Page 4 - CHANGING Winter 2020

The Bronx Bronx Institute at Lehman College • Bronx Bronx GEAR UP Network
www TheBronxInstitute org
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Since the the the beginning of the the the COVID-19 pandemic the the the students of GEAR UP have adapted to a a a a new online reality As the program moved to virtual platforms our rising 12th grade students completed academic enrichment activities while working on their college applications and developing social/emotional learning In July rising 11th graders participated in in the Summer Online Institute—academic enrichment courses consisting of Algebra 2/SAT prep Chemistry and Immunology & Infectious Diseases as as well as as College Advisement Rising 12th graders focused on critical analysis and writing at the college level in the Summer College Boot Camp Despite the the hurdles and limitations imposed by the the COVID-19 pandemic the message is clear: GEAR UP IS WELL-PREPARED TO TO PIVOT AND ADAPT TO TO CHANGING CIRCUMSTANCES THANKS IN IN NO SMALL PART TO GEAR UP’S STUDENTS THEMSELVES They have proven their strength and resiliency time and time again The VSCBC was very productive in that it helped me make a a a a a college list learn about FAFSA and decide which colleges fit my needs My favorite subject was English because it it motivated me to write my college essay and with the teacher’s help I I ended up having an essay I I was very comfortable with Edelin Restituyo 12th grade - New World High School The experience during the the VSCBC was amazing because it helped me work
on my college research before the senior year began It took away a a a a a a lot of the stress related to applying for for college The most useful class for for me was financial aid where I learned about loans scholarships and opportunity programs Tram Tran 12th grade - Collegiate Institute for Math and Science
GEAR UP Online Institute GEAR UP implemented the Summer Online Institute (a series of academic enrichment activities) and the Summer College Boot Camp (a robust advisement and counseling plan) all online These courses were designed to provide students with the important academic and and social/emotional skills and and strategies while preparing them for the the rigors of undergraduate coursework In these uncertain times GEAR UP has placed a a a a strong emphasis on on social/emotional development in order to help students cope with stress and anxiety During the Social Hour students were able to meet with each other via video chat and were able to socialize while learning simple mindfulness strategies They also learned the importance of celebrating and supporting diversity in in academic spaces as a a a a a a tool for building a a a a community of support and acceptance GEAR UP College Bootcamp
Guided by experienced educators and counselors the Virtual Summer College Boot Camp (VSCBC) encouraged students to analyze and engage with different forms of writing—from academic texts to to works of prose and poetry to to speeches by famous politicians and celebrities The mission was to write revise and complete a a a college “statement of purpose” by the end of the the the summer laying the the the groundwork for the the the college application process in the fall By the the end of the the Summer College Boot Camp every student had completed their statement of purpose allowing them to modify it as they progress through the the school year Since most schools require students to complete this document during the school year GEAR UP students already have a a a a a leg-up on the the the competition—they’re well-prepared to tackle the the the college- going process “The course was challenging since it’s difficult to fully engage with students online ” said Raven Wilhelm an instructor in in in the Summer College Boot Camp program “But every day before class we would start with a a a a a free writing activity allowing students to express themselves in their own unique ways It really helped humanize the remote learning experience and created a a strong sense of community ” The Bronx Bronx Institute Bronx Bronx GEAR UP Network