Community School Student Partnerships is a student organization that provides academic and cultural enrichment to children and families in the West and Southwest Philadelphia communities. As part of Penn’s overall university-assisted community network through the Netter Center for Community Partnerships, CSSP operates recess, school day, after school and evening programs across six public schools in West Philadelphia by recruiting, training, and

coordinating over 400 Penn student tutors/mentors.

Director’s Cut Dear CSSP Family, Welcome to the first edition of our CSSP Newsletter! In this newsletter you will have the opportunity to learn more about mentors who are doing an exceptional job working with our scholars, the special initiatives and activities our sites are planning, and how scholars feel about our programs!

As we near the end of the semester it is important that we reflect on the valuable work and contributions we have made to our respective sites, scholars, and community. The work you do is meaningful; always take pride in this! Keep your impact in mind as you consider how to remain civically engaged next semester and through your next stage of life; whether you are just starting out as a freshman, well on your way as a graduate student or somewhere in between. As you take a break from classes and the stresses of academic life, take a moment to think deeply about the following:

November 2011

More inside! Continued on:

TELL YOUR FRIENDS TO JOIN

CSSP NEXT SEMESTER! Advance Registration is the

perfect time to mention CSSP. Remember our programs range

from school-day tutoring, to interactive recess play, to after school enrichment and much more. We offer volunteer and

work-study positions.

Recruitment Push

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Mentor of the Semester Lea Elementary School

This semester Taylor O’Hare is the star mentor at Lea. Not only is Taylor a strong and effective mentor, but she consistently goes above and beyond her normal duties. This semester she has led the step enrichment once a week and decided to help her older scholars with the high school application process. She is dedicated to helping her older scholars get accepted into private schools and boarding schools in the area in order to help them receive better educational opportunities. Jessica Anderson, Lea Site Coordinator

Spotlight Section

Mentor of the Semester Wilson Elementary School Amaka Okunji is a new mentor who has jumped into Wilson with a great amount of enthusiasm! She has been exciting on field trips with the scholars and motivating during homework time. Her positive attitude has definitely helped the vibe of the 4th-6th grade room! – Lauren Alcena, Wilson Site Coordinator

Mentor of the Semester Wilson Elementary School

Brianna Tarulli is a returning mentor who has really been a great example on site! She filled in as a substitute instructor for the kindergarten class and the scholars couldn’t get enough of her! Brianna also has been awesome in the cooking elective class. -Lauren Alcena, Wilson Site Coordinator

UCHS Mentor Spotlight Josh is a new mentor from the counseling program and GSE. I've been impressed by his dedication and openness to learn. He was worried at first about being comfortable on site, but has done a great job of adapting to UCHS and getting to know the kids. He's always making an effort to be an even better mentor and helps out with tasks on site all the time that don't necessarily fit in his job description. He's been a huge help to me this semester! Allyson Even, UCHS Site Coordinator

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Site Spotlight Wilson Elementary School

Wilson is starting a new homework routine, creating small groups of 2-4 scholars with one mentor. Although homework has always been in groups, now scholars leave their classroom and have a chance to focus on their work whether they finish early or not. Best of all, when groups finish early, mentors have a chance to teach enrichment lessons on topics covered during school but in fun, interactive ways! It has been great so far! Mentors get to work with scholars that have similar skill sets so we can help them with homework based on how they learn. Also getting to teach enrichment material not only gives us the chance to teach hands-on lessons but also lets us spend time with scholars and build personal connections. -Lauren Alcena, Wilson Site Coordinator

SITE SPOTLIGHT COMEGYS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

For the first time, The Recess Initiative Program has been implemented at Comegys Elementary. With any execution of a new system, it’s important to have people who are dedicated to the cause and its success. Olivia Carlize, a new mentor at Comegys has been a prime example of this. She has been a constant and strong presence during recess and continues to be a great influence for the kids. Keep up the great work! -Meechen Okai, Comegys Site Coordinator

Site Spotlight Lea Elementary School

This year Lea has started a cycle of enrichment activities. This means that every four weeks or so the extracurricular activities change so students have the chance to try out a variety of opportunities. Currently the scholars are participating in cooking, art, basketball, dance, and step. In the past they have been given the choice of other activities such as spoken word, flag football, acting, and modeling. Jessica Anderson, Lea Site Coordinator

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“My favorite moment at Wilson was when I had aerobics and documentary class. We got to learn about different things and were able to learn about technology and exercise.”

