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Support Services Snapshot

CSA v. TSA Olympics By Exavion Clerveau and Jorge Lluberes

Hello! It’s Exavion and Jorge coming to you again with another story. But this time, we are talking about having a TSA v. CSA Olympics in the summer session. We should do it this summer instead of field day because it would be great to have a fun competition between the two programs. Our plan is to play football, soccer, kick ball, capture the flag, ultimate Frisbee, taps, a relay, and noodle hockey. We could have a bracket tournament for each game, and different ages will be combined on each team. By playing these games, Scholars will learn about teamwork and practice getting along.

It would be important, also, to get to know more people from different programs. If you don’t want to play, you can be our supporters and our spectators. We also would have a cheering contest to see who’s louder and has more spirit. (CSA will absolutely be loudest, we think.) We hope that Mr. Parris and Ms. Arcangeli like this idea and that they might consider this for the summer.

If you all would like to draw, do comics, or give us a CSA topic to talk about in The Scholar Post, please talk to Exavion, Jorge, or Ms. Geruson. Also, if you would like to participate in the CSA v. TSA Olympics, please let us know. Peace.

A group of six Scholars volunteered on February 19th along with Mr. Robinson & Ms. Franco at Room to Grow. Room to Grow’s mission is to enrich the lives of babies born into poverty throughout their critical first three years of development. Families meet with social workers, receive developmental information, customized support, and all of the needed baby items to ensure a healthy start! Scholars sorted, counted & organized baby items. We had a great time learning more about their organization and lending a helping hand!

The Steppingstone Foundation One Appleton Street, 4th Floor Boston, MA 02116

SCHOLAR POST COUNSELOR’S CORNER IMPORTANT DATES

April 9: No CSA Classes

April 16, 6-8 p.m.: Mind Matters Location: Jackson/Mann

April 21-23: No CSA Classes: BPS April Vacation

THEME OF THE MONTH

Power of One Triumph

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Hello! Spring is here! Please enjoy this month’s edition of the CSA Newsletter and contact your Advisor with any questions.

No CSA Classes on April 9 There will be no CSA classes after school on Thursday, April 9. CSA staff will be participating in Admission Committee where they will admit the newest class of Steppingstone Scholars.

Term 3 The final term in CSA’s academic year is here! Term 3 began a few weeks ago with Scholars starting new classes. Be sure to ask your Scholar what they are learning in CSA! 5th grade: ELA 6th grade: Math 7th & 8th grade: Science

Online Safety! By Ms. Guarnieri

I know it is difficult for us to imagine life without our cellphones, computers and Internet access. We rely on them to communicate with our friends and family, take pictures, do our homework, and stay informed! Unfortunately, sometimes going online creates a lot of ways to waste time, and possibly even get into trouble. You have probably heard stories about different online experiences, so it is important you stay informed about online safety!

Here are some tips for staying safe while using the Internet:

• Be cautious when sharing your personal information, such as name, mailing address, email address, and phone number—always ask an adult for advice when any of this information is requested.

• Always double check what you are messaging or posting on social media.

• Make sure you only communicate with people you know!

• Remain as anonymous as possible (photographs, social security numbers, passwords, your current location).

• Think carefully before you create an email address or screen name.

• If you are ever in any online chats that make you feel uncomfortable, exit and tell an adult!

• If you get any bullying messages online, it is always best to ignore them rather than respond angrily, you can also try to delete or block them.

• If you don’t recognize the sender of a file that needs to be downloaded, delete it to avoid viruses.

• Think before you comment on posts and pictures; if you wouldn’t want your grandmother to see or read it then don’t post it!

Don’t forget that cyberbullying is the use of technology to harass, threaten, embarrass, or target another person. This includes online threats and aggressive or rude texts, posts and tweets, and posting any pictures or comments designed to hurt another person. If you are ever feeling unsafe on the Internet, remember that your Steppingstone Counselor and Advisors are always available to help!

