NEWS IN THE SCHOOLS YEAR 1 • SINCE SEPTEMBER

SEPTEM MBK Closet Bursts at the Seams CE B N Yonkers Public E I Schools joined the national R S My Brother’s Keeper movement on September 21, 2016, after Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano accepted President Obama’s Community Challenge to “improve the life outcomes of boys and young men of color.” Upon enthusiastically accepting the challenge, Mayor Spano tapped Yonkers Schools Superintendent Dr. Edwin M. Quezada and the Executive Director of the Nepperhan Community Center, Rev. Dr. Jim Bostic, as co-chairs of Yonkers MBK. They lead Yonkers MBK Yonkers students and families who face economic challenges, in collaboration with Yonkers Thrives. including losing their homes to fire, find comfort and much- Here is what has been happening with My needed clothing in Yonkers Schools’ Donation Closet. The Brother’s Keeper in Yonkers Public “closet” has been around for years. Schools Since September. Since Yonkers joined the My Brother’s Keeper movement nine months ago, the amount of clothing donations has increased tenfold. The closet is now a hub where students suit up for HOW TO HELP interviews, prom-goers pick up dresses and families continue to find support. Who manages the closet? “Word-of-mouth publicity through MBK has helped. It’s Eileen Torres taken on a life of its own,” said Eileen Torres a longtime What is needed? Roosevelt High School social worker who runs the operation • New dress socks, undershirts out of the school. • New or gently used dress shoes Yonkers MBK seeks to improve life opportunities for boys • Gently used clean clothing, including suits, skirts, blouses and young men of color through mentoring and many and dresses for interviews other means of support. For older students, job readiness -- Where do I drop off donations? including dressing appropriately for interviews -- is part of the Roosevelt High School, 631 Tuckahoe Road,Yonkers, NY 10710 program. Now known as the Yonkers MBK Dress for Success Closet, When? the operation occupies a vast art room packed with racks, Between 8am and 3pm. If you cannot drop off during these shelves and tables full of donated garments. It has a private hours, call the school at (914) 376-8118 and ask for Eileen changing area for those who need it. Since becoming part Torres to arrange a different time. of Yonkers MBK, the selection of suits, ties and dresses has How? expanded dramatically. Retailers such as Epstein’s in Tuckahoe Just walk up to the main entrance and say that you have and Bari Jay in City have donated new shirts and donations for the closet. Please bring your photo ID. continued on page 6 Why? You’ll be helping college-bound and job-seeking students, as well as Yonkers Yonkers students created the tagline “Innovating the Youth” families in need of a helping hand. to capture the spirit of the MBK movement which seeks to transform the realities of all young people. Roosevelt MBK Reaches Beyond Yonkers By Sony Grandoit, Assistant Principal and Christopher Lopez, Teacher

Just weeks after Yonkers joined the 12-pound turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce, Four members Roosevelt High School’s national My Brother’s Keeper movement in green beans, bread and gravy, and could My Brother’s Keeper leadership team September, Roosevelt High School held its serve up to 10 people. imbued the school’s Black History Month first MBK event - a visit to Baruch College in The Roosevelt MBK brothers dove right Assembly with poise and passion. Manhattan. into packing, handing out and transporting They performed a moving spoken word About 18 Roosevelt MBK students packages to feed and bring support to reading of Daniel Beaty’s poem “Knock visited New York City’s Expanded Success families in need. Knock” which reflects the author’s Initiative, an educational branch of New The brothers also shared a few words with childhood experience of temporarily York City Mayor Bill DeBlasio’s Young Rev. Dr. Jim Bostic, Nepperhan’s Executive losing his father to incarceration. The Men’s Initiative which “uses new ideas and Director, state Senator Andrea Stewart- four students, Barry Rowe, Aaron creative solutions to tackle the educational Cousins and other Yonkers officials. McCovey, Justin Patterson and Helio achievement gap and increase the number Carrillo “knocked down the house,” of Black and Latino young men who DECEMBER 2016 bringing the crowd of about 400 to graduate high school prepared to succeed Roosevelt MBK held a canned food their feet with applause. in college and careers.” drive during the month of December Other groups of Roosevelt students Students watched the Marc Silver called “Lunch for the Cause.” performed during the assembly. The documentary “3 ½ Minutes, 10 Bullets” Brothers who brought in more than student woodwind band entertained about the murder trial of Michael Dunn, 20 cans were rewarded with a Latino with several pieces that were composed a middle-aged white man who shot and cuisine lunch with MBK advisors, by African American musicians. killed Jordan Davis, a 17-year-old black Assistant Principal Sony Grandoit Students and teachers sang several teenager in Florida. and teacher Christopher Lopez. MBK soulful numbers to roaring applause. The Expanded Success Initiative brothers HyNeff Dunkley, Thanoon Guest speakers, Deputy Superintendent facilitated discussion after the viewing. Thabet, John Lantigua, Aaron Dr. Andrea Coddett and teacher Cristina Roosevelt’s MBK students shared their feelings and discussed issues that resonated with them.

