Mr. DeFabbia and his students created a website that details the “life” of KCA. The website features the “Marching Cobras” and their recent trip to Maryland to participate in the annual Martin Luther King Parade. Other items included on the website are PBIS program information, curriculum information, sports pages, extracurricular activities and cottage life information. Please visit the webpage for full detail (http://www.scoresup.com/Kca/). “ScoresUp” staff observed that the website has “…well maintained pages…and had a great launch effort.”

I am extremely pleased that Mr. DeFabbia took the incentive to become part of the “ScoresUp” family. Our participation with “ScoresUp” will pay dividends for our students in that they will acquire some of the skills required to compete in the workplace. “ScoresUp” is one of the many programs offered by GNC UFSD to assist our students with the transition to adulthood.

If you would like more information regarding GNC please go to our website (http://www.greenburghnorthcastleschools.com/). For referral information please contact Dr. Robin Levine at 914-693-3030 ext.2232 regarding day placements and for residential placement please contact either Jill Bergner, Director of Intake, at 914-693-3030 ext. 2037 or Karen Safris, Supervisor of Intake, at 914-949-0665 ext. 2301. 

“Albany will remember the Marching Cobras” said band director Terrel Stowers in an email distributed to staff at school during the week following the trip. He said the pre-game program, “…helped to set the atmosphere for what would be an exciting game. At halftime the band once again went onto the field and gave a spectacular performance. The crowd was excited and truly enjoyed the entire show.” Mr. Gomes “did a great job showing the pride and the culture of the campus,” to band members said Mr. Stowers.

According to the University website, more than 2,500 spectators attended the game, giving the Cobra’s Marching Band, musical act one of its largest audiences since beginning to perform for outside groups just one year ago. 

While University of Albany unfortunately came out on the losing end of a thrilling, come from behind contest, it was the Great Danes only defeat in their conference games this season. The weekend was a winning experience for both band and staff members. The nearly 300 mile round trip and hotel stay proceeded exactly as planned. Mr. Stowers noted the assistance of St. Christopher’s staff Nealon Green and Letisha Lewis in providing round the clock supervision as well as the work of GNC UFSD teacher Jonelle Ballard in “contacting parents and helping them understand the impact that the trip would have on the students.”

Mr. Stowers elaborated in his postgame message by saying, “We look forward to growing a relationship with the Albany campus not only so we can have a place to entertain, but also to instill a value for higher education among GNC UFSD students. The students had the time of their lives. I look forward to the future and what awaits the Marching Cobras.”

The Marching Cobras latest performance was at the annual Martin Luther King Jr. parade in Maryland on January 16, 2012. Please see photographs from this uplifting event that truly celebrated the life and work of Dr. King. If your child is interested in becoming part of the Marching Cobras please contact Mr. Stowers at 914-844-3526.

If you would like more information regarding GNC please go to our website (http://www.greenburghnorthcastleschools.com/). For referral information please contact Dr. Robin Levine at 914-693-3030 ext.2232 regarding day placements and for residential placement please contact either Jill Bergner, Director of Intake, at 914-693-3030 ext. 2037 or Karen Safris, Supervisor of Intake, at 914-949-0665 ext. 2301.

REACH Academy recently launched a new vocational education and training program at the Westchester Institute for Human Development (WIHD) that includes daily internships for five seniors at the Westchester Medical Center (WMC) in Valhalla. Though less than two months old, the program is already having a dramatic impact – on students and staff – and it may result in one or more seniors being hired by the Medical Center after they graduate.

Like most apparent “instant success” stories, of course, many hours of planning, effort, and collaboration took place long ahead of any accomplishments. The story began last May, when Kerry McKenna, a District Transition Specialist at Clark Academy, took the lead in writing a grant proposal to the state’s Developmental Disability Planning Council for funding to implement a Project SEARCH program for REACH Academy students. Project SEARCH, a nationally-acclaimed organization, provides education and training to young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities through innovative workforce and career programs. Its primary goal is to see graduating students secure competitive employment.

