First Week of School

The first week of school has just concluded itself.  We hope that all students have enjoyed their summer and are ready to start the school year once again.  If you are interested in joining the ASPIRA program this year, please see the ASPIRA advisor from your school (This applies to both high schools and middle schools with the ASPIRA program), or if you were a member last year, we hope to see you again this year!

For more information about ASPIRA, visit aspirafl.org about the ASPIRA program in Florida. 

ACF Meeting- July 13, 2012 Friday

ASPIRA Club Federation 


7/13/2012  12 PM to 3 PM


During this meeting, we have come up with the following ideas:

• Next ACF Meeting, we will assign committees in charge of fundraising, community service, trips, and other special events.
• Each head of committee will need to come up with ideas, plan out how it will work, introduce the plan to the ACF, and contact the ACF officers.
• Ideas to help the ACF members this year know each other better include:
• An ACF Potluck
• Better icebreakers 
• Warm and Fuzzies (Positive messages from each person each meeting)
• Christmas Gift Exchange
• A calendar and a bulletin board should be put in the ACF meeting room to keep track of events and show what we have accomplished.
• There could be informal ACF meetings to make our Aspira more fun.  There may also be a Bring-A-Friend day (BAF).
• To improve communication with our members, text messages will be sent to all members prior to meetings.

Old Business:

• Mentor to Mentee Program Update/Suggestions
• ACF Community Service Project
• ACF Fundraising
• ACF Dues

New Business

• Ideas to improve clubs
• ACF Fundraising/Community Service Projects
• ACF Dues
• New school year

Announcements

• Shining Stars Talent Show: August 3, 2012 6PM to 9PM
• Next ACF Meeting: August 10, 2012 12PM to 3PM
• In September, the Miramar Civic Center will be torn down and the Miramar police department will be built in its place.  Our new ACF meeting location will be announced in the future.

ACF Meeting Schedule:

1. Registration and Lunch
2. Welcome
3. Call Meeting to Order/Roll Call
4. Ice Breaker- Members At Large
5. Reading and Approval of Minutes
6. Dues 2012-2013
7. President's Reports
8. Summer Camp Activities and Participation
9. Next Year School Club Planning
10. Old Business (see above)
11. New Business (see above)
12. Announcements (see above)
13. Adjournment

ACF Meeting-June 14, 2012 Thursday

ASPIRA Club Federation 


6/14/2012  12 PM to 3 PM


First, I would like to apologize for updating the blog later than normal.  
This meeting has also discussed the ACF dues and how we will be determining the amount.  Ideas have included a set fee per school, one ACF fundraiser including all the schools, a percentage for each school, and a set amount per individual student.  The dues will be used for future club events and trips.  Other topics of discussion include the "Mentor to Mentee" issues, preparations for the next school year, summer camp events, and improving the school clubs.


Old Business:

• Survey Results
• Awards Ceremony

New Business

• Mentor to Mentee Program Update/Suggestions
• Civic Engagement Project/Community Service Project

Announcements

• Next ACF Meeting: July 12, 2012 12PM to 3PM

ACF Meeting Schedule:

1. Registration and Lunch
2. Welcome
3. Call Meeting to Order/Roll Call
4. Ice Breaker- Members At Large
5. Reading and Approval of Minutes
6. Dues 2012-2013
7. President's Reports
8. Summer Camp Activities and Participation
9. Next Year School Club Planning
10. Old Business (see above)
11. New Business (see above)
12. Announcements (see above)
13. Adjournment

June 6, 2012 Wednesday

Icebreaker: None

Topic of Discussion: None

We enjoyed our small breakfast party and finished our annual club scrapbook.  Today was the last day for our club meetings, but however, the ACF meetings still continue and we will continue to post the dates and times.  We wish all Aspirantes a fun, safe summer break and good luck next school year!

Announcements:

• Aspira ACF Meeting
• Thursday, June 14, 2012
• Miramar Civic Center
• 12:00 PM to 3:00 PM
• Lunch Provided

June 1, 2012 Friday

Icebreaker: None
Topic of Discussion: ASPIRA Summer Camp, ASPIRA Scrapbook, and Last Meeting of the School Year

Next Wednesday will also be the last meeting in the school year.  ACF Meetings will still continue monthly throughout the summer and the school club meetings will begin again next school year.  

