NY Alert
Information and inspiration for administrators, counselors, teachers, and partners of New York’s GEAR UP Program
Published by the Commission on Independent Colleges and Universities
Vol. 4 No. 1
2009
Keeping an Eye on the Prize
N
ew York State's GEAR UP students, aided by the many well-planned
efforts of GEAR UP staff, continue to pass new milestones on the path
to college. GEAR UP students from the City School District of Albany
toured three independent colleges and universities in New York State’s North
Country on a three-day College Quest, while SUNY Cobleskill GEAR UP
students visited seven (four SUNY and three private) institutions over several
scheduled trips. Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) GEAR UP students
enjoyed a day-long tour of both Ithaca College and Cornell University, and
Dowling College honored 10th grade GEAR UP students who achieved Regents
Mastery level in at least one subject at a luncheon. Bronx Institute/CUNY
Lehman College GEAR UP students explored the biological sciences aboard the
BioBus, an energy-efficient laboratory on wheels, and during a visit to the
Dolan Learning Center at Cold Spring Harbor, while Discovery Institute/CUNY
College of Staten Island GEAR UP students experienced college life at a
Computer Boot Camp.
In our continuing efforts to inform students of their college
options, cIcu organized a Latino College Fair on October 25, 2008, at
the College of Mount Saint Vincent, assisted by The Sallie Mae Fund
and the New York State Assembly’s Bronx delegation. Nearly 200
students, parents and GEAR UP staff from the City School District of
Albany, New Rochelle City School District, St. John’s University,
Syracuse University, and Yonkers City School District GEAR UP sites
attended the Fair.
These are only a few of the activities featured in this issue that
enriched the lives of GEAR UP students during the summer and fall
of 2008.
— Susan Nesbitt Perez
Vice President, Outreach Programs and Financial Aid
Commission on Independent Colleges and Universities
Inside: Resources, information, and inspiration.
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Student Voices
2-3
• GEAR UP by Rebecca Pujols … 2
• S-PREP at Columbia University by Mary Carmen Perez … 2
• Riverside’s Green Opportunities Fair
by Andrew McFadden and Sierra Bangari … 3
College Quests
4
Reaching Out to Hispanic Students
5
SUNY Cobleskill GEAR UP Students Visit Colleges in Northern NY
6
GEAR UP in New York State: Program and Activity Highlights
7-25
Resources. Focus on Summer Jobs and Activities for Students
25
GEAR UP Sites and Contacts
26-28
NYGEAR UP 2009 Events.
28
Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for
Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP) is a federal
grant program that awards grants to states or to
local partnerships consisting of at least one college
or university, at least one low-income middle
school and one high school, and a minimum of
two other partners (such as community
organizations or businesses). Each GEAR UP
partnership provides services to a cohort of
students at high-need schools, beginning no later
than grade 7, and follows these students through
high school. Services may include: academic
preparation; tutoring and mentoring; admissions
and financial aid awareness activities for students
and parents; college visits; career awareness; and
professional development for staff.
In 2005, New York State received its second
federal GEAR UP grant, called “NYGEAR UP II.”
This new grant followed on the heels of the
1999-2005 GEAR UP grant, and is again
administered by NYSHESC. After a competitive
process, NYSHESC awarded its NYGEAR UP
funds to 11 community partnerships. In
September 2005, these partnerships began
providing services to a cohort of 7,285 students.
These students, in grade 10 in academic year
2008-09, will be followed through 2011
(contingent on federal funding).
The federal government also awarded six-year
grants directly to five community partnerships
in 2005. These “Federal GEAR UP” partnerships
began providing services to more than 5,000
students in grades 6 or 7. In 2006, three
additional partnerships received six-year federal
GEAR UP grants to serve an additional 4,600
students in grades 6 or 7. Most recently, in the
2008 competition, three partnerships in the state
were awarded new six-year grants. See pages 2628 for a list of GEAR UP programs and contacts
in New York State.
A group of key partners in the state’s
NYGEAR UP program provides additional
services to GEAR UP in New York State. These
“State Partners” include: the Commission on
Independent Colleges and Universities (cIcu),
the Association of Proprietary Colleges (APC),
City University of New York (CUNY), State
University of New York (SUNY), the College
Board, and the New York State Financial Aid
Administrators Association (NYSFAAA).
In Gear II NY Alert newsletter is published by the
Commission on Independent Colleges and
Universities, a partner in NYGEAR UP, New York
State’s GEAR UP program. The editors have made
every effort to ensure accuracy; errors or omissions
are unintentional.
GEAR
UP
Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs,
Getting ready for college, that is what I am.
That is what I am about,
By Rebecca Pujols,
Never want to be a drop-out.
Yonkers City School District
Gear Up has helped me in more ways than one,
NYGEAR UP student
It’s preparing me to pull that trigger of the college gun.
In two more years I’ll be out of high school, out of baby years,
College is right around the corner, lurking behind my ears.
Whispering to me, telling me, yelling at me,
“I’m here man, can’t you see.”
What it doesn’t know is that Gear Up gave me the heads up,
I already know about college, so now I just turn my head and “S’up?”
No worries, not at all,
When my graduation and college years call.
Gear Up gave me web sites and brochures,
I did all my research with my main man Gear Up helping me out for sure.
College funds and financial aid are all available,
Without the help of Gear Up I probably wouldn’t be capable,
Wouldn’t be capable to cope with the madness,
Two years from now I probably would have been crazy and senseless.
It gave me confidence in choosing where I want to attend,
I was aware of all my options, what things I had to send.
I’m expanding my horizons, different states and cities,
It’s amazing all the possibilities.
Gear Up has honestly helped me out,
Cause I would never want to be a drop-out.
Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs,
It’s all about my future, my college, that’s what I am.
S-PREP at
Columbia
University
by Mary Carmen Perez, New Rochelle
City School District NYGEAR UP student
I’m a sophomore in New Rochelle High
School’s GEAR UP program. I currently
attend a college enrichment program
named S-PREP. S-PREP stands for State PreCollege Enrichment Program. S-PREP is a
rigorous academic program for minority
and economically disadvantaged students
from grades 9 – 12. This program is for
students who are interested in science,
medicine, or related health professions, but
even if one is not interested in science or
medicine it’s good to attend because the
experience you have there might change
your mind.
S-PREP is held at Columbia University
in Manhattan. I attend the program every
Saturday from nine in the morning until
three in the afternoon. There are different
programs to choose from but you’re only
allowed two. My days at Columbia are very
busy. There’s a morning session from nine
to eleven and from eleven to twelve we
have lunch. After lunch we have a
2
workshop from twelve to one. After that I
have an afternoon class from one to three
o’clock. Some students just have a morning
class and workshop and others have the
workshop and an afternoon class. The
workshop is mandatory. The workshops
“If it wasn’t for GEAR UP, I
never would have known
about S-Prep and the
wonderful experiences that
they offer.”
– Mary Carmen Perez
are generally on different topics.
Every Saturday we have a workshop on
different topics. Some of the topics were
about financial aid and how we can get
loans without later worrying about not
being able to pay for them. We talked about
different scholarships that help a lot – the
minority aid programs like BALSO (Black
and Latino Students Organization) and two
major national minority health
organizations, the Student National Medical
Association (SNMA) and the National
Boricua Latino Health Organization
(NBLHO). We have also talked about
different fields in the medical world like
sports medicine, therapy and plastic surgery.
In the morning I take a basic
physiology class. There I learned about
different diseases including how to treat
them. For example, we are taught the
origins, what the symptoms are, and types
of medications to give after a person has
been diagnosed. We have also learned
how our anatomical system works and
how every part of our body contributes to
how we react to medicine. In class we
reviewed medical case studies of several
diseases. One of my professors is in her
second year as a medical student and she
shares with us what medical school is like
and what she studies.
My afternoon class is physics. My
professor, Max, is in his last year of medical
school and he’s applying for residency. In
my physics class we learned how to
measure from the ceiling to the floor with
just a tennis ball and a stop watch. We also
learned how by angling the stick we can
make the pool balls go in a game of pool.
Except for having to get up early on
Saturdays, I really love this program. I’m
fortunate to be a GEAR UP scholar because
if it wasn’t for GEAR UP I would have never
known about S-PREP and the wonderful
experiences that they offer.
Riverside’s Green
Opportunities
Fair
by Andrew McFadden and Sierra Bangari, Yonkers
City School District NYGEAR UP students
R
iverside High School, an
Environmental Engineering and
Design magnet school,
experienced its first Annual College
and Career Fair on February 6, 2009.
As with most of Riverside’s endeavors,
the fair was geared toward green job
opportunities and colleges. The fair
started at 10:00 am with numerous
organizations and colleges entering
the building. Some of the schools
present at the expo were: New York
Institute of Technology, The College
of New Rochelle, St. John’s
University, and Manhattan College.
They supplied a tremendous amount
of information about their
educational facilities, which totally
intrigued the students. Different
majors, such as the arts, business,
engineering and science were a large
part of the discussions among the
students. St. John’s University has
one major that sounded very
interesting. It was called
“pharmaceuticals and professional
studies.” The New York Institute of
Technology offers architecture, the
fine arts, business and life sciences.
These exciting offerings gave the
students a lot to think about. A
senior from Manhattan College was
present at the Expo as well. The
students flocked to her because she
was full of first hand experience. She
encouraged all of the students to go
to college, no matter where, stating
that, “It would be the right place for
them when they graduate from high
school.” She went on to inform the
students of Riverside High School
that there were three questions that
they had to ask themselves before
they would be able to decide on the
right college for them: “What is my
favorite subject?” “Do I want to go to
college abroad?” and “Do I want a
job that I will always love?” She said,
“Just remember these questions. You
should also be true to yourself and
always follow your heart.”
After a welcome reception the
vendors were escorted to their
places at the tables set up in
Riverside’s gymnasium. A career
and college panel was staged in the
auditorium and featured a
performance by NYGEAR UP
students Brian Ponte, John
Castaneda, Samuel Asare, and
Cristian Gancayco. The students
performed “Hey World,” an
environmental-themed rendition of
the Beatles’ “Hey Jude” written by
the students themselves. Among
the organizations and colleges that
were represented were Groundwork
Yonkers, CELF (Children’s’
Environmental Literacy
Foundation), The Journal News,
Manhattan College, the Gaia
Institute, and the City of Yonkers
by City Council President Chuck
Lesnick. During the proceedings,
Riverside students were taught the
functions of each organization and
their importance in creating a
greener future.
Groundwork Yonkers, a partner of
Riverside High School, spoke about
what the Groundwork organization is
and how it is part of a greater
Groundwork Hudson Valley. Of
special relevance to Riverside’s
students was the mention of many
different internship programs that are
available, dealing with many aspects
of Groundwork’s goals for Yonkers.
City Council President Chuck
Lesnick got somewhat political
during his discussion, referencing
President Barack Obama’s
environmental reform plans and
how, as a result of them, the greenoriented education offered at
Riverside would really pay off.
CELF made a point of discussing
how unique Riverside was as a place
for learning in that its
environmental programs and
activism are uncommon in other
schools they have visited. CELF’s
main goal is to increase awareness
and general education about the
environment in public schools. In
her own words, the CELF
representative, Katie Ginsberg,
stated that their goal was “to give
all students the kind of education
that you’re getting at Riverside.”
Also mentioned was the Students
for a Sustainable Future Expo,
which will take place on April 3 of
this year (Riverside will be present)
that will showcase organizations
and new technology that help the
environment.
At the end of the day, the
consensus was that Riverside’s first
Annual College and Career Fair had
been a great success, and that next
year’s is eagerly awaited as well.
Yonkers City School District NYGEAR UP students learn about “green job” opportunities
at the first Annual College and Career Fair at Riverside HS on February 6, 2009.
3
College Quests
I
n 2006, the Commission on
Independent Colleges and
Universities (cIcu) coordinated
the first in a series of college tours
designed to promote awareness of
the many opportunities in higher
education that New York state
offers. The 2006 cIcu College Tour
for GEAR UP Educators, the product
of a partnership with the City
School District of Albany (CSDA)
NYGEAR UP program and
organized with the help of
education consultant Frank
Brightwell, brought 20 teachers,
tutors, mentors, administrators, and
NYGEAR UP staff members from
CSDA and 3 NYGEAR UP staff
members from the Rome City
School District to New York City
on July 16-19, 2006. The group
visited Barnard College, The New
School, New York University, the
College of Mount Saint Vincent,
Manhattan College, Fordham
University, St. John’s University,
Marymount Manhattan College,
and the Brooklyn campus of St.
Joseph’s College. Every campus visit
included a tour, an information
session especially tailored for
educators, and a meal. Educators
were able to network during a boat
trip around the New York City
Harbor, and gained a greater
understanding of the college
admissions and financial aid
process. They left the tour with
much valuable information to share
with colleagues and students, along
with an appreciation of the variety
of colleges to be found in the
metropolitan New York area.
In 2007, for the first cIcu College
Quest for NYGEAR UP students,
cIcu again partnered with CSDA
NYGEAR UP and Frank Brightwell
to plan two tours of colleges in
Central and Western New York
state. The first College Quest, on
April 11-13, 2007, left Albany by
bus with 23 CSDA NYGEAR UP
students, 7 parents, and 6
chaperones, then went on to
Richfield Springs, NY to pick up 10
SUNY Cobleskill NYGEAR UP
students and their NYGEAR UP
director, Linda Carpenter. The
group visited Hamilton College,
Keuka College, Canisius College,
Niagara University, Daemen
College, St. John Fisher College,
4
and Utica College, stayed at the
Cananadaigua Inn on the Lake for
two nights, and ate meals at each of
the institutions they visited. On
June 25-27, 2007, a second College
Quest group of 16 CSDA NYGEAR
UP students, 4 parents, and 7
chaperones toured Le Moyne
College, Syracuse University,
Niagara University, and the
University of Rochester. This group
had two overnight stays in a
residence hall at Niagara University
and spent a full day on its campus,
with activities that included games,
information sessions, and mock
college classes. They also enjoyed a
boat trip at Niagara Falls aboard the
Maid of the Mist and a tour of the
New York State Power Vista.