Providing effective vocational training for disabled students has long been a goal for    GNC UFSD and St. Christopher’s, and Project SEARCH was seen as well-matched to the District and St. Christopher’s existing educational, residential, and transitional goals. The proposal was successful and the Council awarded GNC UFSD a multi-year grant to launch a Project SEARCH program to be implemented with the support of the WIHD; a 200-person organization whose broad mission includes promoting well-being among people with disabilities. WIHD is based on the grounds of Westchester Medical Center, less than a 15-minute ride from the Jennie Clarkson campus, where REACH Academy students’ residential cottages are located.

Planning for the program started during the summer and was completed in early fall.  A key element involved WIHD coordinating with WMC to create internships in medical and administrative departments where REACH Academy students would receive daily training and experience in a real-world work setting.  WIHD would also provide a classroom at its facility so that students could spend the entire school day on the WMC campus, moving easily between the classroom and their internships.

The students selected to take part are all seniors who have completed the course work for their diploma (either a local diploma or IEP diploma) and need a vocational component to meet their graduation requirements. Donna Pasini, a REACH Academy teacher, Laurie Dellolio, a teaching assistant, and Todd Jenkins, a job coach were selected to lead the first class of seniors in the program.

GNC UFSD’s Project SEARCH program started for students on Monday, October 31, 2011.  Now, on a typical school day morning, the students ride by bus from the Jennie Clarkson campus to the WIHD facility. Work begins in the classroom   with   transitional training, instruction in life skills, or study of subject matter pertaining more directly to the internships. Later, students are taken to their internships, which are in one of three fields: clerical work, assistive technology, and outpatient medical services. In addition to the teachers and job coach, other staff from GNC UFSD and St. Christopher’s train and supervise students in the internships. Afterward, students return to the classroom to discuss or review what they did or learned at their “jobs.”  At the end of the school day, students board the bus for the ride back to the Jennie Clarkson campus.

GNC UFSD and St. Christopher’s staff and other officials are already noticing significant results. “The students are doing good work, I mean really good work, and they are very dependable,” said Naomi Brickel, the project coordinator in WIHD’s Transition Resource Center. “They bring a lot of positive energy with them. It’s extremely fulfilling to see them functioning so well. It is inspiring for us to be involved with them. The internships are not only giving students real-world experience, it’s giving them confidence and self-esteem. You can see it in their attitude and even their body language. They stand up straighter”, Ms. Pasini said. One of the students, who has been interning in outpatient medical services, has performed so well that the Medical Center may consider hiring him after graduation. “There were no expectations that the internships would lead to something permanent at the Medical Center. That isn’t their purpose,” said Ms. Pasini, “but if it works out that way for the student, it would be wonderful.”

If you would like more information regarding GNC please go to our website (http://www.greenburghnorthcastleschools.com/). For referral information please contact Dr. Robin Levine at 914-693-3030 ext.2232 regarding day placements and for residential placement please contact either Jill Bergner, Director of Intake, at 914-693-3030 ext. 2037 or Karen Safris, Supervisor of Intake, at 914-949-0665 ext. 2301. 

The individual with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) provides guidelines for programs and services for students with disabilities including the mandate of transition planning. Transition planning focuses on the identification of opportunities and supports for life after high school. The focus of transition planning in general assists students to live, learn and earn in their community. Based on the strengths and needs of students, transition planning may include specific courses, job shadowing, housing, benefits, social relationships, internships, college, vocational school, supported employment and ultimately competitive employment. Thoughtful and systematic transition planning is critical to the lives of our students based on the shrinking job market and the plummeting employment rate of people with disabilities in our State and Nation.

The MTP identified five successful transition strategies based on research findings. These five transition strategies that are evidenced based propel schools to perform at a high level of effectiveness with students are as follows:

1. School administrators support various levels of transition strategies
2. Data related to transition strategies are collected, reviewed and reflected on by the school community.
3. Career development activities are developed and expanded that include job search training, soft skills training, specific job skills training, internships, job shadowing, volunteering, paid employment and specific and realistic IEP transition goals.
4. Parents/Guardians engage in the transition process.
5. Collaboration with community-based partners to implement transition strategies that include colleges, vocational training schools, independent living centers, businesses and local community agencies is meaningful.

