Last year, many Communities In Schools of North Texas cased managed students at Lake Dallas Middle School participated in the GOAL (Guys/Girls Operating As Leaders) program. This program, from Denton ISD, gives students the opportunity to learn to become leaders, give back to the community, work together with classmates to form a family, receive college information all while playing a sport they all love, soccer.
During the 2014-2015 school year our students practiced once a week and participated with other campuses in different tournaments. During these tournaments, our students and their families were able to receive college information from current college students who came from similar backgrounds. This program helped many of our students stay motivated in school and gave them an opportunity to get involved in a sport not offered at our campus.
At the end of the year, Denton ISD coaches, asked all participating GOAL students to write about their experience in the program, specifically what it meant to them and how it helped them become better leaders. Many of our students submitted writing samples with the hopes of being selected to be published in the second Todos Somos GOAL book.
Ten of Lake Dallas Middle School’s CIS students were selected to be part of the second GOAL book. Eight of those students are now freshman in high school, and two are still in our middle school. This was an incredible honor for all of our students and our school. This is a great example of how two programs have worked hard to give our students the assistance needed to be able to achieve their goals and feel a sense of pride in themselves and their work.
You can read an excerpt from Todos Somos Goal and purchase a copy here: http://www.lulu.com/shop/guys-girls-operating-as-leaders/todos-somos-goal-a-goal-manifesto-vol-ii/paperback/product-22205709.html