OCTOBER 2016 Eight Roosevelt High School students attended the African American Men of Westchester’s Annual Youth Business Skills Competition in October. Representing Roosevelt’s MBK leadership team, eight brothers engaged in a collaborative group task with a Morgan Stanley professional. MBK student leaders Barry Rowe, David McCorvey, David Tinajero and Micheal Doley, enlightened and encouraged the Rivera, Dwain Folkes, Sherman Bray, Ascencio all contributed enough cans to students on the continued struggles Daniel Santana, Tralen O’Banner, HyNeff enjoy lunch with two of their advisors. and progress of African Americans. Dunkley and Justin Esty represented Roosevelt. JANUARY 2017 MAY 2017 The group analyzed the Uber taxi January was “Style Education Month” Bonding, Brotherhood, and Barbecue: service and created a presentation for Roosevelt’s MBK. Brothers learned Roosevelt MBK brothers and their highlighting the pros and cons of Uber’s how to tie a tie and dress appropriately advisors enjoyed mountains of business. for a variety of events, such as job and hamburgers at a May MBK barbecue. college interviews. Brothers also shared home-cooked food NOVEMBER 2016 from a variety of countries. Ten students from Roosevelt’s MBK lent a FEBRUARY 2017 Roosevelt MBK Advisors: Assistant helping hand at the Nepperhan Community Our brothers volunteered to tutor English Center, preparing, packing and distributing Principal Sony Grandoit and teachers as a New Language students in the Yonkers Jaime Morales and Christopher Lopez. more than 100 free Thanksgiving meals to International Academy. Two brothers, Helio needy families in Yonkers in the days before Carrillo and Muneeb Baig served as after Thanksgiving. Each meal box included a school Earth Science tutors. 2 Yonkers Middle High School MBK Mother’s Day Breakfast

Following this theme, the process and purpose of setting up a on April 27, the YMHS checking and saving account. brothers visited the Jason Hutchins, a 10th grader attend- Schomburg Center for ing the Mother’s Day breakfast said he Research in Black Cul- learned a lot from the visit including ture, a Harlem-based “how to start saving and how to get a branch of the New credit card under 18.” York Public Library. Jason’s mother, Marlene Hutchins, said During their visit, MBK helped her son overcome shyness. students learned about “He seems more responsible and more the life of the late willing and able to do anything.” Arthur Schomburg, Ms. Hutchins, whose job as a nurse’s the venerated histo- assistant often keeps her away from rian and collector of home, said she is grateful that her son books on Black people, has a positive group to spend time with culture and history. and learn from after school. In addition, students visited an exhibit about “They help each other out. They need Black Power. some form of guidance, especially in this society now,” she said. “We learned about Malcolm X and the Civil Rights move- During breakfast, Senator Stew- The brothers of Yonkers Middle High ment,” said Nathan Collins, who was art-Cousins walked among the brothers, School’s MBK put their hearts into every honored as YMHS MBK’s Leader of the explaining the importance of voting and detail of their May 5th Mother’s Day Year at the breakfast. sharing tales of perseverance – Senator Breakfast. Stewart-Cousins lost her first Senate run Earlier in April, Nathan organized a by 18 votes. Disappointed but unde- They invited keynote speaker State financial literacy session with two Wells terred, she ran again and won. Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins; they Fargo bank professionals who visited chose the table decorations (black table MBK brothers at YMHS. Mortgage Nearly all of the MBK brothers knew cloths with gold accents); they invited a broker Irene Aponte and Michael Waite, the origins of the My Brother’s Keeper few special women as surrogate moms a personal banker, shared with the movement – that it was launched by to sit with brothers whose mothers students the importance of creating a former President Barak Obama. couldn’t attend; and they selected the budget, saving for college and manag- Said Senator Stewart-Cousins, “Each of menu – scrambled eggs, sausage, pan- ing credit. Students created a spending you is extending the legacy of the 44th cakes and French toast. plan based on their allowance or part- President. You are the keepers of the “I picked the French toast because she time job pay. Ms. Aponte also explained flame.” really likes it,” said 11th grader Na- than Collins, motioning to his mother Shannon. “Through MBK, I’ve watched my young son blossom into a very strong young man who has more of a sense of direc- tion and can mentor other young men,” Ms. Collins said. “I’m very pleased with the program.” Developing thoughtful leadership is part of YMHS’ MBK program, which has 37 members in grades seven through 12, according to Assistant Principal Alexan- dria Connally, the group’s advisor. “I often tell my students they have greatness inside of them,” Ms. Connally said. “They can be great successes or they can be great failures. It is up to them to choose.”