The 2008 CSDA NYGEAR UP
College Quest brought 28 CSDA
NYGEAR UP students and 10
parents and chaperones to three
colleges in New York’s North
Country: Clarkson University, Paul
Smith’s College, and St. Lawrence
University. The group was housed
in dormitories at Paul Smith’s
College for two nights, enjoyed a
meal and a presentation on each
campus, and also visited the
Olympic Center and Museum in
Lake Placid, NY. On each tour, each
participant was given a binder of
materials that included detailed
information about each college to
be visited, an itinerary, instructions
for team building activities, a
glossary of college-related terms,
college planning guides, and copies
of cIcu’s publications Affording
College and Your College Search. The
students and chaperones also filled
out pre- and post-surveys.
At present, cIcu is planning a
2009 College Quest that will bring
CSDA students to colleges in the
Central New York and Finger Lakes
regions in late June and early July.
Ithaca College will be hosting the
group in its dormitories for two
nights, and the group will also visit
New York Chiropractic College,
Utica College, and Wells College.
Being on several different
campuses, and seeing how many
different kinds of colleges and
universities there are, shows each
student that the chance of finding
that “perfect fit” is extremely good.
Tours like these can also counter
misperceptions. A few upstate
educators on cIcu’s first tour were
pleasantly surprised by the beauty
and spaciousness of some of the
campuses they visited, having
expected grittier urban settings.
Students used to rural schools could
enjoy an urban campus, while
those accustomed to city streets
could revel in a campus located in
the Adirondack Park or nestled
among suburban hills. College
Quests not only provide students
with valuable information about
available financial aid and the
variety of college programs and
campus environments in the state,
but also give students a rich college
experience that can encourage
them to imagine themselves as
future college students and inspire
them to prepare for college.
City School District of Albany NYGEAR UP students pose at the entrance to Paul Smith’s
College during the 2008 College Quest.
Reaching Out to
Hispanic
Students:
cIcu’s Latino
College Fair
M
ore Latinos than ever are
going to college, but
Hispanic students in New
York state still face many challenges
in acquiring post-secondary
education. For example:
• Only 10 of every 100 Hispanic
kindergarteners in New York state
will earn a bachelor’s degree, onethird as many as their white
counterparts (32 of 100).
• Only one-third of Latino New
Yorkers graduate from high
school in four years, a rate that is
lower than that of all other
ethnic groups and more than 20
points below the national average
for Hispanics.
• While two out of three white
students expect to earn at least an
associate’s degree, only 38 percent
of Hispanic students share such
an aspiration, according to a
survey of New York state’s high
school principals on the plans of
their 2005-06 graduates.
To provide needed information
and guidance to young Latinos and
their parents about how to prepare
for college, get financial aid, and
navigate the application process,
the Commission on Independent
Colleges and Universities (cIcu)
organized and held a free Latino
College Fair on October 25, 2008, at
the College of Mount Saint Vincent
(where over 30 percent of the
undergraduates are Hispanic) in
Riverdale, NY. The event was also
sponsored by The Sallie Mae Fund
and by the New York State
Assembly Bronx delegation led by
Assemblyman Peter Rivera, who
provided introductory remarks.
Nearly 200 students and their
families attended the Fair, including
nearly 150 NYGEAR UP students
from GEAR UP programs based at
the City School District of Albany,
the New Rochelle
City School
District, St. John’s
University,
Syracuse
University, and the
Yonkers City
School District.
Charles Flynn,
President of the
College of Mount
Saint Vincent, and
Abraham M.
Lackman, President
of cIcu, welcomed
the attendees.
Assemblyman Peter
Rivera provided
introductory
remarks in English
and Spanish. Matt
Yancy, a
representative of
The Sallie Mae
Fund, led a “Paying
for College”
workshop, followed
by a Q & A session
with financial aid
experts: Vanessa
Barrios, Assistant
Director of
Financial Aid, St. Joseph’s College;
Anne Pelak, Director of Financial
Aid, The College of New Rochelle;
Kathryn Peña, Financial Aid
Counselor, St. Francis College;
William Short, HEOP Director, St.
Lawrence University; and Monica
Simotas, Director of Financial Aid,
The College of Mount Saint
Vincent. A “FAFSA Preview”
workshop, which offered an indepth view of the FAFSA form and
filing process, was presented by
Monica Simotas of the College of
Mount Saint Vincent and Gene
Rogers of Molloy College. The
plenary sessions were translated
simultaneously into Spanish.
Financial aid and admissions
staff from 29 of New York’s
independent colleges and
universities were available to offer
information about applying to
college, about state and federal
student aid, and to answer
questions.
Events such as this Fair are
crucial in giving Latino families the
information they need about
higher education, as feedback from
those who attended confirmed. cIcu
will continue to reach out and plan
activities to help Latino students.
Sources:
“Latino Students and Economic Mobility
through Higher Education,” Commission
on Independent Colleges and Universities,
Spring 2008.
http://www.cicu.org/publicationReports
“College of Mount Saint Vincent Hosts
Latino College Fair,”
http://www.mountsaintvincent.edu/
3880.htm
“Free Latino College Fair and Paying for
College Workshop with Spanish
Translation on Saturday,”
http://www.cicu.org/news/
release.php?id=237
“El exito a la feria Latina – an update,”
cIcu College Connections, October 2008,
http://www.nycolleges.org/pdfs/cIcu
CollegeConnectionsNewsletter
V2N20810.pdf
5
SUNY Cobleskill GEAR UP
Students Visit Colleges in
New York’s North
Country
D
uring the fall of 2008, 240 9th and 10th
grade SUNY Cobleskill GEAR UP students
visited the campuses of four SUNY and three
private, independent colleges and universities
located in New York State’s Adirondack
Mountains and St. Lawrence River Valley.
The students traveled by bus in groups of
approximately 19 to 29 students each,
accompanied by five to eight chaperones
(among them parents, teachers, and GEAR UP
staff members) for each group. The colleges
that they toured included Clarkson
University, Paul Smith’s College, St. Lawrence
University, SUNY Canton, SUNY North
Country Community College, SUNY
Plattsburgh, and SUNY Potsdam.
Judging by their answers to a few questions
after their trips, students had a better idea of
what college life is like after spending some
time on campus. They learned about dorm
life and about the various types of housing
offered to students.
One student
commented, “I
realized that
college will be your
home.” Another
pointed out that
“there are many
different types of
dorms,
townhouses, theme
houses, suites, and
that every college
is different. You
have to find one
that fits you.”
Other students
were reassured by
campus security
measures and the
activities available
on campus. As one student put it: “It’s not as
hectic and stressful as I thought it would be.
There’s always someone here to help you
out.”
Students also ended their journeys with the
resolve to work harder to prepare themselves
for college and to improve their study skills.
As one student succinctly said, “I should start
studying more.” Another found out that
students need to do well on the SAT to have
a chance at admission to a good college.
Colleges don’t look only at an applicant’s
grades: “I learned,” one student wrote, “that
colleges look at how well rounded of a person
you are.” Other students decided to get more
involved in school activities, to find out what
advanced courses were available at their
schools, and to save money for college.
Most of the responses indicated that
visiting college campuses was useful not only
to acquaint students with different college
settings, but also to inspire them to achieve
and reach for their dreams. One student
summed up his feelings this way: “The
colleges really want you to succeed in life and
prepare you for the future. I learned that
there are lots of programs that can help you.”
Lower St. Regis Lake at Paul Smith's College.
6
GEAR UP in
New York State
Rochester Institute
of Technology
Rome City
School District
City School District
of Albany
Syracuse University
SUNY Binghamton
University
SUNY Jamestown
Community College
Contents by
Grant Lead
Organizations
▼
Program and
Activity
Highlights
Bronx Institute (BI)
GEAR UP Network at
CUNY Lehman College
Bronx Institute at
CUNY Lehman College
CUNY Brooklyn
College Community Partnership
Discovery Institute at
CUNY College of Staten Island
CUNY MGI
Long Island University/Brooklyn
St. John’s University
SUNY
Cobleskill
Yonkers City
School District
New Rochelle City
School District
Dowling College
SUNY Nassau
Community College
Bronx Institute (BI) GEAR UP
Network at CUNY Lehman College^^^ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
City School District of Albany (CSDA)* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10
CUNY Brooklyn College Community Partnership
(BCCP)* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11
CUNY MGI GEAR UP^ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11
Discovery Institute/CUNY College of Staten Island (CSI)^ .11
Dowling College^ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13
Long Island University/Brooklyn* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14
New Rochelle City
School District* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16
Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT)* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16
Rome City School District* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17
St. John’s University*^^ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18
SUNY Binghamton University^ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19
SUNY Cobleskill*^ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20
SUNY Jamestown Community College (JCC)* . . . . . . . . . . .22
SUNY Nassau Community
College^ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22
Syracuse University*^ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23
Yonkers City School District* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24
* NYGEAR UP grantees.
^ Federal GEAR UP grantees.
Note: Some organizations received more than one grant, signaled by the type/number of symbols after
their name.
Aboard the BioBus
Dec. 8 – 15, 2008
Location: Frederick Douglass Academy
MS/HS 517
Participants: 66 10th grade MS/HS 517
students
Purpose: The BioBus is an advanced biology
laboratory on wheels where students can
explore the microscopic world to learn what
cells are, what they look like, and how they
move. The BioBus teaches students
scientific problem-solving skills by
providing tools, including digital
microscopes, a cell culture lab, and a
computer cluster, to examine live cells
collected from the surrounding
environment. Students save digital images
and movies of their discoveries for further
study, and a library of fixed and stained
samples allows students to visualize DNA
and other molecules such as the cellular
“skeleton.” Power for the lab is generated
by solar panels and a wind turbine with
energy stored in a battery bank. Students
can monitor their energy consumption and
develop an understanding of energy usage.
Agenda:
• Short course on cell biology
• Students collect live cells and prepare
samples for analysis
• Students make movies of the cells and
their movements
• Movies of cells analyzed on computers
Speakers/Leaders/Guests: Ben Dubin-Thaler,
Educational Director, Cell Motion
Laboratories, Inc.
Students were excited and enthusiastic about
using the BioBus’s scientific equipment. Dr.
Dubin-Thaler, who received his doctorate in
biological sciences from Columbia University
and has earned numerous awards for his
teaching and research, had a great
presentation and helped everyone get involved
in hands-on activities. Cell Motion
Laboratories, Inc., operators of the BioBus, is
an educational nonprofit organization.
“This was great — I never saw
anything like the BioBus
before.”
– A Bronx Institute/CUNY Lehman College GEAR
UP student
Bronx institute
continued on page 8
7
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Bronx institute
continued from page 7
Science and Culture Course
Nov. 15, 2008 – Feb. 14, 2009, Saturdays
Psychology Class
Nov. 10, 2008 – Mar. 4, 2009, Monday and
Wednesday, 3:30 – 5:00 pm
▼
Location: Information and Network
Technology School (In-Tech) MS/HS 368,
Bronx, NY
Participants: 16 10th grade In-Tech MS/HS
368 students
Purpose: To expose students to introductory
psychology.
Agenda:
• The sessions introduced a number of topics
in psychology, including: schools of thought
in psychology; physical and cognitive
development; growth during adolescence;
social and personality development;
personality tests; self-acceptance; cognitive
processing; stress factors; depression; and
decision making. Students were required to
submit a final project.
Speakers/Leaders/Guests: Eva Olivo,
Instructor in Introductory Psychology,
Mercy College; José Ortiz, School
Psychologist, In-Tech MS/HS 368
Forensic Science: A Visit to the
Dolan DNA Learning Center
Oct. 27, 2008
8
Location: Dolan DNA Learning Center, Cold
Spring Harbor, NY
Participants: 58 8th grade Mott Hall V IS 242
students
Purpose: To enrich the science curriculum by
offering students a direct, hands-on look at
evolution, genetics, and experimentation.
The Dolan DNA Learning Center (DNALC) is
the world’s first science center devoted entirely
to genetics education and is an operating unit
of Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, an
important center for molecular genetics
research.
Specialized High School
Examination Test Prep
Summer Prep:
Jul. 1 – 24, 2008: 18 sessions 4 days a week
After School Prep:
10 18-session sequences were offered after
school at several sites between Sep. 2 and
Nov. 6, 2008. A number of the Test Prep
session sequences focused on specific
topics such as ELA, math, and reading
comprehension.
Locations: P.O. Edward R. Byrne School MS
101, Daniel Hale Williams MS 180, Aspire
Preparatory School MS 322, Albert Einstein
MS 131, John Philip Sousa JHS 142, Pablo
Casals MS 181, Paul Dunbar MS 301,
Fordham University
Participants: 30 MS 301 8th grade students
for math, 32 MS 301 8th grade students for
ELA, 22 MS 180 8th grade students for full
course, 32 MS 322 8th grade students for
full course, 44 MS 181 8th grade students
for reading comprehension, 44 MS 181 8th
grade students for math, 25 MS 181 8th
grade students for full course, 53 MS 131
8th grade students for ELA, 45 MS 131 8th
grade students for math, 20 JHS 142 8th
grade students for full course, 58 MS 101
8th grade students for full course, 25 8th
grade students from MS 142, MS 273, MS
316, and MS 322 for full course at Fordham
University, 1 GEAR UP associate
Purpose: To prepare students for the
Specialized High School Admissions Test
(SHSAT) required for admission to the 9
specialized high schools in New York City.
Admission to these schools is extremely
competitive, and the SHSAT is difficult. The
course reviews the content of the exam,
provides students with critical thinking
strategies, and discusses Test Day crisis
prevention. In 2006-07, students who
received test preparation and counseling
through the Bronx Institute’s programs
accounted for 50% of students from the
Bronx who were admitted to New York
City’s specialized high schools.
Agenda:
• Introduction to a specialized high school
admissions test, including understanding
the format and test-taking strategies
• Practice tests to give students familiarity
with directions and scoring
• Training in reading comprehension,
scrambled paragraphs, logical reasoning,
arithmetic, algebra, geometry, word
problems, and advanced math
Speakers/Leaders/Guests: Trained instructors
from Kaplan, Inc.; trained test prep teachers
▼
▼
Classroom instruction includes resources
created by the Urban Science Education
Program of Columbia University’s Teachers
College that can be downloaded from the
“Go Wild in New York City” site
(http://gowildnyc.org/). This course was
offered a second time because of the strong
interest shown by students, and several of the
participants are returning students from last
spring’s course.
