2011 Alternative Break Project
During the 2010 National Convention Vice President of Chapter Development Kyle Williams announced Phi Sigma Pi would travel to the city of Memphis, TN. The trip took place May 15th through May 22nd. 19 Brothers from around the country assisted KIPP DIAMOND Academy (KDA). This was the first opportunity working with a KIPP school. While in Memphis, Brothers built an outdoor classroom for the students of KDA.
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About KIPP
KIPP is a national network of free, open-enrollment, college-preparatory public schools with a track record of preparing students in underserved communities for success in college and in life. There are currently 99 KIPP schools in 20 states and the District of Columbia serving around 26,000 students.
According to the KIPP Memphis Website, the schools offers a rigorous, college preparatory education. As such, homerooms are named after the teacher’s collegiate alma mater. Grade levels are also identified as the year in which its students will enroll in college (for example, our eighth graders this year are the Class of 2015 because they will enroll in college in 2015).
Because of the longer school day, week, and year, KIPP students benefit not only from extra time in core subjects of Math, English Language Arts, Science and Social Studies, with more instruction in courses such as Critical Thinking, Organizational Skills, and Life Skills. Executed daily, intervention offers specialized instruction and practice for students who are not reading on grade level, and facilitates literacy development for all students. Furthermore, Saturday school curricula provide an added enrichment component and seek to expose KIPPsters life skills and civic duties. Examples of past Saturday school electives include recycling, team building, book club, and a men’s life skills seminar.
KIPP Diamond Academy
KIPP Memphis Collegiate Middle School (KMCMS, formerly KIPP DIAMOND Academy) is KIPP Memphis Collegiate Schools' flagship school. Opened in 2002, KMCMS serves 400 students grades 5-8 in North Downtown Memphis.
KIPP Memphis Collegiate Middle School first opened in 2002. Though 93% of our students qualify for free or reduced lunch, the school was ranked the third highest performing public middle school in the state of Tennessee for academic growth from 2008- 2010.
The Trip
On May 15th, 19 Brothers as well Ryan DeGuzman, Director of Expansion, and Chris Triplett, Senior Region Consultant, traveled to Memphis, TN. The week in Memphis consisted of setting up an outdoor classroom for the students of KIPP DIAMOND. Alternative Break Corps Members were also able to shadow Teach For America Corps Members, interact with students, and attend an award ceremony and field day put on by KIPP DIAMOND. Brothers got a feel for Memphis while visiting Graceland, the Stax Museum, and Memphis Zoo.
The Alternative Break Project Corps Members
- Shaina Benoit, Gamma Theta
- Anthony Correro, Gamma Theta
- Katie Daigle, Gamma Theta
- Ashley Edmondson, Sigma
- Shivani Giltora, Gamma Theta
- Katerine Golemi, Gamma Theta
- Debby Harnishfeger, Beta Zeta
- Morgan Herlihy, Alpha Epsilon
- Jessica Iarocci, Epsilon Nu
- Allison Kirstein, Upsilon
- Lauren Lippert, Upsilon
- Stephanie Martin, Sigma
- Celeste Nimmo, Gamma Theta
- Jessica O'Neal, Gamma Theta
- Lina Smulkaitis, Delta Eta
- Sara Strasner, Gamma Theta
- Jennifer Weaver, Alpha Epsilon
- Amanda Weigle, Epsilon Alpha
- Natasha Doski, Alpha Chi
- Nicole Delhagen, Alpha Epsilon
- Denise Cavanagh, Alpha Epsilon
- Chris Triplett, National Staff
- Ryan DeGuzman, National Staff