3 YMHS MBK Learns Mentorship and Advocacy By Alexandria Connally, Assistant Principal

At Yonkers Middle High School, MBK YMHS’s MBK members also informally the necessary curricular and financial brothers are encouraged to help mentor each other -- students in requirements as well as resources others through mentorship and help grade 11 mentor brothers in grade available in high school to help them themselves through advocacy. 8. YMHS’s mentoring efforts support finance a post-secondary education at Yonkers Middle High School’s MBK Yonkers MBK’s Milestone 2 -- Ensure any college. all children read at grade level by third partnered with Enrico Fermi School #Fund2Rebuild (grades pre-K through 8) this year to grade and Milestone 3 -- Ensure all Encouraged by advisors to practice develop a cross-age tutoring program. youth graduate from high school. advocating for themselves, YMHS’s Many of the 37 MBK brothers visit Separately, several MBK brothers shared MBK brothers organized a Rebuild Enrico Fermi a few days a week to their experiences as college-bound high Yonkers Schools Rally, held on April offer homework help and mentor school students with YMHS middle 26. The rally, whose theme was “Civic younger children. This program allows school students at the Early College Responsibility,” supported a new elementary students to have role Awareness Program, sponsored by the initiative to rebuild Yonkers school models and become better informed Harvard-Radcliffe Club of Westchester, buildings, put forth by Mayor Mike about the high school experience. This annual District event, supervised Spano, the Yonkers City Council and the YMHS brothers develop leadership by Jade Sharp, Principal, Districtwide Yonkers Board of Education. Yonkers skills and an increased sense of Guidance, took place on April 22. is asking the State for a partnership accountability. When asked how the Older students shared the importance that’s consistent with the successful program is going, 11th grader Lord of academic success in relation reconstruction programs in Buffalo, Mintah said, “It is a pleasure to work to college readiness and gave Rochester and Syracuse. Students were with such creative students. It makes some practical advice about time encouraged to use hashtags such as me feel good about myself.” management, organizational skills and #Fund2Rebuild on social media to reach study habits. This program aims to out to the New York State legislative inform eighth and ninth graders about and executive branches. 4 In order to get 70 students to voluntarily June from 9 am to 1pm. By design, spend six Saturdays in school, organizers they create bonds with MBK students, of MBK’s Future Leaders Academy knew teachers and community visitors. it had to be seriously fun. In the mornings, students eat breakfast The program for potentially at-risk together and dive into hands-on young men is designed to empower projects such as building solar-powered them to learn leadership, real world K’nex cars with Roosevelt High School skills, seed an interest in STEM (Science teachers Gina Garcia-Alvarez and Technology Engineering Math) and, for Rachel Mercandante. In other sessions, some, begin to beat box like a pro. students prepare for PSAT tests with Yonkers native Nick Flammia, a young Laura Wilson, owner of Chappaqua- musician and instructor at Yonkers Youth based WilsonPrep tutoring service. Theater Interaction, spends an hour Some students take a one-credit with the students each Saturday, talking Introduction to Statistics course with an about the music industry and teaching adjunct professor from the Bronxville- them vocal percussion or how to use based Concordia College. Assistant their throats and mouths as drums and Superintendent RoseAnn Collins-Judon cymbals. designed the dynamic curriculum with “They love it,” said Darryl Mack, teachers. Riverside High School’s Assistant At noon, students spend an hour with Principal who oversees the Future empowerment speakers which have Leaders Academy as well as his school’s included Reverend Abdul Holmes from MBK program. the Kingdom Culture Center who talked Future Leaders Academy students (grades 7 – 11) from around the district gather at Roosevelt High School – Early College Studies on Saturdays from April through continued on page 15 Future Leaders Academy

5 MBK Closet Bursts at the Seams continued from page 1 dresses. sorting, hanging and “learning life Scouts’ highest honor. “We still really need dress socks and skills.” “I really wanted to do something to shoes,” said Ms. Torres. “But the kids The “closet”, which is open to the help the community,” said Simone, are all excited. They know it’s there for entire Yonkers community, has who had her mother Paty and younger them for interview clothes.” expanded so much, it is now moving brother, George, in tow. At least 10 students a day come some of its offerings (those designated She is in good company. A diverse by to “shop,” another 10, mostly specifically for fire victims) into an actual and growing group of volunteers from seniors, work there as volunteers. One closet in another classroom. outside the school district are beginning particularly active Yonkers MBK student, During Spring Break, Simone Carcer, a to pitch in at the Yonkers MBK Dress for a junior named Barry, makes himself 16-year-old from West Harrison, spent Success closet. available for whatever is needed. And hours cleaning and lining the shelves Said Torres, “One woman from the about 10 students from Roosevelt’s of the new storage space as part of neighborhood saw a flyer and just came autistic program spend time each day, her efforts to earn a Gold Award, Girl by to help out.”