Also, we have decided on our club description for the ASPIRA scrapbook, which describes our club as "loyal" and having participated in volunteering projects and events.

As next Wednesday is the last meeting, we have decided to have a breakfast potluck that morning.  Please remember to bring your assigned item.

Announcements:

• ASPIRA Summer Camp
• Who: Middle School and High School Students
• When: June 18, 2012 to August 2, 2012 (Monday through Thursday from 8 AM to 3 PM)
• Where: Miramar Civic Center
• Cost: $25.00/week (Total summer fee: $175)
• Registration is on June 12-13 (9 am to 5pm)
• Please have your form signed and filled out.
• *Limited to the first 50 students only!
• The next ACF Meeting's date will be announced in next week's meetings.

ASPIRA Summer Camp

The ASPIRA Summer Camp (From June 18 to August 2) will include many fun recreational activities as well as volunteering projects and field trips and much, much more!  There will be:

• Movies and Popcorn
• Swimming (Weekly)
• Fitness and Sports
• Field Trips
• Barbecue Events
• Pizza and Ice Cream
• Friendship Graffiti T-Shirts
• Prevention Workshops
• Arts and Crafts
• Guest Speakers
• Silent Auction
• Picnic
• Talent Show
• Community Service Projects

Again, as a reminder:

• Who: Middle School and High School Students
• When: June 18, 2012 to August 2, 2012 (Monday through Thursday from 8 AM to 3 PM)
• Where: Miramar Civic Center
• Cost: $25.00/week (Total summer fee: $175)
• Registration is on June 12-13 (9 am to 5pm)
• Please have your form signed and filled out.
• *Limited to the first 50 students only!

May 30, 2012 Wednesday

Icebreaker: Guess Who?
Topic of Discussion: Summer Resolutions (SMART Goal Setting), ASPIRA Summer Camp, and Scrapbook Project


Today, we discussed summer resolutions and goals.  We practiced setting a goal for this summer and used the SMART Goal Setting system (see SMART Goal Setting).  We also discussed the ASPIRA Summer Camp (see below for more information).  Our club is also planning on making an annual scrapbook project to remember this year and to keep a record in the "ASPIRA archives".  We will include photos of our previous events as well.


Announcements:

• ASPIRA Summer Camp
• Who: Middle School and High School Students
• When: June 18, 2012 to August 2, 2012 (Monday through Thursday from 8 AM to 3 PM)
• Where: Miramar Civic Center
• Cost: $25.00/week (Total summer fee: $175)
• Registration is on June 12-13 (9 am to 5pm)
• Please have your form signed and filled out.
• *Limited to the first 50 students only!
• End of the Year Planning

May 25, 2012 Friday

May Volunteering Project and Recreation Activity
This was our schedule for this day's events:



7:30AM to 8:00AM - Drop off at the Miramar Civic Center
8:00AM to 8:30AM - Go to Feeding South Florida
8:30AM to 12:00PM - Volunteer at Feeding South Florida
12:00PM to 12:30PM - Back to Civic Center
12:30PM to 2:00PM - Pool Party Recreation Activity
2:00PM to 2:45PM - Get Dressed and Get Picked Up
3:00 PM - End of Event
    
      The three middle school groups were all part of the same volunteering project.  We volunteered at Feeding South Florida, where we were shown a video describing their goal and how we were helping many people facing hunger in South Florida.  Afterwards, we helped to sort many donated items into boxes, in order for them to be shipped off to locations such as soup kitchens.  Later, we went back to the Civic center for our Pool Party Recreation Activity.

May 23, 2012 Wednesday

Icebreaker: Who is the leader?
Topic of Discussion: Paths to Careers and Building a Resume


Today, we took a survey to see what career interests we may have and learned about the importance about planning your future early.  This includes college, scholarships, the SAT and ACT, your GPA, volunteering hours, clubs and extracurricular activities, and high school involvement.  We also discussed how to build a resume and what will be included in one.


