A Family Guide
to Student Success
Parents and Families,
The Syracuse City School District is proud to be the first in the country
to implement Say Yes to Education across an entire city. This initiative
enables our community to come together and collectively develop
conditions for success for our students and families. This collaborative
approach to education, which includes bringing together city and
county government, higher education, the business community,
community-based organizations and faith-based leaders, is helping
students and families across the City of Syracuse reach their goals.
There are difficult obstacles and barriers that students and families face that can
prevent them from achieving the level of success they aspire to. This guide provides
you with the services and supports that are in place in the Syracuse City School
District, which are designed to help remove these barriers and help every student
become college and career ready.
What is Say Yes Syracuse? It is parents, students, teachers, principals,
administrators, school district officials, community members, business
leaders, social workers, higher education institutions, faith leaders,
teachers associations, politicians, and neighbors working together to
support college success for every student in Syracuse.
Because of the community’s commitment, students in Syracuse will
receive financial support to help pay for college along with high
quality and sustained academic, social, emotional, health, and family
supports throughout the K-12 years and beyond.
Academic supports, such as tutoring, mentoring, extended day and extended year
programs, are in place to ensure our children have the resources they need to be
academically successful. Working with our community-based partners at the Salvation
Army and Huntington Family Center, we are providing assistance so that families and
children have the proper health insurance coverage and possess the necessary tools to
successfully navigate the educational system.
Say Yes Syracuse encourages all families in Syracuse City School
District (SCSD) to take advantage of the services provided by Say
Yes and its partners—SCSD, Syracuse Teachers Association, the City
of Syracuse, Onondaga County, Syracuse University, Onondaga
Community College, and many community-based organizations and
local businesses.
The Say Yes Higher Education College Compact is the crowning piece of this collaborative
effort. Through the implementation of grants, scholarships, and college partnerships,
every eligible student in the Syracuse City School District will have access to college. In
addition to tuition assistance, high school seniors and their parents are provided support
with the financial aid process. There are financial aid workshops and college nights
scheduled throughout the year.
As illustrated by the graphic on the next page, Say Yes in-school
supports include:
This booklet is a tool to ensure that all of you are fully aware of the supports and
services available to you and your family. It is our collective goal to see that all
students and families are informed, involved and empowered.
In the Interest of All Children,
Sharon L. Contreras
Superintendent of Schools
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A Family Guide to Student Success
• Extended day and extended year programs
• Tutoring
• Mentoring
• Family outreach and engagement services, including access to
Parent University
• Social work/counseling services
• Financial aid counseling
• Referrals for high-quality health care and legal assistance
The program culminates with the promise of the Say Yes Tuition
Guarantee for all SCSD graduates who meet residency, graduation, and
admission requirements into one of nearly 100 public and private higher
education institutions. Say Yes also provides internship, mentoring, and
networking opportunities for SCSD graduates. For more information
about Say Yes, visit www.SayYesSyracuse.org
Say Yes Syracuse
3
SAY YES TO EDUCATION
PARENT GUIDE TO SAY YES SUPPORTS
REVIEW AND SUPPORT FOR CORE
INSTRUCTIONAL PROGRAMMING
STUDENT
MONITORING AND
INTERVENTION
SYSTEM
FREE LEGAL
SERVICES
EXTENDED
DAY/YEAR
PROGRAM
FAMILY
SUPPORT
SERVICES
NO COST/
LOW COST
HEALTH CARE
TUTORING
SERVICES
College Application
and Financial Aid Support
SAY YES
GRANTS AND
SCHOLARSHIPS
SAY YES HIGHER
EDUCATION
COMPACT
INTERNSHIPS, MENTORING,
NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES & MORE
4
A Family Guide to Student Success
Tutoring Services
Tutoring is available for high school students in SCSD through
Say Yes Syracuse.
If your child is in kindergarten through 5th grade, please contact
the Say Yes site director at your child’s school. For students in 6th
to 12th grades, please contact your school’s guidance counselor for
more information.
Extended Day
PROGRAM
Say Yes, in partnership with
several community-based
organizations, provides extended
day programs that cultivate the
intellectual gifts and talents
of all young people. Students
engage in a rigorous, projectbased curriculum that aligns
with the SCSD standards and a
talent-development curriculum
built on students’ interests.
Enrichment opportunities,
youth engagement activities,
and leadership opportunities
aim to develop the strengths of
all children and support their
physical, social, and cognitive
growth in a safe, supportive, and
nurturing environment.
The extended day programs run
two hours per day, immediately
following the regular school
day. The program is free and
transportation is provided.
Please contact the Say Yes site
director at your child’s school
for more information.
Community-based
organizations that provide
extended day programs in the
Say Yes/SCSD schools include:
• Boys and Girls Club
• YMCA
• YWCA
• Dunbar Center
• Salvation Army
• Catholic Charities
• Huntington Family Centers
• Westcott Community Center
• Northeast Community Center
Say Yes Syracuse
5
Extended Year
PROGRAM
Say Yes extended year programs are dynamic summer day programs
that offer hands-on activities, creative thinking, and positive social
interactions for students currently enrolled in SCSD schools. Students
participate in innovative learning and enrichment opportunities
aimed to ignite a spirit of inquiry and encourage critical thinking,
enhance communication skills, and empower creative expression. All
camps are free of charge. Breakfast and lunch are provided.