Gorton MBK Cross-Age Tutoring Changes Lives Through Literacy By Gail Joyner-White, Principal

between literacy skills and incarceration rates. “We don’t want them building more jail cells,” said 11th grader Heriberto Ortiz at a Gorton MBK Empowerment Assembly in May. In the fall, upon learning the connection between early reading proficiency and life opportunities, students indicated that they wanted to identify a way to interrupt the “school to prison pipeline.” Under the guidance of administrators and advisors, Gorton’s MBK designed a Cross-Age Tutoring Initiative that allows high school students to improve literacy skills by reading to students at William Boyce Thompson School and School 9. Gorton tutors (grades 9-12) are assigned to Giggles, smiles and hugs from young They have a sobering goal in mind when students (grades 1-3) and engage protégés keep ’s they help with reading lessons however, them with a literacy activity using MBK brothers tutoring elementary keeping young men of color out of jail. culturally relevant books for 45 school students week after week. Research reveals a clear connection minutes once a week. continued on page 10

6 Gorton MBK Tours Colleges in the Nation’s Capital By Tyrone Glover, Teacher

Gorton High School’s MBK students Many MBK brothers said the tour took to the highways to learn about broadened their horizons and post-high school possibilities this spring. strengthened their resolve to maintain A group of 36 Gorton students, many good grades and move ahead in life. of them MBK brothers, visited four “This trip and the interaction with the historically black colleges (HBCUs) in tour guides solidified the idea that we Baltimore and Washington D.C. the should never give up on our goals,” weekend of April 28. said Jayden Hernandez. Accompanied by Gorton MBK advisors Khalid Alsaidi said, “I left with more Assistant Principal Ryan James, teachers choices and a greater outlook on Rafael Martinez, Daniel Wilson and college life and an idea of its cost.” Tyrone Glover and MBK facilitator They also gained a renewed sense of Gregory Joyner, the group visited brotherhood. Coppin State University, an HBCU that Said Markeith Norman, “Bonding with is part of the University of Maryland my peers was amazing. Interacting with system. Coppin is a member-school students I would normally not associate of the Thurgood Marshall College with, made me appreciate my brothers Fund, which offers students attending more than I knew.” public HBCUs scholarships and other support. Gorton also visited the largest Mr. Martinez the MBK advisor said he public HBCU in Maryland, Morgan was proud of the students’ mature State University. In Washington D.C., behavior and received compliments the group toured Howard University, a from a manager at the hotel where the private HBCU, and George Washington group stayed the night. University, a private research university. MBK advisor Tyrone Glover said, “Trips Students gained insight into a variety of like this are doing our students a true college experiences and considered the service and benefit.” pros and cons of living on campus or Gorton MBK Advisors: Assistant off; attending a private college or public Principal Ryan James, Teachers one; and how they might fund their Rafael Martinez, Tyrone Glover and post-secondary studies. Daniel Wilson.

7 Riverside MBK Reaches for the Stars By Darryl Mack, Assistant Principal

As part of a districtwide celebration of ed and, prior to the movie screening, cial resources and started his career Black History Month, Riverside High discussed college readiness and careers in accounting. Brown encouraged the School for Engineering and Design’s in STEM – Science, Technology, Engi- brothers to pursue a college education MBK attended a February movie day neering and Math. The event was well after high school. to see “Hidden Figures” at the Cross received by the students with great Also from the world of sports, Yonkers County Multiplex Cinema in Yonkers. admiration. native Tarique Thompson, 23, who More than 200 students from Riverside, Also in February, New York Yankees played basketball for High Point Uni- Saunders Trades and Technical, Yonkers Vice President/Chief Financial Officer versity in North Carolina and now is Middle and Roosevelt high schools filled Robert Brown visited Riverside High playing basketball internationally, talked an entire theater auditorium. The film School’s MBK to share his personal to the brothers about the importance of recounted the story of a team of Afri- “rags to riches” story. Brown serves on being a student athlete. can-American women mathematicians the boards of the Youth Shelter Pro- In additional to special programs, who served vital roles at NASA during gram of Westchester, Madison Square Riverside’s MBK holds regular empower- the early years of the United States’ Boys & Girls Club and the One Hundred ment assemblies which draw about 35 space program. Representatives from Black Men of New York. He was raised students. ’s STEM program attend- by a single mother with limited finan- Riverside High School MBK Advisor: Assistant Principal Darryl Mack Saunders MBK: True Grit

