S P R I N G 2 0 2 0 V O L U M E 1 4 , N U M B E R 1

Carlos Peña at Syracuse University

Hyde graduate Carlos Peña (Class of 2017) is thriving at Syracuse University and beyond! Carlos, a junior at Syracuse, is pursuing his passion for accounting, and this past summer secured an internship at Price Waterhouse Cooper (PwC), one of the most prestigious accounting firms in the country.

Carlos discovered his love for numbers and business in high school, and after being admitted to Syracuse University, he knew he wanted to major in his passion. When he started his sophomore year, Carlos decided to take Managerial Accounting and did really well. “I thought, ‘I can really do this!’”

Before long, Carlos joined a business fraternity and regularly attended recruiting events with the group. At first, Carlos said, meeting PwC recruiters was nerve- wracking and intimidating. Finally, he took the initiative and went up to a recruiter. The recruiter was so impressed with Carlos that she referred him to the “Start Internship,” a position for underrepresented minorities in accounting. He applied, and the rest is history!

CARLOS PEÑAA L U M N I

continued on page 3

Character Matters is published twice yearly by Hyde Leadership Charter School

www.hydebronxny.org

718-991-5500

Elementary and Middle School

730 Bryant Avenue Bronx, NY 10474

High School

830 Hunts Point Avenue Bronx, NY 10474

Character Matters Staff:

Editor-in-Chief: Susan Marber

Contributing Writers: Carlos Alicea, Marissa Alicea, Jesse Arnholz, Kristal Estrella, Malik Palmer, Carlos Peña, and Thomas Sturtevant

Contributing Photographers: Carlos Alicea, Manny Gonzalez, Valarie Hunsinger, and Malik Palmer

Design: Rodriguez Valle Creative

Hyde Leadership Team:

Thomas K. Sturtevant, Executive DirectorChristine Froman, Elementary School DirectorLex Zain, Middle School DirectorCelia Sosa, High School DirectorLiz Martin, Director of Special EducationStephen Trowbridge, Chief Operating OfficerValarie Hunsinger, Director of Development and Marketing

Board of Trustees: Herbert B. Fixler, Board ChairDeborah Dumont, Susan Engel, Ruth Jarmul, Herbert Kaplan, Maureen Singer, Tony Stoupas, and Chavon Sutton

©2020 Hyde Leadership Charter School

Consider Making A Tax-Deductible Gift to Hyde Leadership Charter School

You will be contributing to the excellence, character, and

achievement we seek to inspire in our students, families, and teachers each and every day.

Donations should be made payable to:

Hyde Leadership Charter SchoolAttn: Valarie Hunsinger

Development Office830 Hunts Point Avenue

Bronx, NY 10474

You can also donate online at www.hydebronxny.org

by clicking the “Give” tab.

This edition of Character Matters reveals the durable nature of character education and how Hyde graduates build adult lives on a foundation of meaningful values. When Kristal Estrella sought her first job after graduating from Barnard College, she brought to that search her clear sense of purpose-built on her leadership experience and her environmental and social concerns. Her first job, therefore, is both challenging and rewarding, as she works with a company that engages her character and unique potential. Kristal’s first job might or might not be her ultimate “calling”; however, as she approaches her work with character and brings her full self to the work, she will shape her career path as she grows in her professional life.

Carlos Peña graduated from Hyde to attend Syracuse University, already knowing he loved business and accounting. How does a young man develop such clarity about himself and the work he might do in the world? As you will read in this edition of Character Matters, Carlos engaged his courage, chose challenges, and was humble to learn from colleagues in his early work experiences at Nebraskaland and then beyond in college internships. Hyde graduates have personal resources that enable them to imagine their place in the world, to bring a constructive attitude to work, to be curious and learn from others and expect to grow continuously, and to take the leap into an adult and professional world with confidence.

As we look to the future, contemplating Hyde’s ultimate impact on thousands of children from Hunts Point, Longwood, Soundview, Mott Haven, and other neighborhoods of the South Bronx, we envision a community rising with the human potential of leadership, integrity, courage, curiosity, and concern. These core values are the essence of what makes a community safe, successful, and dynamic. As our graduates find their places in the world and continue to grow as significant adults in their respective communities, they will develop networks and blaze trails that the next generation of Hyde graduates will know and access, building social capital and inspiration for Hyde students to aspire to personal excellence.