Announcements:

• ASPIRA Summer Camp (This will be discussed in next week's meeting)
• Feeding South Florida Volunteering Project
• Friday, May 25, 2012
• Also, you must wear closed toes shoes, a white shirt and jeans for the volunteering event.  For the recreation event after, please bring a bathing suit/clothing, a towel, and a change of dry clothes. 
• Please have all forms signed and turned in by tomorrow in the main office, in the ASPIRA folder.
• Please see the schedule below and plan accordingly.

7:30AM to 8:00AM - Drop off at the Miramar Civic Center
8:00AM to 8:30AM - Go to Feeding South Florida
8:30AM to 12:00PM - Volunteer at Feeding South Florida
12:00PM to 12:30PM - Back to Civic Center
12:30PM to 2:00PM - Pool Party Recreation Activity
2:00PM to 2:45PM - Get Dressed and Get Picked Up
3:00 PM - End of Event

May 18, 2012 Friday

Icebreaker: None
Topic of Discussion: Changes to May Community Service Project


We have decided to unite the three middle school clubs for one community service project at Feeding South Florida, instead of at the Young at Art Museum.  Here is our planned schedule:


Friday May 25th
7:30AM to 8:00AM - Drop off at the Miramar Civic Center
8:00AM to 8:30AM - Go to Feeding South Florida
8:30AM to 12:00PM - Volunteer at Feeding South Florida
12:00PM to 12:30PM - Back to Civic Center
12:30PM to 2:00PM - Pool Party Recreation Activity
2:00PM to 2:45PM - Get Dressed and Get Picked Up
3:00 PM - End of Event


Also, you must wear closed toes shoes, a white shirt and jeans for the volunteering event.  For the recreation event after, please bring a bathing suit/clothing, a towel, and a change of dry clothes. 

Announcements:

• Aspira 17th Annual Leadership Awards Ceremony
• Signature Grand
• Friday, May 18, 2012 (Tonight)
• 6:30 PM to 11:00 PM
• $20.00 per person 
• *Please remember to bring your ticket to the awards ceremony.
• *Also, please keep in mind that this is a formal event and therefore, please dress accordingly.

May 16, 2012 Wednesday

Icebreaker: Telephone Game
Topic of Discussion: Anti-bullying

Announcements:

• Aspira 17th Annual Leadership Awards Ceremony
• Signature Grand
• Friday, May 18, 2012
• 6:30 PM to 11:00 PM
• $20.00 per person 
• *Parent permission slips are due.  Please make sure to have them signed if you plan on attending.
• *Also, please keep in mind that this is a formal event and therefore, please dress accordingly.

ACF Meeting-May 11, 2012 Friday

ASPIRA Club Federation 


5/11/2012  4 PM to 7 PM


During ACF meetings, we meet with the other schools to discuss what is occurring in each school's club.  The president of each school's club will make a report.


Also, this is the ASPIRA ACF Meeting Schedule for the Aspirantes who were not able to make it this evening.


Old Business:

• Video messages expressing how ASPIRA has made a difference in our lives.
• On March 30, 2012, we attended a Leadership Conference at Broward College, where we learned about different careers, how to financially prepare ourselves, college and what we should do to get ready for it and etiquette.
• We have made a contact list of all Aspirantes who attended.
• Also, we continued the Mentor to Mentee program, where a high school student (mentor) and a middle school student (mentee) exchange e-mails or phone numbers in order for the high school student to "mentor" and assist the mentee.
• Local Advisory Fundraiser April 18, 2012

New Business

• Award Ceremony Speeches-ACF Officers
• Mentor to Mentee Program Update
• Civic Engagement Project/Community Service Project

Announcements

• Next ACF Meeting: June 14, 2012
• ASPIRA Youth Leadership and Scholarship Ceremony (ASPIRA Award Ceremony)

ACF Meeting Schedule:

1. Registration and Dinner
2. Welcome
3. Call Meeting to Order
4. Ice Breaker- Members At Large
5. Reading and Approval of Minutes
6. Dues
7. President's Report
8. Survey Results
9. Award Ceremony Speech Assignments
10. Award Ceremony Performances (Including dances and songs performed by various high schools.)
11. Old Business (see above)
12. New Business (see above)
13. Announcements (see above)
14. Adjournment

May 11, 2012 Friday

Icebreaker: None
Topic of Discussion: May's Community Service Project


Today, we have discussed the community service project.  After discussion and voting, we are planning to volunteer at the Young At Art Children Museum on May 25 from 1PM to 6PM.  Volunteers will help children in making crafts and will be assisting them in the hands-on areas and the play areas.  Volunteers are required to dress in a solid black shirt and black pants as well.  Further discussion will take place next week.


