ESI Update – Week of March 31

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ESI Update

Week of March 31

 

Principals and ESI Team Members,

Recently, administrators from ESI schools participated in panel discussions around improving outcomes for Black and Latino young men and the academic programming that will help ensure that they graduate college and career ready. At Expanding the Success of Black and Latino Young Men, a panel discussion held by the CUNY Institute for Education Policy at Hunter College, Shawn Dove (Campaign for Black Male Achievement – Open Society Foundations), Adriana Villavicencio (from ESI’s external evaluator, Research Alliance) and Michael Prayor (ESI principal at Brooklyn High School for Law and Technology) spoke to the challenges schools face as well as the successful strategies being employed. The program concluded with remarks by Vanda Belusic-Vollor, Executive Director of the Office of Postsecondary Readiness, who encouraged participants to continue to research and innovate solutions that promote equity and access for all students.

Later that week, Kathy Fines, Assistant Principal at Manhattan Bridges, also participated in a panel discussion with School Time Lab that was attended by staff from Queens Vocational and Technical High School and East Bronx Academy. School Time Lab studies and bolsters how schools use time as a deliberate asset to support College and Career Readiness through academic programming. 

ESI is proud of its leaders for using these platforms to share their schools’ stories and their commitment to this important work.

In this issue you will find the following features:

  • News and Updates: FREE Professional Development from Overcoming Obstacles!
  • Opportunities: New York National College Fair, FREE SAT Prep, Summer Youth Employment Program, HS Guidance Counselor trip to Stony Brook!
  • School Spotlight: Explorations Academy!
  • Program Spotlight: ESI Young Men’s Gatherings!
  • Did You Know? The Crucial Role of College Counselors

News and Updates

*This feature is intended to keep you up-to-date on what’s happening in ESI. 

Overcoming Obstacles for the summer!

As you begin to plan your summer programs and professional development, Overcoming Obstacles has partnered with ESI to train teachers from ESI schools at no cost.

Get a jumpstart in achieving your school’s summer program goals with Overcoming Obstacles. Contact NYC Program Director Rossana Villaflor today to discuss free training and resources for your staff. You may email Rossana at rossana@overcomingobstacles.org, or call her at 212-406-7488, extension 110.

 

 

Opportunities

For Students

New York National College Fair

The National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) will hold the New York National College Fair at the Jacob K. Javits Center of New York on Sunday, April 6, 2014 from 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

The fair is free and open to the public and offers students in grades 11 and 12 and their families the opportunity to meet face to face with college representatives from throughout the country.

Students and parents are encouraged to register prior to attending the event. To register, click here. Register Online.

WHERE:

Jacob K. Javits Convention Center of New York

Hall 1B

655 West 34th Street

New York, NY 10001-1188

(212) 216-2000

WHEN:

Sunday, April 6, 2014

11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

For more information, email collegefairs@nacacnet.org or info@nacacnet.org or call: (703) 299-6856.

FREE SAT Program through DreamYard

DreamYard–which supports young people as they work toward higher learning, meaningful careers, and social action with its programming–has launched its first ever FREE SAT Program. This program is for Juniors & high-achieving Sophomores. Even if your school already provides an SAT Prep class, students are encouraged to sign up if they feel they need extra help.

PLEASE NOTE: THERE HAS BEEN A CHANGE IN TIME TO ACCOMMODATE SCHOOLS THAT DISMISS LATE!

CLASSES WILL NOW BE FROM 5 PM – 7 PM MONDAYS & THURSDAYS STARTING APRIL 7TH!

Details:

  • First come, first served
  • Only 15 kids will be registered
  • Juniors & high-achieving sophomores
  • Every Monday & Thursday 5 p.m. – 7 p.m. in April (including Spring Break)
  • Only 1 absence allowed
  • $10 refundable deposit returned once student completes the class (if this is not financially possible for your student we will waive the fee)
  • All supplies provided by DreamYard

For additional questions, contact Allison Torres. All applications must be returned in person with the refundable deposit Monday-Thursday 10 a.m. – 5:45 p.m., Fridays 10 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., & Saturdays 10 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. Parents may drop off forms.

The Smithsonian Latino Center 2014 Young Ambassadors Program

The Smithsonian Latino Center is now accepting applications for the 2014 Young Ambassadors Program that runs from June 22 through August 1. The application deadline is April 7, before 5 p.m. EDT.

The Young Ambassadors Program is a national program for graduating high school seniors aimed at fostering the next generation of Latino leaders in the arts, sciences, and humanities via the Smithsonian and its resources.

Students with an interest in and commitment to the arts, sciences, and humanities as it pertains to Latino communities and cultures are selected to travel to Washington, D.C., for a week-long seminar at the Smithsonian. The week consists of visits to the Smithsonian’s Latino collections and one-on-one interaction with renowned experts from various fields including museum professionals. Following the week in Washington, students participate in a four-week interdisciplinary internship in museums and cultural institutions in 17 cities across the U.S. and Puerto Rico, including Smithsonian-affiliated organizations.