Sincerely,

Thomas K. Sturtevant Executive Director

Message from Our Executive Director

GIVE

2 I

I 3

HYDE STUDENTS SUCCEED IN THE HIGHEST-RISK COMMUNITY IN NEW YORK CITY

Approximately 80% of Hyde families have

attended six or more school events each year

since the school was founded in 2006.

On average over 90% of our high school students graduate in four years vs. NYC average of 76%, and

this is nearly triple the local graduation rate in

Hunts Points of 34% .

of Hyde’s 2019 high school grads attended college

in the fall.

Hyde alumni are on track to earn a college degree at rates 5 times

the national rate of degree attainment for low-income students.

80% 90% 97% 5X

This past summer, Carlos learned the ins and outs of PwC and was given several shadowing opportunities. Carlos helped perform day-to-day tasks for the firm and worked on a large project for DonorsChoose.org.

Even though he was very busy this summer with his PwC internship, Carlos still found time to return to the company that gave him his first job, Nebraskaland. Every school break he has, Carlos returns to Nebraskaland, a prominent Hunts Point business and Hyde partner, to help out at the company. Carlos began interning at Nebraskaland when he was at Hyde’s high school. He says doing the internship in high school taught him the basics of business and how to communicate better. Daniel Romanoff, the Presi-dent of Nebraskaland, said of Carlos: “Carlos has been a terrific addition to Nebraskaland. It was a pleasure watching his business acumen and skill set grow. We are so impressed by his skills and work ethic.”

Carlos credits Hyde and Nebraska-land with his college and professional success. When he thinks back on his time at Hyde, what stands out was the character aspect of his education. “Hyde taught me to be myself, no matter who is in the room. It taught me to be my brother’s keeper, and because of that, it is so important for me to uplift others.”

Carlos Peña at Syracuse

University(continued)

Alumni Artwork

1 2

3 4 5

6

1- Amberlee Hernandez, Acrylic on Canvas, Class of 2014; 2- Crystal Rodriguez Sharpie on Sheetrock Class of 2013; 3,4- Justin Saylee Photography Class of 2017; 5- Tianna Gutierrez, Acrylic on Canvas, Class of 2014; 6- Moné Alexander, Acrylic on Wood, Class of 2014.

4 I

Marissa Alicea (Class of 2013), a member of Hyde’s founding 6th grade class, is the first Hyde alumna to return as a teacher! After graduating from Hyde, Marissa attended Lehman College where she earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology. Working with various organizations like World Vision, Harlem RBI, and The Point CDC helped her realize she wanted to be a teacher and led her to pursue her Masters in Early Childhood Education. When thinking about where she wanted to work as a teacher, she kept coming back to her Hyde experience, especially the many ways Hyde nurtured her as a student. Marissa remembers her time at Hyde as a place that challenged her to take risks and speak up. She noted Hyde retreats allowed her to learn the most about herself and her peers. Her Hyde experience also helped her create long lasting relationships she will forever cherish.

The ability to form those long-term, meaningful relationships at Hyde was one of the main reasons she chose Hyde as her first teaching experience. Marissa said, “Hyde has been a pillar in my growth as an individual for as long as I can remember, and I knew coming back here that I would not only feel welcomed, but also loved.” Marissa’s brings her passion for helping others, and for creating a space where individuals, “...feel cared for, heard, and can learn and grow.” Marissa believes that Hyde has created opportunities for children in the community, and continually assists students in the development of their character. Students are taught values beyond academics. The incorporation of character building equips students with the tools to not only improve themselves, but also to change the community around them. Marissa said, “I know that being here at Hyde as a teacher is where I can be challenged and where I will continue to prosper.”

MARISSA ALICEAA L U M N I

Hyde’s first alumni comes back to teach

After graduating from Hyde in 2014, Malik Palmer continued his educational journey by attending New York’s City College of Technology. While attending college, Malik stayed active at Hyde. During the summer, Malik interned at Hyde Woodstock’s Summer Challenge program. After that summer experience, Malik went on to support Hyde’s elementary school by facilitating childcare for family events. He also would volunteer at additional Hyde events and family retreats. In March of 2018, Malik made a huge decision that both took courage and leadership, he joined the United States Navy and left for bootcamp. Through the United States Navy, Malik is pursuing his interest in medicine as a Hospital Corpsman, who assist healthcare professionals in providing medical care to Navy and Marine Corps personnel. Malik said, “Hyde has helped me discover my unique potential by allowing me to expand my horizons and challenge me to step out of my comfort zone… I am thankful I was given many opportunities to lead my peers that look to me to guide them through challenging situations.” I 5

After graduating from Hyde in 2015, Kristal Estrella (pictured on the top right-hand corner with Hyde students on a tour of Baldor) began college at Barnard and hit the ground running, majoring in Environmental Policy with a concentration in Public Health. At Barnard, Kristal took on leadership roles at many of the school’s largest Latinx organizations. She was also a research assistant at both Columbia University’s and Stony Brook University’s schools of public health. Kristal also interned for Heat Seek, a non-profit organization, which works for tenants’ rights.