Announcements:

• Aspira 17th Annual Leadership Awards Ceremony
• Signature Grand
• Friday, May 18, 2012
• 6:30 PM to 11:00 PM
• $20.00 per person 
• *Parent permission slips are due.  Please make sure to have them signed if you plan on attending.
• *Also, please keep in mind that this is a formal event and therefore, please dress accordingly.

May 7, 2012 Wednesday

Icebreaker: Q & A for the A.S.P.I.R.A.
Topic of Discussion: Dealing with Driving Distractions


Announcements:

• Aspira 17th Annual Leadership Awards Ceremony
• Signature Grand
• Friday, May 18, 2012
• 6:30 PM to 11:00 PM
• $20.00 per person 
• *Parent permission slips are due this week.  Please make sure to have them signed if you plan on attending by Friday.
• *Also, please keep in mind that this is a formal event and therefore, please dress accordingly.

• Aspira ACF Meeting
• Friday, May 11, 2012
• Miramar Civic Center
• 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM
• Meal Provided

ASPIRA Award Ceremony Dress Attire

The proper dress attire for the ASPIRA Award Ceremony should be semi-formal to formal.  Here are some examples below:

May 4, 2012 Friday

Icebreaker: None
Topic of Discussion: This Month's Community Service Project

Today, we discussed where we should volunteer for our community service project and possible places.  Aspirantes, please remember to contact these places and see whether or not we can do a community service project there.


Announcements:

• Aspira 17th Annual Leadership Awards Ceremony
• Signature Grand
• Friday, May 18, 2012
• 6:30 PM to 11:00 PM
• $20.00 per person
• *Parent permission slips are due this week.  Please make sure to have them signed if you plan on attending.
• *Also, please keep in mind that this is a formal event and therefore, please dress accordingly.

May 2, 2012 Wednesday

Ice Breaker: Acting Out in Class
Topic of Discussion: Social Media Safety Tips


Announcements:

• Aspira 17th Annual Leadership Awards Ceremony
• Signature Grand
• Friday, May 18, 2012
• 6:30 PM to 11:00 PM
• $20.00 per person
• *Parent permission slips are due this week.  Please make sure to have them signed if you plan on attending.

April 27, 2012 Friday

Icebreaker: None

Topic of Discussion: May's Community Service Project

After voting, we have decided to volunteer at the local library and to read books to children.  Further discussion will take place next Friday.  Our next meeting is Wednesday from 8 AM to 8:50 AM.  Lastly, please remember to have your parent permission forms completed to attend the Award Ceremony.

Announcements:

• 17th Annual ASPIRA Award Ceremony
• Friday, May 18, 2012
• At Signature Grand
• 6:30 PM to 11 PM
• $20.00 per person
• Parent permission slips required

S.M.A.R.T. Goal Setting

This method is used by many people for setting better goals that we can achieve.  

• Specific: You should be clear about what you want to happen
• Not Specific: I want to make good grades.
• Specific: I want to have a 93 average in science by May 26, 2012.

• Measurable: You should be able to track your goal.
• Not Measurable: I want to make a lot of free throw shots.
• Measurable: I want to make at least 9 out of 10 free throw shots in the next basketball game.

• Action: What small specific actions must you take to achieve this goal?
• Wrong: In order to make a 93 average in science by May 26, 2012, I must study.
• Right: In order to make a 93 average in science by May 26, 2012, I must read over my science notes every night for 20 minutes.

• Realistic:  Can you achieve these goals?  Are they doable?
• Unrealistic: I want to make 200 free throw shots in one game.
• Realistic: I want to make 8 out of 10 of the free throw shots that I attempt.