City School District of Albany GEAR UP students work on their team challenges during
the 2008 CSDA/cIcu College Quest.
▼
Location: DeWitt Clinton HS, Bronx, NY
Participants: 15 10th grade DeWitt Clinton
HS students, 1 teacher
Purpose: To offer students an enriched
cultural experience in science and the arts.
Students are introduced to art and science
through classroom instruction and visits to
the Bronx Zoo, the American Museum of
Natural History, and the Liberty Science
Center in Jersey City, NJ.
Agenda:
• Classroom instruction
• Field trips to Bronx Zoo, American
Museum of Natural History, and Liberty
Science Center
Speakers/Leaders/Guests: Patrick Griffin,
Science Teacher, DeWitt Clinton HS
Center for Talented Youth Outreach
Nov. 20 and Dec. 15, 2008
Location: Henry Hudson JHS 125, John
Philip Sousa JHS 142, Bronx, NY
Participants: 12 Henry Hudson JHS 125 8th
grade students, 22 John Philip Sousa JHS
142 8th grade students
Nov. 25, 2008 – Mar. 5, 2009, 2 days a
week, 3:05 – 5:05 pm
Location: P.O. Edward R. Byrne MS 101,
Bronx, NY
Participants: 12 P.O. Edward R. Byrne MS
101 7th grade students, 1 fully certified MS
101 science teacher, 1 GEAR UP project
associate
Purpose: To introduce students to the process
of scientific inquiry. Students learn how to
apply the scientific method to their areas of
interest, come to understand the thinking
processes of leading scientists, and gain
insight into questions that scientists ask that
have led to important discoveries. Some of
the areas of study included: investigating
the workings of a pig’s heart; analyzing the
physics behind lightning; and how animals
develop camouflage to protect themselves
from predators.
▼
Science is an important and all too often
neglected part of the curriculum that must be
emphasized if GEAR UP students are to have
a chance to pursue meaningful careers as
chemists, biologists, engineers, or physicists.
Teachers found that students became more
motivated while engaged in formal, rigorous
scientific projects, while students learned that
science can simultaneously be serious, fun,
and at times messy.
– A Bronx Institute /CUNY Lehman College GEAR
UP teacher
Agenda:
• Unit 1: Molecular Chemistry/“Powerful
Polymers”: Properties of sound and light;
Properties of matter
• Unit 2: “Star Lab”: Earth as a system/rocks
and minerals; Fossils and Earth’s history
• Unit 3: Microbiology/“Micro Madness”:
Animals; Plants; One-celled organisms
• Unit 4: Genetics/“Delicious DNA”: Levels
of organization; The human body
• Unit 5: Life Science/“Cool Craniums”
• Unit 6: Electricity/“All Charged Up”
This program allows students to develop and
apply the process of scientific inquiry to
investigate issues of importance to them.
Students showed that they are receptive to a
level of scientific rigor and thoroughness more
typical of pre-college and even college
coursework. For example, students conducted
experiments to observe macroscopic matter
▼
Inquiry Based Hands-On Learning
“Inquiry Based Hands-On
Learning is successful because
it taps into the scientific
curiosity that is inherent in all
middle school students. We
have time to establish a
comfort level with scientific
instrumentation, graphics, and
calculations that may at first
seem disorienting to students,
and we provide an alternative
to [traditional] science
learning.”
transformations, such as phase change,
dissolution, and reaction, and then applied
kinetic particle theory to explain those
transformations at the microscopic level. In
the process, students learned the conventions
for thinking and communicating about
chemical concepts. Feedback surveys and
classroom observations revealed a high level of
student engagement in the project. Many
students expressed interest in participating in
other such programs during the summer and
throughout their high school years.
Science and Technology After School
Program
Nov. 4, 2008 – Jun. 11, 2009
Monday and Tuesday, 3:30 – 5:00 pm
Location: MS 390, Bronx, NY
Participants: 30 MS 390 7th grade students,
1 certified MS 390 science teacher, 1 GEAR
UP project associate
Purpose: To expand students’ knowledge of
the 7th grade science curriculum. This
program is aimed at students who want to
explore science concepts in preparation for
high school and college. Project-based
activities incorporate literacy, math,
technology, presentation skills, and
teamwork. The curriculum is designed to
challenge and engage the natural curiosity
of students and requires them to design and
implement projects.
Additional Activities
▼
▼
Purpose: To introduce students to and
prepare them for acceptance into the Johns
Hopkins University Center for Talented
Youth (CTY). Academically accomplished
students with good test scores and averages
over 80 received test preparation for the
rigorous admission test administered by
CTY, a world leader in the education of
gifted young people. CTY conducts national
and international talent searches to identify,
assess, and recognize outstanding academic
talent. The Bronx Institute has exceeded the
recruitment expectation for the Bronx
region for this program by over 300 percent.
Junior Achievement Kick-Off Event
Held on July 1, 2008, this event launched the
partnership between GEAR UP and Junior
Achievement of New York. Junior
Achievement is an organization that educates
Bronx institute
continued on page 10
New York Hall of Science 7th Grade
Education Program
Nov. 3, 2008 – Jun. 15, 2009
Monday, 4:00 – 5:30 pm; Tuesday, 3:30 –
5:00 pm
Location: Frederick Douglass Academy MS
517, Bronx, NY; New York Hall of Science,
Flushing Meadows Park, Queens, NY
Participants: 20 Frederick Douglass Academy
MS 517 7th grade students, 1 science
teacher, 1 GEAR UP project associate, New
York Hall of Science education staff
Purpose: To nurture in students a
commitment to and appreciation of science
and scientific inquiry. This after-school
program complements and enhances the
7th grade mandated science curriculum, and
features an educational field trip to the New
York Hall of Science.
Cynthia Farmer, NYSHESC NYGEAR UP Associate, speaks at the City School District of
Albany (CSDA) NYGEAR UP for Life Conference on November 22, 2008.
9
Bronx institute
continued from page 10
CUNY Lehman College Gallery
Mosaic Program
▼
GEAR UP for Life Conference
Nov. 22, 2008, 9:00 am – 2:00 pm
Location: Cafeteria, Albany HS, Albany, NY
Participants: 85 10th grade Albany HS
students and parents, 3 SUNY University at
Albany staff, 1 Commission on Independent
Colleges and Universities (cIcu) staff, 1
College Board staff, 1 SEFCU staff, 2
NYSHESC staff, 5 CSDA staff
Purpose: To provide a comprehensive array
of topics that would aid parents and
students in preparing for the challenges of
higher education. The new NYGEAR UP
Program Coordinator was introduced, along
with presentations about GEAR UP services.
Agenda:
• 9:00 am: Continental breakfast
• 9:15 am: Keynote speaker Charles
Rogers, Sr. on “The Necessity for a College
Education”
• 10:00 am: Workshop on “The Private
College Experience” with cIcu
• 11:00 am: Workshop on “Saving for the
Future” with SEFCU
10
Participants and presenters commented that
the event was comprehensive and very well
planned. They were pleased with the
information presented and enjoyed the
breakfast and lunch, as well as the raffle
prizes. One parent commented that the
keynote speaker was “great and inspiring.”
▼
Additional Activities
Latino College Fair
On October 25, 2008, 22 Albany HS students
and 3 Albany HS staff attended a Latino
College Fair at the College of Mount Saint
Vincent in Riverdale, NY. Latino students and
families were able to learn about applying to
college and financial aid, and also had the
opportunity to speak to representatives from
29 independent colleges and universities.
▼
• Noon: Lunch and PowerPoint presentation
on College Quest 2008 with cIcu
• 1:00 pm: Workshop on “Destination
College” with the College Board
• 1:30 pm: Closing remarks and raffle, with
gift cards from cIcu, backpacks from the
College Board, and T-shirts from SUNY
University at Albany’s Liberty Partnership
Program and School of Education
Speakers/Leaders/Guests: Tresa Diggs,
Assistant Superintendent for Elementary
Education, CSDA; Cynthia Farmer, NYGEAR
UP Associate, NYSHESC; Silvia Ferlazzo,
NYGEAR UP Program Director and Director
of Pupil Personnel Services, CSDA; Mary
Gozza-Cohen, Advisor, School of Education,
SUNY University at Albany; Candi M.
Griffin-Jenkins, Director, Liberty Partnership
Program, SUNY University at Albany; John
Harris, Home School Coordinator, Albany
HS; Brenda Mahone, South House Principal,
Albany HS; Sophia Newell, North House
Assistant Principal, Albany HS; Veronica
Pastecki, Administrator for Grants and
Program Development, CSDA; Susan Nesbitt
Perez, Vice President, Outreach and
Financial Aid, cIcu; Alice Roberson, NYGEAR
UP Program Director, NYSHESC; Charles
Rogers, Sr., Associate Director of Residential
Life and Coordinator of Alliance Mentor
Program, SUNY University at Albany; Jenny
Stasack, Member Education Coordinator,
SEFCU; Matthew Zarro, Educational
Manager for Grants K-12, The College Board
SUNY Cobleskill College Visit
On November 11, 2008, 18 Albany HS
students visited SUNY Cobleskill. 5 Albany HS
staff members accompanied the students.
▼
City School District of
Albany (CSDA)
City School District of Albany GEAR UP students visit the Lake Placid Olympic Center on
June 30, 2008, during the CSDA/cIcu College Quest.
CUNY Brooklyn College Visit
On December 5, 2008, 33 Albany HS
students, 1 parent, and 4 Albany HS staff
toured CUNY Brooklyn College and learned
what prerequisites are required for admission
to a CUNY college.
▼
From October 1 to November 14, 2008, 60
students from 2 GEAR UP schools spent 10
weeks at CUNY Lehman College designing
and creating a collaborative mosaic that was
permanently mounted in both schools.
During one of the first sessions, students
visited a local subway station to view an
example of a public art installation.
Participants also brainstormed a variety of
themes. After some discussion, students
decided on the theme “Peace in Our
Community.” The students were supportive
of one another and the mosaic was created by
gluing and grouting tiles onto a hand-drawn
version of the design. This program, part of
the Public Art Project in New York City, was
facilitated by the Director of the CUNY
Lehman College Art Gallery.
Symposium on Reducing
Community Gun and Gang Violence
On December 19, 2008, 55 Albany HS
sophomores attended a symposium on gun
and gang violence, where they heard
testimonies about the harsh realities of gang
life from former gang members.
▼
▼
students in grades K through 12 about
entrepreneurship, work readiness, and
financial literacy through a variety of handson programs. Representatives from Junior
Achievement, including the organization’s
president, introduced the program, followed
by a panel discussion with a program
alumnus and a Junior Achievement volunteer
and a Q & A session for 150 students and
their parents.
The College of Saint Rose
Ambassador Program
From 3:00 to 4:00 pm on Monday afternoons,
12 Albany HS students are exposed to college
life and have the opportunity to build
relationships with college students, staff, and
professors at The College of Saint Rose in
Albany, NY.
Tour of SUNY College at Old
Westbury
Nov. 21, 2008
Location: SUNY College at Old Westbury,
Old Westbury, NY
Participants: 28 NYGEAR UP students, 1
guidance counselor, 1 English teacher, 2
BCCP staff, 3 CUNY Brooklyn College tutors
Purpose: To promote college awareness
among NYGEAR UP students and encourage
them to prepare for higher education.
Agenda:
• Arrival on campus
• Presentation on tuition costs and financial
aid
• Tour of campus
• Information about Educational
Opportunity Program (EOP) and college
housing
• Lunch on campus
Speakers/Leaders/Guests: Alonzo L.
McCollum, Director, EOP
The students enjoyed this interactive and most
informative event, and learned more about
college and financial aid programs.
Oct. 31, 2008
Location: Columbia University, New York,
NY
Participants: 40 Hostos-Lincoln Academy of
Science 10th grade students, 2 teachers, 4
CUNY Middle Grades Initiative GEAR UP
staff
Purpose: To show students a campus that is
different from other New York City urban
campuses, and to acquaint them with
college admissions.
Agenda:
• Arrival on campus
• Meeting with Columbia University
admissions representatives, with Q & A
about admissions requirements and
financial aid policy
• Tour of Columbia University, led by an
undergraduate student
• Buffet lunch in student cafeteria
The students found the Columbia University
campus extremely attractive and could
imagine themselves walking through the quad
one lucky day. The campus felt safe and they
liked seeing the older buildings. They also
enjoyed seeing student activity on the quad,
such as protests, signing up for various
activities, and voter registration.
Discovery
Institute/CUNY College
of Staten Island (CSI)
▼
▼
▼
CUNY Brooklyn College CUNY Middle Grades
Community
Initiative GEAR UP
Partnership (BCCP)
Tour of Columbia University
GEAR UP Computer Boot Camp
Jul. 7 – Jul. 24, 2008
Location: Computer Science, Engineering,
Science and Physics Building, CUNY College
of Staten Island, Staten Island, NY
Participants: 54 Dreyfus IS 49 students, 5
Dreyfus IS 49 teachers, 12 CUNY
CSI/Discovery Institute teachers and staff, 6
teaching scholars
Purpose: To bring students to a college
campus to experience college life while
learning computer skills. The Discovery
Institute, through its GEAR UP grant, hosted
this program in partnership with Dreyfus IS
49.
Agenda:
• Scientific investigation
• Use of technological tools and equipment
• Collection and analysis of data
• Practice in technical writing
Our expectations were high as we worked to
promote early college awareness and
preparation. Students and teachers had a good
time and feedback was excellent.
“If you want to go to college,
it’s not a dream, it’s a plan.”
▼
– A Dreyfus IS 49 CSI/Discovery Institute GEAR UP
student
GEAR UP Teaching Scholars
Fall 2008
Location: Dreyfus IS 49; Christian Faith
Power Center; Kids’ Café, Stapleton UAME
Church; United Multi-Cultural
Center/Liberian Cultural Association, Staten
Island, NY
Participants: 44 Teaching Scholars; 6th, 7th,
and 8th grade Dreyfus IS 49 students
Purpose: To provide role models and mentors
for Dreyfus IS 49 GEAR UP students.