Kristal says if not for Hyde, she might not have gone to Barnard. Hyde helped Kristal prepare for college and to believe in herself and her unique potential. She says her Hyde teachers and coun-selors encouraged her not only to pursue and challenge herself academically but to develop character and build leadership skills through extra-curricular activities. “Hyde provided me with the necessary skills to excel both as a student and leader,” Kristal said.

After graduating from Barnard, Kristal began working as the Sustainability Coordinator at Baldor Specialty Foods. She said: “I knew that I had wanted to work in the Bronx as soon as I graduated because that is where I have witnessed the most environmental injustices, and it is the place I call home.” Kristal feels that her time at Hyde and her undergrad work and research adequately prepared her for her demanding yet rewarding job.

Hyde showed Kristal that true character growth comes when you step outside of your comfort zone. She felt understanding this gave her an advantage when she entered college and the work-force. She says it was through Hyde that Kristal discovered her passion for Environmental Policy. Hyde taught that she can do anything she sets her mind to. She said of her experience, “Hyde taught me to love myself and to be proud of where I come from.”

Kristal Estrella at Baldor

KRISTAL ESTRELLAA L U M N I

Malik Palmer at the US Navy

MALIK PALMERA L U M N I

BOARDDumont, Deborah

Engel, Susan

Fixler (Chair), Herbert

Jarmul, Ruth

Kaplan, Herbert

Singer, Maureen

Stoupas, Tony

Sutton, Chavon

ASSOCIATE BOARD Braganza, Debra

Mcguire, Mac

Montague, Kaitlyn

Niles, Nina

Ober, Nick

Troy, Laura

Waiters, Chitara

WIlliams, Josh

Zidow, Matt

FOUNDATIONSBenevity One World

Hyde & Watson Foundation

Monroe College Founation

The New Yankee Stadium Community Benefits Fund Inc.

Wells Fargo Foundation

Whirlpool Collective Impact Fund

William E. Simon Foundation

Wilmington Trust

Zegar Family Foundation

GOVERMENT & NONPROFITCouncilmember Salamanca

Hunts Point Alliance for Children

CORPORATEAmazon Smile

Anchin, Block & Anchin LLP

Baco Enterprises Inc.

Baldor Specialty Foods, Inc.

Barino’s Market

Blue Ribbon Fish Co.

Box Tops for Education

Coosemans New York, Inc.

D’arrigo Bros. Co. of NY

Everest Scaffolding Inc.

F & F. Hardware and Supply, Inc.

Fancy Foods

Fratilli’s Pizzeria, Inc.

Gap Foundation

J Margiotta Company

Kon Ferry

Kreinces & Co. CPA’s

LBD Produce, Inc.

Lightbox- NY

Lockwood & Winant

Morgan Stanley

Mosner Family Brands

Twi-Laq Industries

Urban Health Plan, Inc.

Wells Fargo

West Side Foods

Yankee Corp

Yankee Wiping Cloth

IN KINDAnonymous

Aqua Studio

CBS- The Late Show with Stephen Colbert

Comedy Central- The Daily Show with Trevor Noah

Daniel Boulud Restaurant Group

Five Iron Golf

John, Joshua and Vlada

Lee, Jin

Lenz Winery

Los Viajeros

McKittrick Hotel

Papyrus

Reichenstein, Robair

Scarves by Danielle

Sky Ting Yoga

Skyview Wine & Spirits

Sound of Blues

Underground Wine

Warner Bros. Studio

Zeel Massage

We are grateful that so many likeminded individuals and organizations believe in our mission and donate their time, energy, and resources to our school. Given the disparity in how district public schools and charter public schools are funded, we could not operate without the generosity of the following supporters.

