Operation Xcel in the news Newsletters Join Our Mailing List January 10, 2025 A Personal Review of Winter 2024 Showcases
The Winter Showcases, intended to demonstrate projects the students worked on during the year, also provide opportunities for students to practice their leadership, communication, and self-confidence skills. The students did not disappoint. Each student presented their projects quite knowledgeable of the content and reasoning that certain actions occurred. For example, one student demonstrated the effects of gravity between two of the same cars carrying different weight loads. The young man was able to interact with the audience while demonstrating the reason why the heavier car traveled farther toward the bottom of the ramp than the car with the lighter load. He confidently asked the audience why such was the case and congratulated the person with the right answer. The students in the Operation Homework afterschool programs are evidence that students are willing to learn, retain, and confidently communicate information as they remain engaged in the process and receive the necessary support to eXCEL in every academic and social environment.
Operation Xcel Winter Showcases: A Look at Student Success and Parental Impressions
Over the past two weeks, students and staff at each Operation Homework afterschool site hosted their annual winter showcases, where they proudly displayed their impressive science projects. The projects ranged from demonstrating the structure of bacteria under a microscope to illustrating how our lungs expand and deflate using a simple two-liter soda bottle with a deflated balloon. One student went further to name and point out every part of the human body, including the internal organs. The students were enthusiastic, thrilled to see so many faces in the crowd, and grateful for the support and recognition they received for the hard work they put into each project.
Impressions of Operation Xcel: What Students and Staff Have to Say
During my visits to Southwest Middle School on December 18th and Hairston Middle School on December 19th, I had the opportunity to interact with several parents and students to gather their thoughts on Operation Xcel. Every student I spoke with expressed their love for the program. They mentioned that they enjoy learning new things and particularly appreciate the time given to discuss new information to ensure understanding during instructional time. It’s clear that the program not only boosts their academic skills but also their overall enthusiasm for learning.
Parents’ Impressions and Areas for Improvement
When I asked parents about their impressions of Operation Xcel and whether there were areas that could be improved, their responses were largely consistent. Many parents expressed their gratitude that their children had the chance to participate in an afterschool program focused on STEM education, where they could meet new people and explore exciting topics. One father shared that his daughter, who used to come home and barely mention school, now regularly talks about her day. A mother, too, noticed a transformation in her daughter. The once shy and introverted student had grown more talkative, had made new friends, and had become much more engaged in her activities.
However, there was one consistent area for improvement that parents brought up: homework and school projects. Several parents mentioned that their children needed additional assistance with their schoolwork. When asked if they or their children had communicated these needs to the teachers, the answer was no. I recommend that parents encourage their students to be proactive about asking for help and communicating any struggles they may be facing with their teachers. After all, Operation Xcel is an afterschool program designed to support each student’s learning, but students need to ensure that their teachers are aware of their needs in order to receive the proper help.
Conclusion: Encouraging Growth and Communication
It’s clear from the winter showcases and the impressions of both students and parents that Operation Xcel is having a positive impact, fostering a love for learning and personal growth. With a focus on STEM, the program is giving students the opportunity to expand their horizons and gain confidence in their abilities. As we continue to encourage students to take advantage of the support offered, it’s important to remind them that effective communication with their teachers plays a key role in ensuring they get the help they need to succeed both academically and personally.
