Difference between revisions of "2008 Alternative Break Project"
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| − | On January 6th, 2008, 13 brothers traveled to | + | On January 6th, 2008, 13 brothers traveled to Phoenix along with Executive Director [[Suzanne Schaffer]]. From January 6th - January 12th, the volunteers assisted in various tasks such as a Teach For America discussion panel a the Phoenix Regional Office, constructed a playground for Carl T Smith Middle School, visited the local Phoenix area, and met local Teach For America Corp members. |
* [[Samantha Arroyo]] (Epsilon Iota) | * [[Samantha Arroyo]] (Epsilon Iota) | ||
Revision as of 11:28, 2 January 2013
During his 2006-2008 term, then Vice President of Chapter Development Erik "Duff" Walschburger announced plans to further increase the scope of Phi Sigma Pi's support of the organization with an alternative break that would occur in January of 2008. Plans were made for brothers to travel to Carl T. Smith Middle School in Phoenix Arizona.
Carl T. Smith Middle School
The Carl T. Smith Middle School served 420 5th through 8th grade scholars (please note that the school does not use the term students). Located at the corner of 43rd Avenue and Van Buren in downtown Phoenix, CTS serves a community made up of 99% ethnic minorities, over 90% qualify for the free and reduced lunch program, and almost two thirds are English language learners. Because of explosive growth in the area, CTS underwent a second construction phase and had recently added 13 more classrooms and 8 more bathrooms. Maximum capacity at CTS is now 500 scholars.
In the three years prior to the 2008 break, CTS experienced many ups and downs academically. In 2004-2005, CTS scholars performed well academically and thus received a favorable state label of performing. However, in 2005-2006, student achievement suffered greatly as a result of high teacher turnover, high student mobility, issues with violence and behavior, and eventual replacement of school administration. During the 2006-2007 academic year with a new, energized staff and administration, test scores raised significantly and behavior incidents nearly diminished. Behavior incidents were reduced by nearly 75%, reading scores increased by 60%, and math scores increased by nearly 80%.
The Trip
On January 6th, 2008, 13 brothers traveled to Phoenix along with Executive Director Suzanne Schaffer. From January 6th - January 12th, the volunteers assisted in various tasks such as a Teach For America discussion panel a the Phoenix Regional Office, constructed a playground for Carl T Smith Middle School, visited the local Phoenix area, and met local Teach For America Corp members.
- Samantha Arroyo (Epsilon Iota)
- Amy Cheung (Alpha Rho)
- Avery Cootes (Gamma Theta)
- Patrick DiCosimo (Gamma Tau)
- Tracy Fabian (Beta Kappa)
- Ashley Hardin (Gamma Zeta)
- Emily Hueber (Alpha Eta)
- Stephanie Moergen (Delta Xi)
- Megan Purkey (Gamma Pi)
- Erin Schiavone (Alpha Beta)
- Rachel Vasvari (Alpha Lambda)
- Jannette Williams (Alpha Beta)
- Michael Young (Gamma Zeta)