Working at IS 49 and also at GEAR UP’s
after-school sites, 44 CUNY CSI students
with a GPA of 3.0 or better were employed
as GEAR UP Teaching Scholars to work with
small groups, do one-on-one tutoring,
provide help in classrooms and in labs, deal
with remedial or enrichment activities, help
absentee students catch up, and act as
translators. The Teaching Scholars, many of
whom are graduates of Dreyfus IS 49, show
students that college is attainable if they
work hard.
Hostos Lincoln Academy of Science 10th grade CUNY Middle Grades Initiative GEAR UP
students in front of the Low Memorial Library at Columbia University on October 31, 2008.
Discovery Institute
continued on page 12
11
Curriculum Development
Workshops
Sep. – Dec. 2008
Wednesdays, 3:00 – 5:00 pm
Location: Center for the Arts, CUNY College
of Staten Island, Staten Island, NY
Participants: 32 Dreyfus IS 49 teachers from
all subject areas
Purpose: To guide teachers in planning
lessons that can meet specific academic
goals, improve students’ skills, and help in
creating student-centered learning
environments.
Agenda:
• Workshops in skill-based lesson plans for
the following subjects: English, math,
science, social studies
Nov. 13, 2008, 10:00 am – 12:30 pm
Location: Center for the Arts, CUNY CSI,
Staten Island, NY
Participants: 200 Dreyfus IS 49 6th grade
students, 6 Dreyfus IS 49 teachers, 12
chaperones
Purpose: To explore the history, culture, and
geography of North and South America
through multicultural folk music.
Agenda:
• Presentation of a multicultural folk music
journey from Canada to Chile, with songs,
in various languages, of Native and
African-Americans, Euro-Americans, and
Asian-Americans, performed on a variety
of string, wind, and percussion
instruments
• Students participated by singing, dancing,
and playing instruments
Speakers/Leaders/Guests: Roger Tincknell,
musician and solo performer
This was a wonderful, enriching and
educational experience. Roger Tincknell’s
strong, expressive vocal styles and masterful
instrumental skills bring warmth and
versatility to his performances. The audience
was amazed at and delighted by his
performance, and the students participated
with much enthusiasm.
– A Dreyfus IS 49 teacher
Additional Activities
▼
Across the Americas
GEAR UP Outstanding Parent Award
On June 23, 2008, at the Dreyfus IS 49
graduation ceremony, Sangita Dave was
honored with the 2008 GEAR UP
Outstanding Parent Award for her support of
and involvement in the GEAR UP program.
▼
▼
The GEAR UP Teaching Scholars are able to
work well with students because they are close
to them in age, aware of the students’
interests, and can connect material to be
taught to the interests of the students. Many of
the Teaching Scholars also speak the same
languages as their ESL students. The presence
of Teaching Scholars in a class helps teachers
reach all students. During the two and a half
years they have worked at Dreyfus IS 49,
scores in math and ELA exams have improved
more than 10% and the number of students
scoring 3 and 4 increased substantially, while
the number scoring 1 declined.
“The Teaching Scholars are a
wonderful and positive
addition to the classroom.
They’re able to help those
who are falling behind
because students feel
comfortable requesting help
from them. They have great
rapport with the students, and
I wouldn’t mind having one in
the classroom every day.”
GEAR UP Parent
Leadership Program
On October 14, November 14, and December
17, 2008, 2 GEAR UP parents and 3
community members joined 3 workshop
presenters to learn about resources and tools
to help them encourage their children in
school and prepare them for college.
▼
Agenda:
• Teaching Scholars orientation workshops
with Ivin Doctor, Professor Rima Blair,
Barbara Goldstein and Joe Russo
• Review of assignments when working with
Dreyfus IS 49 teachers in their classrooms
Speakers/Leaders/Guests: Ivin Doctor,
Teaching Scholars Program Coordinator,
CUNY CSI/Discovery Institute
Speakers/Leaders/Guests: Charles
Brandwein, Co-coordinator, Mentoring
Program, CUNY CSI/Discovery Institute;
Philip Gagliano, Coordinator of Student
Affairs, PS 80 Michael J. Petrides School;
Irwin Goldstein, Coordinator of Curriculum
Development, CUNY CSI/Discovery
Institute; Peter Lytell, Science Mentor,
CUNY CSI/Discovery Institute; Frank
Meringolo, Co-coordinator, Mentoring
Program, CUNY CSI/Discovery Institute;
Thomas Scarpelli, Social Studies Facilitator,
CUNY CSI/Discovery Institute
▼
Discovery Institute
continued from page 11
GEAR UP Community
After-School Tutoring
From September through December 2008,
GEAR UP Teaching Scholars offered afterschool tutoring on Monday through Friday,
from 3:00 to 6:00 pm. Sites included the
United Multi-Cultural Center/Liberian
Cultural Association (Monday through
Friday), the Christian Faith Power Center
(Monday through Thursday), and the Kids’
Café at the Stapleton UAME Church (Tuesday
CUNY CSI/Discovery Institute GEAR UP students from Dreyfus IS 49 and feeder schools at the GEAR UP After School Community Site
Christian Faith Power Center on November 25, 2008.
12
▼
and Wednesday). Teaching Scholars provided
individual and small group assistance, help
with homework and special assignments, and
participated with students in special events.
GEAR UP Project “COEP”
(Community Outreach Educational
Program)
▼
From September 2008 through June 2009,
monthly meetings for the communities of
Dreyfus IS 49, Curtis HS, and New Dorp HS
are being held to promote the importance of
education and spread the news about the
services offered by GEAR UP.
Parent Workshop:
“Your Child in Middle School”
▼
On October 14, 2008, from 9:00 to 11:00 am,
17 parents of Dreyfus IS 49 students received
information at a PTA meeting held at the
school on how to “unlock the future” and
begin to prepare their children for college.
Science Workshop
▼
On October 30, 2008, Peter Lytell, a science
teacher with the Discovery Institute,
conducted a science workshop for 12 GEAR
UP students at the United Multi-Cultural
Center/Liberian Cultural Association.
Students participated in a hands-on dry ice
experiment where they were challenged to
discover the properties of dry ice and
compare them to those of ice made from
water. Using digital thermometers, beakers,
graduated cylinders, tongs, water, and liquid
soap, the students discovered the properties
of dry ice.
Internet Safety Workshop:
“Keeping It Real”
▼
On November 25, 2008, at the Christian Faith
Power Center, Police Officer Taylor of the
NYPD’s SI/BKLYN Youth Services Agency gave
a presentation to 15 students and 6 parents
about how to protect themselves when using
the Internet.
and parents gathered at 3 CSI/Discovery
Institute GEAR UP after-school sites (Christian
Faith Power Center, the Kids’ Café at the
Stapleton UAME Church, and the MultiCultural Center/Liberian Cultural Association)
for arts and crafts, a Kwanzaa presentation by
Janet G. Robinson (“Kwanzaa Lady”), and a
raffle (3 baskets of donations were given away).
GEAR UP Parent and Community
Educational Resource Center, CEOP
(Community Outreach Educational
Program) and Parent Leadership
Brunch
On December 17, 2008, a year-end meeting
and brunch to thank those who had devoted
time and effort to GEAR UP was held at the
Park Café Restaurant on the CUNY CSI
campus. 5 GEAR UP COEP committee
members, 3 Parent Leadership members, 1
Teaching Scholar coordinator, and 3 GEAR UP
Parent and Community Educational Resource
staff members attended. A GEAR UP
Recognition Award was presented to Ivin
Doctor, Teaching Scholars Program
Coordinator at the Discovery Institute, for his
efforts on behalf of GEAR UP, Staten Island’s
schools, and the community.
Basket of Blessings
On November 25, 2008, at the Christian Faith
Power Center and Dreyfus IS 49, parents
received 3 free Baskets of Blessings in a raffle.
Items for the baskets, to share for
Thanksgiving, were donations from Christian
Faith Power Center, Discovery Institute staff
and the community.
▼
City School District of Albany GEAR UP students assemble on the campus of St. Lawrence
University on June 30, 2008, during cIcu’s College Quest.
▼
Parent Workshop:
“Unlock the Future”
Parents and Students Learning
Together Workshop/Basket of Joy
Dowling College
▼
▼
On September 16, 2008, 34 parents of Dreyfus
IS 49 6th graders attended a PTA meeting
from 6:00 to 8:00 pm at the school where
they were given information about the
transition to middle school and how GEAR
UP prepares parents and students for that
transition.
Student Scholars at
Urban League Luncheon
Nov. 13, 2008
Location: Crest Hollow Country Club,
Syosset, NY
Participants: 15 10th grade Wyandanch
Memorial HS GEAR UP students, 5 parents,
2 teachers, 2 GEAR UP staff
Purpose: To continue to encourage students
to strive for academic excellence, this public
event honored 10th grade students who
achieved Regents Mastery level (a score of
85 or higher) in at least one subject. Twenty
students reached Regents Mastery of one or
more subjects; 15 attended the luncheon.
Agenda:
• Event convened by Theresa Sanders
• Keynote speech by Kevin Law
• Public recognition of student/scholars in
front of local leaders
• Recognition of parents and their efforts by
Dr. Rhoda Miller, GEAR UP Project
Director, Dowling College
Speakers/Leaders/Guests: Kevin Law,
President and CEO, National Grid/Long
Island Power Authority; Theresa Sanders,
President and CEO, Urban League of Long
Island
The theme of the Urban League of Long
Island’s 2008 annual luncheon was “The
Changing Face of Long Island: Emerging
Markets, Emerging Leaders.” Leaders in
business, academia, and human services
attended the luncheon, where GEAR UP
students were recognized for their academic
accomplishments. Students honored were:
Aziz Cannon, Michael Del La Cruz, Diana
Edouard, Jaidah Jacobs, Tynesha Jones (2
Regents), Lasheca Lewis, Dawn Littles (3
Dowling College
continued on page 14
On December 9, 10, and 11, 2008, students
13
▼
Visit to Five Towns College (FTC)
On November 24, 2008, GEAR UP students
from Wyandanch Memorial HS toured Five
Towns College in Dix Hills, NY, a proprietary
college with programs in broadcasting and
performance arts. Faculty and staff spoke to
students, showed them the facilities, and
offered insights into academic areas related to
working in music or media.
Searching for Internships Workshop
Nov. 15, 2008
Location: Wyandanch Memorial High School
Library, Wyandanch, NY
Participants: 7 10th grade students, 4
parents, 3 Wyandanch Memorial HS staff, 2
GEAR UP staff
Purpose: To show 10th grade students how to
find internships that are related to their
academic and vocational interests and to
encourage them to take advantage of such
programs.
Agenda:
• Workshop leader related her own
internship experiences
• Students, with assistance from workshop
leaders and librarians, located
opportunities that matched their interests,
educational and career aspirations
Speakers/Leaders/Guests: Cheryl Fleming,
social studies teacher, Wyandanch Memorial
HS; Erica Wall, librarian, Wyandanch
Memorial HS
“Too often our youth are only
spoken of when they have
done something wrong. This is
a time to call attention to
them for doing the right
thing…making the
grade…and we want the
leaders in our community to
know that young people from
Wyandanch are achieving
excellence.”
– Theresa Sanders, President and CEO, Urban
League of Long Island
Long Island University
(LIU)/Brooklyn
▼
Regents), Katrina Mobley, Nwaesei
Ogecukwuka, Noelle Pollard, Elsy Ramirez,
Brandon Robinson, Shaahquan Rogers,
Jasmine Smith, Natasia Smith, Luis Sosa,
Keith Stewart, Jr., Lineker St. Hilaire,
Jonathan Turcios (2 Regents), and Bernita
Williams. GEAR UP Advisor and ELA teacher
Barbara Adams and Guidance Counselor
Dexter Ward helped to coordinate this event.
gender and cultural differences that can
interfere with communicating, and the
characteristics of a healthy relationship.
▼
Dowling College
continued from page 13
Math Academy
Oct. 18 – Dec. 13, 2008, Saturdays,
10:00 am – 1:00 pm
Location: Jeanette & Edmund T. Pratt, Jr.
Center for Academic Studies (rooms 420,
421, 422, and 520), Long Island University,
Brooklyn, NY
Participants: 30 10th grade students from
Benjamin Banneker Academy and Science
Skills Center HS, 4 college math tutors, 1
NYGEAR UP director
Purpose: To provide a review of math B,
algebra, and geometry for high school
sophomores.
Agenda:
• Weekly math lesson
• Homework review
Speakers/Leaders/Guests: Kemoy A. Briscoe,
NYGEAR UP Director, Long Island
University; Quy Huynh, Makhine Lin, Zin
Oo, and Lynette Paulino, math tutors, LIU
This program is successful because of the
small class size and less formal classroom
structure. Tutors are able to work through
specific problem areas with the students, who
benefit from the change of environment and
All of the participants said that this was a
successful workshop; one parent called it “a
valuable experience for all involved.” Cheryl
Fleming offered extensive personal assistance
to attendees, especially those with less
common areas of interest. Erica Wall helped
with providing space, computer access, and
support during the program. The workshop
was held on a Saturday morning, and parents
as well as students were encouraged to
participate. This workshop offers another
example of a faculty-generated idea for a
GEAR UP program. GEAR UP is becoming
embedded in the school’s learning community,
and increasing numbers of faculty and
administrators at Wyandanch Memorial HS
view GEAR UP as an important ally.
▼
Additional Activities
Healthy Choices Workshop
On December 15, 2008, Sabrina Fearon and
Kenneth Grotel of SNAP Long Island, Inc.
presented a workshop on healthy
relationships. 20 GEAR UP students, parents,
and Wyandanch Memorial HS faculty learned
how to improve communication, about
14
Frank Pomata, Assistant Director of Dowling College GEAR UP, poses with GEAR UP
Scholars Natasia Smith and Bernita Williams at an Urban League luncheon held on
November 13, 2008, at the Crest Hollow Country Club in Syosset, NY.
Cheryl Fleming, a social studies teacher at
Wyandanch Memorial HS, shows
Dowling College GEAR UP student
Lasheca Lewis how to search on-line for
internships at a Saturday workshop held
on November 15, 2008.
