2015 Annual Report

WHAT CAN YOU BUILD ON A FOUNDATION OF ICE? FIGURE SKATING IN HARLEM ANNUAL REPORT FY2015 1 WHAT CAN YOU MISSION Our mission is to transform young lives and BUILD ON A help underserved girls grow in confidence, FOUNDATION leadership, and academic achievement. OF ICE? Founded in 1997, Figure Skating in Harlem (FSH) uses the artistic discipline of figure skating as a powerful magnet to provide innovative education and fitness programs that promote academic success, physical health, and emotional well-being in a safe and supportive environment. TABLE OF CONTENTS 1 MESSAGE FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 2 GROWTH AND IMPACT 3 EDUCATION 4 OPPORTUNITY 5 EMPOWERMENT 6 TEAMWORK 7 FITNESS 8 COMMUNITY AND PARTNERSHIPS “Figure Skating in Harlem is a quintessential New York organization. 9 EVENTS It’s about achievement, excellence and community.” 10 FINANCIALS Vera Wang Fashion Designer 11 DONORS 12 BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND STAFF 2 1 LETTER FROM GROWTH THE EXECUTIVE AND DIRECTOR IMPACT As a result of your consistent, generous support, we serve hundreds of New York City girls with vital LONG TERM OBJECTIVES educational, health and fitness opportunities that improve their lives and give them a true foundation IT’S AN EXCITING TIME for lifelong success. FSH alumna Keri Springett said, “FSH gave me the most essential tool in life – self- Our Students will: discipline.” AT FIGURE SKATING IN • Have the academic foundation to graduate Our 18th season, as you’ll read inside these pages, was one of continued growth. We implemented HARLEM! from high school and succeed at a four- a unique Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) unit that uses figure skating as the lens year college to ignite curiosity in these subjects where Black and Latina women are sorely underrepresented. We • Possess a life-long appreciation for doubled the hours in our Summer Dreams camp, hosted a career week in Washington, D.C. that included a special visit with White House policy analysts and a Supreme Court Justice, and helped students In June FSH moved its LEADING EDGE ACADEMIC physical fitness as a tool to benefit mind secure full scholarships at prep schools. The recent opening of our brand new Academic Center will CENTER to a larger space on the fifth floor of the and body allow us to double the number of academic hours each student spends with us during the school year. historic Harlem Commonwealth Council building on • Possess positive social and emotional 125th Street that once housed a YWCA. This expanded, skills Thanks to you, the future is bright for the young women we serve in New York City. As we approach our vibrant space with four state of the art classrooms • Be confident and capable public speakers 20th anniversary, we are taking a bold step to secure their futures and bring our innovative model to allows us to double the number of girls engaged in our girls in other communities, beginning with Detroit. This is a city with a rich skating history, is teaming with educational programming and enhance the quality of • Be able to make healthy food and fitness energy and in need of youth development programs. Your support will be crucial in allowing more girls their experience. One third of FSH students maintained choices and their families to benefit from the opportunity, education and empowerment that we will continue to an A average in school, while 83% reached a B average • Be proficient writers create together, giving all of the future Keri Springetts the tool of self-discipline and beyond. or higher. All students participate in communications, • Possess critical thinking skills writing, financial literacy and STEM subjects. We look • Develop proficient skating skills Warmest regards, forward to starting our I.C.E = I CAN EXCEL afterschool program off right with even more educational offerings • Possess confidence in their ability to in October! achieve their personal goals Sharon Cohen 2Founder and Executive Director 3 EDUCATIONEDUCATION Individual learning plans are created for each student to identify goals that are in line with our academic philosophy: S.K.A.T.E Student-Centered It is essential that our curriculum focus on the needs of our students by incorporating multiple learning styles. Knowledge and Skills-Based Learning Common Core and age appropriate state standards and skills help develop student Figure Skating in Harlem’s signature academic curriculum aligns to New York State Common Core Standards, understanding. and is used by certified teachers to deliver engaging academic enrichment classes throughout the school year. All students are placed in small tutoring groups of a maximum of 4 students to one teacher, and aim to ctivity-Rich maintain at least a B+ average in core subjects to remain in good standing. Studies show that minority and A Hands-on activities, whenever possible, low-income students show even greater gains when placed in small classes. At least 65% of our students make lessons come alive. come from families who earn $45,000 or less per year. The writing-infused classes help students gain Time to Write financial literacy skills, realize