Driving Community Transformation
At Zone 126, we are actively thinking and planning for another successful summer to combat the summer slide.  Our students face summer learning loss during July - August, otherwise known as not having  access to educational opportunities, as well as basic needs such as healthy meals and adequate adult supervision (National Summer Learning Association). 

High-quality, low-cost summer programs still remains a great challenge for many students in New York City. Zone 126 is continuing to coordinate and bring programs to the Zone during the summer months. In this newsletter, we are featuring our partner organizations and the programs they are offering for our students in the Zone schools  living in NYCHA Astoria, Ravenswood, Queensbridge Houses. These programs provide academic instruction, enrichment activities, and specialized learning.  
2016 Summer Programs

Camp Herrlich

For the past four year, Zone 126 has been recruiting campers and counselors-in-training for Camp Herrlich. Thanks to the generous support of the Thomas and Jeanne Elmezzi Foundation and their annual support of scholarships for the 12 day sleep away camp, this experience has become a staple Zone 126 Implementation program. Camp Herrlich, located in Patterson, New York, is a place where students participate in educational, recreational, and team building activities that work towards stewardship, community service, and personal growth in an atmosphere of acceptance and love. Take a look at some of the pictures over the years from Camp Herrlich.

Summer Advantage

"Scholars" is the term that Summer Advantage uses to address students during the summer months. Scholars from PS 76Q and PS 112Q will be participating in the second year of Summer Advantage programming within the Zone. This five-week, full-day program includes academic supports in math and literacy to ensure scholars aren't susceptible to the summer slide, and also includes enrichment activities and field trips to cultural institutions throughout the city.

Legal Outreach

The Law and Justice Institute Program is open to rising 9th graders attending one of our partner schools (CS 111Q, IS 126Q and IS 204Q). The institute prepares students to strive for academic excellence to potentially pursue a career in law in the long-run. Some of the activities that students participate in during the summer are:  

  • learning about the criminal justice, trial process, and careers in law
  • guest speakers from the law field
  • mock trial participation with an actual judge 
  • learning about the criminal justice, trial process, and careers in law 
  • mentorship support throughout the student's high school career

Read about students' experience last year from the Legal Outreach Summer 2015 newsletter!

Summer in the City: Jacob Riis

As part of Chancellor Farina's "Summer in the City" initiative to bring expanded summer programming into New York City public schools (K to 5th grade), Jacob A. Riis Neighborhood Settlement Houses will be providing their summer programs to Community School 111Q!  

You're Invited!
Let's Great Ready! Closing Ceremony
Thursday, May 5 | 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm

CS 111Q Community School Forum
June 2016

Socrates Sculpture Park Closing Ceremony
Wednesday, June 8 | 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm

Parent-Child Home Program Home Visiting Program Celebration 
Wednesday, June 29 | 11:30 am

Summer Advantage USA
July 11 - August 12

The LICHS and Zone 126 Community School Team cordially invites you to attend our annual Community School Breakfast on Thursday, May 26th at 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM. This event will take place at Long Island City High School on the football field.

 Families, fellow CBO’s, local businesses and elected officials will be in attendance to celebrate the Long Island City High School Community School efforts. (Partners are encouraged to table!) 
RSVP here. 

Zone 126 Writing Corner

We've expanded staff writing platforms to Medium, in addition to the Zone 126 blog. Enjoy the reads below!

Job/Internship Opportunities

  • Join the Operation AmeriCorps class of 2016-2017 and be a Parent Organizer or Success Mentor at our Community Schools in NYC!
  • Know any high school students interested in Urban Agriculture? City Growers has an Urban Roots Youth Leaders (paid) internship program this summer! Apply here.
  • We're recruiting summer Counselors-in-Training for Camp Herrlich. Contact LICHS Community School Director, Michelle if you know any great candidates!