▼
by being on a college campus. Teachers have
reported seeing improvements in the
performance of students who attend. One
parent reported that her son likes the program
and is learning a lot; she requested additional
tutoring for him.
Homework Assistance
Nov. 3 – Dec. 13, 2008, 3:00 – 5:00 pm,
Monday through Thursday
Location: Arnold & Marie Schwartz Hall of
the Arts & Humanities (2nd floor lounge),
Long Island University, Brooklyn, NY
Participants: 10 Benjamin Banneker
Academy 10th grade parents, 11 Science
Skills Center HS 10th grade parents, 1
consultant, 1 NYGEAR UP director, 1 HEOP
counselor, 1 HEOP co-director
Purpose: To introduce parents to the
NYGEAR UP program; inform them of
current programming and planned
initiatives; encourage them to become more
involved in their children’s education; and
provide them with useful communications
and stress management tools.
Agenda:
• 5:30 – 6:00 pm: Meet and mingle, with
hors d’oeuvres
• 6:00 – 6:30 pm: “What is GEAR UP?”
Discussion of programs in place, planned
initiatives, and parent expectations
• 6:30 – 7:30 pm: Stress management
workshop with Dr. Mzuri Hudson
Speakers/Leaders/Guests: Kemoy A. Briscoe,
NYGEAR UP Director, LIU; Mzuri Hudson,
Consultant, Empowerment Through Self
Management
Additional Activities
▼
Dec. 2, 2008, 6:00 – 8:00 pm
Benjamin Banneker Academy
Kinship Association Meeting
On Thursday, December 11, 2008, 19 parents
of Benjamin Banneker Academy students and
5 Parent Association administrators met with
the school’s principal, Majida Abdul-Karim,
and NYGEAR UP Director Kemoy Briscoe for
an introduction to NYGEAR UP and a review
of current issues affecting Benjamin Banneker
Academy.
▼
Parent Empowerment Workshop
Feedback from the parents was very positive.
They reported that the program was
informative. Nine parents signed up their
children for GEAR UP at this event, and many
asked that additional material on topics
covered during this meeting be sent to them.
One parent said: “The meeting was great and
quite informative. I really appreciated the
much-needed stress management workshop.”
Science Skills Center HS Open House
On December 6, 2008, 1 Science Skills Center
HS 10th grade counselor, 1 special education
counselor and 1 NYGEAR UP director met
with 24 parents to distribute report cards,
review high school graduation requirements,
and inform parents about NYGEAR UP
programs.
▼
▼
Students report that they find the program,
which provides immediate assistance with
homework problems, very helpful. They are
able to complete their homework assignments
faster, the tutors are nice, and they enjoy being
on campus.
PSAT Review
On October 4 and 11, 5 Science Skills Center
HS students and 1 Benjamin Banneker
Academy student met to review the format
and structure of the PSAT and master testtaking skills.
Location: Jeanette & Edmund T. Pratt, Jr.
Center for Academic Studies (rooms 121,
520, and 617), Arnold & Marie Schwartz
Hall of the Arts & Humanities (rooms 203,
208, 209, and 512), and Metcalfe Hall
(rooms 505 and 605), Long Island
University, Brooklyn, NY
Participants: 38 10th grade Science Skills
Center HS students, 5 NYGEAR UP
tutors/mentors, 1 NYGEAR UP director
Purpose: To assist students with their
homework in English, Spanish, and Global
Studies.
Agenda:
• Students review homework assignments
with tutors to check content and
understanding of material and discuss any
problems.
Speakers/Leaders/Guests: Kemoy A. Briscoe,
NYGEAR UP Director, LIU; Rony Enriquez,
Natasha Laroque, Adebunkunola Lawal,
Annie Marie Martin, and Cassandra Victor,
tutors, LIU
New Rochelle HS NYGEAR UP students prepare to meet members of the New York Liberty
women’s basketball team on September 14, 2008.
15
▼
The Giolai (Girls Institute of Leadership and
Integration) GLAM (Girls Leadership and
Mentoring) Program works with girls between
the ages of 11 and 18 to help them develop the
skills that will make them successful adults.
Training in table etiquette and social
conversation skills is one component of the
GLAM program. The NYGEAR UP students
also had a chance to practice public speaking
by getting on stage in front of the 500 guests
of Alpha Kappa Alpha and presenting gifts to
winners of a raffle drawing.
100 Hispanic Women of Westchester
Latina Leadership Forum
Oct. 3, 2008
Location: Women’s Club of White Plains,
White Plains, NY
Participants: 2 10th grade New Rochelle HS
NYGEAR UP students
Purpose: To offer students who won a raffle
sponsored by the GLAM program an
opportunity to meet community leaders and
get information about college admission
and financial aid opportunities from
▼
American Association of University
Women Sister to Sister Event
On September 14, 2008, New Rochelle HS
NYGEAR UP students met Carol Blazejowski,
President and General Manager of the New
York Liberty WNBA team, who also gave a
presentation on how to be a leader. The
students also came on the court after halftime to greet members of the basketball team.
Giolai GLAM Voter Registration
Drive
During the fall of 2008, New Rochelle HS
NYGEAR UP students, although unable to
vote themselves, canvassed residences near
the high school and handed out forms to
unregistered voters.
Latino College Fair
On October 25, 2008, 20 New Rochelle
NYGEAR UP students attended a Latino
College Fair at the College of Mount Saint
Vincent in Riverdale, NY, where they received
information about the college application and
financial aid process, and also had the
opportunity to speak to representatives from
29 independent colleges and universities in
New York.
Teen Life Associates Leadership
Conference at Pepsico
On December 3, 2008, New Rochelle HS
NYGEAR UP students participated in an
intense all-day leadership workshop at
Pepsico headquarters in Purchase, NY. The
Teen Life Associates Leadership Conference is
designed to challenge students and develop
their leadership potential.
▼
Rochester Institute of
Technology (RIT)
SUNY Fredonia Campus Tour
Jul. 15, 2008
Location: SUNY Fredonia, Fredonia, NY
Participants: 3 NYGEAR UP students, 1
parent, 2 chaperones
Purpose: To offer students and parents an
opportunity to visit the SUNY Fredonia
campus and receive information about
admissions and academic programs.
Agenda:
• 9:45 am: Arrive at Fenner House/Office of
Admissions at SUNY Fredonia
• 10:00 am: Information session about
college admission and financial aid
• 11:15 am: Campus tour
• 12:45 pm: Lunch at Erie Dining Hall
• 1:45 pm: Depart for Rochester, NY
Speakers/Leaders/Guests: David White,
Admissions Counselor, SUNY Fredonia
David White hosted the tour, spoke with each
student about the academic programs offered
at SUNY Fredonia, and gave valuable advice
about high school and college readiness.
▼
Location: Westchester Marriott Hotel,
Tarrytown, NY
Participants: 9 New Rochelle HS NYGEAR UP
students
Purpose: To practice etiquette and dining
skills at a luncheon held annually to raise
funds for scholarships by Alpha Kappa
Alpha, a national sorority founded by
African-American college women in 1908.
▼
Sep. 20, 2008
Additional Activities
▼
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Annual
Luncheon
representatives of Berkeley College,
Concordia College, CUNY City College,
CUNY Lehman College, Iona College, and
Mercy College.
▼
▼
New Rochelle City
School District
Cornell University and Ithaca
College Tour
Aug. 14, 2008
Location: Cornell University and Ithaca
College, Ithaca, NY
Participants: 10 NYGEAR UP students, 1
parent, 3 chaperones
Purpose: To give students and parents an
opportunity to tour the Cornell University
and Ithaca College campuses and get
information about admissions and special
academic programs.
Agenda:
• 7:00 am: Leave Rochester
• 9:00 am: Arrive in Ithaca NY; tour of
Ithaca College
• 10:30 am: Information session about
college admissions and financial aid
• 11:00 am: Lunch on Ithaca College
campus
• Noon: Depart for Cornell University
• 12:30 pm: Tour of Cornell University
• 1:45 pm: HEOP information session
• 2:45 pm: Leave for Rochester, NY
• 5:00 pm: Arrive in Rochester, NY
The students on this tour really wanted to
learn more about each of these colleges and
their offerings. They left with a better sense of
what college is like and what they need to do
to apply and attend these particular
institutions.
New Rochelle HS GEAR UP students canvass near their high school during the fall election
season of 2008 when they handed out forms to unregistered voters.
16
▼
Rochester Institute of Technology
Open House for NYGEAR UP
Students
Dec. 5, 2008
▼
Rome City School
District
Rome Free Academy NYGEAR UP
Kick-Off
Oct. 22, 2008, 8:00 am – 2:00 pm
Location: Rome Free Academy, Hamilton
College, SUNY Mohawk Valley Community
College (SUNY MVCC), SUNY Institute of
Technology (SUNY IT), Utica College
Participants: 413 students (the entire
NYGEAR UP cohort) for morning activities,
50 students for afternoon field trips, 15
teachers
Purpose: To help all 10th grade students feel
that they belong in the Rome NYGEAR UP
program, and to aid them in finding out
about available educational opportunities.
Agenda:
• Workshops presented by local colleges,
including:
– Respiratory Care (SUNY MVCC)
– Therapeutic Recreation (Utica College)
– Intercollegiate Athletics (SUNY MVCC
and Hamilton College)
– Jazz and Music (Hamilton College)
– Theatre (SUNY MVCC)
– Health Care Professions (St. Elizabeth
College of Nursing)
– Religious Studies/Global History
(Hamilton College)
– EOP, CSTEP, and Special Programs
(SUNY IT)
– Academic Coaching (Utica College)
– First Year Programs and Residence Halls
(Utica College)
• Presentation by Bucky O’Neill of Quantum
Learning Network
Rochester Institute of Technology NYGEAR UP students visit the Office of Admissions at
Fenner House during a tour of SUNY Fredonia on July 15, 2008.
• Students meet in library exhibition hall
with representatives of HESC, AmeriCU
Credit Union, Leaders for Life, and local
businesses and colleges
• Presentation of free NYGEAR UP T-shirts to
students
• Students visit a local college of their choice
Speakers/Leaders/Guests: Bobby Allison,
Basketball Coach, SUNY MVCC; Christina
Barnes, Academic Coaching Expert, Utica
College; Tyleah Castillo, Academic Coaching
Expert, Utica College; Sandy Cummings,
Student Activities Office, SUNY MVCC; T.J.
Davis, Head Men’s and Women’s Swim
Coach and Assistant Professor of Physical
Education, Hamilton College; Terrill Dean,
Director of Special Programs, SUNY IT; Mike
Diederich, Theatre Technical Assistant,
SUNY MVCC; Bill Dustin, Coordinator of
Events and Facilities Use, SUNY MVCC;
Donna Ernst, Recruitment Director, St.
Elizabeth College of Nursing; Jon Hind,
Athletic Director and Professor of Physical
Education, Hamilton College; Teresa D.
Huggins, author and speaker, Leaders for
Life; Kirstin Impicciatore, Instructor,
Therapeutic Recreation, Utica College;
Bucky O’Neill, Facilitator, Quantum
Learning Network; Lorie Phillips,
Coordinator, Respiratory Care, SUNY
MVCC; Rich Racioppa, Coordinator of FY
Student Support, Utica College; Monk Rowe,
Director of the Jazz Archive and Lecturer in
Music, Hamilton College; Darnell
Thompson, Residence Hall Complex
Director, Utica College; Jay Williams,
Professor of Religion, Hamilton College;
Courtney Witherspoon, Academic Coaching
Expert, Utica College
Every NYGEAR UP student gained something
from this special day, whether it was a
workshop about athletics at a local college,
learning from Quantum Learning Network
about techniques to stay motivated, or a tour
of a college campus. Students, teachers, and
guests felt that the Kick-Off was a great
opportunity to make students aware of all the
opportunities they can have after graduating
from high school.
▼
Location: Rochester Institute of Technology,
Rochester, NY
Participants: 38 NYGEAR UP students, 7
chaperones
Purpose: To expose students and parents to a
college open house experience.
Agenda:
• 8:30 am: Registration
• 9:00 am: Introduction to RIT
• 10:00 am: Program/College Sessions
• 11:30 am: Lunch on campus
• 12:30 pm: Tour of student residence halls
• 1:00 pm: Tour of RIT campus
• 2:30 pm: Return to school
Health Care Professions
Parents’ Night
Oct. 29, 2008, 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Location: Rome Free Academy, Rome, NY
Participants: 12 NYGEAR UP Rome Free
Academy students, 18 parents
Purpose: To inform parents and students
about opportunities in various health care
professions and health care degree programs
at local colleges.
Agenda:
• Presentations by college representatives
about careers in health care
• Discussion with representatives about
health care opportunities and programs
Speakers/Leaders/Guests: M. J. Gelsomino,
Associate Professor of Physical Therapy,
Utica College; Janice Lutz, Program Director,
St. Elizabeth Medical Center School of
Radiology; Marianne Monahan, President,
St. Elizabeth College of Nursing
Parents and students heard valuable
information about careers that are in high
demand. Parents were also able to have
informal discussions with the presenters after
the event.
Rome City School District
continued on page 18
17
▼
Leaders for Life Workshop
On December 11, 2008, NYGEAR UP students
at Rome Free Academy participated in a
workshop with author and life coach Teresa
Huggins. Students learned how to motivate
themselves to be successful, and worked
together to create visions of their futures.
▼
St. John’s University
Service Day
Sep. 27, 2008, 9:00 am – Noon
Rome City School District NYGEAR UP students get some hands-on experience in
how to examine a patient during a field trip to St. Elizabeth College of Nursing on
November 14, 2008.
Additional Activities
Field Trip to St. Elizabeth College of
Nursing
Nov. 14, 2008, 9:00 am – 2:00 pm
Location: St. Elizabeth College of Nursing,
Utica, NY
Participants: 20 NYGEAR UP Rome Free
Academy students, 2 chaperones
Purpose: To provide students with a direct
experience of what it would be like to be a
student at St. Elizabeth College of Nursing.