-Cherelle Banks, 6th

Alumni Connection with Jasmine Hoskins As a former CSSP member, Jasmine has served as a mentor and instructor and during her senior year served as CSSP Program Director. In her interview she shares her CSSP experience, considers her current and prospective career path and discusses her hopes for CSSP’s future. Bailey: “When did you first hear about CSSP and what made you want to join?” Jasmine: “I first heard about CSSP walking down Locust Walk. Later I found out my friend Khaliff was also a part of CSSP. So with time in my schedule, joining CSSP seemed to be the perfect fit, and I began working in the Lea After School Program. A part of me also wanted to get to know Philly, and have an experience working with kids from the community.” B: “From all your CSSP experiences do you have a favorite CSSP memory?” J: “Yeah!, It was the beginning of fall semester my sophomore or junior year and I was terrified that the kids wouldn’t remember me after summer break. But as soon as they saw me they all ran up and remembered me and gave me huge hugs!” B: “I love thinking back to all my CSSP memories too, so how else did CSSP shape your college experience?” J: “Essentially, CSSP was my college experience. Once I recognized this was something I was dedicating time to, I realized I should factor this into how I would spend my time after graduation.” B: “So did your major and career interests change after becoming a CSSP mentor?” J: I knew wanted to be psychology major coming to Penn and I stuck with it, but I thought I would be interested in eating disorders and CSSP made me more interested in educational psychology. Right now I’m not sure if I want to continue with psychology or if I want to go deeper into education and possibly school administration.”

“I love mentors because they are very nice. They also give us a chance to do something different. I’m so glad that they picked our school!” - Misa Mateen, 4th Grade

A Word from Wilson Scholars

Continued on:

“It is excellent to have the mentors at Wilson Community School because sometimes the teachers in our schools have too many students and the children need help with their homework, but since the teachers have so many scholars they can’t get to every scholar in the class. So that’s why it’s nice to have the mentors so they can help kids with homework if they need it.” -Cyniya Holmes, 6th Grade

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Director’s Cut Continued

1) What triggered your interest in CSSP?

For many it was your compassion and care to help others. Not everyone is willing to make this commitment. It truly takes a patient, considerate and empathetic Penn student to not only take notice, but to take action within the larger community despite personal priorities. This organization’s strong mission, focused ideals, and engaging service appealed to your subconscious and drew you into a family that would have a lasting impact on students. At your core you care about scholars and are dedicated to taking those small steps that make a world of difference. Keep sight of these values as you work with scholars on site, as they are some of the deepest motivations that continue to drive this organization. 2) Recognize your impact. From the first day your scholar recognized and remembered you on site to the day your scholar completed his or her first math problem with your help, to the first enrichment class you led— you make a difference. Each instance of growth and progress that you see in scholars is your doing. Always hold on to the changes and positive mindsets you can provide to your scholars. Most of all you have penetrated the life of another human being and have the potential to plant a truly positive and powerful seed, with scholars today and even those you mentor in years to come. 3) Remember the cause and stay committed! Why did you join CSSP? Was it because it was a competitive work-study opportunity? Did it allow you to continue tutoring—a passion you developed in high school? Were you looking for a way to give back to your community? Regardless, of the reason your decision ultimately brought you to the CSSP family and made possible your many experiences with scholars.

Now that you have started or are continuing your years with CSSP, the deeper and more pertinent question is whether the experience you have gained encourages you to remain dedicated. As you prepare for the semester ahead we encourage you to remain a part of an organization that allows mentorship and relationship building between you, your site, your fellow mentors, your community, and most importantly your scholars. Always keep in mind that the wisdom and guidance you pass on are truly irreplaceable. Tis' All! xoxo Your Director and Asst. Director, Brooke & Olivia

A Word From Your Lea Scholars

“I like playing basketball with Uncle Nat and Uncle Lee.”

–Ousmane Kane

“I like Aunt Taylor because she understands us.”

–Monique Babb

“I like to do art with Aunt Alex!”