Student selection is based on demonstrated interest, commitment and excellence in the arts, sciences, and humanities, as well as academic record, leadership experience, and dedication to education and community service. The program includes meals and accommodations for the duration of the one-week training seminar, round-trip travel to Washington, D.C., and a program stipend following the four-week internship.

For more information, as well as how to apply, click here.

Summer Youth Employment Program

The Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP) provides New York City youth between the ages of 14 and 24 with paid summer employment for up to six weeks in July and August.  Participants work in a variety of entry-level jobs including:

  • Government Agencies
  • Hospitals
  • Summer Camps
  • Non-Profits
  • Small Businesses
  • Law Firms
  • Museums
  • Sports Enterprises
  • Retail Organizations

SYEP also provides workshops on job readiness, career exploration, financial literacy and opportunities to continue education and social growth.

Programs are located in community-based organizations in all five boroughs of New York City. Youth can apply for the program online or at a community-based organization during the application period.  Participants are selected by lottery for the program. For more information, click here. To apply, click here.

For Staff Members

NYC High School Counselor Bus Trip to Stony Brook University

The NYC High School Counselor Bus Tour to Stony Brook University, sponsored in collaboration with the SUNY Center for Student Recruitment, will take place on April 30th, 2014. This will be a great opportunity to meet members of the Admissions Team, Campus Administrators, Tour Campus, and much more. ROUND-TRIP BUS TRANSPORTATION FROM NYC PUBLIC LIBRARY AND LUNCH PROVIDED. 

WHERE: Bus Departs from NYC Public Library at Fifth Avenue between 41st & 42nd Streets

WHEN: 7:15 am SHARP on Wednesday, April 30, 2014

For more information, click here.

Seating is limited. Click here to register.

School Spotlight

*This feature is intended to give you insight into what is happening in ESI. We hope you enjoy your “visit”!

Explorations Academy

The staff at Explorations Academy High School provide students with opportunities for social and academic success where they can value their life experiences and build a sense of self-esteem and pride, while preparing them for their transition into college and/or a professional career. The goal of the school is for every graduate to be an authentic learner, to gain the analytic and social skills needed to excel in this ever changing world and to become an active and productive citizen in this fast-paced, information age.

Recently, Explorations Academy hosted their 1st Annual College Fair. In the past, students have been informed of various fairs around the city but for the first time under the coordination of the guidance counselor, Raul Garcia, and the community assistant, Yadhira Rodriguez, the colleges and universities came to the school. Their hard work and persistent recruitment contributed to participation by over 30 colleges and universities. Not only was it the first college fair hosted by Explorations Academy but it was the first college fair to occur in the building where Explorations is one of four schools. In the spirit of collaboration and community, Susana Hernandez, the principal, invited the middle school and another high school in the building to participate.

After a light breakfast and introductions, student volunteers led the participants to the gymnasium where they set up and prepared to meet and greet the students. In addition to the fair in the gym, representatives from a number of schools went to various classrooms throughout the day and led workshops focused on college readiness.

As a result of ESI, last year the school had a Career Fair/Career Day. This year they hosted a College Fair. Next year, they plan to host a College and Career Day. Congrats to the staff and students at Explorations Academy. Great Job!

For more information about the college fair or about any ESI related activities, contact the guidance counselor and ESI liaison, Raul Garcia at rgarcia34@schools.nyc.gov

Program Spotlight

ESI Young Men’s Gatherings

Throughout the school year, the ESI Team has created opportunities for Black and Latino young men to come together at various venues to bond with each other and to meet young men from other schools. The most recent ESI Young Men’s Gathering at the Schomburg Center featured author, award-winning actor, singer, composer and spoken word artist, Daniel Beaty. Daniel shared excerpts from his recently published book, Transforming Pain to Power: Unlock Your Unlimited Potential and each young man who attended received a copy of the book.

A number of ESI young men also had the opportunity this week to experience their first Opening Day baseball game at Citi Field.  For some of the youngsters, this was the first game that they have ever seen live. The New York Mets played the Washington Nationals and even though the Mets lost and the weather was somewhat chilly, the staff and the young men had a great time. The ESI Team would like to thank Most Valuable Kids (MVK) who graciously donated the tickets that allowed our young men to attend this and many other events throughout the year.

The Crucial Role of College Counselors

“The college application season is a fraught, vulnerable time for students and families… Low-income students are making choices with even higher stakes. They require not only better information, resources, and advocacy through the process, but also need mentors and counselors who can take the time to help them work through the complex personal struggles they face both before and after the acceptance letters arrive.“

 

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