Transition activities create the bridge to adulthood for our students. A life of independence is predicated on our students and their families actively participating in a wide variety of these activities. Each of the GNC programs work with students and their families to identify and develop the student’s talents and skills to achieve their personal goals. This allows students to not only earn a diploma but also have the skill set that allows them to use their diploma as they move on to new environments and situations. Another important aspect of transition planning is connecting students and their families to service systems that can provide support after graduation from school.

A special thank you to Mr. Kerry McKenna, District Transition Coordinator, for collecting and organizing the following summary of the many transition activities that are underway at our three academies:

Kenneth Clark Academy

-       18 referrals to ACCES-VR

-       5 College visits

-       7 students participated in the Certified First Response class with Westchester Community College

-       Students are in the process of registering for the College Success class offered at Westchester Community College offered Spring 2012 semester

-       17 college applications completed

-       3 students participated in St. Cabrini internship program

-       Marine Recruiters visit to campus

-       4 students participated in the Monroe College Jump Start Program

Greenburgh Academy

-       4 student’s participated in the Certified First Response class with Westchester Community College

-       5 College visits

-       14 college applications completed with 12 interviews

-       2 Career School visits

-       6 referrals to ACCES-VR

-       Four students participated in Andrus Nursing Home internship program

-       Army recruiter visit to campus

-       Plan to attend college fair for Hispanic students at Pace University

-       56 students participated in the Security Guard Certification program

-       Students are in the process of registering for the College Success class offered at Westchester Community College offered Spring 2012 semester

REACH Program

-       5 students participated in Project SEARCH internship program at Westchester Medical Center Campus

-       1 student participated in the agricultural enterprise program in the organic garden at the Jennie Clarkson campus

-       1 student participated in the Jump Start program at Monroe College (Saturday College)

-       6 students have active ACCES-VR applications

-       4 referrals to OPWDD

-       All upper classmen are divided into Transition Teams and are meeting weekly with Transition Specialists and have participated in four career-based field trips

-       Vocational and life skills are addressed for all students in the REACH Customer Services classes

-       A number of students regularly volunteered at the Dobbs Ferry Senior Citizen Center

20 students from all 3 programs were invited to a winter Holiday luncheon held by the Dobbs Ferry Senior Citizen Center to thank them for their volunteer work.

If you would like more information regarding GNC please go to our website (http://www.greenburghnorthcastleschools.com/). For referral information please contact Dr. Robin Levine at 914-693-3030 ext.2232 regarding day placements and for residential placement please contact either Jill Bergner, Director of Intake, at 914-693-3030 ext. 2037 or Karen Safris, Supervisor of Intake, at 914-949-0665 ext. 2301. 

The construct of not totally reducing the achievement of students to standardized tests was seen at a recent high school basketball tournament in Westchester County. The first round pitted the District’s Greenburgh Academy (GA) against a local suburban high school. The outcome at first glance appeared fairly predictable. The suburban high school profile was in direct contrast to GA. GA is comprised of students with learning differences and nearly 100% of the students qualify for free lunch. Most are overage and under credited and all hail from urban areas that feature limited resources and have been in multiple middle/high schools that have failed them. Most of our students have not received proper athletic training and experience. Needless to say the suburban high school players have had very different life experiences. Moreover, GA fielded a team of eight players compared to the full roster of their opponent. Surprisingly to all but perhaps the GA community, GA pulled off a 53-52 upset. For many of the GA Crusaders this was their first time wearing the uniform of a school athletic team and it was a night they will remember.

This was not only a victory for the GA Crusaders but a victory for the administration, staff and families of GA. When hard work, dedication, focus and perseverance are taught the sky is the limit. This game will quickly fade from our memories but is one of the many first steps that teach our students that they can compete with students that have had privileges they could never imagine. It is now time for our students to prove that they can compete with their rivals not only on the court but in the classroom, the world of work and in social situations. I have great faith in the GA staff and have confidence in the GA student body that they will succeed beyond our expectations!