–Shanna Johnson

UCHS Site Highlight Tutoring Enrollment System: This semester we introduced a formal tutoring request system for the students at UCHS. The new processes and heightened organization has really aided our ability to match mentors with students in need of tutoring, and the program is expanding every day. Kids come down to the Success Center asking for the enrollment form! Hopefully, we will be able to continue meeting the needs of our students. I'd like to see us better track their progress in the future and possibly have a class period allocated for tutoring. -Allyson Even, UCHS Site Coordinator

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B: “Did your position as director also have an impact on what you considered?” J: “It made me think about education more broadly more than my position as an instructor. As director I learned more about non-profit work with school from an administrative and managerial perspective. I had to learn how to coordinate with site coordinators and administrators, which gave me a top down view of school and community partnerships.” B: “What were some of the career options you were considering last year before you graduated?” J: “I decided pretty early that I wanted to teach and that I wanted to get my PhD in educational psychology, but I knew I enjoyed schools wanted to be in them in a deeper capacity, so teaching was a logical next step for me, and I considered career opportunities that would make this possible.” B: “Could you tell me more about your current position?” J: “Right now I am a Leonore Annenburg Teaching Fellow (a partnership between the Graduate School of Education and the Netter Center). Through this fellowship, I’m a student in the GSE Master’s education program, and I’m focusing on secondary social studies. I take classes at night and during the day, and I also spend time student teaching at University City High School. Part of this fellowship also means that I am committed to teaching 3 years in Philadelphia after this program.” B: “Why did you choose this position and how has everything been so far?” J: “I chose this fellowship because I felt it was an ideal fit. I was already doing CSSP and continuing the work in a neighborhood close by with similar students. I’ve really enjoyed my experience teaching seniors 1st through 4th period. But at the same time I’ve realized that lot of work comes with teaching just a single class. Overall this has been a very intense experience and I can already see how I’m improving and growing” B: “Do you feel the Lea After School program prepared you?” J: “Yes in many ways it did. I was one of the first mentors for Lea’s After School Program, and then I became an instructor. I was on site about 5 days a week and it prepared me to have a leadership position. Now I can use this experience working with students at University City High School.”

B: How was the transition to working with older kids? J: Last summer I worked at West Philadelphia High School to prepare me for the fellowship. I’ve found that in many ways older kids are easier to connect with and easier to build relationships and have conversations with even though you may face some resistance. You can talk to them on another level but at the same teenagers feel like adults, but don’t always act that way. With younger kids you have to work harder to figure them out, but older students are better able to communicate. Overall it’s been a different experience but just as rewarding. B: After your fellowship, where do you see yourself 5 or 10 years down the road, if you’ve thought about it yet? J: Usually I have a set 10-year plan, but lately I’ve been thinking about a lot of different opportunities. Sometimes I think about educational psychology or heading in a different direction like school administration, or even continuing to teach. At this point I’m thinking about teaching for the next 3 years. Then I plan on going back to school, for a degree in administration or educational psychology. B: “What are your hopes for the future of CSSP?” J: “My biggest hope is that CSSP is here to stay. From the director’s perspective, I hope that CSSP’s current connections with schools can be maintained in a sustainable way. I truly feel that CSSP can have such a deep impact, for so many people and really influence how undergraduates decide to move on with their lives after college, whether this be something in education or in social justice. My ultimate hope is that I’ll be able to come back in 20 years for another CSSP homecoming brunch!” B: “Any words of wisdom for current CSSP mentors and senior staffers?” J: “Just take a minute to think really deeply about what you’re doing and why it’s still very enjoyable. Don’t put CSSP into a box, if its something you enjoy just let it influence you because the decisions you make and the experiences that follow can be equally as rewarding.”

Make a Donation! A donation to community School Student Partnerships is a donation to the many students we mentor

and tutor and West Philadelphia public schools. Although CSSP strives to provide its scholars with as

many opportunities as possible, it faces funding limitations as a student-run group. As we continue to

provide incredible opportunities and events for our scholars, we reach to you for support. Consider

donating to Community School Student Partnerships to support our dedication to enriching student

educational and cultural experiences.

Community School Student Partnerships

It is the mission of CSSP to enrich the educational and cultural experience of all children in West Philadelphia. University-Assisted Community Schools provide a safe environment where children can improve their academic and extracurricular skills with the help of staff and college-age mentors. We affect change by providing academic and cultural enrichment for grades K-12, such as high school academic support, college access mentoring, in school tutoring, daily K- 8 after school programs, and Let’s Get Ready SAT tutoring.

The Barbara and Edward Netter Center for Community Partnerships

133 South 36th Street,

Suite 519

Philadelphia, PA 19104

Don’t Just Live in West Philadelphia, Be a Part of It!

For more information Visit Our Website:

www.penncssp.com