Thriving in the face of adversity is especially when he is tired, but he a Student to Work Day. He ate what Saunders’ MBK does best. makes himself understood. lunch with Just ask one of Saunders’ MBK’s most As he passes through the Superintendent Dr. Edwin Quezada active members, Sair Duran. gymnasium, student after student and Deputy Superintendent Dr. “I love the MBK program because it’s high-fives Duran or offers him a Andrea Coddett, both immigrants where I can help others,” said the hearty handshake. This is a far cry who impressed him with their 10th grader. “And I’ve been through from the days when he was bullied personal accounts of achieving a lot.” as a fourth-grader. Today he finds success through hard work. Sair was born with a cleft palate. camaraderie in MBK activities such Sair also participated in Saunders’ He has had 17 surgeries in his 16 as a tie collection drive designed “Birthday in a Box” project in which years, the last one in August during to help Saunders’ students suit up MBK students collected birthday which he couldn’t speak or eat solid for interviews and Yonkers Clean- party supplies for children in need. food for two weeks. He said it can Up Day, when he helped beautify city parks. Duran found inspiration be challenging to speak clearly, continued on page 15 in April during Yonkers MBK’s Take 8 Pal Prep MBK Next Generation of Hometown Heroes By Carl Jenkins, Teacher

YMA Alumni Offer Post-High School Perspective By Monica Lewis, Teacher

Yonkers Montessori Academy alumni from the school’s first three graduating classes returned on January 6th to meet with current YMA students and talk about their experiences transi- tioning to college life. Represent- ing a wide variety of colleges including Syracuse University, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and SUNY Albany, the 20 alumni panelists, answered questions and offered advice to students who will be transitioning to Palisade Preparatory School boys’ rooms at home to keep the college themselves over the aspires to turn its MBK brothers topic fresh in their minds. next few years. YMA students’ questions related to college into Yonkers’ next generation of Leading the hero exercise was admissions such as “What made hometown heroes. Based on the special education teacher Carl you stand out when you applied program’s busy first year, they are Jenkins who many consider a to college?” and “Who helped well on their way. hometown hero, said Assistant you with the college admission Reflecting the school’s motto, Principal Will Barrow, who advises and application process?” YMA “Developing Hometown Heroes,” MBK with Mr. Jenkins. A graduate students were also interested in Palisade Preparatory School’s MBK of Yonkers High School, Jenkins college life. They asked panelists convened an event called “My played football for Syracuse the cost of one year of college and how they financed those expenses. Hero’s Walk” earlier this year to University before returning to They also asked about class size, reflect on real life heroes and to Yonkers as an educator, a football weekly schedules, and the benefits explore how students might emulate and baseball coach earlier in his and challenges of living on campus them. career at Lincoln High School or commuting. Following the pre- MBK brothers discussed the and now at Pal Prep. The school’s sentation. students met with the definition and characteristics of principal, Dr. Michelle Yazurlo, college alumni individually to ask heroes, analyzing whether they also graduated from a Yonkers’ additional questions. are defined by their situations or high school, Saunders Trades and MBK Advisors: Assistant whether there are universal heroic Technical High School. Principal Donald DeMatteo, qualities. Students finalized their “We want to inspire MBK members Teachers Monica Lewis, Dijon Lindsey, and Donna Bayliff perspectives, relating them to to become hometown heroes and people in their lives. They recorded give back to the community,” said their thoughts on sentence strips Mr. Barrow, adding that about 20 to be hung in classrooms or in the active high school members are working to bring new brothers and

continued on page 14

9 Supporting Adults and Children Together By Susan Naber, Principal program provides vocational instruction, high school equivalency diploma classes, citizenship preparation, parenting skills, and employment assistance. The Vive School on Riverdale Avenue, is the main campus for Pathways to Success, which serves as a welcoming hub for immigrants coming to the city. In addition, evening classes are offered at PEARLS Hawthorne School, Enrico Fermi School and Saunders Trades and Technical High School. All classes and programs are provided free of charge. Pathways to Success Family Welcome Centers, located at various schools throughout the district, assist parents/ guardians by offering a wide range of services, including referrals to community resources, assistance in completing important documents, navigating complex systems (such as health care and education), workshops Yonkers Pathways to Success Adult enjoy parent/child activities, and learn on topics of importance (Immigration, Education Program has partnered early reading and math skills. Obtaining a Tax ID, Employment, Tax with Yonkers MBK this spring to host Collaboration with Yonkers MBK is a Preparation), and many more. Our the Family & Me Program. The goal of natural progression for Pathways to Family Welcome Center partners the program, held on Saturdays from Success, which, for the last 10 years, include Cluster, Westhab, My Sister’s March through June, is to increase has been a vital resource for the Place, St. John’s and St. Joseph’s parents’ engagement in their children’s residents of Yonkers, serving out-of- Hospitals, ANDRUS, Westchester Jewish education. Adults can take courses in school youth, 17 and older. Pathways Community Services, Hudson Valley English as a Second Language, high serves a large minority population, Justice Center, and Sisters of Charity. school equivalency diploma studies and which includes young men of color. The Microsoft Office while children play,