Campers spend the morning engaged in challenging academic
programs and the afternoon in exciting outdoor activities, including
sports, music, science, and field trips.
Please contact the Say Yes site director at your child’s school for
more information.
Say Yes To College
Say Yes has established scholarships, grants, and college partnerships,
known as the Higher Education Compact, that advance the ultimate
goal of each student’s Say Yes experience–graduation from college.
The Say Yes financial aid opportunities available to eligible students
are designed to reduce the financial barriers that prevent students
from starting or completing college.
The Say Yes Guarantee
If a Say Yes student enrolled at a SUNY or CUNY Say Yes Higher
Education Compact college does not receive the cost of tuition
from state, federal, and institutional grants and scholarships, Say Yes
will provide a Say Yes Tuition Scholarship for the remaining tuition
balance. The Say Yes Opportunity Grant and Say Yes Choice Grant are
additional financial aid opportunities for qualified students.
Say Yes Tuition Scholarship
If a Say Yes eligible student enrolls at a Say Yes participating SUNY or
CUNY college and does not receive the full cost of tuition from state,
federal, and/or institutional grants and scholarships, Say Yes will
provide a grant for the remaining tuition balance. The Say Yes Tuition
Scholarship is available to all students, regardless of family income,
at SUNY and CUNY colleges. Most private colleges guarantee full
tuition to students from families with incomes of less than $75,000.
Say Yes Opportunity Grant
(For students at SUNY/CUNY colleges only)
The Say Yes Opportunity Grant may be awarded to eligible students
enrolled at a SUNY or CUNY college who have received the maximum
Federal Pell Grant, reside on campus, and have high remaining need
for financial aid. This grant covers up to $2,000 per year and can be
used toward books, fees, or room and board.
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A Family Guide to Student Success
Say Yes Syracuse
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Say Yes Choice Grant
(For Students at Private Colleges Only)
Students from families whose income is more than $75,000 who are
attending a Say Yes Private Compact College (and not receiving a Say
Yes Tuition Scholarship due to an income cap) may receive the Say
Yes Choice Grant. This grant covers up to $5,000 per year. Awards are
determined by the difference between financial aid and the cost of
full time tuition. Choice Grants, when combined with state, federal,
and institutional grants and scholarships, are not to exceed the cost
of full time undergraduate tuition.
Is My Child Eligible?
COLLEGE ACCESS
SUPPORT
Say Yes works with local college financial aid offices and high school
guidance offices to help students and families complete their
financial aid applications. Say Yes partners with local organizations
who offer additional college preparation for students, including
Hillside Work-Scholarship Connection, Partnership for a Better
Education (PBE), and On Point for College. Students and parents
should contact their high school guidance office to get information
about available college access services.
Must be a resident of the city of Syracuse
M
ust have continuous enrollment in a SCSD high school for three
years: 10th, 11th, and 12th grades [or be legally designated as
having refugee status on an Arrival-Departure Record (I-94) from
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)]
ust graduate from one of the SCSD high schools in or after
M
June 2009
M
ust enroll in college within one academic year after graduation
Say Yes Higher Education Compact
Say Yes Syracuse has partnered with nearly 100 colleges, including
most of the SUNY and CUNY colleges and more than 20 private
colleges, to provide eligible SCSD students with a wide variety of
options. For a complete list of participating institutions and details,
please visit www.SayYesSyracuse.org.
3 Steps to College
Step 1. Enroll as a full-time student at a Say Yes College. Say Yes students
must apply and be admitted to a Say Yes College to be considered for Say
Yes financial aid opportunities. It is important that students work closely
with their high school guidance counselor to ensure that they have taken
appropriate courses, standardized tests (SATs and ACTs), and meet all
admission requirements and deadlines.
Step 2. Apply for financial aid. Say Yes students must apply for
financial aid at Say Yes colleges. Please keep in mind that colleges may
have different deadlines and forms to complete. All students must
complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) and
NYS TAP Application. Say Yes financial aid opportunities are considered
“last-dollar scholarships” and can only be determined after a student
has applied for financial aid at the college he or she is considering.
Step 3. Complete a Student Certification Form. When students know
which college or university they will be attending, they must complete
a Say Yes Student Certification Form with their guidance counselor.
This form is also available at www.SayYesSyracuse.org. Say Yes staff
will use this form to determine students’ Say Yes awards or grants and
ensure that they are processed in time for the fall semester. Award
disbursements (payments) are made after the start of fall and spring
semesters and are paid directly to the college.
NOTE: Eligible students who decide not to go to college right after graduation
remain eligible for Say Yes benefits for one academic year after their high
school graduation. Therefore, if your child graduated in June 2012, he or she
is still eligible if he or she enrolls in a Say Yes College in the fall of 2013.