Agenda:
• 10:00 – 11:00 am: Students rotate through
3 different lab stations
• 11:00 – 11:30 am: Germ ball activity, in
which students learn how easy it is to pass
germs from one person to another
• 11:30 am – 12:15 pm: Lunch
• 12:15 – 1:15 pm: Library research
• 1:15 – 1:45 pm: Research presentation
Speakers/Leaders/Guests: Norma Emerson,
Lab Technician and Assistant Nursing
Instructor; Donna Ernst, Recruitment
Director; Michael Garcia, Librarian and
Research Specialist; Lisa Streeter, Lab
Technician and Nursing Instructor; Chad
Trevisani, Lab Technician and Assistant
Nursing Instructor, St. Elizabeth College of
Nursing
The students enjoyed the trip and were able to
participate in several hands-on activities.
They not only toured a college campus, but
also had the experience of feeling like a
student at St. Elizabeth. Several students
expressed an interest in visiting a local
hospital after this field trip. One student said:
“I think I’m more likely than ever to go into
the health care field” after this visit.
18
PSAT
On October 15, 2008, for the first time, all
10th grade students at Rome Free Academy
took the PSAT. This was a very successful
event, as every student will be that much
more prepared for the SAT.
▼
▼
▼
Rome City School District
continued from page 17
Professional Development Workshop
at Minnowbrook Conference Center
On November 11 – 12, 2008, 9 teachers, 1
guidance counselor, and 1 NYGEAR UP
coordinator participated in a professional
development workshop about creating a
“college-going culture” among Rome Free
Academy students with facilitator Teresa
Huggins, author and life coach.
Location: St. John the Baptist School,
Brooklyn, NY
Participants: 40 NYGEAR UP and GEAR UP
students, 3 parents, 8 NYGEAR UP and
GEAR UP staff
Purpose: To offer students an opportunity to
serve their community. Students
transformed a vandalized school into a
more uplifting environment; they painted,
cleaned, moved furniture, and did some
remodeling and redecorating.
“We had the opportunity to
work together, help other
people out, and had a chance
to meet other people in the
St. John’s University
community.”
– Jessica Theodore, a St. John’s University NYGEAR
UP student
New Rochelle HS NYGEAR UP students pose outside the Westchester Marriott Hotel,
where they attended a luncheon on September 20, 2008, held by Alpha Kappa Alpha, a
national sorority founded by African-American women.
▼
Participants enjoyed giving back to the
community and asked for more servicelearning events.
Back-to-School Bash
Oct. 5, 2008, 9:00 am – Noon
▼
Additional Activities
Woodbury Common Back-to-School
Trip
Latino College Fair
On October 25, 2008, 21 students attended a
Latino College Fair at the College of Mount
Saint Vincent in Riverdale, NY, where they
received information about the college
application and financial aid process, and also
had the opportunity to speak to
representatives from 29 independent colleges
and universities in New York.
▼
▼
On October 19, 2008, 57 NYGEAR UP
students and parents attended this event,
where they were able to meet representatives
from more than 200 colleges and universities.
St. John’s Bread and Life
On December 13, 2008, 40 GEAR UP students
and parents gathered at St. John’s Bread and
Life, a soup kitchen and pantry affiliated with
St. John’s University, and packed toys and
food for families in need.
Memory Bridge Initiative Meeting
On December 13, 2008, 15 GEAR UP students
learned about the Memory Bridge Initiative,
an award-winning, 12-week after-school
program that educates junior high and high
school students about Alzheimer’s Disease,
allowing each student to interact with an
Alzheimer’s patient.
▼
On August 30, 2008, 36 NYGEAR UP students
and parents reconnected with GEAR UP staff
during a trip to the Woodbury Common
Premium Outlets center in Central Valley, NY.
Big Apple College Fair
▼
Participants and their families were delighted
to meet new GEAR UP staff and looked
forward to upcoming events.
SUNY Binghamton GEAR UP students visit the American Museum of Natural History in
New York City on July 29, 2008.
▼
Location: Long Island City High School,
Queens, NY
Participants: 55 NYGEAR UP and GEAR UP
students, 13 parents, 15 NYGEAR UP and
GEAR UP staff
Purpose: To celebrate the new academic year
with students and their families while
giving out school supplies and information
about upcoming events.
Agenda:
• Students meet and reconnect with other
participants and exchange information
about opportunities experienced through
St. John’s University GEAR UP
partnerships
• Students and families receive back-toschool supplies and graphing calculators
GEAR UP Holiday Dinner
On December 17, 2008, 65 GEAR UP students
celebrated the holiday season with a special
dinner and heard a presentation on college
preparation.
▼
SUNY Binghamton
University
United Health Services Career Expo
Oct. 28, 2008, 10:30 am – 2:00 pm
Location: Wilson Medical Center, Johnson
City, NY
Participants: 25 9th and 10th grade
Binghamton HS students, 3 GEAR UP staff
Purpose: To expose students to career
opportunities in health care, such as
nursing, behavioral health care, physical
therapy, pharmaceutical work, and
paramedical care. Students also learned
Rome City School District NYGEAR UP students talk to business and college
representatives in the exhibition hall of the Rome Free Academy library during the
NYGEAR UP Kick-Off on October 22, 2008.
SUNY Binghamton University
continued on page 20
19
▼
Students enjoyed the hands-on activities and
finding out about health care career
opportunities.
Career Fair and University Tour at
SUNY Binghamton University
Apr. 7, 2009, 8:30 am – 1:30 pm
Location: SUNY Binghamton University,
Binghamton, NY
Participants: 50 Binghamton HS students
from School of Sophomore Studies, 1
sophomore class administrator, GEAR UP
staff, guidance counselors, teachers
Purpose: To attend 44 career workshops
based on the students’ interests, such as law
enforcement, engineering, culinary arts, and
health care.
Agenda:
• Travel to SUNY Binghamton by bus
• Attend career-oriented workshops
• Lunch in dining hall
• Tour of campus
• Return to Binghamton HS
▼
about the educational requirements for
certification in various medical fields and
about scholarships for those pursuing such
studies.
Agenda:
• 10:00 am: Leave Binghamton HS
• 10:15 am: Arrive at Wilson Medical Center
• 10:30 am – 2:00 pm: Explore United
Health Services (UHS) Career Expo
• 2:00 pm: Leave Wilson Medical Center
Speakers/Leaders/Guests: UHS staff
SUNY Cobleskill
Fort Plain CS Visits SUNY Hudson
Valley Community College (HVCC)
Oct. 31, 2008; 10:00 am – 1:00 pm
Location: SUNY HVCC, Troy, NY
Participants: 24 Fort Plain CS NYGEAR UP
students, 1 NYGEAR UP tutor, 1 teacher
Purpose: To explore and visit the campus of a
community college.
Agenda:
• Campus tour
• Lunch with admissions presentation
Speakers/Leaders/Guests: Robert F. Swanick,
Admissions Counselor, HVCC
The students loved the “hands-on” approach
of SUNY HVCC.
▼
SUNY Binghamton University
continued from page 19
Northern New York College Tours
Oct. 7–8, 20–21, and 28–29, 2008
Nov. 3–4, 10–11, and 12–13, 2008
Location: Clarkson University, Paul Smith’s
College, St. Lawrence University, SUNY
Canton, SUNY North Country Community
College, SUNY Plattsburgh, SUNY Potsdam
Participants: 320 9th and 10th grade GEAR
UP and NYGEAR UP students, 61 parents,
teachers and tutors, 3 GEAR UP office staff
Purpose: To explore the campuses of the 3
private and 4 public colleges and
universities in northernmost New York state
and to learn about their admissions
requirements and the availability of
financial aid.
SUNY Binghamton GEAR UP students visit the SUNY at Cortland campus.
20
Agenda:
Day 1
• 5:30 am: Students board bus at home
school
• 11:00 am: Arrive at Clarkson University in
Potsdam, NY
• 11:30 am – 12:30 pm: Pizza lunch and
admissions, financial aid, HEOP, and CSTEP presentations geared to private
college policies
• 12:30 – 1:30 pm: Students separate into 3
groups of 12 to 14 students each, then
attend a robotics demonstration, tour
engineering and business schools, visit a
dorm, and tour the physical education
complex
• 1:30 pm: Students regroup and board bus
• 2:00 pm: Arrive at SUNY Potsdam
• 2:00 – 3:00 pm: Tour of campus
• 3:00 – 4:00 pm: Admissions and financial
aid presentations geared toward policies of
public colleges
• 4:00 pm: Group boards bus for either St.
Lawrence University or SUNY Canton,
depending on the date and the students’
interests
• 4:30 pm: Arrive on campus for brief
financial aid presentation
• 5:30 – 6:30 pm: Dinner on campus with
college students
• 6:30 pm: Leave campus for Canton
Comfort Suites
• 6:45 pm: Arrive at hotel, check in and
unpack
• 7:00 pm: Discussion about which
campuses students liked or disliked and
reasons for their reactions
• 9:00 pm: Students go to rooms; security
patrols by chaperones
Day 2
• 5:45 am: Reveille and breakfast
• 7:00 am: Board bus
• 8:00 – 9:00 am: Arrive at SUNY North
Country Community College in Saranac
Lake; tour campus, then board bus
• 10:00 am: Arrive at Paul Smith’s College
for admissions and financial aid
presentation
• Noon: Lunch on campus with college
students
• 1:00 pm: Depart for SUNY Plattsburgh
• 1:30 – 4:00 pm: Admissions presentation,
panel discussion with three SUNY
Plattsburgh students, and tour of campus
• 4:30 pm: Supper
• 9:00 pm: Students arrive at their home
schools
Speakers/Leaders/Guests: Linda Carpenter,
NYGEAR UP Director, SUNY Cobleskill;
Laura Lynch, GEAR UP Activities
Coordinator, SUNY Cobleskill; Paul Turner,
GEAR UP Director, SUNY Cobleskill;
admissions and financial aid staff at
Clarkson University, Paul Smith’s College,
St. Lawrence University, SUNY Canton,
SUNY North Country Community College,
SUNY Plattsburgh, and SUNY Potsdam
Financial Aid Presentations
Nov. 6, 18, 19, and 20, 2008
Dec. 2, 3, 9, and 10, 2008
Location: Charlotte Valley CS, Fort Plain CS,
Laurens CS, Middleburgh CS, Morris CS, St.
Johnsville CS, South Kortright CS
Participants: 122 parents, teachers and
guidance counselors of students grades 9-12.
[Our] tutoring/mentoring
program is hailed by all –
students, parents, teachers,
guidance counselors, and
administrators – as the best
thing that GEAR UP does. It
works because we hire caring
adult tutors who return year
after year and often become
surrogate parents.
– SUNY Cobleskill GEAR UP program director
SUNY Jamestown NYGEAR UP students from Dunkirk HS pose with Tone Scott, Digital
Recording Instructor, at the Infinity Performing Arts Studio in Jamestown, NY on July 30,
2008.
Purpose: To present the latest information
about financial aid and to explain the FAFSA
line-by-line.
Agenda:
• 6:00 pm: Welcome
• 6:01 pm: Presentation on FAFSA and on
availability and sources of financial aid
• 7:30 pm: Conclusion and Q & A
Speakers/Leaders/Guests: Brian Smith,
Assistant Director of Financial Aid, SUNY
Cobleskill
These sessions were successful in demystifying
the financial aid process by presenting the
information in everyday terms. Feedback from
participants was positive. One student said:
“The FAFSA was so intimidating until I saw
just how easy the answers actually were.”
Another participant commented: “Presenting
this in the computer lab was so helpful in
calculating how much aid we can expect.”
▼
▼
This event was successful because we spent a
lot of time on the details. We worked with
principals, guidance counselors, and teachers
to choose the students most likely to benefit
from visiting these colleges and students were
required to write essays about why they
wanted to go on a tour; some of their teachers
gave them tour-related homework. We wrote
and rewrote the tour rules, bus rules, and hotel
rules, and met with the chaperones to explain
in detail what would be required of them. We
read the rules to everyone before each tour and
had the kids and parents sign off on them
before the trip, before the bus left the school,
and before they went to bed at the hotel. We
ceremonially taped the kids’ doors at night, so
we could detect if any doors were opened after
“lights out,” and patrolled the halls until
midnight to ensure that all were asleep (or at
least very quiet). Before supper at the final
campus stop, students took a comprehensive
quiz of 25 questions on what they had learned
about college. All correctly answered that every
college and university visited, both public and
private, was within their reach financially and
that the only barriers to admittance were bad
grades, bad behavior, and lack of extracurricular activities.
Purpose: To raise the grades of students in
core subjects.
Agenda:
• Students voluntarily report to GEAR UP
rooms during study halls
• Tutoring and mentoring one-on-one and
in small groups
Speakers/Leaders/Guests: 11 professional
GEAR UP tutors
This tutoring/mentoring program is hailed by
all – students, parents, teachers, guidance
counselors, and administrators – as the best
thing that GEAR UP does. It works because we
hire caring adult tutors who return year after
year and often become surrogate parents.
Typical comments from students are: “With
Mrs. Kohlgaard’s help, I know I can get into
Hartwick College now.” “Mrs. Jensen has
really helped me explore the chiropractic
field.” “I don’t know what I’d do without Mrs.
Congdon – she really cares.”
Tutoring and Mentoring: One-onOne and Small Groups
Sep. 8, 2008 to present
Location: Charlotte Valley CS, Fort Plain CS,
Jefferson CS, Laurens CS, Middleburgh CS,
Morris CS, Owen D. Young CS, Richfield
Springs CS, St. Johnsville CS, South
Kortright CS, Stamford CS
Participants: All SUNY Cobleskill federal
GEAR UP students
21
Jul. 29 – 31, 2008
Location: Infinity Performing Arts Program,
Jamestown, NY
Participants: 7 Dunkirk HS students, 1
Infinity Performing Arts Program director, 1
Infinity Performing Arts Program recording
instructor
Purpose: To introduce interested students to
the field of music recording and production.
The Infinity Arts program, a nonprofit
organization devoted to enhancing the
musical talents and performance skills of
aspiring young musicians in Chautauqua
County, developed this workshop for SUNY
Jamestown Community College NYGEAR
UP.