Gorton MBK Cross-Age Tutoring Changes Lives Through Literacy BY Gail Joyner-White, Principal continued from page 6

Gorton High School launched the how to communicate effective reading “I go home feeling like I actually Cross-Age Tutoring Program in strategies to their students. helped someone,” said Deisha February. Donning t-shirts labeled The literacy program is designed to Santiago, grade 10. “It makes me S.W.A.G. – Strong With Amazing support Yonkers MBK’s Milestone 2 feel like a better person.” Gifts -- 28 MBK brothers and sisters -- To ensure that children are reading Tenth grader Mahari Wills takes from the school’s My Sister’s Keeper at grade level by third grade and the long view. “As we teach our show up ready to teach. Every Milestone 3 -- Ensure all youth children we are actually bettering week, before visiting their young graduate from high school ready for our future,” he said. students – about 200 in all -- MBK college and career. Gorton MBK Advisors: Assistant tutors spend time training and Older students benefit as much as the Principal Ryan James, Teachers planning their lessons with school younger ones, gaining a strong sense of Rafael Martinez, Tyrone Glover advisors. For example, they learn personal responsibility and impact. and Daniel Wilson.

10 Lincoln MBK Is Based on Mentorship By Sandy Hattar, Assistant Principal

Mentorship is the foundation of Lincoln of recommendation. The High School’s MBK program. Committee encouraged Lincoln’s MBK Committee is dedicated students to do so and to supporting students as they prepare helped them build the themselves for life after high school. The confidence and skills to mentors, including a school safety officer, make this possible. grade level administrators, and guidance Lincoln’s MBK counselors, meet with students in small collaborated with the group settings. Students work closely student government with their mentors to ensure that they are for community-based on the right track to graduate and know initiatives such as a can how to seek out the resources necessary drive for Thanksgiving and to achieve their goals. a coat drive for December. This winter, in order to better In February, for Black understand what classes they would History Month, members need for potential post-graduate attended various assemblies studies, students were involved in a mini coordinated by the school’s lesson on transcript analysis. During Black Culture Club. The the session, those students who were group also attended interested in a particular profession a viewing of “Hidden informed committee members so that Figures” at Cinema du Lux advisors could later seek out guest at Ridge Hill. speakers in their area of interest. Lincoln High School MBK The students also completed a survey Committee: Teachers to inform the MBK Committee of some Palma Riti, Jason Wilson, of their academic and other needs. School Safety Officer One key piece of information gleaned Robert Bannister and from the survey was that many students Assistant Principal Sandy Hattar. were afraid to ask teachers for letters

11 Lincoln MBK Adds 80 Members in One (Jump) Shot

Lincoln High School’s My Brother’s Basketball Tournament, coached the players who shared personal stories Keeper has more than 130 active players and held mentoring sessions of overcoming family and financial members -- that’s more than 20 percent during game breaks. obstacles to achieve success. The trio of the school’s male students. “We didn’t expect that many students included Douglas Hogue, a Roosevelt Most of those young men joined the to show up, but next thing we knew, High School graduate who played group last month after attending a the gym was flooded with at least 100 for the Detroit Lions and the Carolina wildly popular March Madness “3 on people,” said Robert Bannister, Lincoln’s Panthers, Jayson Bromley of the New 3” basketball tournament organized by Safety Officer and MBK Liaison. York Giants, and Derrell Smith, who Lincoln’s MBK and held on three days MBK students conceived of, advertised, played for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers starting on a Saturday. Two college and set up the event. A few weeks and Houston Texans. More than 300 basketball players and Kenneth Stevens, earlier, the group hosted three NFL people, including Pop Warner youth the founder of the famed Dyckman football players from around the city,