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A Family Guide to Student Success
Say Yes Syracuse
9
DOES YOUR CHILD NEED
HEALTH INSURANCE?
FAMILY SUPPORT FOR
STUDENT SUCCESS
If your child is under the age of 19 and is a resident of Onondaga
County with limited or no health insurance, there are health care
options available at low or no cost. No physical exams are necessary
and there is no cost to apply.
Every family wants its children to be successful. We know students
are helped when their families are given the tools they need. Say
Yes focuses on helping families identify and remove barriers to
engagement in school and student success.
Available services include:
Say Yes Family Specialists can help families:
• Doctor check-ups
• Hospital and emergency care
• Vision, speech, and hearing services
• Prescriptions
• Dental care
For more information or to schedule an appointment, contact:
Facilitated Enroller
Phone: (315) 479-1382
Fax: (315) 395-5264
www.sasyr.org
• Improve a child’s behavior, attendance, and grades at school
• Access available community resources
• Advocate for their children at school and help develop effective
working relationships with school staff
• Address a child’s behavior issues at home
• Address other family issues that may be impacting a child’s success
• Access Parent University
Family Support is a voluntary, parent-driven program. The approach
is flexible and is based on the needs of each family.
Any family with a child attending school in the SCSD may be eligible
for Family Support services. For more information contact the Social
Worker at your child’s school or call Family Support for Student
Success at (315) 362-7686.
10 A Family Guide to Student Success
Say Yes Syracuse 11
FREE LEGAL SERVICES
Say Yes Legal Clinics are staffed by
Syracuse attorneys and paralegals
during the academic school
year. Attorneys, paralegals, and
law students assist families with
children in the SCSD with legal
issues that may interfere with their
child’s ability to succeed in school.
Any parent or student in the SCSD
can attend a walk-in clinic at any
available location, regardless of
which school the child attends.
Legal issues covered
• Housing
• Consumer
• Employment
• Immigration
• Education *
• Family law matters **
*If conflict is with the SCSD, we will
refer to another provider
**If any conflict arises, we will refer to
another provider
For more information about law
clinic locations and schedules,
please visit
www.SayYesSyracuse.org.
12 A Family Guide to Student Success
Free legal services provided
• Advice and counsel
• Brief service
• Referral
Other advocacy and
legal services
Onondaga County Bar
Association
Lawyer Referral Service
(315) 471-2690
Hiscock Legal Aid Society
(315) 422-8191
Legal Aid Society of Mid-NY
(315) 703-6600 or (866) 475-9967
Legal Services of CNY
(315) 703-6500 or (866) 475-9967
INTERNSHIPS, MENTORING,
NETWORKING
OPPORTUNITIES,
AND MORE
Research shows that students achieve at higher levels academically,
socially, and emotionally when they are provided with strong
examples of positive role models. Offering enriching activities,
such as career shadowing and internships, and providing one-onone supports, such as mentoring or tutoring, are proven to greatly
increase student success. Below are just a few examples of how you
or your company can join the Say Yes effort to create positive change
in the lives of our Say Yes college students (Say Yes Scholars), and
in doing so, cultivate the future professional workforce required to
build a more vibrant and economically sound city and region.
• Host a Say Yes Scholar for a Career Shadow Day
• Mentor a Say Yes Scholar
• Provide a Say Yes Scholar a spring break internship
• Provide a Say Yes Scholar a summer internship
• Present to Say Yes Scholars in a Summer Lecture Series
For more information about how you or your company can join
in the Say Yes effort, please contact Kristi Eck at:
109 Otisco St. 2nd Floor
Syracuse, NY 13204
keck@syr.edu
315-443-4260
Say Yes Syracuse 13
WE NEED YOUR HELP
More than 20,000 reasons to say “YES!”
The mission of Say Yes Syracuse is to value and realize the promise
and extraordinary potential of every child. Your donations of time
and money will ensure that all students in the SCSD have the
opportunity to receive the necessary supports that will impact their
readiness for and access to higher education.
Donations of time
We are enlisting the help of all parents, students, educators, and
members of the community to donate time, skills, and knowledge
to Say Yes Syracuse. For more information about volunteer
opportunities, please visit www.SayYesSyracuse.org.
Donations of money
Monies donated through the CNY Community Foundation, no matter
how large or small, will ensure that SCSD students are financially able
to attend Say Yes Higher Education Compact colleges by providing
tuition scholarships to eligible SCSD graduates.
To donate to the scholarship fund, please contact Lisa Moore at:
CNY Community Foundation
431 East Fayette Street, Suite 100
Syracuse, NY 13202
(315) 883-5538
lmoore@cnycf.org
If you would prefer to give to the general Say Yes to Education fund,
which supports Say Yes programming, such as extended day and
extended year programming, family supports, legal supports, health
and wellness, you may send your check by mail to:
Say Yes To Education Inc.
One State Street
Hartford, CT 06103
Please write “For Syracuse Chapter” in the memo line on your check.
14 A Family Guide to Student Success
109 Otisco Street, Second floor • Syracuse, NY 13244 • 315-443-4260
info@sayyessyracuse.org