the benefits of public Students are guided and have time to craft speaking, and hone critical thinking skills. FSH quality written work in every class. also offers leadership and mentoring opportunities and cultural field trips, all planned to provide the Embedded Assessments students with meaningful experiences to help To meet learning benchmarks, lessons are deepen their commitment to success. designed with assessments in mind so that teachers can accurately track and monitor student progress. “In Financial Literacy, I learned what a credit card is and the importance of paying my bills on time. I am confident that when I get to college and get my first credit card, I will be that person who will use it wisely.” Raven Williams, First Year Student 4 55 EDUCATION Our new STEM INITIATIVE focuses on science, technology, engineering, and math fields through a specialized CONGRATULATIONS Figure Skating in Harlem Seniors! curriculum that relates these subjects to the skills students are developing on the ice. Year-round, students explore the broad topics of My Body, My Ice, My Skating, Health & Fitness, Mechanics & Energy and Computer Science with lessons covering cardiovascular and heart health, skeletal and muscular systems, Cheyenne Pommelle, State University of New York at Oneonta • Sandra Williams, State University of New York the engineering of ice rinks, Newtonian physics, coding, and more. Students improve bio-motor skills, aerobic at Oneonta • Kyatta Evans, State University of New York College at Buffalo • Dequanea Nealy, Pennsylvania and muscle fitness, flexibility and coordination, while learning key facts about health, nutrition and math. State University 93% of students improved their understanding of key STEM concepts from pre- and post- unit assessments. SUMMER DREAMS FSH’s 3rd Annual School Fair provided information to our families about competitive middle and high schools in New York City. Thirteen private, Every year, 43 million children go independent, and top performing public schools without access to critical summer participated, and spoke to more than 50 FSH parents learning. To increase student exposure and students attending the fair. to academics during summer months FSH has expanded its Summer Dreams High School and College Planning FSH provided robust Camp to operate 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. high school and college guidance to our girls as they four days a week for six weeks. Our planned their academic futures. Weekly discussions summer camp provides students with are held focused on the high school admissions 12 hours per week of skating and off- process, goal setting, and developing a four-year ice conditioning classes. Enrichment academic plan for 9th graders. Our 12th graders classes focused on reading, writing received individual guidance and ongoing support and STEM subjects are offered. Skating as they conducted college research and applied instruction takes place each afternoon to various schools. Additionally, they received at City Ice Pavilion in Queens. information about employment, internships and scholarship opportunities. 6 7 OPPORTUNITY CAREER WEEK Career perception is an important factor that influences girls. FSH partners with various companies and organizations to help expand thinking about career and academic decisions. FSH students visited Washington, DC to meet with Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor and to learn from White House policy analysts, including leaders from the offices of Education & Physical Sciences, Pubic COLLEGE TOURS AND ALUMNAE PANEL Engagements, Science and Technology, and the White House Council on Women and Girls and various executive members of the Office of Science and Technology Policy. FSH held its first ever College Week, during which FSH alumnae gave tours to current FSH students at their college campuses. In addition, our girls visited Howard University and George Washington University Some local Career Week visits included: in Washington, DC. College Week ended with a panel discussion with alumnae from Brown University, St. • American International Group, Inc. (AIG) John’s University, CUNY City College, St. John’s Fisher College, Spelman College, and Howard University. , the leading international insurance organization, to meet with top female executives, women in the science department and recruiters to practice resume and interview skills. • Brand Union, a global brand and creative design agency to learn about brand strategies and marketing. • The United Nations for a behind the scenes look and “The dedication from my peers guided tour of the headquarters. • American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers has encouraged me to come (ASCAP) to hear from female executives about behind in with a positive attitude the scenes music industry scene. • Studio Museum in Harlem, to meet with the Assistant and be a team player on and Curator. off the ice. No matter what • Career Week ended with an open panel discussion with representatives from Ralph Lauren, Street Academy, Parents4Parents and more, who met and mingled with students.

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