DONO

RS F

OR F

ISCA

L YE

AR 2

019

6 I

Abreu-Hernandez, VivianaAdams, SamanthaAdderley, RenaAin, RebeccaAldas, WendyAllen, AmyAlvarado, AngelaAlvarez, AlaiAmon, Victoria M.Anderson, SkyAnderson, LisaAnderson, Tobin AdrienneAndreani, IvanaAnonymous Aprile, GeorgeArnholz, JohnArroyo, KimberlyBaker, Steven E.Baker, VandaBaker, Dorthy A.Barnwell Straut, CharlesBarone, JeanetteBarreto, RichardBassak, SarahBaylis, Robert M.Bayly Family FoundationBediako, SikaBedoya, KatherineBennett, OmariBerman, NoelBhattacharya, AtanuBillotto, AnthonyBlue, CharlesBlundell, SarahBoehnke, AnnBoison, JeffBoomer, AllanBouchard, MarkBoutilier, CarolBowencamp, ConnieBowles, LauraBraganza, DebraBrennan, HoneyBriley, SarahBrown, NormanBruins, ChristineBuchman, IreneBurke, ChuckBuschman, Jess and DaveCalderon, CristinaCallahan, TimothyCampbell, DerekCaplan, SueCarmona, MacielleCarr, AlyxCassone, RichCharles, GeorginaClare, PamelaClarke, TriciaCoburn, ColleenCococcia, DanielleColbert, RodgerCollamer, NancyCollins, Caroline

Collins, GraceCooper, MicheleCopeland, MichelleCortina, RafaelCraft, Ginger & JohnCrespo, MelissaCuomo, PaulCymaron FoundationD’Ambrosio, StephanieD’Ambrosio, ChristinaDade, CynthiaDakers, FrancesDamico, ErinDang, NadeigeDavidson, George and BarbaraDeJesus, VangeliqueDel Rosario, XavierDelrosario, DarlynDrummond, ShariDudley, DeniseDvorkin, StephenEdelman, IngridEley, EvanEmery, RichardEngles, WilliamFasanelli, Richard M.Feliz, MaryFelt, Linda C.Fernandez, GeomariFierman, RonaldFixler, PaulFixler, NinaFletcher, SharilynFlumenbaum, WilliamFosu, IreneFox, BarryFrancese, PeterFrancois, MonaFrank, StephenFreeland, SeanFriedman, AlanFroman, ChristineFroman, MicheleFusco, MarkG. Doucette, ElizabethGallagher, MaryGalya, AshtonGandler, StaceyGarcia, LizGenao, DeyaniraGermosen, JhovannyGinzberg, NadineGlassman, CarolGleason, ChristopherGloria & Sidney Dan-zinger FoundationGomes, MichelleGomez, JillGonzalez, KristenGoodwin Pott, JudithGordon, StefanyGoris, AmyGould, BruceGreene, Alan and BrendaGregory, RashidaGriffin, Michael D.

Grossman, AlexGulick, LauraGuzman, JeanHaggerty, AnaHanley, Vincent Hardy, JasmineHarley, MargotHarrar, KimHarris, NicoleHart, JanetHart, Molly ButlerHatzis, PatriciaHawes, George D.Hawes, ElizabethHemenway, AmandaHernandez, InesHernandez, JoseHernandez, AshleyHerr, DanielHicks, EdwardHiloidhari, BarashaHittenmark, ElizabethHodder, FredHojaiban, CarlaHolzberg, RachelHorrilleno, AngelicaHouseworth, ElinHouseworth, Nancy F.Hoyt, ShereeHunsinger, ErinHunsinger, JessicaHunsinger, MaryHunsinger, ValarieHutchinson, CalvinImhof, AndreaJacobs Kalman, DianaJanik, PatriciaJoerg, MicheleJoseph and Katherine Macari Foundation Juliano, GregoryKaneene, KangeKaplan, JamesKaur, TavleenKeeler, ShaunaKell, KristenKnox, LeweyKoenig, GeorgiaKraft, ArnoldKramer, JoyceKupferman, Marcy and NormKwedar, TonyLee, ChristineLee, EileenLehal, JasminLehmann, Jean-PierreLentz, ColleenLerner, PerryLerner, MarcyLeslie, RichardLewis, ScottLewis- Feigenbaum Charitable TrustLeykam, MorganLillie, MarthaLogan, FrancesLugo, NemesisLuqmaan, Amiyra

