Thames Academy Blog has published over 460 exciting, informational blog posts? Take some time to browse through old blog posts or search by a keyword in the search bar (upper left corner of the blog).

Topics of popular blog posts include:

-Parent Self-Care

-Technology apps to help student time management

-Wake-up Alarm Apps

-PillPac (medication packaging & delivery)

-Top 10 College Readiness Skills

-Book reviews of popular disability/parenting books

-Dorm fitness & healthy eating articles

-Conversation starters for parents

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Students Return to Thames Academy: Wed., January 20

Thames Academy faculty and staff are eagerly waiting for students to return to Thames Academy. The Thames Academy building will be open for students to return on WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 20 at NOON.

Students should not move back into the Thames dorm before this time as there will not be residence life supervision prior to January 20.

Spring semester classes begin on Thursday, January 21,

*Students who have registered for a spring Mitchell College class will also begin that class on Thursday, January 21. Students taking a Mitchell class should see their Thames Academy academic advisor when they return on Wed/Thurs.

If you have any questions, please email or call your son/daughter's academic advisor.

We will see you soon!

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Encouraging A Growth Mindset in the Classroom!

Thames Academy instructors utilize many of the guiding principles in Carol Dweck's book
Mindset: The New Psychology of Success. In her book, Carol Dweck explores the differences between a fixed mindset and growth mindset. Thames Academy instructors encourage students to have a growth mindset by valuing student effort, rewarding risk taking in thought and classroom participation, and promoting revision and continuous improvement of students' skills.



Thames faculty, Jennifer Sullivan, recently published an article in the American Sociological Association Teaching/Learning Section newsletter about this same topic: promoting a growth mindset in college classrooms.

Her article, "How Instructors Can Encourage A Growth Mindset" can be found on pages 5 & 6 by clicking HERE!

CLICK HERE to read another online article,'Growth Mindsets:Clearing Up Common Confusions' !

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Spring Semester Info Coming Soon!

Spring semester schedules and a book list are coming soon! Thames faculty are finalizing details for spring semester and will send information out to students and parents very soon!

STAY TUNED!!

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Article: Academic Coaching Helps College Students in STEM Courses

A recent article published in the the LDA's LD Source recognizes the importance of executive functioning skill development for college students with disabilities particularly those interested in STEM careers. The strategy that is introduced with the most support from current research is academic coaching. An explanation of academic coaching as well as the results from a current study are quoted below:

During the coaching sessions, the academic coach asked open-ended questions and modeled reflective thinking. This helped students develop the ability to plan and set goals. On average, the participants attended 12 coaching sessions during one academic semester.

Through an online survey, the students described the impact the academic coaching sessions had on them. The survey indicated that structure, organization and time management skills improved. The students said they felt less stressed and more reassured. They reported that motivation, confidence, self-esteem and self-advocacy increased. 

 Thames Academy's model of academic advising closely models this strategy as advisors frequently check in with students in formal and informal appointments while setting goals and discussing self-reflective thinking.

CLICK HERE to read the entire article!

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Winter Minimester Has Started!!

12 Thames Academy students have returned to campus to begin the winter minimester program in collaboration with the Mystic Aquarium! Students are learning about careers in marine biology, observing animal behavior and identifying species of fish and other aquatic animals in the Mystic Aquarium. Today students even began dissecting animals!! Take a look at a few pictures from the students' experience! Click below also to view powerpoint slides from Day One!!

CLICK HERE for powerpoint slides from Day One!!

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