Agenda:
Students spent 3 days in Infinity’s digital
recording studio with Infinity staff, who
taught multiple sessions on:
• Hip-hop music, featuring four main style
divisions and first rap DJs, artists, and
songs
• Production software options
• Steps to becoming a music producer
• Making contacts in the business
• Legal protection of the work produced
Speakers/Leaders/Guests: Ron Graham,
Executive Director, Infinity Performing Arts
Program; Eric Pearson, Program Director,
Infinity Performing Arts Program; Anthony
“Tone” Scott, Digital Recording Instructor,
Infinity Performing Arts Program
Jamestown HS usually registers around 20
sophomores for the PSAT, and they tend to be
advanced students only. This year, 158
NYGEAR UP sophomores took this exam. We
hope this partnership continues and allows
more students the opportunity to take the
PSAT, which is the best preparation for the
SAT and provides students with access to
College Board resources that help to prepare
them for future exams.
“Let me take this opportunity
to express my appreciation to
you and your staff for assisting
in setting up the PSAT for the
Jamestown HS students. I
realize that this is a lot of work
to organize, but it turned out
to be a great educational
experience for all. Again, on
behalf of the staff and
students of Jamestown HS,
thank you.”
Additional Activities
– Daniel Bracey, Coordinator of Guidance and
Business, Jamestown Public Schools
SUNY JCC College Connections
Planning
During the school year of 2008–09, SUNY
JCC, Dunkirk HS, and Jamestown HS are
planning pilot courses to be offered in the fall
of 2009. Program partners are exploring ways
to expose more NYGEAR UP students to
college level work in high school. The courses
being established for the NYGEAR UP cohort
have not been offered through SUNY JCC’s
dual enrollment program in the past, and are
being developed for students who have not
typically been targeted for college courses in
high school.
SUNY Nassau
Community College
▼
Music Recording Workshop
Agenda:
• Students take bus from Jamestown HS to
SUNY JCC
• Students take PSAT
• Lunch
• Return to Jamestown HS
▼
▼
SUNY Jamestown
Community College
(JCC)
Gateway to Success Orientation
Aug. 26 – 27, 2008
Location: Turtle Hook MS, Uniondale, NY;
Lawrence Road MS, Hempstead, NY
Participants: 375 6th and 7th grade GEAR
UP students, about 375 parents, 6th, 7th,
and 8th grade teachers from Turtle Hook MS
and Lawrence Road MS, administrators from
Turtle Hook MS and Lawrence Road MS,
GEAR UP staff
Purpose: To welcome new middle school
students, introduce them to GEAR UP, and
celebrate the first phase of the GEAR UP
journey.
▼
This workshop served as a pilot for several
group recording classes now taking place at
Infinity. Everyone involved was pleased with
the program content and outcome.
PSAT Exam
Oct. 15, 2008
Location: SUNY JCC Physical Education
Complex, Jamestown, NY
Participants: 150 NYGEAR UP Jamestown HS
sophomores, 150 Jamestown HS juniors, 13
proctors
Purpose: To prepare students for the SAT.
“I liked every part of it…no
critiques. Creating our own
song was the best experience
ever!”
– A SUNY JCC NYGEAR UP student
22
Arthur G. Affleck III, author of YES YOU CAN - Finish High School and Go to
College, speaks at SUNY Nassau Community College’s College Planning Night on
November 17, 2008.
▼
This event was well received by parents and
students, all of whom welcomed a program of
this kind. Many parents expressed an interest
in the GEAR UP program and wanted to be
more involved. They were also grateful for an
opportunity to visit the middle schools and
meet administrators and GEAR UP staff.
College Planning Night
Nov. 17, 2008, 6:30 – 9:00 pm
Arts at Assisi
Summer, 2008
Location: Assisi Center, Syracuse, NY
Participants: 25 10th grade NYGEAR UP
students
Purpose: To offer students a variety of
hands-on recreational activities in art,
photography, and culinary arts.
Agenda:
• Students take photos of scenes and
buildings in the Syracuse area, including
boats at the Inner Harbor, historical sites,
and action shots in residential areas, while
also enhancing their vocabularies with
photographic and other terms
• In culinary arts classes, teams of students
learn about preparing and cooking food
• Students produce various kinds of art and
use their art to decorate the Assisi Center
for a recognition ceremony
• At the recognition ceremony, students
present cookbooks to parents and receive
achievement awards from the NYGEAR UP
director
▼
▼
Jul. 7 – 11, 2008
Location: Le Moyne College, Syracuse, NY
Participants: 22 rising 10th grade NYGEAR
UP students from the Syracuse City School
District
Purpose: To help students enhance their
math skills by showing them the
connections between math and music.
Agenda:
• Introduction to musical notes
• Tour of music recording studio, where
students learn about equipment and how
to make and market music
• Students produce their own musical CDs
This summer program allowed students to
explore mathematics, writing, technology, and
law, using the music business as a model.
Students had the opportunity to write music
and lyrics and to learn how to protect their
creations.
CollegeEd
Sep. through Dec., 2008
Location: Corcoran HS, Fowler HS,
Henninger HS, Institute of Technology at
Syracuse Center, Nottingham HS
Participants: 350 10th grade students
Purpose: To introduce students to the basic
components of the College Board’s
CollegeEd curriculum. Most students were
familiar with the major components of
CollegeEd 9, which allowed for a smooth
transition to CollegeEd 10.
Students who went on actual college visits told
their peers about the importance of the
CollegeEd curriculum in making those visits
more rewarding.
Technology in the Classroom
Jul. 7 – 11, 2008
Location: Le Moyne College, Syracuse, NY
Participants: 30 rising 10th grade NYGEAR
UP students in the Syracuse City School
District
Purpose: To give students an opportunity to
learn about technology while exploring
careers.
Agenda:
• Students learn how to create presentations
with a computer
• Exploration of online resources
• Learning about colleges and careers using a
computer
Additional Activities:
▼
▼
Syracuse University
Math and Music
Latino College Fair
On October 25, 2008, 35 students from
Fowler HS attended a Latino College Fair at
the College of Mount Saint Vincent in
Riverdale, NY, where they received
information about the college application and
financial aid process, and also had the
opportunity to speak to representatives from
29 independent colleges and universities in
New York.
▼
This event was a success, with students
expressing a genuine interest in a future that
included their dreams of college.
A view of the College of Mount Saint Vincent, host of the 2008 Latino College Fair, on
the shores of the Hudson River (Photo credit: William Cole).
▼
Location: Uniondale HS, Uniondale, NY
Participants: 200 students and their parents,
teachers, GEAR UP staff
Purpose: To give students information on
how to plan for college, with the slogan
“Knowledge of College Will Give You
Power.”
Agenda:
• “How to Prepare for College” presentation
• Financial aid workshops
Speakers/Leaders/Guests: Arthur G. Affleck,
III, author of YES YOU CAN – Finish High
School and Go to College; Carla Jones,
Primerica Financial Services; Jomo Thomas,
Esq., attorney
College Visit to SUNY Morrisville
On October 31, 2008, 27 Nottingham HS
10th grade students visited SUNY Morrisville
to find out more about the programs offered
by this two-year agricultural and technical
college.
Syracuse University
continued on page 24
23
▼
Guest Speakers on Careers
From September through December, 2008,
guest speakers spoke to more than 800 8th
and 9th grade students in their classrooms
about various careers and the academic skills
required to be successful in those professions.
Speakers came from Crouse Hospital, SUNY
Upstate Medical University, and the Wallie
Howard, Jr. Center for Forensic Sciences.
▼
Yonkers City School
District
Summer Tech Program, Summer
STEP Program (Science and
Technology Entry Program), Iona
College Camp, EDGE (Educating
Girls for Engineering) Program,
Writers’ Workshop
“At Manhattanville College, I
took math and science
courses. The STEP program
also offered us the
opportunity to get involved in
community service. At the end
of the program, we went on
an overnight trip and visited
SUNY Binghamton University,
Syracuse University, and Le
Moyne College.”
– Alexis James, a Yonkers City School District
NYGEAR UP student
Jun. 29 – Aug. 1, 2008
Additional Activities
▼
Summer School Tutoring
During July and August of 2008, Syracuse
University GEAR UP program coordinators
provided individual tutoring to 8th grade
students at Beard MS and Lincoln MS, with
the goal of helping students pass 8th grade
subjects and move on to 9th grade.
Princeton University Trips
During the fall of 2008, 180 Yonkers CSD
GEAR UP students, 18 teacher/chaperones,
and 6 Greyston Foundation chaperones
toured Princeton University in groups of
approximately 30 per trip on November 8, 13,
17, 18, 20, and 21, 2008. The students had an
opportunity to visit an Ivy League campus,
meet with admissions counselors, and speak
with Princeton students.
▼
▼
On November 14, 2008, 30 Fowler HS
sophomores toured SUNY Cayuga CC and
learned more about the high school courses
they would need to enroll in this two-year
college.
• Technology enrichment, including
creation of Web sites and digital
animation
• Engineering classes
• Writing workshops
• Golf
• Yoga
• Peer mediation
• Field trips to museums and college
campuses
Berkeley College Trip
On October 2, 2008, 24 10th grade GEAR UP
students from Roosevelt HS and 2 teachers
visited this local college campus and met with
admissions and financial aid staff.
▼
College and Career Visit to SUNY
Cayuga Community College
Location: SUNY Purchase College (Summer
Tech Program), Manhattanville College
(Summer STEP Program), Iona College (Iona
College Summer Camp), Union College
(EDGE Program and Writers’ Workshop)
Participants: 45 Yonkers City School District
NYGEAR UP students from Gorton HS,
Lincoln HS, Riverside HS, Roosevelt HS,
Saunders HS, and Yonkers HS
Purpose: To provide students with
opportunities to advance their English,
math, science, and technology skills and
spend part of their summer on a college
campus.
Agenda:
Summer programs offered a variety of
activities, including:
• PSAT Prep workshops
• Algebra classes
• Living Environment, Environmental
Science, and Chemistry classes
College of Westchester Visit
On October 20, 2008, 34 Saunders HS GEAR
UP students and 3 teachers visited the College
of Westchester, a career college, and met with
admissions and financial aid counselors.
▼
▼
Syracuse University
continued from page 23
Latino College Fair
On October 25, 2008, 14 students and 3
parents attended a Latino College Fair at the
College of Mount Saint Vincent in Riverdale,
NY, where they received information about
the college application and financial aid
process, and also had the opportunity to
speak to representatives from 29 independent
colleges and universities in New York.
“My experience at SUNY
Purchase College’s Summer
Tech program was the coolest
thing. I was sleeping in the
same dorm rooms and eating
in the same cafeteria as the
college kids did. Walking
around the campus and
attending classes made me
feel like a real college student.
The experience was second to
none as I learned how to
construct my own Web site.”
Yonkers NYGEAR UP students from Lincoln HS learn about a number of careers at the
Southern Westchester BOCES Career Fair on November 14, 2008.
24
– Julian Thompson, a Yonkers City School District
NYGEAR UP student
Performance of “Amahl and the
Night Visitors”
▼
▼
Yonkers City School District NYGEAR UP students enjoy the summer of 2008 at the Iona
College Summer Camp.
On December 10, 2008, 59 10th grade
Yonkers CSD NYGEAR UP students and 6
teachers attended a live performance of the
opera “Amahl and the Night Visitors” at
SUNY Purchase College and participated in a
discussion with the performers.
Resources.
FOCUS
Southern Westchester
BOCES Career Fair
On November 14, 2008, 46 10th grade
NYGEAR UP students from Gorton HS,
Lincoln HS, and Yonkers HS, along with 5
teachers, attended the Southern Westchester
BOCES Career Fair to learn about a variety of
careers and the education required for each
“Summer is usually a time
when you lie around at home
and sleep, but the Iona
College Summer Camp
program has helped me do
something else with my
summer. The first year I was
there, in 2007, we did a lot of
college preparation. This year,
however, was more focused on
SAT preparation, which will
come in handy this academic
year. It isn’t all academics,
though; there are a lot of fun
activities such as the First Tee
golf program, kick boxing, and
other sports. I would have to
say my favorite was Peer
Mediation; it gave all of us a
chance to talk and not be
worried about what people
say or watching what we say.”
– Asia Gillespie, a Yonkers City School District
NYGEAR UP student
ON SUMMER JOBS AND ACTIVITIES FOR STUDENTS.
American Camp Association
(ACA)
http://www.acacamps.org/
The ACA is a group of camp
professionals, with over 7,000
members, that works to preserve,
promote, and improve the camp
experience. Its over 2,400 accredited
camps must meet certain standards
that go beyond basic requirements
and sometimes exceed those
required for licensing by states.
Young people looking for jobs at a
camp can post résumés and create a
“job seeker” account.
CampPage
http://www.summercampstaff.
com/
This site offers links to
information about job openings at
summer camps in the U.S. and
Canada. Students can click on a
state or province to begin their
search, or can start with a search for
a particular specialty, such as rock
climbing, mountain biking,
horseback riding, or swimming.
CoolWorks
http://www.coolworks.com/
Students can learn about jobs at
national parks, state parks, resorts,
ranches, and other interesting
places. Links to internships and
volunteer opportunities are also
available, along with social
networks where young people can
share their experiences.
StudentJobs.gov
http://www.studentjobs.gov/
This portal, created by
USAJobs.gov, allows students to
search for employment
opportunities with federal
government agencies. Students can
search for jobs by location, create
and post a résumé, and find jobs
that match their interests. USAJobs
is the federal government’s official
employment information system.
Middle School/High School
Enrichment
http://www.nycolleges.org/
resources.php
A variety of activities for middle
school and high school students
can be found during the summer
and academic year on the campuses
of New York state’s independent
colleges and universities. For
examples of such activities, a guide
to enrichment programs can be
downloaded at
http://www.nycolleges.org/pdfs/Pro
gramsforMSHSatColleges08.pdf
An updated 2009 guide will soon
be available at this site.