• Time: You should set a time frame for your goal.
• No Time: I want to learn to play the piano.
• Time: I want to learn to play "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star" by June 3rd, 2012.

April 25, 2012 Wednesday

Icebreaker: What's in a Name?
Topics of Discussion: 

• Building a Positive Self-Image
• Self Improvement
• Setting S.M.A.R.T. Goals

Announcements:

• 17th Annual ASPIRA Award Ceremony
• Friday, May 18, 2012
• At Signature Grand
• 6:30 PM to 11 PM
• $20.00 per person
• Parent permission slips required

Additional Reminder:

• Also, one ticket to attend the Award Ceremony will be raffled on Friday if you arrive at 7:50AM to 8:05AM during our meeting.  Then, we will be discussing our community service project for the month of May.  Please comment below with any suggestions.  All comments are welcome!

A Quick Announcement

Hello Aspirantes!
      This week we will not be having ASPIRA meetings April 18 and 21 (Wednesday and Friday) due to FCAT.  However, we will continue to meet again next week.  Finally, we wish all Aspirantes good luck on the FCAT!

ACF Meeting-April 13, 2012 Friday

ASPIRA Club Federation 


4/13/2012  4 PM to 7 PM


During ACF meetings, we meet with the other schools to discuss what is occurring in each school's club.  The president of each school's club will make a report.


Also, this is the ASPIRA ACF Meeting Schedule for the Aspirantes who were not able to make it this evening.


Old Business:

• Video messages expressing how ASPIRA has made a difference in our lives.
• On March 30, 2012, we attended a Leadership Conference at Broward College, where we learned about different careers, how to financially prepare ourselves, college and what we should do to get ready for it and etiquette.
• During the previous ACF meeting, we made a contact list of all Aspiranted who attended.
• Also during the previous meeting, we continued the Mentor to Mentee program, where a high school student (mentor) and a middle school student (mentee) exchange e-mails or phone numbers in order for the high school student to "mentor" and assist the mentee.

New Business

• Award Ceremony Speeches-ACF Officers
• Mentor to Mentee Program Update
• Civic Engagement Project/Community Service Project

Announcements

• Next ACF Meeting: May 11, 2012
• ASPIRA Youth Leadership and Scholarship Ceremony (see previous post)
• Local Advisory Fundraiser April 18, 2012

ACF Meeting Schedule:

1. Registration and Dinner
2. Welcome
3. Call Meeting to Order
4. Anti Bullying Campaign Presentation-Kimberly Rodriguez
5. Ice Breaker
6. Frame Signing-LAC Fundraiser
7. Reading and Approval of Minutes
8. Dues
9. President's Report
10. Old Business (see above)
11. New Business (see above)
12. Announcements (see above)
13. Adjournment

April 13, 2012 Friday

Icebreaker: Memory Game
Topic of Discussion: Community Service Project Ideas


Ideas that may be possible:

• A Beach Clean up
• A Park Clean up
• Volunteering at a homeless shelter
• Dance

There is also an Anti-Bullying Campaign contest which requires a campaign slogan, campaign ideas, a poster, anti-bullying tips, etc.  More information about this will be posted later.  The due date is April 30, 2012.

April 11, 2012 Wednesday

Icebreaker: Did you remember what to bring to the beach?
Topic of Discussion: Test Taking Tips for Teens


Announcements:

• ACF Meeting
• Friday, April 13, 2012
• Miramar Civic Center
• 4 PM to 7 PM
• Meal is provided

• 17th Annual ASPIRA Award Ceremony
• Friday, May 18, 2012
• At Signature Grand
• 6:30 PM to 11 PM

About the Aspira Club

The Aspira club meets every Wednesday and Friday before school from 8:00 AM to 8:50 AM.  On Wednesdays, we discuss many topics varying from leadership, study habits, nutrition, etc.  On Fridays, we give the opportunity to our officers to discuss future events, fundraisers, and community service projects that we will be planning.  If any Aspirante has any suggestions for a project or fundraiser, please comment below!  All suggestions are welcome to improve our club!

Welcome Aspirantes!

Welcome to the new Aspira Club Blog, where we will be posting new information about the club weekly, keeping you updated with events and posting what we discussed in previous weeks.