Luse, TiffanyMalfatt, AliceMancuso, MikeMannka, AshleyMarber, SusanMarch, WilliamMargolis, Marcia and BarryMargolis, DerekMarshall, DeliaMartin, LizMartin, Judith and DouglasMcCrillis, KeveneyMcDavit, DanielleMcGuire, PatrickMcGuire, KaitlinMcindoe, OliverMellor, ElizabethMendelsohn, AndyMendoza, DeniseMensah, IreneMeyer, PhilipMichel, MariohnMiddleton, GregoryMiniter, KateMitzner, MichaelMohrman, SarahMoltz, James E.Montague, MaureenMontague, EileenMontague, JamesMontague, KaitlynMontague, OwenMoran, YrisMorgan, BriannaMoss, SandraMunroe, VictoriaMurphy, John. LMurray, KathleenNelson, JenniferNemeth, MicheleNeuborne, Burt and HelenNevin, Laurie S.Nguyen, CatNightingale, Nancy B.Niles, NinaNiles, HarrisonNolazco, CarmenNunez, AileenOber, NickOber, EricOkane, LateaOlson, Erna R.Paglia, CatherinePatterson, JerseniaPC, SheilaPetner, EdwardPhillips, KenPintchik, ZacharyPolanco, JosePollard, JoshuaPratt, SarahPrice Pundy, BeckyPruzanski, Mark and MaraPurugganan, MichaelQuan, Jennifer

Quezada-Fernandez, MirnaRaedle, DiannaRamos, NatashaRamsay, BrianRansdell, RachelReadlinger, AprilRebb, BonnieReichenstein, RobairRich, LeslieRivera, ElizabethRobert Spiegel Fund Rodner, RobertRodriguez, MartaRodriguez, HeribertoRodriguez, CarlosRodriguez, CarolynRomaine, EdwardRoman, EuniceRonald, AltbachRosenman, Dr. MartinRosenswaike, AbbyRosenthal, SarahRottersman, JudyRowe, RickRubinoff, EvaRutishauser, MarilynSachs, DavidSaltzman, EricSaltzman, EfraimSamuels, CatherineSchaper, IreneSchaper, JoanSchlachtenhaufen, JohnSchoonmaker, Carolyn P.Seeley, StaciShah, NilayShapiro, NancyShaum, TaniaShepard, RobinShirley, DeniseShulman, Bill & WendySilva, JeanetteSinger, ElleSkinner, AdrienneSklar, Dee DeeSmith, BernadetteSmith, Benedict N.Smith, TaraSoldwedel, StevenSoutter, MadoraSpain, JulieSpence, ArianaSteadly, Dave E.Stewart, KashaStewart, BethStout, ValerieStowe, BeverlyStraut, Charles B.Sturtevant, ThomasSturtevant, PeterSuchman, DanielleSullivan, AnnSutherland, NaomiSuttles, GeorgeSwader, JohnSweebe, Zachary

Tarantino, JosephThiyagarajah, GaayathryThumar, NehaTodd, TianaTroy, LauraUrena-Rodriguez, MilcaValverde, JennyVan Voorhees, Cliff and KathyVecerina, TomVelasquez, FranciscoWaiters, ChitaraWalbrook, ShondaWarner, KatyaWarner, GregWarner, NatashaWarner, NicholasWarner, KatherineWeiser, MarjorieWeismantel, LauraWeiss, MerylWeyand, CaseyWheeler, MichaelWheeler, CarletonWhite, LaurenWhite, AlisonWilder, KathyrnWilkinson, JustinWilliams, SallyWilliams, BrianaWilliams, OliviaWilliams, KevinWilliams, JoshWilson, AnnaLeeWilson, VictoriaWitherspoon, DeborahWolff, LeahWolff-VanBruinisse JamieWolloch, SamWood, Terrie WoodWorkman, AlishaWunsch, PeterWymer, SteveYerevanian, DianaYoo, TommyYoung, Dave E.Youngs, VanessaZain, LexZidow, MattZidow, KathyZubovic, VickiZuckerbraun, Myra and Matthew

INDIVIDUAL DONATIONS

I 7

Elementary and Middle School730 Bryant AvenueBronx, NY 10474

High School830 Hunts Point AvenueBronx, NY 10474

HYDE LEADERSHIP CHARTER SCHOOL

DEVELOPING A CHILD’S CHARACTER IS AS IMPORTANT AS DEVELOPING A CHILD’S MIND

Hyde Leadership Charter School’s mission is to develop the deeper character and unique potential of each student. Through our distinctive K-12 family-based

character education program, and thanks to your support, Hyde alumni are making it “to and through” college equipped with the knowledge and skills needed to succeed.