UNDERGRAD SCHOOL YEAR GATHERINGS
School year gatherings are curriculum based with a plan to support young people throughout the year, both in school and at camp. Children are encouraged to set their own goals, work hard to achieve personal excellence and experience the self-confidence gained by accomplishing their goals.

September marks the beginning of school year gatherings for young people in the Undergrad Program. Students utilize the “Path to Success Passport” which is designed to track the student’s ability to identify and then achieve goals related to school, home and camp. Each gathering focuses on a theme that is covered in the “Passport” including “Setting Goals,” “Overcoming Our Daily Obstacles,” “Actions to Make Our Community Stronger,” “Evaluating and Pushing Forward Towards My Goals” and “Continuing Our Adventure.”

Information discussed at the gatherings is reviewed through a glossary of terms that cover the topics in depth including how to set short-term goals and ways to achieve successful long-term outcomes. Through written essays, young people are given the opportunity to comprehend and explore what was discussed at the meetings and reflect on the significance in their own lives.

POST GRAD SCHOOL YEAR GATHERINGS
At structured, school year meetings, Post Grads are challenged to examine their lives, assess the consequences of their decisions, examine their motivations, and evaluate their short- and long-term goals. By exploring life’s obstacles, challenges and new experiences, young people determine how they can make a contribution to team building. The team gains its strength and momentum based on understanding, cohesiveness and leadership. Post Grads are faced with a higher level of personal responsibility, freedom, the expectation of thoughtful decision-making and the requirement to demonstrate respect for one another.

YEAR-ROUND COMMUNICATION
A key component in the year-round relationship with students in Project Morry is maintaining close contact and forming strong bonds of teamwork with their parents and community. Communication and outreach includes newsletters, calls and e-mails, acting as positive reinforcement of the lessons and values acquired in the program at school gatherings and Morry’s Camp. Along with discussing the challenges faced by the children and their families, milestones and special occasions are celebrated together. In addition, meetings are held on a regular basis with Project Morry staff members and the students’ teachers or social workers. Young people examine the consequences of their actions and the impact of their choices on their relationships with friends, families and communities.

“At Project Morry, children are setting their own goals and working hard to achieve them.”

-PROJECT MORRY STAFF

FOURTH GRADE THROUGH SEVENTH GRADE
Once selected for Project Morry by a teacher, guidance counselor, social worker or after-school program staff member, each child and their family are asked to make a commitment to a multi-year involvement in our year-round program which includes monthly school year meetings.

Children who participate in Project Morry for the first year are completing the fourth grade, and the oldest boys and girls in the Undergrad Program are completing the seventh grade. The curriculum guides children through a critical period in their educational and social development, while providing long-term support. The school year presence gives each student the necessary reinforcement of important lessons and values learned that can make an impact on their day-to-day lives and futures.

HOW THE UNDERGRAD PROGRAM WORKS:
			Current 4th graders attend two school year meetings in the spring before having their first summer experience.
			Following their first summer experience, child enters 5th grade; monthly school year meetings begin in September between child and staff at regional locations. Child attends camp for a second summer.
			Following their second summer experience, child enters 6th grade; monthly school year meetings continue between child and staff at regional locations. Child attends camp for a third summer.
			Following their third summer experience, child enters 7th grade; monthly school year meetings continue between child and staff at regional locations. Child attends camp for a fourth summer. A graduation ceremony for the Undergrad Program is held in September; child can apply to Post Grad Program as an 8th grader; year-round Post Grad monthly meetings begin in October.

UNDERGRAD SCHOOL YEAR GATHERINGS
Undergrad gatherings are created around our 9-month, mission-based curriculum. Children set their own goals, overcome obstacles by identifying and utilizing their resources and experience self-confidence gained through these efforts.

The Undergrad gatherings occur each month beginning in September and concluding in May. Students utilize the Passport to Success, which is designed to track the child’s progress through the school year curriculum. Additions are made to the Passport each month providing a year end compilation of writing samples, goals, challenges and ideas.

UNDERGRAD SCHOOL YEAR COMMUNICATION
A key component of the School Year program is the consistent communication with Project Morry kids, their parents and their communities. Each month begins with the Project Morry School Year Line-Up, the Undergrad newsletter. The newsletter contains the month’s theme, glossary words, topics to be discussed and community updates.

The overall School Year communication plan for the Undergrad child includes: School-Year gatherings, newsletter, phone calls and emails. Young people have the opportunity to examine the consequences of their actions and the impact of their choices on their relationships with friends, families and their communities. Along with discussing the challenges faced by the children and their families, milestones and special occasions are celebrated together. In addition, Project Morry staff meet regularly with teachers, social workers and community partners.

“Each component of the Post Grad Program focuses on the need for continued development of confidence through the opportunity to lead.”

-PROJECT MORRY STAFF

THROUGH HIGH SCHOOL
For students who have graduated from the Undergrad Program, the Post Grad Program is a commitment of an additional five years and tracks the development and growth of each young adult through high school. Young people enter the eighth grade and are accepted through an application process involving a personal essay on “how they will make a difference,” references and demonstrated family participation.

The Post Grad Program requires a higher level of responsibility and focuses on increased life skills and the opportunity to explore educational and leadership initiatives. Throughout the school year, more than 100 Post Grads attend monthly meetings in their communities and enjoy educational, career-oriented and recreational activities.

	HOW THE POSTGRAD PROGRAM WORKS:
			Following their fourth summer experience and their graduation from the Undergrad Program in September; child applies to the Post Grad Program as an 8th grader; attends Post Grad monthly meetings beginning in October and continuing monthly through May with Project Morry Staff at a central location. Post Grad attends camp for a fifth summer.
			Following their fifth summer experience, child enters 9th grade; Post Grad monthly meetings begin in October with Project Morry Staff at a central location. Post Grad attends camp for a sixth summer. Participates in the LEAD program; 2 weeks at camp, 2 weeks visiting colleges, museums and historic sites throughout the mid-atlantic states.
			Following their sixth summer experience, child enters 10th grade; Post Grad monthly meetings begin in October with Project Morry Staff at a central location. Post Grad attends camp for their seventh and final summer. This is an 8-week camp experience.
			Post Grad is paired with a coach, a volunteer mentor, in September; monthly contact with coach and Project Morry staff. Post Grads seek summer internships; monthly contact with coach.
			Child enters 12th grade; Monthly contact with coach and Project Morry staff; graduation from Post Grad Program and high school in June.
			As Project Morry Alumni, graduates may apply to become members of Project Morry staff

POST GRAD SCHOOL YEAR GATHERINGS
At structured, monthly school year meetings, Post Grads are challenged to examine their lives, assess the consequences of their decisions, examine their motivations, and evaluate their short- and long-term goals. By exploring life’s obstacles, challenges and new experiences, young people determine how they can make a contribution to team building. The team gains its strength and momentum based on understanding, cohesiveness and leadership. Post Grads are faced with a higher level of personal responsibility, freedom, the expectation of thoughtful decision-making and the requirement to demonstrate respect for one another.

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