25
SUNY Binghamton
University
Bronx Institute at
CUNY Lehman
College
Contact: Dita Wolf
Director of Bronx Institute
GEAR UP Network (2005-11)
(718) 960-6099
fax (718) 960-7219
dita.wolf@lehman.cuny.edu
Kevin Anthony
Director of South Bronx GEAR
UP (2007-13)
(718) 960-8404
fax (718) 960-7219
kevin.anthony@lehman.
cuny.edu
Lillian Hernandez
Director of Bronx GEAR UP
(2008-2014)
(718) 960-5785
fax (718) 960-7219
lillian.hernandez@lehman.
cuny.edu
Yonkers City
School District
New Rochelle City
School District
Dowling College
SUNY Nassau
Community College
Iwan Notowidigdo
Director of Sustainability
(718) 960-5619
fax (718) 960-7219
iwan.notowidigdo@lehman.
cuny.edu
Cohort size:
2,500 7th graders
2,500 8th graders
3,800 10th graders
GEAR UP schools:
7th grade: Aspire Preparatory
School MS 322, Bronx School for
Law, Daniel Hale Williams MS
180, Frederick Douglass Academy
MS/HS 517, Government and
Justice MS/HS 505, Henry
Hudson JHS 125, Information
and Network Technology School
(In-Tech) MS/HS 368, Isobel
Rooney MS 80, Jonas Bronck
Academy MS 228, Mosholu
Parkway PS/MS 280, MS 254, MS
390, P.O. Edward R. Byrne MS
101, Pablo Casals MS 181,
Thomas C. Giordano MS 45,
Urban Assembly School for
Applied Math and Science
“Every year, the Manhattanville College STEP
Program has the privilege of working with the
Yonkers CSD NYGEAR UP students. These
students are very hardworking, responsible, and
dedicated. This year the summer session
consisted of 4 weeks (5 days a week) of math
and science. Enrichment activities included 5
college trips and field trips to Madame
Tussaud’s Wax Museum, the NY1 News studio,
and the Cradle of Aviation Museum. On
Thursday mornings, all of us enjoyed breakfast
in the Manhattanville cafeteria before the start
of classes. These classes and activities gave the
students an opportunity to learn, bond with
other students, and give back to the community.
We look forward to continuing to work with
these students.”
– Julie Arias, Assistant Director, C-STEP and STEP, Manhattanville College
26
▼
▼
Bronx Institute at
CUNY Lehman College
CUNY Brooklyn
College Community Partnership
Discovery Institute at
CUNY College of Staten Island
CUNY MGI
Long Island University/Brooklyn
St. John’s University
SUNY
Cobleskill
(518) 454-3987 x990
fax: (518) 453-9817
aguerrero@albany.k12.ny.us
Discovery Institute at
CUNY College of
Staten Island
Contact: Sajdah Um’raniMansur
(718) 982-2325
fax (718) 982-2327
umrani-mansur@csi.cuny.edu
Cohort size:
285 6th graders
279 7th graders
335 8th graders
181 9th graders
City School District
of Albany
Contact: Alexandra
Guerrero
GEAR UP schools:
Curtis HS, Dreyfus IS 49,
New Dorp HS
Dowling College
Contact: Rhoda Miller
(631) 244-3335
fax (631) 244-5088
millerr@dowling.edu
Cohort size:
814 10th graders
Cohort size:
125 10th graders
NYGEAR UP schools:
Abrookin Vocational Technical
Center, Albany HS
▼
SUNY Jamestown
Community College
▼
City School District
of Albany
Syracuse University
GEAR UP schools:
East Bronx Academy for the
Future, East Side Community
HS, Frederick Douglass Academy
II, Henry Street School for
International Studies, Hostos
Lincoln Academy of Science,
IS/HS 10 Frederick Douglass
Academy, MS/HS 368
Information Network and
Technology Academy, Queens
Gateway to Health Sciences
School, Renaissance Charter
School, South Bronx Preparatory,
Thurgood Marshall Academy
▼
Rome City
School District
Cohort size:
1,000 10th graders
GEAR UP schools:
Wyandanch Memorial HS
CUNY Brooklyn
College Community
Partnership
Frank Pomata
(516) 570-6645
fax (516) 570-6104
beacon006@aol.com
Contact: Diane Reiser
(718) 951-5015
fax (718) 951-5927
dreiser@brooklyn.cuny.edu
Cohort size:
440 10th graders
NYGEAR UP schools:
Academy for Environmental
Leadership, Academy of Urban
Planning, Bushwick HS for Social
Justice, HS for Youth and
Community Development
CUNY Middle Grades
Initiative GEAR UP
Contact: Ciji Portis
(646) 344-7354
fax (646) 344-7329
ciji.portis@mail.
cuny.edu
▼
Rochester Institute
of Technology
▼
GEAR UP II
2008-09
Academic
Year
MS/HS 241, West Bronx Academy
for the Future MS/HS 243
8th grade: Albert Einstein JHS
131, Aspire Preparatory School
MS 322, Daniel Hale Williams
MS 180, Frederick Douglass
Academy V JHS 273, Henry
Hudson JHS 125, John Philip
Sousa JHS 142, Kappa III MS 316,
Michelangelo MS 144, Mott Hall
V IS 242, P.O. Edward R. Byrne
MS 101, Pablo Casals MS 181,
Paul Dunbar MS 301
10th grade: Bronx High School
for Medical Science HS 413,
Bronx Leadership Academy HS
525, Bronx School for Law, Celia
Cruz Bronx High School for
Music HS 442, DeWitt Clinton
HS 440, Fordham High School
for the Arts HS 437, Frederick
Douglass Academy MS/HS 517,
Government and Justice MS/HS
505, Information and Network
Technology School (In-Tech)
MS/HS 368, International School
for Liberal Arts (ISLA) HS 342,
Mott Hall HS 252, Riverdale/
Kingsbridge Academy MS/HS
141, Urban Assembly School for
Applied Math and Science MS/HS
241, West Bronx Academy for
the Future MS/HS 243
Long Island
University/Brooklyn
Contact: Kemoy A.
Briscoe
(718) 488-3313
fax (718) 780-4045
kemoy.briscoe@liu.edu
Cohort size:
455 10th graders
NYGEAR UP schools:
Benjamin Banneker Academy,
Science Skills Center HS
Contact: Gregoria
Feliciano
Contact: Idalmis BatistaBlair
(914) 576-4273
fax: (914) 576-4273
gfeliciano@nred.org
(607) 777-6232
fax (607) 777-4187
ibatista@binghamton.edu
Camille Edwards-Thomas
(585) 475-2984
fax (585) 475-2888
dlspop@rit.edu
Cohort size:
746 10th graders
▼
NYGEAR UP schools:
Bioscience and Health Career
School at Franklin, East HS,
Global Media Arts HS at Franklin,
International Finance &
Economic Development Career
School at Franklin
Rome City School
District
Contact: Matt Holupko
(315) 334-7285
fax (315) 334-7236
mholupko@romecsd.org
▼
Cohort size:
1,450 8th graders
1,550 9th graders
GEAR UP schools:
8th grade: Beard School, Bellevue
MS Academy, Blodgett School,
Clary Magnet School, Danforth
MS, Edward Smith School,
Expeditionary Learning School,
Frazer MS, Grant MS, H.W.
Smith MS, Huntington MS, Levy
MS, Lincoln MS, Roberts MS
9th grade: Corcoran HS, Fowler
HS, Henninger HS, Nottingham
HS, Technology at Syracuse
Central HS
NYGEAR UP schools:
Dunkirk HS, Jamestown HS
SUNY Cobleskill
(518) 255-5362
fax (518) 255-5365
lcarpenter3@yahoo.com
▼
Contact: Linda Carpenter
Contact: Marilyn Monroe
Cohort size:
480 10th graders
(516) 572-3573
fax (516) 573-3577
monroem@ncc.edu
NYGEAR UP schools:
Charlotte Valley CS, Fort Plain
CS, Jefferson CS, Laurens CS,
Middleburgh CS, Morris CS,
Owen D. Young CS, Richfield
Springs CS, St. Johnsville CS,
South Kortright CS,
Stamford CS
Contact: Paul Turner
(518) 255-5361
fax (518) 255-5365
liberty@cobleskill.edu
Cohort size:
562 9th graders
GEAR UP schools:
Charlotte Valley CS, Fort Plain
CS, Jefferson CS, Laurens CS,
Middleburgh CS, Morris CS,
SUNY Nassau
Community College
Cohort size:
516 6th graders
514 7th graders
GEAR UP schools:
Lawrence Road MS, Turtle Hook MS
Syracuse University
Contact: Marrissa J. Mims
(315) 443-1799
fax (315) 443-3976
mjmims@syr.edu
Cohort size:
1,476 10th graders
▼
Contact: Dianne L. Spang
(315) 443-1166
fax (315) 443-3976
pbhaddix@syr.edu
SUNY Jamestown
Community College
Cohort size:
524 10th graders
▼
▼
Rochester Institute of
Technology
Contact: Phillip Haddix
(716) 338-1101
fax (716) 338-1466
faithgraham@mail.sunyjcc.edu
GEAR UP schools:
Binghamton HS
Cohort size:
367 10th graders
Center, Corcoran HS, Fowler HS,
Henninger HS,
Nottingham HS
Contact: Faith Graham
Cohort size:
450 9th graders
450 10th graders
cedwardsthomas@nred.org
(914) 576-4233 before 2pm
(914) 576-4273 after 2pm
NYGEAR UP schools:
New Rochelle HS
Owen D. Young CS, Richfield
Springs CS, St. Johnsville CS,
South Kortright CS,
Stamford CS
SUNY Binghamton
University
▼
▼
▼
New Rochelle City
School District
Yonkers City School
District
Contact: Fern Eisgrub
(914) 376-8213
fax (914) 423-0518
feisgrub@yonkerspublic
schools.org
Cohort size:
936 10th graders
NYGEAR UP schools:
Gorton HS, Lincoln HS,
Riverside HS, Roosevelt HS,
Saunders HS, Yonkers HS
NYGEAR UP schools:
Central Technical Vocational
Cohort size:
413 10th graders
▼
NYGEAR UP schools:
Rome Free Academy
St. John’s University
Contact: Yvette Morgan
(718) 990-2532
fax (718) 990-2383
morgany@stjohns.edu
Contact: Andre McKenzie
(718) 990-1893
fax (718) 990-2383
mckenzia@stjohns.edu
Cohort size:
805 GEAR UP 7th graders
355 GEAR UP 10th graders
312 NYGEAR UP 10th graders
GEAR UP and NYGEAR UP schools:
7th grade: IS 145, IS 126
10th grade: Long Island City HS
City School District of Albany (CSDA) NYGEAR UP students and Chaperones pose for a morning
picture before leaving Paul Smith’s College during the 2008 CSDA/Commission on Independent
Colleges and Universities (cIcu) College Quest.
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▼
NYGEAR UP II
Sectors and Partners.
Commission on
Independent Colleges and
Universities (cIcu)
Contact: Susan Nesbitt Perez
(518) 436-4781 x30
fax (518) 433-8825
susan@cicu.org
Sabra-Joi Dingman
NYGEAR UP 2009 Events.
Contact: Sandra LoPresto
Westchester Renaissance Hotel, White
Plains, NY
April 20 – 22, 2009
CUNY
▼
▼
(518) 275-6596
slopres1@nycap.rr.com
Contact: Sarah McConnell
▼
(646) 344-7353
fax (646) 344-7329
sarah.mcconnell@mail.cuny.edu
▼
phone (518) 357-3435
cell (518) 257-2237
mzarro@collegeboard.org
NYS Financial Aid
Administrators Association
Contact: Cathleen Patella
(315) 364-3289
fax (315) 364-3227
cpatella@wells.edu
New York State Association for
College Admission Counseling
(NYSACAC) Annual Conference
St. John’s University, Jamaica, NY
June 2 – 5, 2009
https://www.nysacac.org/index.php/
programs_events/annual_conference/
cIcu College Quest with City School
District of Albany NYGEAR UP:
Exploring Central New York
Colleges (arranged
NYSACAC Camp College 2009
• Hobart and William Smith Colleges,
Geneva, NY
July 10 – 12, 2009
• Marist College, Poughkeepsie, NY
July 31 – August 2, 2009
https://www.nysacac.org/index.php/
programs_events/camp_college/
2009 NCCEP/GEAR UP Annual
Conference
Hilton San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
▼
▼
Contact: Matt Zarro
▼
Contact: Robert James
College Board
cIcu and the College Board
Professional Development
Workshops
(as of April 2009)
Ithaca College, New York Chiropractic
College, Utica College, Wells College
June 29 – July 1, 2009
May 7, 2009 at Teachers College,
Columbia University, New York, NY
May 14, 2009 at Le Moyne College,
Syracuse, NY
SUNY
(518) 443-5370
robert.james@suny.edu
2009 NYGEAR UP Annual
Conference
▼
Association of Proprietary
Colleges
▼
▼
(518) 436-4781 x31
jen@cicu.org
St. John’s University GEAR UP students participate in University Service Day on September
27, 2008 working to tranform a vandalized school into a more uplifting environment.
▼
Jennifer Lewis
▼
(518) 436-4781 x23
sabra@cicu.org
Spring College Fairs
NYSHESC maintains a calendar of
upcoming college fairs at
http://www.hesc.com/content.nsf/SFC/1/
College_Fair_Calendar
▼
NYS Higher Education Services Corporation (HESC).
NYS Higher Education
Services Corporation (HESC)
Contact: Alice Roberson
(518) 473-5667 office
(518) 429-4947 blackberry
fax (518) 474-2839
aroberson@hesc.com
Contact: Cynthia Farmer
The New York State Higher Education Services Corp. (HESC) is
the state agency that has been designated to administer NYGEAR
UP. HESC helps people pay for a comprehensive range of
financial aid services, including the Tuition Assistance Program, guaranteeing
student loans, offering guidance to students, lenders and colleges, and
administering the nationally-recognized New York’s College Savings Program. New
York State is a leader in the national financial aid community, providing more grant
money to college students than any other state in the nation.
(518) 486-7482
cfarmer@hesc.com
This publication is part of a federal grant project that provides the majority of the project’s total budget. The remaining funds come from the Commission on
Independent Colleges and Universities’ Outreach Program.
© 2009 by the Commission on Independent Colleges and Universities, 17 Elk Street, P.O. Box 7289, Albany, NY 12224-0289
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