If you would like more information regarding GNC please go to our website (http://www.greenburghnorthcastleschools.com/). For referral information please contact Dr. Robin Levine at 914-693-3030 ext.2232 regarding day placements and for residential placement please contact either Jill Bergner, Director of Intake, at 914-693-3030 ext. 2037 or Karen Safris, Supervisor of Intake, at 914-949-0665 ext. 2301.

I’m pleased to report that the transition to our three new schools has gone well with some growing pains. The transition from Greenburgh Academy in Yonkers to the two new sites, Abbott House in Irvington and Jennie Clarkson in Valhalla, has been relatively seamless. Both staff and students have adapted well to their temporary homes. They have required in some cases sharing of resources including classroom space. However, the entire staff has responded to the transition in a positive manner and continues to provide excellent education to our students. A committee has been formed to locate a permanent home for the Greenburgh Academy staff and student body.

We have had a relatively good transition for REACH Academy, Jennie Clarkson campus, to St. Anthony’s of Padua in West Harrison. The student body at REACH Academy is significantly different than the former students enrolled at St. Anthony’s of Padua. The first three months have been an adjustment period for our staff, students and community. Providing an education for our students outside the boundaries of the Jennie Clarkson campus has been challenging in that the same resources available at the Jennie Clarkson campus are not available at St. Anthony’s of Padua, i.e., the acres of green space, the cottages and immediate access to Agency staff. However, St. Anthony’s of Padua is an outstanding facility with spacious classrooms and related space. The staff has skillfully utilized St. Anthony’s of Padua and as a result, students are receiving an outstanding education. As you may know, GNC UFSD received a $5,000,000.00 award to build a new modern school on the campus of Jennie Clarkson for the REACH Academy. Ground breaking is scheduled for this summer.

The next edition of the Superintendent’s Corner will feature transition activities at each of our three academies.

If you would like more information regarding GNC please go to our website (http://www.greenburghnorthcastleschools.com/). For referral information please contact Dr. Robin Levine at 914-693-3030 ext.2232 regarding day placements and for residential placement please contact either Jill Bergner, Director of Intake, at 914-693-3030 ext. 2037 or Karen Safris, Supervisor of Intake, at 914-949-0665 ext. 2301.

Having worked in a variety of school districts and at the New York State Education Department in several capacities, it is clear that very few districts could have accomplished this incredible task of moving two schools to three new locations. It is my pleasure to continue leading this outstanding District as we prepare our student body for career paths that include secondary placements such as college, vocational training programs, internships, supported employment and ultimately competitive employment. In the next Superintendent’s Corner the feature will provide updates regarding our three new schools.

If you would like more information regarding GNC please go to our website (http://www.greenburghnorthcastleschools.com/). For referral information please contact Dr. Robin Levine at 914-964-5496 regarding day placements and for residential placement please contact either Jill Bergner, Director of Intake, at 914-693-3030 ext. 2037 or Karen Safris,  Supervisor of Intake , at 914-949-0665 ext. 2301.

The District graduating class of 2011, that includes Greenburgh Academy, Kenneth Clark Academy and REACH Academy, has once again met our high expectations. The graduating classes of 2011, January, June and August, were comprised of 64 students. The 64 students earned the following diploma types: 1 Advanced Regents diploma, 8 Regents diplomas, 41 Local diplomas and 14 IEP diplomas. Post-secondary plans for the graduating class of 2011 included 35 students planning to attend college, 16 students will enroll in vocational training schools and 13 will seek employment. These impressive outcomes were a result of a rigorous Regents curriculum, excellent test preparation, integration of “The 7 Keys to Literacy” across the curriculum, extra-curricular activities that enrich the lives of students and staff that include but are not limited to the Marching Band, Art Festival, Section I Athletics, Chess Club, Intramural Athletics and student government along with a dedicated staff that insists on excellence in and out of the classroom.