12 attended the inspirational event. “This relates to MBK milestones three sense of leadership and self-confidence, “If you want to have successful and four,” said Lincoln’s Assistant said Mr. Bannister, that he has become activities, the students have to come up Principal Sandy Hattar, a member of like an assistant coach, leading his with the ideas,” said Lincoln’s Principal Yonkers MBK’s Steering Committee. teammates in stretches and running Ian Sherman. Milestone 3: Ensure all youth graduate laps. Ideas are plentiful among Lincoln’s MBK from high school. Milestone 4: Ensure “I haven’t seen anything quite like it brothers. all youth complete post-secondary in my entire coaching career,” said education or training. In March alone, in addition to the Mr. Bannister, who has been coaching basketball event, the school district Mr. Bannister, who is also the school’s young men for more than 30 years. hosted a Summer Job Fair at Lincoln football coach said he encouraged Juan Miqui, a Lincoln senior who moved with more than 25 employers, and his players to join MBK, which added to Yonkers from Harlem three years another Career Fair during which another 20 or so. Then the basketball ago, says he has also gained a sense Lincoln students had one-on-one tournament provided a welcome jump of leadership from his involvement interviews with professionals including in membership. with MBK. For example, Juan said he a lawyer, judge, firefighter, police officer Thomas Gibson, a member of MBK, was able to help a younger student and personal trainer, most of them with a personal issue by sharing his Yonkers natives. Students, professionally own similar experiences. He credits the dressed and with resumes in hand, were “If you want to have program with inspiring him to make encouraged to ask questions to learn better decisions. “I used to smoke and about various fields of work. successful activities, then I began to stop and replaced it Lincoln’s MBK held a meeting in March the students have with football. It’s like a new person called “Straight Talk” during which came into my body.” about 40 MBK brothers shared some to come up with the Juan, Thomas and other MBK members of their personal challenges, ultimately painted the school’s weight room on becoming aware the similarities among ideas.” a recent weekend. They bought the them. paint with money they raised through – Ian Sherman The group also hosted a staff candy sales and other school-sponsored Principal fundraisers. appreciation luncheon in March, inviting Lincoln High School teachers and other staff members When the shade of purple they used personally, as well as planning and for part of the walls didn’t match the cooking the meal. said the school’s program has led him school’s, Principal Sherman asked them to befriend students from other social if they would redo it. “They came back Mr. Bannister, a former chef, taught groups and grades with whom he might students to cook Chicken Marsala, and repainted it, no complaints.” not otherwise interact. “MBK helps us Being a man means you don’t always Lemon Chicken, Southern Roast Pork, come together as brothers,” he said. Macaroni and Cheese and other dishes. do what’s comfortable, Thomas said. The most popular among guests was a Thomas, an 11th grader who moved to Both Thomas and Juan said they prefer dish the students invented themselves, Yonkers last year from North Carolina to wear sweatpants and t-shirts. But shrimp in a small glass filled with a credits the program’s support and they’ve learned that making a good first horseradish, lime, curry sauce, tomato mentorship with helping him improve impression is important. They agreed and red onion mixture. his grades. that they enjoy being recognized by Lincoln’s MBK program began in the fall He is also the Lancer football’s team teachers and other adults when they with about 20 seniors. Administrators quarterback. look sharp. chose to focus on upperclassmen “I want to be a leader in MBK, on and Said Juan, “MBK taught us how to -- students who could benefit from off the field,” he said. brand ourselves.” learning more college, job and life skills Thomas has developed such a strong before graduating.

13 Yonkers MBK Focuses on 6 Milestones for Boys & Young Men of Color

1. Ensure all children enter school cognitively, physically, socially, and emotionally ready. 2. Ensure all children read at grade level by third grade. 3. Ensure all youth graduate from high school. 4. Ensure all youth complete post-secondary education or training. 5. Ensure all youth out of school are employed. 6. Ensure all youth remain safe from violent crime and have a second chance.

Pal Prep MBK Next Generation of Hometown Heroes By Carl Jenkins, Teacher continued from page 9 younger students into the group. education to pursue one’s dreams college essays, taking the SATs Pal Prep’s MBK aspiring heroes this during his lunch with Yonkers Public and learned what types of support spring collected more than 300 Schools Superintendent Dr. Edwin organizations and individuals new and gently used books, from M. Quezada. exist on college campuses to students, teachers, community As part of their efforts to help MBK support new students. More than members and staff from other brothers secure summer jobs and 50 colleges participated in the schools. They donated the books prepare for college interviews, Pal Expo including Adelphi University, to the Nepperhan Community Prep high school students attended , Ithaca College, Center’s after-school program. In a session with Mary Ann DeSalvo, , College of Mount collaboration with Nepperhan, a a High School and Community Saint Vincent and the City University Yonkers MBK partner, the group ran Relations Manager from the College of New York. the book drive to support Yonkers of Westchester. Ms. DeSalvo Pal Prep’s MBK also held a High MBK Milestone 2 -- Ensure all reviewed “soft skills” such as clear School Transcript Seminar. With children read at grade level by third communication and maintaining advisors’ assistance, students grade. Pal Prep’s MBK brothers were a professional appearance for job checked their transcripts to invited to peek into the professional interviews. understand how many credits they lives of city leaders during Yonkers In addition to attending the Summer had earned, how many Regent MBK’s Take a Student to Work Day. Job Fair at Lincoln High School exams they passed and what Justin Brodwith, grade 12, and Louis this Spring, 10 students from Pal subjects they needed to pass to stay Anazco Smaine, grade 11, shared Prep’s MBK spent a day at the on track for graduation. lunch with Yonkers Mayor Mike Latino College Expo and Leadership MBK Advisors: Assistant Principal Spano. Tenth grader Nuryel Benitez, Summit at New York University. They Will Barrow and Teacher Carl Jenkins 10, learned the value of using attended workshops on writing

