William C. Overfelt High School
1835 Cunningham Avenue, San Jose, CA 95122,
Principal, Vito Chiala / Facilitator, Rafael L. “Kimo” Sanchez Jr
At Overfelt High School, during the first semester of the 2009-10 school-year, 29 students enrolled in the 180 Degrees Program and 21 remained active in the program at the end of the first semester.
GPA’s available for 26 of the students that remained in the program was 0.87 before the course. At the end of the first semester, their average GPA improved to 1.04, representing a 20% increase.
Full day absences records available for 19 students that remained in the program revealed a total of 76 absences the semester before the training compared to 54 during the first semester, representing a 29% decrease. Average daily attendance in the 180 classes was 84%.
Disciplinary incidents records were not obtained.
Student Comments
The following excerpts were taken from written comments by Overfelt students regarding the 180 Degrees Program:
“The 180 program has helped me in different ways; first of all, it helped me think before I made a decision. For example not letting people press my buttons that easy, it means when my brother gets in my face, I think about my consequences. I also think of what I’m going to say and I just don’t react in a stupid way. The second way it has helped me it’s in my future, this program has helped me want to be someone in life and not be like the other students that would rather dropout and not do anything. I would rather have a good job and make a lot of money, and make a difference in people’s life. For example, be a counselor and help people not make stupid decisions and think about their consequences before their actions. Thirdly the 180 program has helped me to care about other people. The program has helped me notice that there are so many people around you and they are all part of your life and your community and most of your decisions can affect them, mostly people you care about and that you would do anything to not make them sad at all. So you need to help them in order to help yourself first. Well, the program has been a good help for me in a good way.” Ana
“The 180 Program has helped me set goals and try harder. Without this class I would have never set goals which would have never got me closer to graduating. It’s helped me set goals and actually commit to them. I also realized that there are a lot of things out there that can help me graduate and also look good for college. Even the teachers are really nice. They make me want to try harder. It also helped me realize that school isn’t that hard. It’s also fun. They recommend different programs that are also fun. It helped me realize that I needed to shape up and get back on track because I was not on track to graduate but with the help of the 180 program I’m up and have a 3.0. I would recommend the 180 for more people because not only are the teachers great it’s just really a good program. It changed the way you look at life. If this program was given to more students I think Overfelt would improve greatly. If they learn what we do in this class I think many students would be doing better. If they are really committed, they will improve so much just like me. If someone would come and view our class they would see how good this program is. I am not sure if the East Side District gives this program to other schools bit if they do it will bring grades up and change the way people think.” Vivian
“In first and second period we work on the 180 Degrees book, in Kimo’s class. This is about reality and what we go through as young adults. Also problems and feelings we go through and we can’t talk about or express in other classes. In this class I have learned about a lot of things. Everyday it’s a new interesting topic. In the morning I wake up and think about what we are going to do. Even though I’m late I come to class and do my work. An interesting topic I learned is about pushing buttons. I understand what that means and how and why it worked. I learned the process of it so that’s helped me change but I still am not perfect and I don’t think I am ever going to be but by improving myself in that way I become a better person every day. This will help me academically. In conclusion I have known my awareness of my buttons and also I am aware of my button which has made me a better person.” Abby
“The 180 Degrees Program improved my life by helping me with school. It helped me with school by teaching me to come to school and do my work. In my classes I have been doing better this year than last year. My grades are better and I haven’t had a referral since school started. I hadn’t ditched school and I rarely have been late to all my classes. I don’t have problems with people and I haven’t got in a fight this year. Last year I used to ditch and I would be late to a lot of my classes. I used to get a lot of referrals and now I don’t. Because of this program I haven’t been ditching, fighting and getting in trouble in school. My grades have been better and my GPA is going up. In conclusion I have been a better student but I have to stop talking in class with my friends. Because of this program and Kimo I am a better person and student in school. This program had made me think twice before I do something wrong.” Carlos
“This program has helped me a lot in this classroom. I got my first A in high school. It helped me change my ways in being a better person in life. I use to ditch and not come to school last year and now this year I come to school every day and last year I never carried a backpack and now I do. This year I haven’t been involved in fights like last year because this program made me think twice before I try to do something wrong. I participate more in class thanks to this program and I make new friends that are not gang related.” Jean
“Although I have made many mistakes in my life, I believe that I have changed. I have changed in several good ways. I corrected most of my mistakes and now I have a clear idea of what’s good and how I should be. Before I was in this program, I guess you can say that I was bad. I did so many bad things” I used to ditch school, hangout with the wrong kind of people; I also had a bad attitude. Well this program can change anyone just like I changed. This program helped me a lot in many ways. I think that the teachers that come in every morning are great because they help us with our homework and class work. The teachers give us great lessons about many topics and they are here for us. Another thing that I changed in is that now I have a better attitude. I now think before I do or say something (critical thinking); I come to school every day. All in all, I have improved in numerous ways." Cyntia
“The 180 degrees program facilitated by Kimo, Mr. Cniala, CCPY teachers and my classmates has greatly helped me improve my life and academic life. Thanks to this program I’m program, I’m not doing as bad as I was last year, last year I would not have even begun to write this essay. I wouldn’t have not even gone to all my classes at the end of the day. But this year is completely different. I have not yet ditched since beginning and haven’t yet planned to. I currently have 8 classes and so far have only earned 2 F’s but I’m working on bringing those up. Thanks to this program and Kimo’s help, I am staying on track and am making my way through high school with less problems than last year. I am attending all my classes and doing all my hands to ace them and get my credits for graduation. Right now I’m on track although there are a few grades I need to get up, but compared to last year I’m doing great. I have yet had no problems with any of my teachers. The 180 Degrees Program has had a great impact in my life. Thanks to the program I have come to realize many things that I can change in my life to make it better in parts. I have learned a lot in Kimo’s class. I’ve learned many things that will help me not only in school but throughout all my life. I have to give a lot of thanks to the facilitator that made this program possible for me and my classmates, especially Kimo because without Kimo’s help I would not have gotten to where I am today. He has supported us in many things and his way in communicating and teaching us is very good because he makes us feel more comfortable in sharing and that will help us with our public skills. The 180 Degrees Program has helped me in many ways.” Faviola
“The program 180 degrees has helped me in many ways. One way it has helped me is in learning how to take my obstacles and turn them into opportunities, also, how to set goals for myself and how to accomplish them. They also have taught me how I can help my community and every one that surrounds me. They have showed me self-awareness, self-management, social-awareness, relationship, awareness, responsible decision making. It has also taught me how to see and understand my perspective and other’s. It has taught me how to establish and maintain positive choices. I also have learned how to make something out of my life. I have been attending a lot more school and have been getting better grades.” Leslie
“It improved my life by the teachers telling me why this is important. Why we need an education and to complete school to succeed. The teachers keep encouraging me to get my life straight and to do my work and turn it in on time. Kimo teaches me how to deal with the teachers I don’t like and how not to give them an attitude, it’s not worth it. Helped me to do my class work I didn't finish and make up work. The program 180 degrees helps us support each other.” Benito
“The 180 Degrees Program have improved my academic’s by getting better grades and showing me how to keep them and to have a good communications with all my teachers. I am going to all my classes. I am learning how to critically think.” Freddy
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