2014 Alternative Break Project

During Teach For America Month 2013, the location for the 2013 Alternative Break Project was announced. In May 2014, Brothers would travel to Capitol Hill High School in Oklahoma City, OK to create an outdoor environmental science classroom.

Capitol Hill High School

Capitol Hill High School is an Oklahoma City Public School (OKCPS) and has been a Teach For America partner since the 2011-2012 school year. At the time of the trip, the high school had grades nine through twelve with about 1,041 students enrolled. Capitol Hill High School had 65 teachers in total, eight of which were Teach For America Corps Members.

The Trip

The 2014 project was scheduled for May 11-17. Unfortunately the 2014 Alternative Break Project was cancelled. The primary reasons influencing the eventual decision to cancel were:

• Unexpected information about the project worksite: The roof location for the project was less than desirable for our intended construction of a greenhouse. There was concern about the ability of Brothers to safely get up to and down from the roof, as well as the on-going safe use of the project site by students.
• Necessary changes in project scope: Due to the new information about the project worksite, the scope of the project would change from an outdoor greenhouse to raised vegetable beds.
• Experience of Brothers to make an impact: The project would only benefit one class at Capitol Hill High School, rather than a larger population, as originally anticipated.

Continued Support to Capitol Hill High School and Positive Tomorrows

Phi Sigma Pi remained committed to supporting the students of Capitol Hill High School. Materials ordered for the project, such as seeds, growing trays, soil and gardening gloves, were donated to Capitol Hill for students to use on a smaller scale. In addition, Positive Tomorrows remained Phi Sigma Pi’s Pencils for Potential recipient and received donations by the end of their school year.