14 Saunders: True Grit continued from page 8

A February fire damaged the Continuing its series of collection Burial ground in lower Manhattan, school’s main office, taking many drives, Saunders’ MBK, in partnership a national monument where an of their collected items with it. with Lions International, set up boxes estimated 15,000 free and enslaved The fire also displaced school staff. around the school for people to Africans were buried in the 17th and Guidance counselors relocated to donate gently used eyeglasses for 18th centuries. the library, and the clerical staff and recycling. Saunders MBK collaborated Sparks worked as an intern in then- administrators, including Principal with the Red Cross and Yonkers State Senator’s David Patterson’s Steve Mazzola and Assistant Principal/ Middle High School to manage a campaign to preserve the landmark MBK Coordinator Dr. Robert Vicuña MBK clothing drive for victims of a in the 1990s and was able to add her moved into a converted classroom March fire on Odell Avenue. own contributions to the tour guide’s together. One of those teachers, Keasha tales. School secretary, Eneida Alvarado, Bodrick, said it’s crucial that the Inspired by their MBK students’ Saunders’ MBK’s Events Coordinator brothers “learn to give.” She sees interest and abilities, teachers said, “Despite the fire, MBK is community service as a fundamental said they look forward to adding functioning very well. We all have character-builder for MBK brothers, programs to Saunders’ MBK next come together as one to ensure in addition to being a resume-booster year, possibly having Saunders everyone feels safe and that for college applications. students mentor elementary school everything runs the same as it would To connect them to history and students. prior to the fire.” the world outside of Yonkers, Ms. Sair, who has two years left at Saunders’ MBK is always mindful that Bodrick and Dr. Katrina Sparks, a Saunders, welcomes it all. no matter their challenges, there are Special Education and English teacher “I would like to be involved as much always those more in need. in May took students to the African as I can,” he said.

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with students about the importance Ensure all youth graduate from high school. of making good life choices. Gregory Milestone 4: Ensure all youth complete Hambric, a Human Resources Manager post-secondary education or training. at Modell’s Sporting Goods shared tips on Ms. Shine also said students’ interests were how to dress and speak appropriately for built into the program from the start. None job interviews and prepare resumes and job of the teachers or organizers “wanted it to applications. be like a normal school day.” Yonkers MBK Facilitator Gregory Joyner Future Leaders Academy Administrator- reinforced the importance of setting goals in-Charge: Riverside High School Assistant and developing plans to meet them. He Principal Darryl Mack. Future Leaders also spoke about how blessed the students Academy Staff: MBK Coordinator Gregory are to be part of MBK and encouraged Joyner; Palisade Preparatory School them to take advantage of opportunities teachers Carl Jenkins, Ibrahim Nasser, presented to them. Nicholas Cacciola and Secretary Camille While students were engaged with their Wieland; Riverside High School teachers program, some parents attended a course Gregg Redmon, Lawton Huggins, and Lia taught by Guidance Counselor Zoe Charitos Council; MLK Academy teacher Vincent on college readiness, career development Accardi; Lincoln High School teacher and parental involvement. Kristina Nilaj and Guidance Counselor Zoe Elaine Shine, Executive Director of School Charitos; Roosevelt High School teachers Improvement, said the Future Leaders Melba Fawcett-Sands, Gina Garcia-Alvarez Academy is structured to support two of and Rachel Mercandante; Casimir Pulaski Yonkers MBK’s milestones. Milestone 3: School teacher Kavita Sapra. Future Leaders Academy

15 NON PROFIT U.S. POSTAGE PAID WHITE PLAINS, NY PERMIT #7726

ONE LARKIN CENTER • YONKERS, NY 10701

Publisher MBK School Administrative Team Yonkers Board of Education Elaine Shine Will Barrow, Assistant Principal Rev. Steve Lopez, President Executive Director, School Improvement Alexandria Connally, Assistant Principal Judith Ramos Meier, Vice President Donald DeMatteo, Assistant Principal Andrea Brown Editor Sony Grandoit, Assistant Principal Kevin Cacace Adrienne Sanders Sandy Hattar, Assistant Principal James Cavanaugh MBK Communications Facilitator Ryan James, Assistant Principal John Jacono Darryl Mack, Assistant Principal Pasquale Mondesando Design & Layout Dr. Robert Vicuna, Assistant Principal Edgar Santana Joe Panella Dr. Nader J. Sayegh Senior Graphic Designer, City of Yonkers Additional Contributors Dr. Edwin M. Quezada Carl Jenkins, Teacher Superintendent of Schools Gregory Joyner, MBK Program Coordinator

Gail Joyner-White, Principal Dr. Andrea Coddett Monica Lewis, Teacher Deputy Superintendent Christopher Lopez, Teacher RoseAnne Collins-Judon Susan Naber, Principal Assistant Superintendent Jade Sharp, Principal

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