Diving Deep in the Zone
BUILDING A BRIDGE TO HIGH SCHOOL  

Long Island City High School's Summer Bridge to High School program offers incoming 9th grade students an introduction to Common Core Learning Standards ELA, Math, and Science. Students who complete the Bridge Program enter high school with three elective credits towards graduation. Students get an opportunity to experience high school course work in advance and bond with their cohort class of 2020 -- Lenny Brief, LICHS Assistant Principal 
Graduation Across the Zone

8th Grade Spotlight: Yasmine

Middle School:
IS 126Q

High School:
Long Island City High School 
(Small Learning Community: Sports Medicine & Health Institute Academy)

Awards Received:
ARISTA (National Junior Honor Society) and Community Service Award

Interesting Fact: 
Last summer, I traveled to Arizona to see the biosphere

What will you miss about IS 126Q?
I will miss my teachers - they are so nice! I will also miss my friends, grades, & guidance counselor. However, since I will be at LICHS, I will have the chance to come back and visit!

Why you choose LICHS?
Since coming to this neighborhood from Morocco at the age of 7, this community has been my comfort zone with all of my friends here!

What are you looking forward to at LICHS?
I am looking forward to joining the National Junior Honor Society! In addition, I am looking forward to getting good grades & making new friends!

Summer Plans:
This summer, I will be participating in Legal Outreach and Gear Up's Summer Sleepaway Camp. I wanted to participate in Legal Outreach to become more confidence when speaking and develop more debate skills.

Favorite Quote: "It is a great day to save lives" 
Vishali (right) with friends at LICHS Breakfast

High School Spotlight: Vishali

High School:
Long Island City High School
(Culinary Arts Academy)

College:
CUNY Queens College 

Why did you pick Queens College?
I was accepted to the SEEK program and will be pursuing a degree in International Business & Marketing program.

What will you miss about LICHS?
I will miss my teachers, fellow peers, and the school environment. I was part of the Leadership Team, Fencing, and I volunteered for the Blood Drive and Sing! Competition. My senior year was fast & fun! I truly cherish my time at LICHS. I had a great time at prom. The Senior BBQ was fun, but also sad.

What are you looking forward to in Queens College?
I am looking forward to internships, and excited to meet new people. However, I am also nervous because I am afraid to fail.

How do you feel about going to college overall?
I look forward to my next steps in September -- I cannot believe how fast time flies!

Summer Plans:
I will be visiting family in Canada & India!
Graduation Reflections
Katey (left) at CUNY Hunter graduation
Education for the Long-Haul
by Katey Ray

The decision to go back to school for a second master’s degree was not an easy one to make. At the time, I was well established in my career as an elem entary school teacher and was making a respectable salary. I’d also been at the same school for my entire teaching career, so it felt like home despite its many flaws .

Nevertheless, I knew that I was ready to take on a new challenge, so I quit my teaching job and took the plunge and enrolled for a Master of Education in School Counseling degree at Hunter College. My first semester of school reassured me that I’d made the right decision; I loved all of my professors and my classes and I was continually impressed with my intelligent and diverse group of classmates. Each semester got more and more challenging as I eventually had to balance a full course load, 20 hours of internship a week and working part-time.

I’m grateful that I was able to continue working with Zone 126 throughout the experience, as my supervisors and colleagues were flexible and supportive despite my hectic schedule. Working with school staff, parents, and students at schools in the Long Island City/Astoria community has proven to be yet another valuable component to my 12-year education career. I feel proud of my professional and academic accomplishments. I am grateful for the support and opportunities I’ve been given in order to pursue my passion – working to eliminate the educational achievement gap. During the course of this journey, I’ve kept in mind the words my mother repeated consistently throughout my childhood, “Education is the key.”
Genesis (second from right) with family at Syracuse University Graduation 
One Year Later
by Genesis Machado 

Growing up my parents stressed the importance of attending college, obtaining a degree and ultimately achieving the “American Dream”. That is why deciding to enroll at Syracuse University through HEOP (Higher Education Opportunity Program) was an easy decision to make.

Upon stepping foot on campus I felt lost and confused — most of my peers seemed to have it all figured out — they knew what they wanted to major in, the extracurricular activities they were going to join, and even where they wanted to intern! Making a career choice was not easy (I changed majors seven times). For most people this might seem absurd, but the constant change allowed for my own self-reflection. After what seemed like a whirlwind, I was able to find my true passion—education.

I declared Public Policy as a major with a concentration in education. During my time at Syracuse University, I developed professional skills through extensive community service and research projects, which led me to my current position at Zone 126 as the Data and Evaluation Associate. As I reflect upon my year after graduating, I can confidently say that sometimes it is ok to not know what you want to major in, but as long as you are passionate about something, you can find a career of interest. It is not easy, but nothing in life worth having is.
Socrates Sculpture Park Closing Ceremony
Wednesday, June 21 | 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm

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

Summer Advantage USA Program
July 11 - August 12

Links

  • OPPORTUNITY: Free summer program for high school students at The Noguchi Museum. Applications due 6/24. 
  • EVENT: Join our partner City Growers at their Summer Solstice event at the LIC Landing on Thursday, 6/23! Purchase your ticket here.  
  • READ: New Report from National Education Policy Center: Research-Based Expectations for Implementation of Community Schools Initiative in New York City.
  • READ: Emerging Picture of What It Means to be a Poor New Yorker from the Robin Hood Foundation blog
  • READ: Zone 126 was featured in Queens Latino + LIC Journal for the successful Community School Breakfast we co-hosted at Long Island City High School

Congratulations to LICHS and WCBHS students for receiving the Judge Charles F. Vallone Scholarship + Variety Boys & Girls Club Youth of the Year!