The culmination of a year’s worth of hard work on behalf of the GNC UFSD student body is reflected in these impressive outcomes and transitions to post-secondary placements. Please view the latest edition to the website on the home page, GNC Video Series Interviews, which provide student perspectives on how they have benefited from their enrollment in the GNC UFSD.

Student transitions from GNC UFSD to post-secondary placements are not the only transitions our community will face the remainder of this summer and fall. REACH Academy and Greenburgh Academy will both be transitioning to new homes. REACH Academy will call the former St. Anthony’s of Padua of West Harrison home for at least two years while the former REACH Academy on the Jennie Clarkson campus is expanded and improved beginning next summer. Construction will include new classrooms, new therapy areas, new vocational areas and enhanced current classrooms and gymnasium.

Greenburgh Academy has been located at 108 Shonnard Place for 11 years and will transition temporarily to the former Abbott House School located on the Abbott House campus in Irvington. GA will also occupy REACH Academy for one year. The overall objective is to locate a permanent home for GA. The temporary relocation to the Abbott House School and REACH Academy is the first big step for GNC UFSD to establish a permanent home that meets the long term needs of our student body. A committee will be established in the fall to begin the process of identifying options for GA. I will ask for committee volunteers later in September.

I wish all of you a productive start to the 2011-2012 school year. I hope you enjoy reading this edition of the Superintendent’s Corner. As a reminder, I appreciate hearing from you and welcome you to email me at eplacke@sc1881.org.

If you would like more information regarding GNC please go to our website (http://www.greenburghnorthcastleschools.com/). For referral information please contact Dr. Robin Levine at 914-964-5496 regarding day placements and for residential placement please contact either Jill Bergner, Director of Intake, at 914-693-3030 ext. 2037 or Karen Safris,  Supervisor of Intake , at 914-949-0665 ext. 2301.

His death represents the senseless violence regularly faced by many of our students. As we reflect on the death of another young Black American man, it may be productive to consider the state of Black America. The following statistics may be helpful in perhaps beginning to understand the context of the tragedy from various perspectives:

Economic

• Black American men are twice as likely to be unemployed as White American men (National Black United Fund, 2011)
• One out of four Black American men live in poverty (National Black United Fund, 2011)
• About 40% of Black American men receive public assistance (National Black United Fund, 2011)
• Median family income for Black American men is $20,000 less than White American men (National Black United Fund, 2011)
• Black American men earn 67% of what White American men earn (The Morehouse Male Institute, 2011)
• Single Black American mothers are more likely than married Black American mothers to be poor (Hymowitz, 2005)

Education

• By the time Black American students reach 12^th grade their scores on standardized tests are 74% of White American students (Urban League, 2007)
• 41% of Black American men graduate from high school compared to about 70% of White American Men (Urban League, 2007)
• By the 4^th grade, Black American students perform at a level 87% of White American students perform (Urban League, 2007)
• For every three Black American men at college, four Black American men are at either prison or jail (The Morehouse Male Institute, 2011)

Social

• A higher percentage of Black American men are seven times more likely to be incarcerated and the average sentence is ten months longer than White American men (National Urban League, 2007)
• Black American men have a higher percentage than White American men to be convicted more often and receive longer sentences (National Urban League)
• A higher percentage of Black American men are fifteen times more likely than White American men to die by homicide (National Urban League, 2007)
• 72% of Black American children are born to unmarried women; the overall rate in the United States is 41% (Jayner, 2010)
• More Black American men are in prison, on probation or parole than were enslaved in 1850 before the Civil War began (Alexander, 2010)

The data does not explain the death of Terrell but provides a context in which many American Black men live and the obstacles they face day in and day out. Based on the aforementioned data, there are several underpinning variables.

First, our education system has not responded to closing the obvious academic gap between Black American men and White American men. Second, many Black American men are raised in households without male role models. Third, government economic and social reforms have failed miserably and have reinforced the culture of incarceration for many Black American men.