March 2015

 

 

Name: Nicholas Raposo Hometown: Fall River, Massachusetts School: Boston College ‘18 Major: Nursing During my time with the College Success Academy, I have learned that perseverance is key to forming good and open relationships with Scholars. I love snack time best of all. It’s always a great time for me to watch Scholars, see how they interact, and take a second to sit down and find out what’s new in their lives. It refocuses me and reminds me of the vibrant story that each Scholar has. CSA is important because of the Scholars we serve. It is important because of our mission to ensure that we – as tutors, faculty, and members of the larger community – are providing Scholars with the resources, guidance, and support they need to make good decisions, to dream big, and to work toward their goals. CSA helps Boston Public School students think critically about their own lives and about how they can always strive to do and to be bigger than they might even imagine. The program fosters the growth of dreamers and doers, who have the potential to make the Boston community a better place. Name: Rachel Vishanoff Hometown: Norman, Oklahoma School: Boston College ‘18 Major: English There is something wonderful about being in a position in which I can help middle school students practically and also be a constant and caring feature in their lives. I love hearing what makes the Scholars tick – the questions they have about their homework, the stories they tell about the previous day’s bus ride, their excitement over a good grade or accomplishment, their desire to do their best, their frustrations, their hopes – it all comes out in the little conversations I have with them every time I am at the CSA. I love entering into their world in that way. I love all of those daily interactions, but what is especially exciting is seeing one of the Scholars light up as they understand something for the first time, or their pride in a job well done. The “Power of One: Decision” is important to me because I firmly believe that if I had not made some of the decisions regarding my life and education the way I did, I would not be here in Boston learning in such an inspiring environment. I want Scholars to know both the power of a decision and that the process of making the decision can be more beneficial than the actual outcome. It teaches you what you value and directs what you pursue in your life. There are a lot of decisions to be made in each of these Scholars’ lives, and CSA helps prepare them for those decisions, helps them think about those decisions, and supports them in those decisions. That is invaluable.

TUTOR SPOTLIGHT HIGH SCHOOL SPOTLIGHT

BIRTHDAYS IN APRIL

Zakaria Anaya Misael David Carl Kayson Jazzmyn C. Elianny Manoucheka Cesar

MFA Field Trip On March 12, 6th grade Scholars attended a field trip at the Museum of Fine Arts and were able to utilize visual thinking strategies to analyze and discuss original pieces of art from around the world.

Steppingstone Office: 617-423-6300 Ms. Geruson & Ms. Horwitz: 617-697-5035 Ms. Lopez: 617-671-5322 Ms. Ng: 617-459-6345

Congratulations to Sophia Murcia Lang (SM), Class 4 and Nathaniel Shevlin-Gabriel (NS), Class 2 for winning the Power of One Decision award! We are so proud of the decisions that you make!

Why do you think you won the Power of One Decision Award?

SM: I think I was nominated because I pay attention a lot in class, I contribute a lot of ideas. I think decision means to make your own choices and I try to do that in school. NS: Because I always do what I know is best. For example, doing my work and helping others.

What have you learned from CSA's Power of One Decision theme?

SM: I learned not to be afraid to make choices by myself and for myself! NS: That not everyone makes the same decisions as I do because sometimes they just want to do what they want even if it goes against the interests of another person or group.

If you could make one decision about the world, what would it be?

SM: I would want there to be fewer homeless people. There’s someone in my family who is homeless and it’s hard for me to see a good, normal person be in a hard place. NS: To have everyone think logically.

What is an important decision that you have made in your life?

SM: Coming to CSA because my grades have gotten better and that will lead me to college eventually. NS: To always try to understand how other people think

Why is it important for young people to make decisions in schools today? Is there something you would decide?

SM: Making decisions in school will mean a better education and more curiosity. It will hopefully mean options with more schools and better careers in the future. I would decide to pay attention when my teacher is talking and when I’m in class. NS: Because it can shape their lives going forward. I would decide to enforce the rule of getting your work done.

SCHOLAR SPOTLIGHT

FUN CORNER

Tell your Advisor the right answer to this riddle and receive a prize!

Take away my first letter, and I still sound the same. Take away my last letter, I still sound the same. Even take away my letter in the middle, I will still sound the same. I am a five letter word. What am I?