The exceedingly high rate of crime, unresponsive education system, single parent households immersed in poverty and incarceration that has plagued many Black American men and has contributed to the barriers they encounter derails economic self-sufficiency. Wright Edelman (2011) observes that “…high percentages of Black American boys growing up in poverty and in single-mother households had a devastating effect on black boy’s outcomes.” Moreover, unemployment is now almost 20% for Black Americans and that does not include a large percentage not seeking employment or is incarcerated.

In light of the death of Terrell and this abysmal data, our District’s mission does not change; it continues to focus on preparing students for a life of independence; a life of giving back to the community, a life of raising the next generation that will realize the “American Dream”; a life of self-sufficiency and dignity. This is what all communities want for their children. American Black men are no different.

Our effort to properly educate students must be enhanced to close the academic gaps across curriculum areas, reinforce the value of secondary and post-secondary education, and to continue to emphasize values that equate to securing and maintaining competitive employment and raising a family.

In sum, like many of you, I grieve for the life of Terrel, as well as his killer, for we have lost two more Black American men to senseless violence.

If you would like more information regarding GNC please go to our website (http://www.greenburghnorthcastleschools.com/). For referral information please contact Dr. Robin Levine at 914-964-5496 regarding day placements and for residential placement please contact either Jill Bergner, Director of Intake, at 914-693-3030 ext. 2037 or Karen Safris,  Supervisor of Intake , at 914-949-0665 ext. 2301

-       Alexander, M. The New John Crow; Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness. New Press. 2010.

-       Hymowitz, K. The Black Family: 40 Years of Lies. City Journal. Summer 2005.

-       Jayner, J. Seventy-two percent of Blacks Born to Unwed Mothers. Outside the Beltway. November 2010.

-       Wright Edelman, M. Giving Black Boys a Strong Start. www.insightnews.com/commentary/7717-giving-black-boys-a-strong-start. June 2011.

-       National Urban League. The State of Black American 2007 Executive Summary. www.weourselves.gov. 2007.

-       National Black United Fund. The State of Black America. www.nbuf/org. July 2011.

-       The Morehouse Male Imitative. Statistics on African American Males. www.morehousemaleinititiave.com. 2011.

The graduating class of 2011 has the largest number of students to earn a local diploma in the history of the GNC UFSD; additionally, the class of 2011 features the first GNC UFSD student to be awarded an Advanced Regents Diploma!

The career development component of our District has made significant strides and has positively prepared many of our graduates for the “World of Work”. A cosmetology course has been implemented in our new “Lab” at Kenneth Clark Academy (KCA). Both Kenneth Clark Academy and Greenburgh Academy (GA) collaborated on a customer service program that has provided students with employment related skills. REACH Academy has launched a “life skills” curriculum to prepare students for adulthood which includes skills related to employment and citizenship. Another highlight of GNC UFSD’s emphasis on career development is in the internship program for GA students at Andrus on the Hudson Nursing Home in Hastings.

There are many “firsts” our student athletes experienced this year. The KCA Varsity flag football team won the league championship for the second year in a row; whereas the GA team was the finalist. For the first time each academy fielded a Section 1 bowling team. The GA Varsity Basketball team were the finalists in the Section 1 Class D tournament and KCA were semi-finalist.

The senior class has excelled in the fine and performing arts that includes participation in the “Marching Cobras” our District drum corp and dance line. A large number of seniors have also demonstrated a high level of skill in both music and art classes across the three academies.

I am honored to lead the GNC UFSD and extremely proud of the Class of 2011. They have left an indelible mark on the staff, administration and the student body. Please go to the District website (http://www.greenburghnorthcastleschools.com/) for additional updates and news.

If you would like more information regarding GNC UFSD please go to our website (http://www.greenburghnorthcastleschools.com/). For referral information please contact Dr. Robin Levine at 914-964-5496 regarding day placements and for residential placements please contact either Jill Bergner, Director of Intake, at 914-693-3030 ext. 2037 or Karen Safris,  Supervisor of Intake , at 914-949-0665 ext. 2301.